Question frequently asked by student after missing a class

 

Nothing. When we realized you weren't here

 we sat with our hands folded on our desks

 in silence, for the full two hours

 

Everything. I gave an exam worth

40 per cent of the grade for this term

and assigned some reading due today

on which I'm about to hand out a quiz

worth 50 per cent

 

Nothing. None of the content of this course

has value or meaning

Take as many days of as you like:

any activities we undertake as a class

I assure you will not matter either to you or me

and are without purpose

 

Everything. A few minutes after we began last time

a shaft of light descended and an angel

or other heavenly being appeared

and revealed to us what each woman or man must do

to attain divine wisdom in this life

and the hereafter

This is the last time the class will meet

before we disperse to bring this good news to all

people on earth

 

Nothing. When you are not present

how could something significant occur?

 

 Everything. Contained in this classroom

is a microcosm of human existence

assembled for you to query and examine and ponder

This is not the only place such an opportunity has

been gathered

 

but it was one place

 

And you weren't here

 

-Tom Wayman