Beyond the Bark

     Crushed by the words – “you did not write this, you copied it”, the lad stood somewhat perplexed before his Elementary School Teacher.  “No ma’am, I did not copy it, I wrote it myself.”  “You did not, you copied it”, came the refrain back from the teacher.  With restrained tears, the lad tried to convince his judge and jury to the contrary.  To no avail.  Though accused of plagiarism, the source of the alleged deed was not named,  in fact  it was non-existent.  Her tone was sharp, piercing and menacing.  Her words, unbending, unbelieving and – final.  The lad, with his head hung down, and with reddened eyes,  found his classroom  seat, and, - dejectedly, fell into it.

     This youngster, a fifth-grader, had written a one-act play as a personally selected class project.  When he eventually passed it in, his authorship was questioned, and, surprisingly, denied.  The problem, perhaps, began much earlier in his school career.  He was considered to be a troublemaker in the classroom and in the school, though his classroom assignments were properly done, and often above grade level.     The accused plagiarist was mischievous and a frequent and uninvited visitor to the principal’s office.  “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” KJB.

     How many writers waiting to bud, blossom and bloom are crushed in their “infancy?”  How many scientists, teachers, architects, entrepreneurs, you name the category, are trampled  as they attempt to break through the soil of invisibility?    By some errant word spoken, or by an action or inaction by someone many have been discouraged from  pursuing  their aspirations or dreams.  The “Discourager” gives no thought to the possibility of a “gem” being contained  within the dampness and darkness of this unexplored cave; a crude diamond-in-the-rough that only needed  polishing.

     History is replete with persons who were deemed incapable or not of sufficient intellect to achieve higher accomplishments and who have proved the nay-sayers wrong.  Earlier in life many were rejected  or discouraged, whether through commission of some negativism or through the omission of an encouraging word, from pursuing academic excellence, and, thus, tracked below their ability.  Those who should have urged  their charges to “strive for excellence”,  rather directed them to pursue mediocrity.  How many  undiscovered talented people or academically gifted youth are there who have been assigned to common-placeness by discouragement?  Seeds germinate, in time,  by water and sunshine.  Otherwise, they  may remain dormant.  Herald the gardeners to water the seeds,  less they not sprout.