Great Teacher Anonymous (Short)

>be a middle school english teacher
>its a tough job, most kids would rather goof off
>others are unruly and rebellious in their pre-teen years, especially the monster girls
>try to open up the childrens minds to great works like Walt Whitman, Edgar Allen Poe, and Robert Frost
>they'd rather pass notes and draw during class
>forced to make each student read aloud from the book just to keep up with the lesson plan
>one day get a new kobold student
>she's quiet and keeps to herself, the other kids dont play with her
>such a shame
>this week were reading O Captain! My Captain
>Kobold's turn comes
>shes struggling and can barely pronounce the words
>we cant even get through the first stanza
>the class begins to snicker and laugh at her before she finally quits and sits back down
>class eventually ends, all the other students rush out save for Kobold monster girl
>notice that her eyes are red and slightly puffy

>quickly kneel down next to her and open up the book for her
>"Would you like some help?"
>she's quiet, obviously ashamed at what happened earlier
>I spend the next ten minutes helping her out anyway, breaking up and sounding out words for her
>she’s late for her next class, but I write her a note for her next teacher and give her some tissues
>”It’ll only get harder. But I promise, before this year ends you’ll be amazed at what you can do.”
>she gives me a quizzical look as she collects her things and leaves
>begin developing lesson plans specifically for her
>assign her different books to read, mostly childrens fantasy and sci-fi
>take the time to walk through the books with her
>she’s always quiet, but continues on with the readings with me
>we slowly graduate from picture books to short stories
>the year soon ends however
>she’s progressed, not by much, but there is improvement
>I give her some of my own books for her, hoping they would help
>she doesn’t utter a thank you, or say anything really, as she walks out of the classroom for the last time
>”Just keep at it. I promise, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve if you just keep at it.”
>I don’t think she heard me as she turned down the hallway
>summer vacation comes, and soon after, next years new students
>more new faces, more young minds to teach
>but I never did forget about that little kobold girl
>I never forget any of my students

>years pass
>my hair becomes even grayer, my beard gaining some significant length
>eventually have to retire
>the school awards me with a plaque and sends me on my way
>nothing more, nothing less
>none of my old students showed, not that I expected them to anyway
>take up gardening, finally having the time to attend to it full time
>I soon become a regular at Home Depot but never win Yard of the Year
>Alraune down the street always wins
>funny, I taught her daughter once
>one day, I get a phone call from an unknown number
>they said if I was available to meet with them tomorrow
>well of course, I was an old man, I had all the time in the world
> the next day, a black car pulls up on the driveway
>out steps a middle-aged business type woman, briefcase in hand
>immediately think they’re here for back taxes or something
>out the other side of the car jumps out a young woman in a simple skirt and jacket
>eyes go wide at the sight
>no, it couldn’t be
>”H-hello Mr. Anon,” the once little Kobold says bashfully as she immediately hugs me
>I reciprocate, but I’m completely stunned
>what was she doing here
>”I never gave up Mr. Anon. I always kept reading. And I read a lot. You were right too.”
>she had a small book in one of her hands
>in small letters, I could see her name written on it beneath the title
>”With your permission Mr. Anon, I was wondering if I could use you for my next book. It’s a story about wise old man that helps his stu…Mr. Anon, you’re crying.”
>she gave me a panicked look, but I immediately laughed and wiped them away and reassured her
>”I’d be delighted to help you with your book. Just one last time.”