His Third Grade Teacher Wrote

His third grade teacher wrote,

"His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."



Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote,

"Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he 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 ribbons and bright paper, except forTeddy's. His present was clumsily 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 rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.



But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.



Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say,



"Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."