By: Jaya R. Panganiban
Once upon a time in a far away village of Mt. Bulusan. There is a community where people lives together with harmony and unity. It is a place where the dreams of everyone can be valid. From the overlooking beautiful sceneries, wind that blows on its old habits, people and trees herded together. This is a calm and peaceful place where everyone is dreaming to lived on.
On the same place, there is a small school built at the foot of this mountain. The school was named after the owner of the land. Joharra is an only daughter of a conglomerate family, Mr. Bert and Madam Nena. So, the name of the school was named after Joharra, It’s now called as Joharra Elementary School. She was raised in a lavish life. She lives the life of a golden spoon that she always experienced of ever since she was born.
“Joharra, Look! The sky is bright. Let’s go and play outside together with other children in the field”. Cora shouted.
But Joharra does not come out of their house . She is firm with her decision to not mingle with others. She is careless on what others can say to her.
Her Mother, Madam Nena hears the call of Cora and says, “Joharra, my beloved daughter, Why don’t you go with them? It so fun to be with other people.”
But Joharra just stare at her mother and answers, “ I don’t want to go, Mama.
But why My love? The mother asks.
I Don’t like it! I don’t wanna go with them. It’s much better if I just stay here at home alone.” she sadly replied.
Joharra remembers one of her experiences before when she encountered some children. They tease her, “We don’t want you! You Rich! You will just step on us because we are poor…. LEAVE!
The mother just let the attitude of Joharra passed as the time goes by. She keeps on staying at home, she reads lots of books, she calculates Math problems, she writes interesting poems and riddles, she researches various science facts, she learns the skills of protecting people, and most especially she prays rosary and listens to the words of God. She busied herself with so much entertaining activities until she reaches her legal age.
It is about time for Joharra to to run the Joharra Elementary School because her parents are getting old. She is about to join forces with other people, and she has no choice but to be and be and work with them.
One moment, Cora, One of the teachers appear in front of Mrs. Joharra “Maam , I feel sick. I think I cannot take my classes for today. I can’t take the pain in my stomach.” “No, I can’t let you. You have class today and there is no substitute for you. No one would take good care to our children if you insisted to leave.” Mrs. Joharra Replies.
The pitiful teacher went back to her classroom sadly while bearing the excruciating pain she is experiencing on that certain day.
On the following day, some of the children were playing while one the child accidentally stepped on Mrs. Joharra’s feet. She got mad and shouted the child.
“ Go back to your classroom and don’t ever leave until your teacher told you to do so.”
Joharra did not mind all the people around her even theteachers and her colleagues can experienced her derangement and harshness. The students did not escape on her wickedness. That’s why some of the children prefer to transfer and leave the school because of the bad attitude of the leader. Little did they know that Mrs. Joharra experienced the cruelty of life, too.
The school started to lose the number of students while other teachers started to distant themselves from their leader. And all of these were noticed by Mrs. Joharra.At some point, she feel emptiness and excruciating pain is visible in her eyes. Her Mother, Madam Nena, saw it coming and feel sorry for what has been happening to her daughter.
So, Nena goes to her and comforts her lovely daughter and says, “You’re so special my dear you have a strong mind and a kind heart, but because of your experienced before you keep on masking it within your soul because you are scared to open up with people and experience the pain again. I love you no matter what they say.” Mama cuddles in her arms and kissed her in her forehead.
Mama, I am so scared, I think the school is at risk and the people from the village are mad at me and will forever curse at me. “ Joharra replies.
“ Oh my dear, As I keep on telling you, You are kind and lovable. You just need to have an emphaty towards other. And through that, you can release all your worries and you can lead the people smoothly. Just follow the desire of your heart. From that words of wisdom coming from her mother it seems like she was awakened from a long nightmare of being imprisoned from herself.
On a busy day while every teacher is at work and the children are at class, a smoke appeared, and the flame started to arise in the school area. Trembling shouts of the frightened children and teachers can be heard not only in the premises of the school but in the whole village of Mt. Bulusan. Children calling for their teachers and for Maam Joharra for help.
“ Maam! HEL ME! HELP US! …… H E E L L P P!
Because of Mrs. Joharras wittiness, she used her knowledge and skills to stop the fire. She uses the fire extinguisher so that the fire will no longer spread out. And with that act of service, she shows her care and love to all the children and her colleagues. She saves lives and shows her heroic courage in times of danger.
From that moment, she was admired and praised by all the people in that village. Her name was being mark as a heroic leader and forever be remembered by all people living in that village.
Moral Lesson: Don’t judge other by simply being strict at some point, we never know all their past experiences.
Change for the better because people will appreciate and recognize someone who embark kindness.
Be a humane and an empathetic leader.
Citation & Access:
This article is archived and citable via DOI:
Bughaw Review 
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