During Career Day, a new kid walks in with his mother, shocking the school teacher. The mother resembles Ted’s late wife to the letter. Ted is trying to remain composed in front of the woman he believed he would never see again, but he is racked with doubts and feelings. With great care, Ted readied his lecture as he stood behind his desk. After losing his wife, he used teaching as a means of rediscovering his purpose. He had to leave his old life behind and go to a new city in order to start over because the pain of her death had been intolerable.
Ten minutes into the lesson, there was a knock on the door. Ted looked up, but the door creaked open before he could reply. Entering, the principal took a little, anxious-looking child by the shoulder. Greetings, Mr. Wilson. Putting a soft touch on the boy’s shoulder, he introduced himself as Marvin. “He will be attending your class starting today.” Ted turned and grinned broadly at the boy. “Marvin! It is a pleasure to have you here, he replied. “You are free to choose any seat that makes you feel the most comfortable.
“Marvin shuffled his feet and looked around the room. In a little interval, he selected a seat close to the rear and took a seat, his gaze locked on the ground. The principal nodded to Ted and slipped out of the room.
Ted gave a hearty round of applause. He said, “So, Marvin, would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself?” Marvin gave a headshake. Ted grinned. Reaching into his desk drawer, he took out a little ball of color. He held it up and grinned at the class. He remarked, “Okay, everybody, let us form a circle.” The kids excitedly moved their desks aside and arranged themselves in a loose circle on the ground. Ted said, “We are going to play a game.” Please tell me one thing about yourself when you catch the ball. After then, give it to someone else.” Ted observed Marvin sitting peacefully at the edge as the ball began to travel. He took a moment to say, “I enjoy dinosaurs,” when the ball fell into his hands.
Marvin began to open up more with time. Ted noted how Marvin would stay after class to ask questions or just converse. Now that the youngster appeared to be enjoying school, Ted was becoming increasingly confident that teaching was his true calling. Ted organized a Career Day for the class one day. With their hands clasped around their youngsters, parents filled the room as the kids hummed with enthusiasm. Ted looked around and saw one chair that was empty. Marvin had not arrived yet. It felt weird, this.
Whenever he arrived, Marvin was the first—sometimes even ahead of Ted. Ted grimaced and grabbed his phone to give Marvin’s parents a call, fearing that something had gone wrong. The classroom door cracked open at that very moment. When Ted looked up, he noticed Marvin grinning broadly as he stood in the doorway. “I apologise for being late,” he exclaimed with joy.