A TOUCH THAT NURTURES A SAPLING

A TOUCH THAT NURTURES A SAPLING

He arrived at the schoolyard early that morning. The air was just starting to lighten. The sky was slowly opening from a night blue to daylight, painted with pink and orange streaks. Beams of light filtered through the leaves of the trees, casting tiny shadows onto the gently swaying flag.

Teacher Nilay Through Arda’s Eyes

Arda held the paper in his hand carefully, trying not to crease it. It was Teachers’ Day, and he had drawn a picture for his teacher, Nilay. In his world, she had a very special place. Teacher Nilay doesn’t just teach lessons; she tells stories that teach life itself. She asks questions about what she narrated, nurturing their sense of curiosity.

The bell rang, and one by one, students began to fill the classroom. As Teacher Nilay entered, the room instantly fell silent. She smiled gently, just as she always did. The long cream-colored cardigan suited her perfectly. She walked softly to her desk. Her smile wasn’t just a simple smile; it was one of those warm expressions that made you feel safe. It helped her students feel valued and secure.

Arda’s Curious Questions

Arda was a talkative, curious child. But when he got excited, words came out with difficulty, and he stuttered. His curiosity filled his mind with questions, and his hand was always in the air. His teacher encouraged this curiosity, but some classmates got bored whenever Arda stuttered. Some even said, “Teacher, can Arda talk last? We get bored listening to him.”

These words hurt him deeply. His parents were also looking for a solution to this situation, sometimes unintentionally giving warnings made it worse. When there were guests at home, they would say, “Son, don’t talk too much unless someone asks you a question.” One day he overheard his father say, “How will this child find a job when he grows up?” and it broke his heart.

With each passing day, he withdrew further into himself. His voice grew quieter—almost only he could hear it now.

Teacher Nilay noticed this change and did everything she could to bring back Arda’s old cheerfulness. That day in class, she asked all the students, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Laughter in the Classroom, Break Hearts

Everyone shared their dreams, and then it was Arda’s turn.

— Come on Arda, tell us. What do you want to be when you grow up?
— III d-d-don’t kn-know…
— You once told me you enjoy teaching. Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher?

Suddenly, the class burst into laughter. The children found the idea of a stuttering friend becoming a teacher amusing.

Teacher Nilay immediately raised her voice:

“Children! Quiet, please! Why are you laughing? What you’re doing is very wrong. People are born with different qualities. These qualities neither shame us nor make us superior. Shouldn’t you be supporting your friend and helping him improve? Shouldn’t we be more considerate about how our actions might hurt someone?”

Just then the bell rang. Arda grabbed his bag and ran out crying. When he got home, he locked himself in his room.

Teacher’s Visit That Lit a Spark

Later that evening, the doorbell rang. His teacher had come to visit him.

Arda’s eyes were red from crying all day. When he saw his teacher, he whispered with a trembling voice, “W-wel…come…”

His teacher sat beside him, speaking softly: “Arda dear, I brought your classmates’ apologies. Sometimes children make jokes without thinking about how much it might hurt someone. They didn’t mean to upset you, and they truly regret what they did.”
Arda lifted his head slightly—there was a tiny spark of hope in his eyes.

She continued: “Mixing up words when you're excited or stretching them out happens to many children your age. Most of the time, it gets better with time. But even if it doesn’t… should it ever be a reason to give up on your dreams? Never stop talking and never stop wanting to be a teacher. Sometimes the things we think are weaknesses become our strengths. Working hard despite them is what brings great success.”

After a long pause, Arda spoke with determination: “Yes, teacher… I want to be a teacher. Just like you.” He took out the drawing he hadn’t been able to give her that morning and handed it to her.

That night, as Teacher Nilay walked home, she reflected:

“Teaching is the effort to turn a sapling into a tree. How much water does it need, how much sunlight, what soil helps it grow? Understanding these things requires patience, compassion, and attention. Sometimes your firmness becomes healing; sometimes your mercy. Sometimes distance helps; sometimes knocking on a student’s door. Sometimes a small encouragement becomes a lesson for the whole class. And sometimes a warm smile in the classroom becomes a light—a hope—for an entire lifetime.”

Dedicated to all teachers who teach with their hearts… 

Since the beginning of humanity, Our greatest friend and enemy has remained the same: The person in the mirror...

"Experiential Design Teaching" is dedicated to help humans discover their true purpose. It guides people toward open consciousness to make better decisions and choices. It offers strategies for real solutions to real problems.

The programs that begin with “Who’s Who,” followed by “Mastery in Relationships” and “The Psychology of Success,” aim to help people become happier and more successful compared to their past selves.