To teach a calloused child,
one who does not desire learning
or knowledge or anything (it seems),
is like trying to sneak-up
behind a tree
and surprise its branches and leaves.
To teach a child,
any child,
you must sit in
the shade of this tree:
reading and writing,
drawing and coloring,
looking and asking,
until the tree
bends a branch towards you
and lets you climb and
understand and
believe in its leaves.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Blog Archive
-
▼
2005
(171)
-
▼
June
(17)
- synopsis
- in a bar (revised)
- modern love
- Stop staring!What are you looking at?Am I really s...
- The Hello's
- He is Shanghai,with the space-like buildings, ...
- in a bar
- insecurity
- beautiful
- memories
- headache
- to teach
- difficult
- my pen
- In the dimly lit still of the morning
- cold, bitterest of colds
- Kindergarten cont'd
-
▼
June
(17)
6 comments:
...and sometimes the tree is struck by lightening and the limb falls striking the child across their bottom. I'll shut up now --I think you point is far more eloquent. We should all set beneath the shade of a tree and learn from each other.
I wish all educators could read this poem and learn a thing or two about teaching, instead of shoving information down kids throats. It (sadly) seems that with such competitive parents, kids arent given their time to discover the joy of learning. My mum always said that the only thing she wanted for me was to discover the joy of learning and it did happen for me, eventually.
I am sending this to my sister who is studying to be a teacher. So lovely.
this is such a lovely poem. all teachers and parents should read it. u must be a great teacher, more power to you.
how come u have not left any comment on my blog, in a long time now.
Wwaaa it's so beautiful! I reckon this is my new fave of all your poems here. *applause*
until the tree
bends a branch towards you
and lets you climb and
understand and
believe in its leaves.
Sigh. Looovvee it!
Wow! Lovely!! Timeless! For any teacher!
"until the tree
bends a branch towards you
and lets you climb and
understand and
believe in its leaves." Brilliant, lovely line! Says it all! Bravo!
Post a Comment