As this teacher learned, students teach some of the most moving lessons.
When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, she thought how little these children, who lived in a deteriorating neighborhood, actually had to be thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of turkeys or of bountifully laden Thanksgiving tables. That was what they believed was expected of them.
What took Mrs. Klein aback was Douglas’s picture. Douglas was so forlorn and likely to be found close in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas’s drawing was simply this:
A hand, obviously, but whose hand? The class was captivated by his image. “I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food,” said one student.
“A farmer,” said another, “because they grow the turkeys.”
“It looks more like a policeman, and they protect us.” “I think,” said Lavinia, who was always so serious, “that it is supposed to be all the hands that help us, but Douglas could only draw one of them.”
Mrs. Klein had almost forgotten Douglas in her pleasure at finding the class so responsive. When she had the others at work on another project, she bent over his desk and asked whose hand it was.
Douglas mumbled, “It’s yours, Teacher.”
Then Mrs. Klein recalled that she had taken Douglas by the hand from time to time; she often did that with the children. But that it should have meant so much to Douglas …
Perhaps, she reflected, this was her Thanksgiving, and everybody’s Thanksgiving—not the material things given unto us, but the small ways that we give something to others.
Five Friends
In a cozy village, five friends – Timmy, Sally, Ben, Lisa, and Mike – heard of a Thanksgiving feast that needed volunteers. They eagerly signed up for different tasks. They worked tirelessly, laughing and sharing stories as they prepared. The day of the feast arrived, and the village square came alive with decorations and delicious scents.
Families gathered, sharing gratitude and stories. The friends looked on, proud of what they had achieved. That night, they realized that giving thanks was about more than words. It was about action, coming together, and making a difference. From then on, they knew that every act of kindness was a little thank-you to the world.
Please take time to share this Thanksgiving with your families and those less fortunate than yourself.