One Word of Encouragement Can Change the Future

Whenever I come across this story of the Buddha’s prophesy, it

reminds me of my elementary school teacher Ms. Lee, who predicted great
things about my future. By all measures, I was just an average kid. I was of
average height and came from a middle-class family. I was not the brightest
student, but neither was I a troublemaker. I remember Ms. Lee as a strict
woman in her mid-thirties. She had one son who attended the same school;
I knew him quite well because we had been in the same class the previous
year.

One day, as I was walking across the yard after school, Ms. Lee’s son
came up to me and invited me over to play at his house—he said his parents
had bought him some new toys. I was very much tempted but was afraid I
might run into Ms. Lee. Understanding my hesitation, my friend assured me
that his mom rarely came home before four o’clock. I agreed to play with him
only if I could leave before four o’clock. We had a lot of fun playing with his
new toys.

I became absorbed in playing and completely forgot about the time

when the front door swung open and my teacher walked in. I tensed up,
worried that I would be chastised for playing instead of doing my homework.
To my surprise, Ms. Lee greeted me with a big smile. She spoke to me warmly
and gave me a hug as though I were her son. In her embrace, I realized she
was actually a kind and loving person, but she had no choice but to appear
strict at school because she had to maintain control over the class. She gave
me a snack that she gave my friend only on special occasions.

As I ate it, she stroked my head gently and said, “You’re going to be a
good student and a role model for your friends. I trust that you will become
a great person who brings wisdom and happiness to a lot of people.” My
young heart was moved beyond words. After that day, I studied very hard
and tried to be a role model for the other students. Since Ms. Lee had put her
trust in me, I was determined not to disappoint her.

I think I have become who I am today thanks to what she said to me

that afternoon. Without her kind words, I would not have had the confidence
to excel academically or to become a professor or spiritual teacher.

Notes:
Adverbs (adv)
Adjectives (adj)