The Power of Forgiveness
Mr. Wonder had been a high school Geography and Math teacher for over 25 years. Known for his exceptional teaching skills and balanced approach to classroom discipline, he was respected by both students and colleagues. However, one day, while collecting examination scripts from a Grade 11 class, he faced an unexpected challenge.
Four rude boys in the class insulted Mr. Wonder, shouting vulgarities in a vernacular language he was not fully conversant with. The tone of their words and the shocked expressions of the other students made it clear that something unpleasant had been directed at him. This act of defiance constituted serious examination misconduct, and Mr. Wonder knew that a disciplinary hearing was necessary.
The deputy principal wasted no time in addressing the issue. She conducted a thorough investigation, suspended the boys, and invited their parents to a disciplinary hearing. Despite the severity of the situation, Mr. Wonder resolved to forgive the boys and let the Department of Education regulations determine the outcome.
The rest of the class was shocked…
During the disciplinary hearing, one of the parents was overwhelmed with shame and could only sob. Another parent requested to hear Mr. Wonder’s perspective. Clearing his throat, Mr. Wonder spoke calmly, “The national flag symbolizes unity derived from diverse ethnic groups, living and working together in harmony. Although I am not a native to this country, I am a permanent resident and legally engaging the children entrusted to me in this school. I decided to forgive all the boys and never to take personally their ill-behavior. I remain submitted to the Constitution of this country.”
One parent expressed their anger, saying, “If I were the teacher in that class, I would have punished the boy who uttered the first insult. I was so angry with my son when I received the Deputy Principal’s report. Mr. Wonder is one of a kind, and I have not met a teacher of such noble character. I think other educators have a very good example in this teacher.”
One by one, the boys admitted their guilt and expressed their remorse. They apologized to Mr. Wonder and agreed to comply with the discipline measures. The third parent pleaded with the deputy principal not to expel the boys, as they had already spent two weeks at home under suspension.
During those two weeks, the teaching staff expressed their disgust at the boys’ unacceptable conduct during examination time. Many teachers felt that the boys deserved expulsion. Three teachers even approached Mr. Wonder, urging him to be tough on the boys. However, Mr. Wonder maintained his stance to forgive and move on.
A verdict was reached in the disciplinary hearing. The boys were sanctioned to clean the boys’ toilet for two weeks under the caretaker’s supervision. They were also instructed to give Mr. Wonder a written apology, which would be copied into their school file for future reference.
Two weeks later, Mr. Wonder asked the caretaker if any boys had cleaned the toilet. The caretaker replied, “Nobody came to clean the toilet. I was informed by the deputy principal about the punishment, but nobody reported, and I don’t think they intend to do so.”
Conclusion
Mr. Wonder’s decision to forgive the boys was a testament to his noble character and commitment to the principles of unity and harmony. Despite the boys’ failure to fulfill their punishment, Mr. Wonder’s act of forgiveness left a lasting impact on the students, parents, and teaching staff. It served as a powerful reminder that forgiveness can be a transformative force, fostering understanding and growth even in the face of defiance and misconduct.