One night, I stayed up late partying with my friends Jacob, James and Benjamin, even though we were conscious internally that we had an important test the next day. On the way back, when James was driving absent-mindedly, Benjamin was very anxious about the exam; I felt uneasy and worried about being scolded by Mr. Smith when Jacob came up with a plan to get out of having to take our test. “Can we escape punishment? Can it really work?” Benjamin questioned with doubt. However, we didn’t get a better solution and couldn’t bear being a failure. So we followed suit as we had no alternative.

We four rolled around in dirt and then went to Mr. Smith office with anxiety. We told him that we had gotten a flat tire the night before, and unfortunately we spent the entire night pushing our car back to campus. As a consequence, we were exhausted and couldn’t attend the exam. We asked for Mr. Smith’s forgiveness and ensured to make up for it.

With the blank expression, Mr. Smith listened quietly and patted our shoulders. Benjamin gazed at me in discomfort while I secretly looked at the other two. Three seconds appeared to be a lifelong time. To our delight, he offered a retest three days later. We were okay with that because we had been given a chance to catch up.

I relieved and worked day and night to prepare for the exam with a sense of guilt welling up in my chest. So did my three friends in the hope of getting away with punishment.

On the day of the test, we went to Mr. Smith’s office. Unexpectedly, he put all four of us in separate rooms to take the test. I unfolded my paper and stared at the questions which I was requested to accomplish. Completely puzzled, I froze. There were only two questions:

(1)Your Name ______(1 Points)

(2)Which tire was flat? ______(99 Points)

Front Right       Front Left       Back Right       Back Left

Palm wetting, hands trembling and almost out of breath, I was overwhelmed with a mix of fear, terror and guilt.

I was completely lost at these questions, struggling with how to face Mr. Smith.

When receiving the report card, we four flushed with shame.

The first day back in the school gym after summer break had always felt so right. But as the sixth graders appeared, walking lazily, I felt uneasy. None of the old greetings with high-fives or pats on the shoulder for jobs well done. Long summer break wasn't going to help me feel connected to the kids in the way I was used to. My confidence as a teacher had taken a hit, and I was trying to get back on my game. I hoped the kids couldn't tell.

“Let's take our places!” I called out, making sure to speak clearly. “Six feet apart, everybody. Keep six feet apart.” Awkwardness couldn't begin to describe how I'd felt when all this first started.

“Okay, guys,” I called out, “let's do our warm-up.” These sixth graders knew my routine, at least. I felt a little more comfortable knowing we had a history. Many of them had been my students since first grade. And then I noticed a kid I'd taught since second grade.

“Wow, buddy,” I said, walking his way. “Looks like you lost some weight?”

Owen looked down at himself and shrugged. “I played some baseball over the summer,” he said. Owen was an athletic kid, but I wondered how much baseball he had played in the heat to turn him into skin and bones. Otherwise he seemed like the boy I knew, and he said everything was fine.

We spent the first week of lessons on outdoor soccer. We traveled through circuit training stations doing push-ups and sit-ups.

Monday morning, I stood in front of three wide rows of sixth graders sitting cross-legged on the hardwood floor. We'd played a rousing game of soccer, but they were still bursting with energy. All except Owen, whose eyes were closed. His chin touched his chest. He'd nodded off, right here in gym class. Something wasn't right.

I called Owen's mother, asking cautiously, “Have you noticed Owen being thirstier than usual? They're signs of diabetes (糖尿病) . He should see a doctor today.”

Owen's mother took my advice.

Obviously, Owen needed to stay in hospital for treatments. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________