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Things are not always what they seem at school

Robert Jaklich
  • BY ROBERT JAKLICH
  • Originally published September 1, 2012 at 4:51 p.m., updated September 1, 2012 at 4:51 p.m.

It is truly an exciting time in the Victoria ISD as we welcome our students back for another successful year. The vision for our future is clear: "Victoria ISD - 612 Square Miles of Excellence" is well in motion. We are truly thankful for the opportunity that we have each and every day to serve as "change agents" and "difference makers" in the lives of our students.

As we continue to work together to make our school district a better place to be, we find ourselves in situations that seem one way and then upon gathering more information, provide us with a completely different perspective. The story listed below is called "Things Are Not Always What They Seem." It serves as a reminder to us all that by working together we can always achieve more.

On behalf of our Board of Trustees and the entire Victoria ISD, we truly appreciate your excellence.

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was very rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead, the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the cold, hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel answered, "Things are not always what they seem."

The next night the two angels came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable, farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the farmer and his wife allowed the angels to sleep in their bed where they could receive a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in their field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen? The first family had everything, yet you helped them. The second family had little, but was willing to share everything and you still let their cow die."

"Things are not always what they seem." the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in the hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he would not find it. Then last night, as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. You see, things are not always what they seem!"

Robert Jaklich is the superintendent for the Victoria Independent School District. Contact him at 361-788-9202 or through the VISD website visd.com.