Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was
Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldn't take his eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart would break under her sharp words, and when he was punished for failing to turn in his homework, he felt just miserable! Still, he did not study.
In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things, as the day wore on. His heart was not in school, but in the woods, where he often escaped alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his alcoholic home. No one checked on him to see if he was safe. No one knew he was gone, because no one was sober enough to care. Oddly, Steve never missed a day of school.
One day, Miss White's impatient voice broke into his daydreams.
"Steve!!" Startled, he turned to look at her.
"Pay attention!"
Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration, as she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.
"You all did pretty well," she told the class, "except for one boy, and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but..." She hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching his face.
"...The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!"
She just stared at Steve, as the class spun around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.
After that, it was war!! Steve still wouldn't do his homework. Even as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn.
"Just try it! ONE WEEK!" He was unmoved.
"You're smart enough! You'll see a change!" Nothing fazed him.
"Give yourself a chance! Don't give up on your life!" Nothing.
"Steve! Please! I care
Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it!! Someone cared
Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon. Walking into the house, he took one look around. Both parents were passed out, in various stages of undress, and the stench was overpowering! He, quickly, gathered up his camping gear, a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time...his schoolbooks. Grim faced and determined, he headed for the woods.
The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! God, she was beautiful! He yearned for her smile to turn on him. It did not.
Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test, and was the first to hand in his paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart pounding within his chest. As he sat down, he couldn't resist another look at the lovely woman.
Miss White's face was in total shock! She glanced up at Steve, then down, then up.
Suddenly, her face broke into a radiant smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test!
From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it!
He discovered that he could understand and retain knowledge, and that he could translate the things he learned into his own life. Steve began to excel! And he continued this course throughout his school life.
After high-school Steve enlisted in the Navy, and he had a successful military career. During that time, he met the love of his life, he raised a family, and he graduated from college Magna Cum Laude. During his Naval career, he inspired many young people, who without him, might not have believed in themselves. Steve began a second career after the Navy, and he continues to inspire others, as an adjunct professor in a nearby college Miss White left a great legacy. She saved one boy who has changed many lives.
You see, it's simple, really. A change took place within the heart of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.
相关单词：alcoholic
alcoholic解释：adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者
alcoholic例句：
The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。
相关单词：remarkably
remarkably解释：ad.不同寻常地，相当地
remarkably例句：
I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。
He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。
相关单词：miserable
miserable解释：adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的
miserable例句：
It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
相关单词：daydreams
daydreams解释：n.白日梦( daydream的名词复数 )v.想入非非，空想( daydream的第三人称单数 )
daydreams例句：
Often they gave themselves up to daydreams of escape. 他们常沉溺进这种逃避现实的白日梦。 来自英汉文学
I would become disgusted with my futile daydreams. 我就讨厌自己那种虚无的梦想。 来自辞典例句
相关单词：adoration
adoration解释：n.爱慕，崇拜
adoration例句：
He gazed at her with pure adoration.他一往情深地注视着她。
The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
相关单词：spun
spun解释：v.纺，杜撰，急转身
spun例句：
His grandmother spun him a yarn at the fire.他奶奶在火炉边给他讲故事。
Her skilful fingers spun the wool out to a fine thread.她那灵巧的手指把羊毛纺成了细毛线。
相关单词：determined
determined解释：adj.坚定的；有决心的
determined例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
相关单词：yearned
yearned解释：渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 )
yearned例句：
The people yearned for peace. 人民渴望和平。
She yearned to go back to the south. 她渴望回到南方去。
相关单词：enlisted
enlisted解释：adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持）
enlisted例句：
enlisted men and women 男兵和女兵
He enlisted with the air force to fight against the enemy. 他应募加入空军对敌作战。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
相关单词：naval
naval解释：adj.海军的，军舰的，船的
naval例句：
He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
The harbour is an
相关单词：legacy
legacy解释：n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西
legacy例句：
They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。
