There is a story from many years ago of a primary school teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front ofher 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked her students and said that she loved them all the same.

But that was impossible because there in the front row, slumped¹ in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly need a bath. And, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in（乐于） making his papers with a broud red pen, making bold Xs and then putting a "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to recieve each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last.

However,when she recieved his file, she was in a surprise,Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly² and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

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

His third grade teacher wrote "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tried to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote,"Teddy is withdrawn³ and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes 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 in beautiful paper and tied with pretty ribbons, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily（粗陋地） wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone⁴（人造钻石） bracelet⁵ with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quaeter full of perfume. But she stifled⁶ the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the brcelet was, putting it on, and dabbing⁷ some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."

AFTER the children left she cried for at least an hour. On the very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class.

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

Six years later went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that he would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. Then four more years pastand yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided⁸ to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer----the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met his girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father jad died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom⁹. Of course Mrs. Thompson did.

At the wedding ceremony, they hugged each other, and Dr.Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson 's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me, Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

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