The Parable of the Child

There is a difference between education and
experience. Education is what you get from
reading the small print. Experience is what you get
from not reading it!

But isn't it true that great learning comes from both
education and experience? Let me tell you a
parable:

A young school teacher had a dream that an angel
appeared to him and said, "You will be given a
child who will grow up to become a world leader.
How will you prepare her so that she will realize
her intelligence, grow in confidence, develop both
her assertiveness and sensitivity, be open-minded,
yet strong in character? In short, what kind of
education will you provide that she can become
one of the world's truly GREAT leaders?"

The young teacher awoke in a cold sweat. It had
never occurred to him before -- any ONE of his
present or future students could be the person
described in his dream. Was he preparing them to
rise to ANY POSITION to which they may aspire?
He thought, 'How might my teaching change if I
KNEW that one of my students were this person?'
He gradually began to formulate a plan in his mind.

This student would need experience as well as
instruction. She would need to know how to solve
problems of various kinds. She would need to grow
in character as well as knowledge. She would
need self-assurance as well as the ability to listen
well and work with others. She would need to
understand and appreciate the past, yet feel
optimistic about the future. She would need to
know the value of lifelong learning in order to keep
a curious and active mind. She would need to grow
in understanding of others and become a student
of the spirit. She would need to set high standards
for herself and learn self discipline, yet she would
also need love and encouragement, that she might
be filled with love and goodness.

His teaching changed. Every young person who
walked through his classroom became, for him, a
future world leader. He saw each one, not as they
were, but as they could be. He expected the best
from his students, yet tempered it with
compassion. He taught each one as if the future of
the world depended on his instruction.

After many years, a woman he knew rose to a
position of world prominence. He realized that she
must surely have been the girl described in his
dream. Only she was not one of his students, but
rather his daughter. For of all the various teachers
in her life, her father was the best.

I've heard it said that "Children are living messages
we send to a time and place we will never see."
But this isn't simply a parable about an unnamed
school teacher. It is a parable about you and me --
whether or not we are parents or even teachers.
And the story, OUR story, actually begins like this:

"You will be given a child who will grow up to
become...." You finish the sentence. If not a world
leader, then a superb father? An excellent
teacher? A gifted healer? An innovative problem
solver? An inspiring artist? A generous
philanthropist?

Where and how you will encounter this child is a
mystery. But believe that his or her future may
depend upon influence only you can provide, and
something remarkable will happen. For no child will
ever be ordinary to you again. And you will never
be the same.

Now then, after reading this, my reflectin is this... Am I helping those people around me: my loved ones, my friends, my family, people I meet in my everyday life to realise thier potential? Am I showing a good example? How can I inspire them to become caring and loving people? Am i doing my part, though I am not yet a parent? What do I see in them? Have a think of the people you care for... Are you playing your part?
Have a think...