My teacher looked a little surprised when she saw us. But she touched her short hair with her right hand and looked at us with her usual kind face. She moved her neck to one side as if to ask what the problem was.
Then, the big, smart boy stepped forward. He told her everything about how I had stolen Jim’s paints. Her face clouded for a moment. And then looked at us with a serious face. When she looked right at me, I was about to cry. She asked me, Is this true?
It was true. But I didn’t want my favorite teacher to know the bad thing I did. So instead of answering, I started to cry.
My teacher looked at me for a while. Then, she said to my classmates in a quiet voice, You can all go now.
My classmates didn’t look happy and noisily went downstairs.
After they left, my teacher didn’t say anything and didn’t even look at me. She only looked at her fingernails. But then, she quietly came to my side and held me. She asked me in a quiet voice. Did you return the paints?
I wanted her to know that I did, so I nodded deeply. Then, my teacher said, This is not something to be proud of. You know that, don't you? When I heard that, I felt so bad. I bit my lips to stop them from shaking. Then tears fell from my eyes. I felt like I wanted to die in my teacher’s arms.
You can stop crying now. I understand. You do not go have to go to the next class. You can stay in this room. Stay here until I come back, okay?
She made me sit on a sofa. Then, she reached out the window and grabbed a bunch of grapes from the grapevines. She put the grapes on my lap and quietly left the room. I was still crying.
I had disappointed my favorite teacher. It made me feel so bad. I didn’t feel like eating grapes. I continued to cry and cry.
I woke up when someone lightly shook my shoulders. I had fallen asleep in my teacher’s room. She was smiling down at me. I returned the smile with a small smile of my own and quickly picked up the bunch of grapes. They were about to fall off my lap. Then, I remembered what I did. My smile quickly disappeared.
You don't have to look so sad. Everyone has gone home. You go home, too. and you must come to school tomorrow no matter what. I will be very sad if I don't see your face tomorrow. Make sure you come, okay?
Saying so, she put the grapes in my bag.