Article December 11, 2000 Issue

I'M A WEALTHY TEACHER

Laura Cork

It was a busy March morning in my first-grade classroom. But I'd slowed down to read a book to the kids. Six-year-olds were gathered at my feet, eyes focused on every page of a folk tale called The Most Beautiful Thing in the World.

The story tells about three brothers who are sent out by their father to find the most beautiful thing in the world. The oldest brother goes in search of a beautiful landscape and attempts to capture it in a painting. The second brother searches for riches and tapestries, and then devises a way to bring them back to his father. The youngest brother searches and searches. He sees many beautiful things but doesn't find something with which to return.

Finally, he spots a group of villagers working together. He begins to speak with them and to help in their work. He returns to his father, reporting that the most beautiful thing in the world is love and friendship. The father takes note of his wisdom and grants him great wealth—which the son distributes generously to the villagers.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

THE LORD DOES PROVIDE