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The Sixth Time I Went to the Principal's Office
When I was in the seventh grade, I had problems behaving.
My heart was in the right place, but I couldn't always follow the rules. I
played many tricks on my schoolmates. Once, I even pulled a girl's hair on the
school bus to get her attention. As a result, I was repeatedly sent to the
office of the principal（校长）.Although
I hated going there, I did not hate the principal, Mr. Ratcliff.
Mr. Ratcliff was a kind, elderly man. When he spanked（打屁股） me for putting some ants into a classmate's
pencil box, it didn't hurt at all, but it did hurt my feelings. I thought so
much of him and moments like that seemed to prove I was hopelessly bad.
When I got called to Mr. Ratcliff's office for the sixth
time, I had no idea what I had done. I felt disappointed as I walked down
there. I went into his office, sat down, and looked at the floor. Then he said the
last thing I expected to hear:" Kevin, I've heard you've been behaving
really well lately. I want you to know how proud I am of you, and I just called
you down to my office to give you a peppermint."
"Really?" I was surprised.
"Yes. Now you can take that peppermint and go back
to class."
I carried the peppermint with me as if it was a gold
coin. When I got into my classroom, I bragged （吹嘘） to my classmates about my turnaround, excitedly. I wasn't so bad
after all.
Mr. Ratcliff was really kind. He made me realize that I
was just a kid who had problems with behavior. He bought some peppermints and
took the time to notice me when I got something-anything-right. Mr. Ratcliff
gave me some hope by giving me some love. I will just remember him for the rest
of my life.
