Right in front of the mirror
There was once a story of a teacher who was so recently graduated that the ink on his diploma would stain his fingers if it was touched. Proud of his success but still humble towards the long life journey awaiting for him, he decided to visit one of his oldest teachers.
The old man was now retired and lived in a countryside house. His only contact with his former profession was a little rural school a few miles away from his house.
When the new teacher visited him, all he had to do was to say his name. Then the old man smiled and said.
-So you did study education as you said you will in high school.-
The young one told the man that after graduation he started to look for reasons to work so hard. Payment was not good and hours at work were many. How could he endure all those years? The old man provided no answer but he invited his former student to listen to an unfinished writing he had been working on.
The new teacher accepted, ready to listen to some sort of investigation that his old teacher might be working on. The old man took a neat sheet of paper with handwriting and started reading aloud.
Right in front of the mirror.
It is there! The land I want is hidden in front of the mirror. A place where “there are” surpasses “there should be”. Where books outnumber guns and ideas outrun bullets. A great land where the word “debate” is no synonym of war and the word “opinion” doesn’t crawl along with division.
Behind the mirror I see it, hidden but beating harder than the earth’s heart when its power is unleashed and humanity trembles in fear and regret. Hidden as the sun during an afternoon free of clouds. Thus only hidden for those who shut their eyes only as a mouth can be shut. With the teeth crushing and slashing like Templar claymores.
It is there! Free for whoever who proudly dares to see it, with the eyes wide open for it is no dream. It is a future reality announcing its arrival through the glass of a faithful mirror.
The new teacher interrupted the lecture asking with energy.
-Where is this mirror? Who or what is right in front of it? Is it one in particular?-
The old man said.
-No.-
-Is it crafted by a legendary alchemist?-
-Perhaps.-
-Is it enchanted with some sort of life spark?-
-For sure it is.-
-Oh teacher I beg of you to take me to this mirror you speak about. At least tell me where it is.-
Asked the new teacher with an obvious interest, the former educator nodded at his request and said,
-My dear colleague, you have already been in front of these mirrors I describe.-
-Where? When?-
-Neither where nor when, But who. Your students, dozens of mirrors catching your reflecting image every time you take a step into their stare. You are the one in front of the mirror, just like the rest of us who decide to take this… I would call a quest instead of a career.-
-So, are they just mirrors?-
-Do not say “just mirrors” as if they weren’t of great importance. Their role is not only limited to catch your image. If you educate them on the right “angle” they will reflect what you gave them to other mirrors and so on.-
-You give dreams to the mirrors.-
Affirming the student, the old man replied.
-You give them everything you have. With all your might and energy. That is how the land you want comes to life, spreading itself throughout the mirrors.-
The former student had his answer and the teacher concluded his writing. After that, the new teacher stepped in front of his classroom door before every class. His students would stare at him, and he would stare at them, taking a deep breath and whispering to himself.
-I’m right in front of the mirror.-