FEATURE 

    Prologue: During my English class, I was thinking of what to write  for this paper. While my students were answering the essay test, I noticed the pieces of chalk and the eraser in my chalkbox. So I began scribbling a story about them and here it goes...

    As I heard footsteps and familiar voices, I opened my eyes and looked around. I sighed to myself and thought, another day of work has begun. As I heard the voices get louder, I heard someone step in, and all the voices died down. Then I heard a voice, a loud seemingly superior voice that had quite a noise a while ago. They solemnly recited a prayer and ended with something like: Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

    Then, the seemingly superior voice spoke once again and greeted, "Good morning, class!" Again, a chorus of voices answered the greeting and I heard the sounds of chairs being moved about. The "superior" voice spoke again, "Class, our lesson for today is about the different genres of literature." So, that is what the subject is all about, I said to myself, without really understanding what the voice had said. Suddenly, I felt fingers tickling me. A hand picked me up and scratched my head against a smooth, shiny surface. I know that my task had begun once again.

    I am a chalk. Yes, a little old chalk. The one you see everyday when you people called "students" enter the place called "classroom." I am the white thing you see lazing around your chalkbox with my bestfriend, the blackboard eraser. Actually, I am quite new in this place. I used to reside in that box with my family.

    One day, I was taken from   my home and placed in this chalkbox. My mom has been telling me about this before, so I was quite prepared when it happened to me. According to her, our lives as chalks begin someone takes us away from the box and scratched our head against the surface called "blackboard." She said that was the reason for our existence in this world. She told me that I should be proud when I am being used because it is an honor for us. She even said that being used is not easy. Everytime we are used, our life span shortens. But she said that I shouldn't be afraid because that is now our lives are meant to be.

    I have been in this place only yesterday, but I have begun to feel how hard it is to be a chalk. I felt the pain the first time I was used, but I got used to it and the pain slowly became less. When the classes end, I was left to lie down on the chalkbox. Aaaaahhh! It feels so great to finally relax my tired old body. I immediately felt weak. I felt as if I was a hundred years old, though, in fact, I have only spent two days in this place. I know that tomorrow,  I would be facing once again with heavy work. I know that my end is drawing near, but I am not afraid. I know that students and teachers need me. I am important to them, and I don't care if I get used up and die. For I believe that life is full of suffering, but we have to carry out productive lives inspite of it. As my mom always tells, "One who lives in accordance with this belief is likely to learn to live with pain." In fact, she taught me a very inspiring poem that I could never forget:

                      Little heartaches, little

                            heartaches

                      Little griefs of everyday

                      Little trials and vexations

                      How they throng upon our way

                      One great cross immense and

                            heavy

                      So it seems to our weak will

                      Might be borne with resigna-

                            tion

                      But these may little ones kill.

                      Let us then not by impatience

                      Mar the beauty of the whole

                      But for the love for everyone

                      In the silence of our soul

    Finally, I realize that life, with all its activities, implies risk. It cannot offer success in all attempts, for yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is but today's dream. We must learn, then, to savour each moment, whether it be one of joy or pain. Often we can fall into the trap of worrying about the future or brooding over the past and thereby missing the beauty right before us. For me, I am proud and happy that I have served my purpose. I know that my parents are proud of me.

    UNIVERSAL TRUTH: The significance of each thing or person in this world. Each one has a great purpose. So do the best you can.. Share!

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    Mr. Gerry Nicol is a former faculty member of the college department where he used to teach subjects in English - Ed.