A Memory That Lasted a Lifetime
Michael Simon realised back in his school days that he was meant to teach. It wasnt merely an ambition, but a firm conviction sparked by an event that marked him deeply. Even as a boy, I understood that no matter what happened, one must always remain an honourable personand I had a living example before me. That moment of genuine guidance stayed with me and shaped the way Ive lived ever since.
I was in Year Six at the time. It was just me and Mum at home. That was the year Dad left ushe simply walked out, leaving Mum with these words, which I overheard:
I have a new family now. You two can get on however you want.
Ive never forgotten those words. I dashed off to my room and cried, making sure Mum didnt see. Determined, I made a promise to myself right then: When I grow up, Ill never behave like this. Ill forget about Dad entirely.
And so it turned out. Dad never returned, and I hardly thought of him, though it hurt seeing other kids with fathers when I had none.
Mum worked at the local textile factory and also took in sewing jobs at home. We made do, never starved, but certainly didnt live extravagantly. Mum always tried to see me well-dressed for school so I wouldnt feel left out. Life was fairly equal for most folks back thenwell, almost everyone.
In my class, there was a boy named Colin. He was ordinary enough, but one day fortune smiled on his father, who inherited a cottage in the country. His dad sold it and used the money to start a car repair business in our small town. It took offmoney started coming in. Colin got spoilt, and loved showing off his new things. Of course, everyone secretly envied him.
One morning, Colin strode into class and declared, Look what my Dad got me! He held out his wrist and revealed a beautiful, proper watch.
I eyed the watch with envy, just as every lad in class did. Colin was bursting with pride, because no one else had such a watch. We could only sigh; watches like that were out of reach for the rest of us. I felt a pang, but tried not to show it, just as others did. That day, I thought of Dad:
Colins got a normal father. Mine vanished… Then I tried to stop thinking about it.
I kept up in my studies. Mum always encouraged me: Study well, son, and youll have a good life. Ive got all my hopes pinned on you. I gave my best; wasnt top of the class, but always earned solid marks.
That day, our last lesson was PE. In the changing room, the lads were messing about. Worried for his dad’s gift, Colin took off his watch to stash it in his schoolbag, but in the rush missedhis watch fell under the bench. Only I noticed.
The temptation flashed before me: take the watch and slip it in my pocket. No thinking, I crouched, grabbed the watch, and tucked it into my tracksuit pocket. For a moment, I thought, I should tell Colin I found his watch, but couldnt bring myself to do it.
Mr. Zachary Evans, our PE teacher, shouted, Hurry up and line up! We joined the queue and started the lesson.
We did the usual exercisesrunning and jumpingand I could only think, Hope the watch doesnt fall out and embarrass me. Maybe I could sneak it back under the benchor slip it in Colins bagbut what if someone sees me rifling through his things? Worse still, what would I say? If they ask why I didnt mention finding the watch straight away, theyll brand me a thief.
The watch burned in my pocket, making my leg feel hot. The bell soon rang; everyone dashed into the changing room. I hung back, entering last. Colin stood in the middle, yelling:
Someones nicked my watch! Its expensiveshow me your pockets!
I frozesurely they’d find the watch in mine, and shame would follow. All the lads would turn against me.
Mr. Evans, Colin called, Ive been robbed!
Quiet, whats going on? barked Mr. Evans. All fell silent.
My watch is goneDad gave it to me, its worth a fortune.
Whyd you bring something so valuable to school? Just to show off? Thats not fair, said Mr. Evans. Lets see, maybe its not stolenits just gone missing. Line up, all of you.
Why? asked the lads, puzzled.
So you dont get in the way while I try to find it. Stand up and close your eyes. If I catch anyone peeking, Ill suspect them.
We lined up and squeezed our eyes shut. Mr. Evans began checking everyones pockets. He got to me, tapped my pocket quietly and found the watch. I stood, heart pounding.
