A Priceless Lesson 

Adapted from Fryderyk Karzełek

Erasmus Project: Stories of all, Stories for all - a digital 

approach to storytelling” nº 2020-1-PT01-KA229-078348_1

Ebook prepared by Mariana Oliveira, Portugal

    One day, a young man was

 rushing home after a busy day at

 work in his lawyer office.  He got 

on the train and took the only 

empty seat next to an elderly 

gentleman, who greeted him with a

 wide grin. The young man had a feeling 

that he had already seen his companion and after a closer look he recognized his old teacher. Trying not to be too intrusive, he started a conversation.

    ‘Is it possibile that you are Mr Adam Crawley, Sir?’ – he asked politely.

    ‘Yes, I am ‘ – answered the eldely man.

  ‘Do you recognise me? You used to be my teacher when I attended my primary school’ – explained the young man.

    ‘To be honest , I don’t. Forgive me, please, but I had so many students throughout my long professional life’ – the gentleman made an excuse.

   ‘You know, I was a bit of a troublemaker. My father died and my mum was sometimes too busy to look after me and my brothers so we were often late for lessons or came to school with no homework’ – continued the young man.

  ‘Oh, there were so many pupils like you’ – commented the teacher.

    ‘Other students used to tease me a lot. I was rather poor and they laughed at me and my possessions’ – he added.

   ‘I did my best to prevent bullying but kids are sometimes really cruel. I am so sorry for you and your harsh experiences’ said the teacher.

    ‘Well, I wasn’t an angel myself … Maybe it will be easier for you to identify me, when I remind you the story

 with the stolen watch?’ - said the young man

 with a shame in his voice. 

    The elderly gentleman opened his eyses a bit 

wider. He seemed to be all ears.

    ‘Hmm,  I remember something like that happened one day. There was a boy who brought to school his brand new and quite expensive watch, which disappeared misteriously. The kid was crying and I comforted him with a promise that the watch would be found.’ 

  ‘Yes, you asked us all to form a circle and close our eyes. Then you started searching in our pockets. You kept on saying "Keep your eyes closed. Keep your eyes closed" and my heart was beating faster and faster…’

  ‘Yes, I remember that day very well’ – said the old man with a sigh.

  ‘And you still don’t recognize me? – insisted the young man.

  ‘No, why should I?’ – asked the teacher.

  ‘You see, this was me, who stole the watch’ – confessed the young man sadly.

   The elderly man was silent for a while. Then he said:

‘Well, while I was looking for the watch, I kept my eyes closed, too. You see, I promised to find the

 watch, not the thief.‘

    Now the young man was speechless. 

    Finally, he whispered:

    ‘But why?’

    ‘I didn’t want to lose my trust in any of my students. And I did not. And I can see you reached a lot, young man. Who knows how things would look like if I had humiliated you in public. No, I definitely preferred it this way’ – he said with a smile.

  The young man was silent for a moment and then he confessed:

    ‘I remember you as a great teacher. Now, I appreciate you even more. You taught me a priceless lesson of trust, loyalty, hope, faith and wisdom. Thank you my teacher.’