Third-graders cheerily ran outside into the playground while Miss Ward watched with a smile. At that point, Bethany Nelson stopped and removed her shoes.

The teacher scowled. She had watched Bethany kick off her shoes as soon as break began for the third day in a row and had instructed her to do similarly. What was happening to that kid?

‘Bethany!’ Call from Miss Ward. ‘Honey, you can’t take off your shoes!’ Bethany turned to face Miss Ward, who was visibly upset. She re-laced her shoes while stooping.

As the kid fastened her shoes, Miss Ward observed that she winced. Bethany? she questioned. Are you injured? She approached the kid and put a kind touch on his shoulder.

Never hesitate to speak out in defense of children.
Was your ankle twisted, the teacher inquired. Bethany gave a head shake. She responded, ‘No, Miss Ward. ‘My shoes pinch and pain me.’

The teacher knelt down and pressed Bethany’s school shoes from the front. She screamed, ‘These shoes ARE too tiny!’ I am aware, Miss,’ responded Bethany. ‘They really hurt!’

Miss Ward said, ‘Did you inform your mum and dad?’ Since it’s the beginning of the year, it’s possible that they missed your rapid growth. I tried, Bethany admitted. They’re so busy, though.

She scowled, Miss Ward. She was aware of the wealth of the family. She had already seized Bethany’s iPhone the day before for texting in class; it was the most recent model and cost well over $800.

How then could these parents have thought that their child was outgrowing her shoes while giving her a costly technological device? After returning to her classroom, the teacher addressed an email to the parents.

She requested a meeting the following day after school so they could discuss Bethany. The Nelsons replied right away and requested a different day since they had urgent business.

What could be more essential than Bethany’s welfare, Miss Ward said through email. After giving in, the Nelsons agreed to show up at the school at 3:30 p.m.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were welcomed by Miss Ward in her class. Mrs. Nelson saw Bethany’s iPhone right away after she had set it on her desk. Oh, she uttered. ‘Is it a phone issue? Bethany said that you had seized it.’

Yes, said Miss Ward. ‘I did. Phone use is prohibited in class, and Bethany is aware of this. Phones should only be used in an emergency and should be stored in lockers.’

That seems a little harsh, With a lovely smile and a wink, Mr. Nelson said. ‘Kids, you know… They want to be proactive and on the ball…’

Indeed, Miss Ward replied. ‘Unfortunately, the phone is NOT the topic I need to discuss with you. Have you observed that Bethany’s school shoes are no longer fitting her?’

Miss Ward received surprised looks from Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. Mrs. Nelson responded, ‘Surely,’ while turning a bright red. ‘Absolutely not!’

I swear, Mrs. Nelson,’ the teacher added. ‘As soon as Bethany arrived at the playground, I saw that she had removed her shoes. She demonstrated for me after I asked why. The shoes on your daughter are way too small. She is in so much pain in them that she can hardly move.’

‘That kid,’ Mr. Nelson exclaimed. ‘She has her head in the clouds! She never informed us.’ Miss Ward responded,’ Mr. Nelson, I think she did. She claimed that because of your and your wife’s hectic schedules, you weren’t able to talk.

Now Mr. Nelson was blushing in turn. He raised his voice and added, ‘I assure you, Miss Ward. ‘that everything is the greatest for my daughter! Why, I just gave her the newest iPhone!’

Miss Ward softly questioned, ‘Does she get what she needs?’ How much time this summer did you spend with your daughter?

The Nelsons exchanged guilty looks with one another. Bethany went to camp for the summer, Mrs. Nelson stated. She next attended a tennis lesson and a horse riding lesson. When she noticed Miss Ward’s dejected smile, she paused. Mrs. Nelson gently acknowledged, ‘Very little.’

Mr. Nelson wrapped his arm around the shoulders of his wife. He said defiantly,’ We do the best we can.

Miss Ward responded, losing her cool, ‘I’m afraid that’s just not good enough.’ ‘The better for your daughter! Bethany doesn’t require high-end gadgets or iPhones. She requires parents who are attentive enough to notice when their child outgrows her shoes.’

Mr. Nelson appeared extremely irate. You’re really rude, he exclaimed. Do you know me?

Miss Ward sadly replied, ‘Yes.’ ‘You are the parent of a small girl who is lonely.’ Mr. Nelson started crying as he said. He muttered, ‘I…I love my daughter.’ ‘We cherish Bethany. We might have let other things get in the way, but we still adore our daughter!’

The teacher responded, ‘I am certain.’ ‘I’m talking to you today for that reason. I know you want Bethany to have the best life possible, and that means giving her more of your time and attention.’ The following day, Bethany wore brand-new shoes to school. More significantly, her mother, not her babysitter, picked her up from school.

Finally, Bethany’s parents understood that their daughter needed their love and commitment more than expensive gifts.