The Magic Word(Steve Groll) Miss Carmichael was concerned about a problem she was having with her students at Liverspoon Grade School. None of the fourth graders she taught ever said thank you. They didn’t thank the teachers, each other, or anyone. So, she came up with a plan to get them to start expressing gratitude.

“Starting today,” Miss Carmichael told her class, “we are going to have a contest. Here on my desk is the most expensive videogame system money can buy and three of the most popular games they make. Anyone of you can win this; you just have to be the first to say the magic word.”

Well, as you can imagine, the kids were very excited. They all started calling out every word they could think of. “AARDVARK! TORTOISE! HAMBURGER! CHOCOLATE!”

This went on for quite some time until the teacher finally said, “Enough! You cannot just shout out words. You have to use the magic word in a sentence during conversation with each other or with me.”

It was amazing how many words were used, over the next few days, that the students had never said before. “Miss Carmichael, you look RADIANT today,” one boy said.

“Miss Carmichael, I am going to eat TURKEY and PROSCIUTTO for lunch,” said another.

The teacher couldn’t help smiling at how the children always emphasized the words that they were trying out on her. Things were rather strange for a time after the start of the contest. However, after a month had gone by without any of the children guessing the magic word, it looked as if no one was going to win.

Then one day, a new boy transferred from another school. On his first day, the kids laughed at his red, bushy hair, thick glasses, and “un-cool” clothes. The teacher was angry with her class for being so rude. “That will be quite enough! I want you all to make Pierpont feel…,” When she said his name, the class broke into laughter again. “Stop it! Pierpont is new here, and I want you to make him feel welcome.”

Turning to the new boy the Teacher said, “We are glad to have you in our class. Did you bring a pencil?”

Pierpont said, “No. I haven’t had a chance to get school supplies yet.”

“Here, you can have this one.” Miss Carmichael handed the boy a plain yellow pencil.

Pierpont took it and said, “Thanks.”

“Well, we have a winner!” Miss Carmichael announced.

The class was shocked. “What! What did he say?”

“He said the magic word; it was thanks. That’s all you had to say, and not one of you ever said thanks or thank you for anything to anyone.”

Pierpont became popular after that. Everyone wanted to go to his house and play the new video games. Pierpont was a friendly person and was happy to have the guys come to his house. The kids from school found out that Pierpont was a pretty good guy after all, and they ended up liking him and learning to be more polite.

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