Afshan Ahmad stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the very first day of school in the fall and told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them all the same, that she would treat them all alike. And that was impossible because there in front of her, slumped in his seat on the third row, was a little boy named Bilal Khan. Mrs. Ahmad had watched Bilal the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkempt and that he constantly needed a bath. And Bilal was unpleasant. It got to the point during the first few months that she would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then marking the F at the top of the paper biggest of all. Because Bilal was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him, either. At the school where Mrs. Ahmad taught, she was required to review each child's records and put Bilal's off until last. When she opened his file, she was in for a surprise.

His first-grade teacher wrote, "Bilal is a bright, inquisitive child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has goodmanners...he is a joy to be around."

His second-grade teacher wrote, "Bilal is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third-grade teacher wrote, "Bilal continues to work hard but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Bilal's fourth-grade teacher wrote, "Bilal is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem."

By now Mrs. Ahmad realized the problem, but Eid was coming fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus on Bilal Khan. Her children brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright paper, except for Bilal's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a scissored grocery bag. Mrs. Ahmad took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a used pair of gloves. She stifled the children's laughter when she  exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and wearing the gloves. Bilal Khan stayed behind just long enough to say, "Mrs. Ahmad, today you looked just like my mom used to."

After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and speaking. Instead, she began to teach children. Afshan Ahmad paid particular attention to one they all called "Bilal." As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. On days there would be an important test, Mrs. Ahmad would remember that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the smartest children in the class and...well, he had also become the "pet" of the teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same.

A year later she found a note under her door, from Bilal, telling her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she was his favorite.

Six years went by before she got another note from Bilal. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favorite teacher of all time.

Four years after that,she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Ahmad she was still his favorite teacher.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still his favorite teacher but that now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Bilal F. Khan, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Bilal said he'd met this girl and was to be married.  He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering...well, if Mrs. Ahmad might agree to sit in the front row usually reserved for the immediate family of the groom. And guess what, she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And on that special day, Afshan Ahmad looked just like... well, just like the way Bilal remembered his mother looking on their last Eid together.

THE MORAL: You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another's life by your actions or lack of action. Consider this fact in your venture through life.