does this touch you?

While life is a journey in itself with many different 'stop's that come in between (by stop i mean people we meet, our achievements and failures) before you reach the destination.... sometimes i feel that some 'stop's themselves become life!!!

this what i thought after i read this story..... while every small thing can teach everything, you can as well learn nothing from big things... what say??

won't bore u more... jus go thru the story pasted below... and does that touch you???!?!?

The Perfume...

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day ofthe school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers shelooked at her students and said she loved them all the same. Howeverthat was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in theseat was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that hedid not play well with the other children, that his clothes weremessy, and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddycould be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delightin marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and thenputting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs.Thompson taught, she was required to review each student past recordsand she put Teddy's off until the last. However when she reviewed hisfile, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with aready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is ajoy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote Teddy is an excellent student, wellliked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has aterminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "Teddy's mother's death has been hardon him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show muchinterest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps are nottaken."

His fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't showmuch interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and hesometimes sleeps in class."

By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents,wrapped beautifully in bright ribbons and paper, except for Teddy's,whose present was clumsy and wrapped in heavy brown paper, the hewould have got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to openit in the middle of the other presents.

Some of the children started to laugh when she found the rhinestonebracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle of perfume thatwas only one quarter full. But she stifled the children's laughterwhen she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, anddabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed onafter school that day just long to say, " Mrs. Thompson, today yousmelled just like my mom used to." After the children left, she criedfor at long time

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic.Instead she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particularattention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to comealive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By theend of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children inclass. And, despite her lie that she loved all the children the same,Teddy became one of her "pets".

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, tellingher that she was still the best teacher he had ever had in his life.

Six years went by before she got another letter from Teddy. He thenwrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and shewas still the best teacher he ever had in is whole life.

Four years after that she received another note saying that whilethings had been tough at times, he still stayed in school, had stuckwith it, and would soon graduate with the highest honors. He assuredMrs. Thompson that she was still the best and most favorite teacherhe ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time heexplained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go alittle further. The letter explained that she was still the best andmost favourite teacher he ever had in his whole life. But now thename was little longer ... the letter was signed, Theodore F.Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end here. There was yet another letter thatspring. Teddy said the he met this girl who was going to marry.

He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and hewas wondering if Mrs. Thompson would agree to sit at the wedding inthe place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what, she wore that bracelet- the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she alsoremembered to wear the perfume that Teddy's mother wore on the lastChristmas they spent together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson'sear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so muchfor making me feel important and showing me that I could make adifference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back, "Teddy, youhave it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make adifference. I didn't know how to teach till I met you."

You could have a Teddy standing in front of you and yet not realize it . . .

Warm someone's heart today. Just try to make a difference in someone's lifetoday, tomorrow.. Just do it. Random acts of kindness I think they call it . .