To Do or To Be

Once there was a man named Nathan. He wanted very much to be a teacher. So he sought the advice of the wisest, most highly-respected counsellor in the land.

"Wise counsellor, it has always been my dream to be a teacher," Nathan said. "I want to stimulate the minds of the young. I want to lead them down the road of knowledge. Please tell me the secret to becoming a teacher."

"Your goal is commendable, Nathan. However, it is very difficult to achieve. First, you must overcome three major obstacles."

"I am ready to meet the challenge," answered Nathan bravely.

"First you must swim the Sea of Children," directed the all-knowing counsellor.

Nathan set off to swim the Sea of Children. First, he had to learn their 38 names. Then he sent the line-cutters to the end of the line. He commanded the name-callers, the pushers and the punchers to apologise to their victims. He gave candy to those who finished assignments and stars to those who sat quietly in their seats.

Nathan checked passes to see how many children were in the bathroom and tracked down students who were gone longer than necessary. He arranged the desks in small groups of four. He lined his children up for physical education, music, library and lunch. Then he stifled a cry when the secretary came into the room with child number 39.

Tired and shaken but still undefeated, the young man returned to the counsellor for his second task.

"You are very determined lad," said the wise one. "However, now you must climb the Mountain of Paperwork."

Nathan set out at once. He wrote objectives and drew up lesson plans, made out report cards and graded papers. He filled out accident, attendance and withdrawal reports. He completed inventories, evaluations, surveys and request forms.

Finally, he made dittos and more dittos. He ran them off until he was purple in the face. But his resolve never wavered and he went back for his third task.

"You are indeed very strong, Nathan. But this final task will take all the courage you can muster. You must now cross the Country of Duties and Committees."

At first, Nathan was hesitant. But his conviction remained steadfast, so he began his long journey. He took lunch, bus and recess duty. He was on the social committee, patrol committee, and the faculty advisory committee. He was the adult supervisor of the student council and ran the United Fund and Easter Seal drives.

He went to PTA meetings, school site meetings, and in-service workshops. He organised bicentennial programmes, talent shows and book drives. Finally, he was elected the building representative of the union.

At last, he reached the outskirts of Duties and Committees. Exhausted but happy, he returned to the counsellor.

"I swam the Sea of Children, climbed the Mountain of Paperwork, and crossed the Country of Duties and Committees," Nathan proclaimed. "Am I not worthy of the title of Teacher?"

"Why, Nathan," began the counsellor, "you have been one all along."

The young man protested: "But I have not stimulate any minds! I have not guided anyone down the road to knowledge! I have not had any time to teach!"

"Oh, did you just say you want to teach? I thought you wanted to be a teacher. That's completely different story!"

From Starmag