teacher - My Friend :: Nov 2000

~ Foreword ~

Jerome lives in a world in which where all he faces is the solid wall that surrounds his room. He does not like to interact with anyone except his family members. He has no close friends, due to the fact that his parent restricts him of his freedom. Being unable to make friends, Jerome changes from a cheerful teen to an unhappy teen, in just a turn of weeks.

In school, all he did was, to face the teacher, not interacting with friends and classmates. He had to obey the instructions given by his parents – being controlled. That has saddened him, and thus, creating a mental block in his brain.

Unless he is able to find someone to talk to, he would go mad soon...

This is his story.

~ Chapter 1 – Sadness ~

Every weekday morning, Jerome would go to school as usual by bus. After reaching school, he would proceed to the canteen and sit at one area of the canteen taking out a book to read until it was time for the flag raising ceremony. After the ceremony, he would proceed to class with his classmates as usual.

In class, he would sit at the far end towards the windows, as he did not like to interact with the classmates around him. Even during class discussions, he would seek the teacher for permission to work on the assignment alone. This made the subject teachers feel a bit uneasy.

Despite the teachers trying to consult him and having him attend the Civics and Moral Education lessons, nothing could take effect on him. From the subject teachers’ point of view, he was a quiet, polite and hardworking student. Even when the other students are creating a little havoc in class, he would act as normal, still being able to concentrate as if nothing had happen before. No one, not even the teachers could remove the ever expanding mental block in his brain, all they expect is for him to be left alone.

At home, he is imprisoned, being unable to enjoy freedom. His parents do not allow him to wander on his own, unless he is able to supply a logical or valid reason. Both Jerome and his brother are close to each other, despite minor conflicts occurring at times.

Even though he favors being alone, he has a hobby. Jerome enjoys reading. Whenever he comes home, he would quickly finish up his assignments, homework and revision before reading. This had helped him in his studies and gained his confidence in doing well academically, but not his ability to interact freely.

As time flies, Jerome’s mental block problem has become more and more serious and he talks neither to his parents nor his brother. Thus, nothing could be done to help him.

A few months later, a few trainee teachers came to his school. By chance, one of the teachers happened to teach his class English. So, the teacher approached him one day during a discussion session.

“Jerome, why aren’t you joining your friends to work on ways to prevent crime?” Mr. Khoo asked.

“Mr. Khoo, I don’t feel comfortable mixing around.” came the reply from Jerome.

“Jerome, is it possible for me to make an arrangement to talk to you after school tomorrow?”

“Mr. Khoo, I think I will need to ask my mother.”

After, school that day, he returned home and asked his mother.

“Mum, can I stay back tomorrow after school?”

“Why do you need to stay back after school for?” came the answer from Jerome’s mother.

“Because, my English teacher, Mr. Khoo wants to speak to me.”

“Okay, you may stay. But don’t come home late.”

The next day came. After school Jerome went to the teachers’ room to look for Mr. Khoo.

“Good afternoon Mr. Khoo,” said Jerome. ”I’m ready to see you.”

“Okay, Jerome I just want to know more about you and the reason behind why you dislike mixing around in school” Mr. Khoo questioned.

Jerome took a moment to think before answering back, “Mr. Khoo, to tell you the truth, when I was younger, I was a cheerful child without any worries. Until a year ago, since I stepped into this school, things began to change. At home, my parents forbid me from going out with my friends. I felt bad and upset; thus slowly we lost contact. Since then, I feel like a caged bird, not allowed to have freedom till someone releases me. And slowly after that, I discovered that the reliability of my friends no longer exists as they only care for me when we are happy as a group. But individually, they are not that helpful at all. I felt depressed, and thus stop interacting in school. To me, it seems everyone is a block of bricks not giving me space to breathe,” Said Jerome sadly.

After listening to Jerome’s sad story, Mr. Khoo felt sad for him and decided on helping him. He asked Jerome, “Jerome, is it possible for me to know something more about you?”

After considering the question, Jerome gave a reply, “Yes”.

From that moment, a new friendship has just begun...

~ Chapter 2 - Counseling ~

The friendship that both the teacher and student have built up is a complicated one. Mr. Khoo had to convince Jerome’s mother that he was a good son and had good qualities. After a few session of such, she finally gave in and in exchange, Jerome received his freedom. He did not really return to his old circle of friends, because being wiser has made it possible for him to select and choose his group of friends so that he would gain his mother’s trust.

The whole project of removing the mental block in Jerome’s mind made Mr. Khoo a more cheerful person. When he was about Jerome’s age, he too had been in a situation similar to that of Jerome’s. Through the years, he tried to overcome the fact of being left alone without any friends. His family tried to help him out, but it failed to have any effect on him. Till one day, when he was alone in the school library working on his assignment, a teacher approached him and asked him why he had always been working alone and after that conversation, she found the problem.

Through a series of guidance, he began to realize how good it was to have friends. From then on, being motivated, he wanted to be a teacher as his great wish was to nurture the future generation to be life long learners, being responsible, righteous and resolute and also being able to contribute to the society and also good citizens. And his first accomplishment as a teacher is to help the students and also to assist them.

Despite being lonely at times, Jerome is now friendlier and also able to accept friends and interact with them. He also understands what “freedom” means to him.

~ Chapter 3 - New Life ~

Jerome starts off every day with an energetic mind filled with wonders of the series of things that may happen on that day. He feels that surprises are everywhere. They happen all around us. Looking forward to meeting his friends cheers him up. Since he started a new life, he still could not forget about a particular savior whom he calls “teacher”, Mr. Khoo. They meet each other once in a while to discuss about things or homework.

Since his change, he began to have friends who were trustworthy and caring. No one had ever thought that it would happen – even Jerome himself. He is no longer restricted to the condition of not being able go out with his friends. He has to return by 10 p.m. and must remember to do his homework. Having that in mind, he obeys and treasures his freedom.

He did well for his Mid-Year Examination. Never had he expected a surprise to happen – going on an educational trip with his school to Perth, Western Australia.

As teachers’ day drew in, he decided to make something for Mr. Khoo – A set of 5 bookmarks, to show his sincere appreciation for the help and encouragement Mr. Khoo implanted in him.

~ Chapter 4 – Happenings ~

Teachers’ day finally came. On the eve of that joyous occasion, Jerome presented his little creation to Mr. Khoo. “ Mr. Khoo, as a token of appreciation, I would like to present to you this set of bookmarks, though they are valueless,” Jerome said sincerely.

“Jerome, actually, this Teachers’ Day Gift that you have given me means a lot to me. Thanks for the gift,” said Mr. Khoo thankfully.

In Mr. Khoo’s mind, he pictured Jerome as a child who would grow up full of wisdom and knowledge to become a good and well-nurtured person.

As time goes by, Jerome will be facing more challenges at both work and play. The challenges will prepare him physically and mentally. With perseverance and a strong mind, he will be able go through these challenges.

Jerome has made a really true who ensures that he understands what friendship means to him. This kind of friendship is considered worthless, but precious...

From that day on, he is always hanging around with his other three friends other than Mr. Khoo. They are Lucas, Stacy and Zheng.

- End -