Fresh Water Springs

All the time I spent with those elementary school children, I was thinking of my first teacher and tried to imagine how she would solve a disciplinary problem, how would she introduce a new concept? Miss. Pretureanu was always in my mind. I kept her as a role model in other aspects of my life as well; my hair has always been short and dark, my nails red. Her voice is still ringing in my ears especially when it comes to what children are:

“You should all want to be water springs; sometimes old leafs will block your path, but with some effort you will find your way, and I will always be here to help."

As a child, I was thinking and dreaming of myself more as a blond long haired fairy wishing for magic powers; I have never imagined myself as being a spring. I was a little surprised and confused by the idea, but I also trusted my teacher implicitly; I was sure she meant well.  

Like most young girls, I was dreaming of having a magic and powerful wand that will make my family happier and less stressed about staying in long lines for food, wondering if the truck with bread will be coming that day at the street corner store. I wanted some bananas too and I would have loved to change my older brother’s personality and make him less stubborn and more sharing. I also wanted to use my imaginary wand and bring toys and candies to the children at the school so they could all have happy, smiling faces. If, in fact, I could have been something I really wanted...it was definitely not a spring.  

It took a long time to understand what Madam Pretureanu was saying, but now I fully agree with her; all children are fresh water springs.

The leaves and brushwood that block their path are nothing but our well meaning prejudices, or just plain parental fears, unnecessary limitations that we put on them from lack of trust in their natural talents.