It was a sunny day in late autumn. Only a few rusty leaves were stubborn not to fall from the trees. I stopped for a moment as the patter of children loudly headed to school passed by. One could only distinguish between the crowd of school bags and rivers of words that poured incessantly until the bell sounded.
Behind them flushed Johnny, pushing the wheelchair of his younger brother, Daniel, in the fourth grade.
Johnny thrust his winter hat into the pocket of his unzipped jacket, the hat’s pompon dancing joyfully with the rhythm of his steps.
- „It’s great that I got a head start ... I have time to take you to the nursery. Otherwise, I would have had to ask one of your classmates... Today my first class is informatics and I need to climb to the second floor laboratory,” said Johnny, panting.
- „It’s okay...I can manage on my own from here,” said Daniel while he gave him his school bag that was placed over the wheel chair.
- „Call me if you need me, okay?”
„Don’t forget the lunch bag and apple!” Johnny ran back to remind his brother.
„Go, go...Thank you for today. See you after class!” And smiled tenderly
as his brother left.
Although he was headed hurriedly to his seat in class, Daniel was forced to sneak carefully beside his classmates’ tables.
The same usual noises he heard every morning: books and notebooks slamming into the desks, pencil boxes dropped, seats dragging across the fl oor, rulers rhythmically tapping, shrill voices of girls - all of which makes his head sink into his shoulders.
- Hello! Greets his desk mate, Cristian.
- Hello! Responds Daniel, reading a mystery in his colleague’s gaze.
- „I didn’t learn anything for the history test,” Cristian whispered in his ear. „I’m relying on you! My folks promised me a new game if I do well on the test. I would do anything in the world to get it. And you know how my folks are…” Yes, Daniel knew his parents. Their child was an „A” student. He knew this about him. His parents wanted him to be this way, but he was rewarded for other reasons. One thing they didn’t know: what a great actor their son is!
History hour arrived. Class was difficult only for those who had not prepared enough. Although he didn’t like it, Daniel didn’t leave his classmate in a difficult situation. Due to his amateur acting skills, the way the easer and ruler fell was pathetic. The goal needed to be achieved, and the teacher’s attention was distracted. He succeeded as he wished, without anyone suspecting a thing. In order to be liked by those around him, especially Daniel, Cristian gave him more attention by helping to clean up his desk and pack his bag. Just as good grades poured into his report card, as many regrets gathered in Daniel’s soul.
Cristian became a leader of the class and everyone’s favorite. He became almost brutal in his struggle to get the best grades. He was almost convinced that he deserved it all. And what’s more, his parents rewarded him with a gift they had promised him – a computer game! And that’s not all! The next day they allowed him to invite his best friends over to try out the game.
-„It rocks! You have never seen something like this in your whole life,” he proudly described the game to his classmates. And he began to shout the names of 10 classmates he would ask over to his house. His eyes scanned the class, careful not to miss anyone he wanted. But he had forgotten Daniel ... or maybe he did not want him among the ten. And both struggled to raise their heads to greet the one who helped so much.
Daniel didn’t lose hope that Cristian would remember him later, and he would call his name. But with all of his problems, it would have been difficult to go. His walk home, meeting with his mother, preparing for lessons: all were shadowed by what had happened at school that day. He went outside, in the yard. He sat and idly rotated slowly, still waiting for a telephone call which hadn’t yet come.
A rusty leaf fell in his arms. He remained unmoved and stiff so as not to let it fall. As he watched it, a warm tear fell from his eye. A moment later, he raised his eyes to the sky and smiled at the setting sun, saying: „Another day has passed.”
- „It seems I am not his friend after all. I got what I deserved. A friend would not be allowed all this nonsense. I encouraged him! I’m a coward, I’m a coward,” he said emphatically, threatening a nearby dog.
Not understanding Daniel’s gesture, the dog ran away. Seeing his reaction, Daniel laughed loudly, then entered the house happy. His whole being felt light with victory in the battle with himself.
The following days Cristi’s game was the discussion theme for every recess and break. But the classes passed by slowly, serious and full of work. Too much work for some. In the fourth grade, there is a lot of work, and some material is difficult. It’s not easy to keep up with the best.
Another test announced.
- „I have all my hope in you...You know, since the game, I don’t even have time to eat. I do everything on the run,” whispered Cristian in Daniel’s ear.
During the test, he wanted to try the same maneuver as last time. But Daniel no longer wanted to play his game. He was no longer willing to help.
