6
"What do you mean?" asked Student.
"I mean," said Teacher, "what if life requires sustenance from things that are not shared with other living beings, one's own things. For instance, my job as a teacher sustains me, allows me to live. I don't share this with you, right?"
"Of course."
"My role as teacher might at times require me to do things that you might not understand."
"But shouldn't your relationship with the living trump that which is required by the dead?"
"You mean should I give you an A+ for your very short story? Frankly, I don't think it was A+ material, even by the standards of the living. And you know how the dead feel about it."
"What grade did you give me?"
"C-, just below average. But I'll give you a second chance, if you'd like."
"No, I'll take the original grade. I deserve it. But promise me something?"
"What?"
"If you have to do something I don't understand, will you try to explain it to me? Even if I don't get it now, maybe I will someday."
"You have my word. But will you promise that in turn to me?"
"Yes. But we have to promise, too, that if we don't understand something we have to speak up and not just keep ourselves in the dark."
"Very good."
"And if there must be misunderstanding, let's promise to part as friends, friends misunderstood."
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Nick Pappas, pappasnick.typepad.com
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