He took the watch and said, Pair off with your neighbour and swap places. Without opening his eyes, he carefully moved me. Then, in a calm voice, he announced, Here it is, Colin. Keep a closer eye on your things.
Everyone opened their eyesthe watch lay under the bench, but in a different spot than before. Colin scooped it up and strapped it on. Now no one envied him; hed lost it himself and accused everyone else.
Best not to bring watches to school any morejust in case, advised Mr. Evans, and let us go.
The older pupils began entering, I was last to leave, glancing at Mr. Evans, expecting an unpleasant talk. Somehow I made it home, dreading the next daywould I be called to the headteacher, and then…
The following morning felt like a walk to the gallows.
Maybe Mr. Evans will tell the class today… But the day passed as usual. Lessons, breaktimes, I didnt even see Mr. Evans.
I went home with relief.
Maybe all will stay quiet; Mr. Evans didnt tell anyone. If hed wanted, hed have spoken up right then.
I reproached myself for weeksresolved to never take what belonged to another. I finished school and enrolled in teacher training.
Years passedMichael Simon graduated long ago. I became a schoolteacher myself. One day, an unpleasant situation occurred in my class. Maria, one of the pupils, said her money had gone missing, and she reported it to me.
Mr. Simon, my moneys been stolen. I immediately thought back to my own childhood.
I studied the class, recognising the anxious look in Katies eyes. She came from a troubled home, always dressed poorly compared to her classmates. I knew her parents drank, and now this. Our eyes methers glistened, embarrassed.
I decided to handle it my own way.
So Maria, how much was taken? She named a small sum. Right, Katie gave it to me earliershe spotted it on the floor and handed it over. Be more careful with your things. Good on Katie for being so decent.
I pulled my own money from my pocket, counted out the amount, and handed it to Maria, reminding her to watch her belongings. Relief swept through the roomeveryone began praising Katie, who blushed and glanced at me. Tears threatened to spill, but she held backshe understood she couldnt let her teacher down.
After lessons, Katie waited for meI sensed it and entered the classroom. She placed the stolen money on the desk. I said,
Sit down, Katie, I want to tell you a story.
Katie listened wide-eyed as I told her about a boy named Colin who boasted about his watch, and about Mike, who didnt really need the watch but pocketed it anyway, then felt terrible. I spoke of Mr. Evans, the wise PE teacher.
See, he couldve ruined my life thenhed have been within his rights, really. But he gave me a chance to set things right. Now, Im giving you that chance.
Katie wept.
Thank you, Mr. Simon. This is the first and last timeIll never do anything like it again, she sobbed, and I believed her.
I knew her remorse was genuine, and she truly understood. In the end, it proved true…
Meeting an old teacher
Some years later, I visited my hometown for the holidays. Mum was elderly and needed a visit. As I stepped out of the shop, I ran into Mr. Evanshe was older, walking with a stick, but still lively. We greeted each other and sat on a bench, talking about school and life.
I run a health group for pensioners these daysyouve got to help folks stay active, Mr. Evans smiled.
Mr. Evans, I want to thank you for that tricky incident with the watch, I reminded him.
Mike, I never actually knew who took the watch. Thanks for telling me.
How could that be? You found it in my pocket.
You see, I checked your pockets blindfolded, so I wouldnt shame any pupil by staring at them as a thief. When I found it, I switched you with your neighbour and quickly placed the watch under the bench. Then, when I turned back, I genuinely didnt know whose pocket Id found it in. Thats how it wasI knew it could break you. Now youre a teacher, and Im proud you followed my path. Thats my reward for covering for you.
That day guided my lifes directionalways grateful to you.
The old teacher and I sat for ages, sharing news, me asking advice. As we parted, Mr. Evans said,
You know, Mike, theres a good old saying: Cover the faults of others, and God will cover yours. Thats the truth in life.
I have never forgotten it. That lesson in kindness shaped my life as much as any textbook.
