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Show Page Six - The Eureka Reporter - December 19. 2003 Only a small part in the Christmas play It was my FIRST YEAR teaching drama in junior high, and I was selecting students for the annual Christmas play. I was anxious to prove my ability as a new teacher and wanted only outstanding talented students in the show. Imagine my dismay when the first one to try out was Robert. He was the joke of the . school, a small, mentally slow, misfit boy who always looked like an unmade bed. He was definitely not what I wanted, but he seemed so eager, that I decided to make him one of 30 choral scripture readers and hide him on the back row. During the next weeks, shirt, and I would dye them red and we would make green ties. Robert came to me in tears. "We don't have any old white shirts at our house," he said. "I have six brothers, and we just wear each other's. If I brought one, my little brothers wouldn't have anything to wear. Does this mean I can't be in the play?" I assured him that since I had four sons I would look through my closets and find one he could wear. The next week I brought the 30 brilliantly dyed red shirts straight from my clothesline. "Now take these home and have your mothers iron them for dress rehearsal tomorrow. And be sure you look nice," I added firmly. Robert became my shadow. He was first to memorize his part and was always waiting by my door to practice. Each rehearsal seemed the most important thing in his life. It was his only chance to belong and do something special. Seeing his total dedication, the other students stopped laughing at him and regarded him with new respect. When it came time to choose one solo reader, I picked Robert, much to the astonishment of other teachers. Knowing it would be impossible financially for students to buy costumes. I told each to bring an old white Minutes before dress rehearsal as I was nervously straightening crooked green ties, shouting light cues, and tracking down lost props, I saw Robert in his red dyed shirt, UNIRONED, just the way I had given it to him. Screaming my disapproval, I asked him why it hadn't been ironed. He explained that his mother had been taken to the b(JJ Stuffed With Very Ste Dr nP Best Wishes BYeeadtalhto cute Vuie tar to u ttrte BllnlviUikDintioaiiidgnUtndrtoo... tb haw such good Meads udodibon fj lfv Like each one of yowl X West Juab Ambulance I,Z V I f f A I M hospital suddenly, and in all die confusion his sisters had forgotten about it, and he couldn't find the iron. I jerked him by the arm and pushed him to the Sewing Room, muttering all the way how he couldn't spoil the whole program with a wrinkled shirt. I shall never forget his shame Here's hoping your holiday is loaded wren good times. Merry Christmas & Many Thanks! Eureka Improvement Committee as I ordered him to take off his shirt so I could iron it He unbuttoned it slowly, handed it to me and stood shrinking before me, and a class of giggling girls, in the dirtiest ragged underwear I had ever seen. 1 quickly ironed the shirt, thrust it at him and marched him back to the auditorium. The rehearsal went smoothly and Robert performed well as usual. I delivered my final directions to the cast. "I want everyone in costume on stage tonight at seven o'clock. And don't be late. I don't want any last minute worries," I added, glaring at Robert. Seven o'clock came. Most of the students were in their placesbut no Robert. 7:15 came. All the students were in the places and most of the audience. But no Robert. I was wild. 7:25 came and still no Robert. In desperation, I told another student to read Robert's part so the show could go on. Just as the curtain opened at 7:30, 1 saw a rather pale, shaken Robert slip into his place. I sighed with relief, but vowed I would let him know the anxiety he had cause me. Robert performed as if he were inspired. Never have I heard St. Luke given with such simple meaning and tenderness. He held the surprised audience spellbound. After the show I received congratulations from parents, but no one from Robert's family was there. When the crowd had gone, I found him waiting for me. I immediately unleashed my fury, telling him how worried I had been. "Why were you so late," I demanded. He answered me softly. "Just as I was leaving the house, we got a phone call from the hospital. My mother died tonight. But I knew you were depending on me so I came as soon as I could." The years have flown, but the lesson the drama teacher learned lingers. No matter how many Christmas plays I direct, the angel who proclaims PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN, for me, will always be an 8th grade misfit boy named Robert in a dyed red shirt. J) BIESSAGE Of CHEER to our many good friends. Heartfelt thanks for your valued patronage. TINTIC SERVICE INC. Robert and Sherlin Grill |