Mrs. Parks, a 6th-grade science teacher, posed an intriguing question to her class: “Which human body part can increase up to ten times its size when stimulated?” The room fell silent, with no one daring to respond.
That was until little Mary stood up, her face flushed with indignation. “You shouldn’t be asking us a question like that!” she exclaimed. “I’m going to tell my parents, and they’ll tell the principal, and you’ll get fired!” Mary’s outburst was met with an awkward silence.
Undeterred, Mrs. Parks calmly repeated the question, seeking a genuine response from her students. Mary’s reaction was priceless – her mouth agape, she whispered to her classmates, “She’s going to get in so much trouble!”
The teacher, however, remained composed, encouraging the class to think critically. Finally, Billy hesitantly stood up, glanced around nervously, and provided the correct answer: “The pupil of the eye.” Mrs. Parks commended Billy on his response.
Turning to Mary, Mrs. Parks offered a wise and witty rejoinder: “Young lady, I have three things to say to you: Firstly, you have a rather… vivid imagination. Secondly, it seems you didn’t do your homework. And thirdly, one day you’ll be very, very disappointed.” Mary’s lesson that day extended far beyond the realm of science.
