I recently read a Newberry Honor book to my classroom of 4th & 5th graders entitled, "The Wish Giver" - a story about a strange little man who comes to a carnival selling wishes for fifty cents. Three young kids each buy and make a wish that proves to be destructive to themselves and those they love. A fourth person unselfishly uses his one and only wish to erase the repercussions the three foolish children suffer.
Upon finishing the book, I asked my students to write down what they would "wish for" if given the same opportunity. Many responded as you might expect: "I'd wish for a million dollars." "I want a Wii System." "Maybe I could ask for unlimited wishes!" And I was thinking to myself....too bad, they missed the point of the story.
Then I looked at Tom's paper. Tom... my nemesis... the one who challenges me most this year... often belligerent, usually off task, distracting others and demanding attention at every turn.
Tom's paper said, "I would wish that Mrs. Anderson could have her husband back!"
I cried and thanked God for the surprise - the huge heart of a young boy named Tom!
