I walked home on the road by the sea as usual. I watched the ships as usual. At home, I ate all the grapes. They were delicious.
The next day came. I didn’t want to go to school. I wished I had a stomachache. I wished I had a headache. But that day, I didn’t even have a toothache. So I left the house and started for a school. At the school gate, I felt like I could not enter. Then, I remembered my teacher’s words. I didn’t want to see anyone else, but I really wanted to see her face.
And she would be sad if I didn’t go to class. I wanted my teacher to look at me with her kind eyes again. With only that thought, I entered the chool gate.
Then, to my surprise, Jim came rushing toward me. It was like he was waiting for me. it was like he had forgotton about the day before. He took my hand and led me to our teacher’s room. I thought that my classmates would stay far away from me and say bad things about me like, Look at that Japanese. He's a thief. This was not what I thought would happen. It was a little scary.
My teacher must have heard our footsteps. She opened the door before Jim knocked on it. We entered her room. Jim, you are a good boy. I am happy you understood what I said to you.
Then, she told me, Jim says that you do not have to say sorry to him anymore. You two can become good friends from now on. That is what matters. Now shake hands like gentlemen.
My teacher smiled as she made us face each other. I didn’t feel comfortable with the situation. I didn’t think it should end and so easily. But Jim grabbed my hand and shook it. I was embarrassed and could only smile. Jim was also smiling.
My teacher asked me, Did you enjoy eating the grapes? I answered honestly, Yes. Then, I will give you some more, she said.
She was dressed in white that day. She reached out from the window and grabbed a bunch of grapes. She held the purple grapes in her left hand and cut the bunch in the middle with long silver scissors. There were two bunch of grapes now. My teacher handed Jim and me one each. I can clearly remember this beautiful scene. Purple grapes in her white hand.
Since that time, I have become a better person and not as shy. I wonder where that teacher is now. I know that I will never see her again. But I wish that I could. Every fall, grapes become a beautiful perple covered with fine white powder.
But I will never find the beautiful wihte stone-like hands that held them.