- „Are you stupid? ... Let me see,” whispered Cristi, in a friendly tone.
- „No!” Daniel fi ercely whispered back.
- „I’ll see you at recess!” shaking his fi st.
The teacher saw the disturbance.
-„Is there a problem? Do you need further explanation to understand your test?” Asked their teacher.
- „Daniel won’t leave me alone. He’s really bothering me. I cannot concentrate.”
- If it happens again, Daniel, I will need to take your work, „she said.
Daniel didn’t dare to say a word. Who would believe him if he told the truth?
Or maybe they would... Anyhow, the test was almost finished. But Christi did not say anything. Daniel smiled; he had won a battle.
At recess, Cristi started to cry, and his classmates gathered around him.
- „I’m going to get a bad grade. And it’s all because of him.” Christi began spreading out Daniel’s notebooks across his desk, making a huge mess.
Daniel was expecting this reaction from Cristi so he quietly gathered the books from his desk. His brother would take the books on the floor that he could not reach. More difficult was to accept the repugnant eyes of colleagues. He knew that this would not be easy.
In the following days, Cristi avoided eye contact by turning his back.But one morning, Daniel did not appear at school. Only his mother came. She said something to the teacher and then left.
Daniel’s wheelchair had broke while he was coming down a hill, - an accident which had endangered his life. But he was lucky. He only received a few scratches and a scare. But what hurt worse was the fact that he had to miss school. Without a wheelchair, moving is impossible, let alone going to school. His family would need to find another one, and soon!
- „Daniel will miss a few days,” said the teacher. It would be a nice if you would visit him. And if you do visit, please bring him his homework. Without your help, his recovery will take longer. I will also go from time to time.”
The class was silent. They forgot the test incident from a while back. Now they were thinking about what could have happened to him during his accident if he hadn’t been so lucky.
Cristi stared with downcast eyes. He felt a great pain in his soul. An unnatural thought nestle there and wouldn’t leave.
To the surprise of his colleagues and the teacher, he burst up from his seat and exclaimed: „I am the only one to blame! I wished for something bad to happen to him. My thoughts came true. I’m guilty! I’m guilty!
I copied the test from him. Daniel never bothered me and I’m ashamed for what I did!”.
Everyone was shocked. After what seemed like an eternity, the teacher broke the silence.
„What you did was terrible! But at least you recognize that now. You needed courage. If you want Daniel and the class to forgive you, first you must prove that you deserve it. Words without action have no value!”
The hours passed slowly. The empty seat to the right of Cristi gave him a feeling of restlessness and tension. Cristi imagined Daniel was there. He felt Daniel’s tranquil and grateful eyes when he helped him put on his jacket. How small the space is between the two of us, he thought. But how different our lives are, from day to day. Regardless of the difficulties he faces, being in a wheelchair never bothers him. Now the seat is empty. The boy is not next to him. Daniel had to discover it in spite of everything that happened.
- „I want to fix what I have done, even if it means that I need to change my priorities, stated Cristi. He was on his way to find Daniel. He met Bobby, who accompanied him into the house, and then into his room.
The moments before Christi’s apology were filled with fear and anxiety. And then, -„I came to see you, and to tell you something,” Cristi said, courageously. He sat down on the couch next to Daniel. „I was a fool. I should have never tried to copy your work. Your intentions were good when you refused to let me cheat. I promise to change! From now on, you will have a very good competitor in me at school. Would you help me get on the right track?”
- „You got it!” said Daniel, noticing sincerity in his colleague’s eyes.
- „Great! But first I want to give you that game my parents gave me. You deserve it more than I do.”
Daniel looked at him, surprised by what he had just heard. He knew how much that game meant to Cristi, and understood the sacrifice he was prepared to make.
- „Take it, it’s yours! And I’ll give you my friendship with it,” he said sincerely. Daniel looked puzzled. He was not expecting this kind of sudden change in Cristi. Tear formed in his eyes. And then Cristi said:
- „Do you want to play together today?”
- „Wow, today?” asked Daniel. The pain melting from his heart was released and transformed into a beautiful smile.
Exercise
When did Cristi realize that Daniel is a true friend?
Did you know that…
For a child in the wheelchair is very diffi cult to get to school, take the bus, metro or to enter certain schools or public institutions. They learn every day to overcome their condition. You have to help them feel worthy and equal. People with motor impairment participate in sport activities such as „Special Olympics”.
English