There was a school with a class of students no teacher had been able to handle. Two of three teachers had been run off from this school in one year by the unruly students. A young man, just out of college, heard about the class and applied to the school. The principal asked the young man, Do you not know what you are asking for? No one has been able to handle these students. You are just asking for a terrible beating. After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said, Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge. Just give me a trial basis.

The next morning the young man stood before the class. He said to the class, Young people, I came here today to conduct school. But I realize I can't do it by myself. I must have your help.

A boy they called Big Tom whispered to his buddies, I'll not need any help. I can lick that little bird all by myself. The young teacher told the class that if they were to have school, there will have to be some rules to go by. But he also added that he will allow the students to make up the rules, and that he would list them on the blackboard. This was certainly different, the students thought!

One young man suggested NO STEALING. Another one shouted BE ON TIME FOR CLASS. Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board. The teacher had then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rules. Rules are no good unless they are enforced, he said. Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off. The teacher thought that was pretty harsh, so he asked the class if they would stand by this punishment. The class agreed.

Everything went pretty good for two or three days. Then Big Tom came in one day very upset. He declared that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students, they came to the conclusion that little Timmy had stolen Big Tom's lunch. Someone had seen little Timmy with Big Tom's lunch!

The teacher called little Timmy up to the front of the room. Little Timmy admitted he had taken Big Tom's lunch. So, the teacher asked him, Do you know the punishment?

Little Timmy nodded that he did. You must remove your coat, then, the teacher instructed. The little fellow had come with a great big coat on.

Little Timmy said to the teacher, I am guilty and I am willing to take my punishment, but please don't make me take off my coat. The teacher reminded little Timmy of the rules and punishments and again told him he must remove his coat and take his punishment like a man. The little fellow started to unbutton that old coat. As he did so, the teacher saw he did not have a shirt on under the coat. And even worse, he saw a frail and bony frame hidden beneath that coat. The teacher asked little Timmy why he had come to school without a shirt. Little Timmy replied, My daddy is dead and my mother is very poor. I don't have but one shirt, and my mother is washing it today. I wore big brother's coat so to keep warm.

That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back with the ribs sticking out, and the spine protruding against the skin. He wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back and without even a shirt on. Still, he knew he must enforce the punishment or the children would not obey the rules. So he drew back to strike little Timmy. Just then Big Tom stood up and came down the aisle. He asked, Is there anything that says I can't take little Timmy's whipping for him? The teacher thought about it and agreed. With that Big Tom ripped his coat off and stooped and stood over little Timmy at the desk. Hesitatingly, the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back. But for some strange reason, after only five licks, that old rod just broke in half. The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob.

He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room. Little Timmy had turned and grabbed Big Tom around his neck, apologizing to him for stealing his lunch, and begging his forgiveness. Little Timmy begged Big Tom to forgive him. He told Big Tom that he would love him till the day he died for taking his whipping for him.

There is never a better measure of what a person is, than what they do when they're absolutely free to choose. William M. Bulger

Contributed to this website with permission from Tim Johnston, April 19, 2000. He would like you to e-mail him at w4ftp@hapco.com if you were touched by this article.