In a sixth-grade science class, teacher Mrs. Parks posed a question that would test her students’ knowledge and maturity. “Which human body part increases to ten times its size when stimulated?” she asked. The room fell silent, until little Mary stood up, her face red with indignation.
But instead of answering the question, Mary threatened to report Mrs. Parks to her parents and the principal, accusing her of asking an inappropriate question. Mrs. Parks calmly repeated the question, unfazed by Mary’s outburst.
As the class continued, Billy bravely stood up and correctly answered that the pupil of the eye increases in size when stimulated. Mrs. Parks praised Billy, then turned to Mary with a stern message: “You have a dirty mind, you didn’t read your homework, and one day you’ll be very disappointed.”
The exchange was a valuable lesson in science, but also in maturity and understanding. While Mary jumped to conclusions, Billy showed courage and knowledge. Mrs. Parks’ calm handling of the situation taught the class that sometimes, things aren’t always as they seem.