Tribute to the Teacher

Teacher, should anyone write your story,

It would be most properly told this way:

You live the life of a missionary, 

Serving as the light of humanity.

You leave your humble cot at break of day,

The distant school is your destiny;

Bearing the burden of responsibility,

Which is your noble profession's top priority.

A caring shepherd to some forty strong,

You commence the day with the national song;

Then let your brood stretch and bend for not so long,

Watching that the naughty ones may not do wrong.

When you are through tidying up the ground,

So it would be safe for kids to roam around,

Into the classroom you are promptly bound;

Everyone accounted for, safe and sound.

Before everything else, the Lord you praise,

Letting the children recite their prayers with ease;

Touching each young mind with simple grace,

Impressing God's image through time and space.

Like an angel with invisible wings,

You candidly smile at each child who sings ;

Then, imbue with good manners the young little things,

Telling them of the joy a"Please"or "Thank you"brings.

Before your class, you are the superstar,

Each flip of your fingers is magic from afar;

As you discuss all topic from love to war,

With awe and wonder, pupil's ears stand like a radar.

When a prodigal one strays from the fold,

Not with hateful anger, you wisely scold;

For all that you intend is but to mould,

All children, into men with heart of gold.

Like the gentle showers that drench the land,

You quench learners'thirst with your magic wand;

Framing letters A to Z with your hand,

The blackboard and chalk at your command.

You are the artist who can describe in lines, thin or wide,

The beauty and secrets that beyond the sunset hide;

And the scientist too, that can explain the tide,

Or unfold the mystery of the world outside.

You're the agriculturist who trains every hand,

To exploit and nurture the gift of the land;

But a great choreographer too when you danced,

Re-echo Beethoven's music like a band.

Children's progress, you take note with vigilance,

The weak and the slow, you give a fair chance;

Never failing to set a due allowance,

To shortcomings brought about by ignorance.

Remedial measures, you efficiently give,

In the improbability of man, you believe;

With perseverance you polish till you achieve,

Targets with which no remuneration you receive.

Never did you chatter and prattle,

Nor bragged of any not fought battle;

You busied your day with a hustle,

Researching from pages that crackle.

You rush to the clinic a hurt first Grader,

As one like a doctor, nurse or aid giver;

You're nothing less than a crutch to a toddler,

Coaching each little one to grow a bit bolder.

You depart your workshop at close of day,

 With your mind focused at the community;

As with the young, you try to deliver the old from illiteracy,

Aside from classroom load,you break your back with NFE.

When you reach home,the children are ready for bed,

They know you always come late, so they dine ahead;

They understand your work, for to them you said,

The home and the school,both you have wed.

Weary with toil,you haste yourself to sleep,

Knowing that soon, another morn shall creep;

And back to school, in a hurry you will leap,

For a vow of loyalty to service you must keep.

all these, you do from year to year,

From June to March, you labour till you wear;

The laws of morality, you always adhere,

To meet people's eyes, you have no fear.

Come election day throughout the country,

Stoic as a Spartan, you guard the ballot's sanctity;

To justice, clings steadfast your loyalty,

Even if "Goodbye to life", you must say.

To the village folks, you are called fondly ,

Their great Cicero or the attorney;

You are the healer, preacher or the M.C.,

With services ,"gratis et amore".

Ah! Teacher_your breed had sprung onto this earth,

Even ahead of the Greatest Teacher's birth;

Time and again you have proven your worth,

Mankind hails you as the goddess of the hearth.

You served humanity beyond duty's call,

Through all the centuries,nations great and small;

You have counselled the wise and the humble,

Artists, doctors, sailors,_you made them all !

You are the silent brand of unsung hero,

Yet laurels nor golden crowns will not do;

For no reward can ever be so true,

Than with all our love, we will see you through.