WATCH THIEF

Michael was recently at a friend's wedding, where he saw his teacher from the fifth grade so many years ago.

"Mr. Claybourne, it's me, Michael Pace. I was in your fifth-grade class 20 years ago at Melton Boys School."

Mr. Claybourne told Michael he remembered him and asked how he was doing and what he was doing all these years later.

"I teach at a local elementary school close by. I love my work. In fact, you inspired me to become a teacher, and I chose to teach the fifth grade, just like you."

"How did I inspire you?" His former teacher wanted to know.

"It was because of a shameful incident that happened and how you handled it that changed me and profoundly affected me." 

He continued. "A new kid came to school wearing a beautiful watch. I was so envious. My parents were struggling to make ends meet. I never got expensive gifts. We couldn't afford any luxuries. But that watch really caught my eye, and I felt like I had to have it.

One day during gym class, I excused myself and went to the locker room. I knew the boy always removed his watch before the class, and he would put it in his street shoes. I took the watch and hid it in the pocket of my pants that were hanging on a hook.

When gym class was over, and the new boy couldn't find his watch, he went to you and told you someone must have taken his watch.

You told the class, 'Let's all look for Bobby's watch and try to find it.'

I faked searching for the watch, and I was too scared even to pretend to find it. After a long while, you told us to quit looking. 

You took a different approach.

'It appears that someone in this class may have taken Bobby's watch. Everyone gather around my desk, and everyone close their eyes. Whoever took the watch will have a chance to return it, and no one will know who took it.'

You told us to all empty out our pockets on your desk with our eyes closed. There was a lot of noise as everyone's belongings spilled onto the desk.

Then you told us to open our eyes. And there, among a pile of gum wrappers, loose change, and whatever else a fifth-grade boy keeps in his pocket, was Bobby's beautiful shiny watch.

I was ashamed and humiliated. I thought you would call me out in front of Bobby and my classmates. But you never said a word.

There was no public shaming, not even a one-on-one talk after the incident. It was never mentioned again. You handled the whole affair in a way that preserved my dignity.

I always look back to that moment with gratitude to you for straightening me out.

As I grew older and it came time for me to choose a career, I chose teaching. I strive to have the same life-changing impact on another young person as you had on my moral growth and character development in the fifth grade. Thank you."

Mr. Claybourne released a long sigh after hearing the story.

"Michael, I never knew you took the watch. When I said everyone will close their eyes, I closed my eyes too."

Little acts of discretion, staying true to one’s word, and being thoughtful, kind, and considerate in all circumstances will have an incalculable impact and will reverberate in the souls you touch forever after.