The Boots and the Mittens
It was the middle of winter, and a primary school teacher was helping one of her pupils put on his boots at the end of the day. He had asked for help, and she quickly saw why.
Even with her pulling and him pushing, those stubborn little boots refused to go on. By the time the second one finally did, she was flushed, frazzled, and questioning her life choices.
Then the boy calmly announced that they weren’t his boots.
She paused, inhaled deeply through her nose, and counted silently to ten before starting the battle all over again. Off came the boots, one by one, with great effort and even greater restraint.
The boy then explained that they were actually his brother’s boots, but his mother had made him wear them.
The teacher blinked twice, closed her eyes for strength, and began round three of the Great Boot War. Back on they went, inch by inch, until victory was achieved.
Finally, she helped him into his coat and asked where his mittens were. The boy smiled and said he had stuffed them into the toes of his boots.
And that was the moment she decided teachers deserve more than a paycheck—they deserve a medal, a nap, and possibly a vacation.
