Diwata suffered ridicule from her classmates when she thought that all the way they were her true friends. They kept taunting her because she always stammered whenever she spoke or recited. The mocking looks of others only aggravated the problem. Little did they know that her stuttering was an inborn defect.
She would always come home crying with swollen eyes unable to bear the sneering jibes in school. However, in spite of these when the kindly teacher noticed the rude hissings, and enquired her, she would always absolve her classmates of any wrong doings. Conversely, the teacher knew the truth.
One day when the Principal was in the class, the teacher proudly presented Diwata and said, "Diwata is the brightest in the class and writes with great felicity and charm. She has a handicap. She stutters while she speaks but when she writes she is so articulate and superb. Others may speak well but stutter when it comes to writing. God has endowed each one of us with some skill and some flaw. We should learn not to hurt others less fortunately born."
The Principal made known, “Your teacher has given a strong message. Mingle with Diwata, play with her, encourage her to speak freely without fear of ridicule. She will become one like you very soon."
There was the annual day the following month. The teacher talked to Diwata and made her agree to sing the opening song. She promised to work with her all the thirty days. She took the Principal who had initial reservations into confidence.
The printed circular carried Diwata’s name as the person who would render the opening song, which usually set the pace for the function. All the other teachers and even some parents who knew of Diwata's disability thought her teacher had gone mad.
Nevertheless, the teacher and girl spent days together practicing and pronouncing each word repeatedly. The rehearsals in private were many. More than anything, Diwata developed self-confidence. There was a fire in her belly to succeed.
On the appointed day, when the curtain rose, the entire audience was unusually silent when Diwata came on stage. There was an uneasy quiet. Diwata started with a little trepidation but when she saw her teacher on the sideline encouraging her, she got bold and sang the song slowly with no stutter but beautifully.
When she finished, what started as a mild clap soon became a resounding standing ovation. The teacher came on the stage and hugged the child with tears flowing from her eyes.
From then on all the children competed with each other to befriend Diwata. Blessed is Diwata to have such a loving and understanding teacher.
~*~*~*~
