“Mum, I will have my breakfast quickly as I am getting late for school. My friends are already waiting for me at the school,” Sagheer told his mother while he was brushing his teeth.

“Dear, tell your friends to wait as there is still half an hour and you need to have your breakfast first,” mum said.

“Mum, today is October 5, which is “Teachers’ Day”. I want to wish my teachers,” Sagheer exclaimed in joy. “Mum what should I give to my teachers on this special day, I have bought nothing,” he asked his mother sadly.

The mother said, “It’s okay son, even if you have bought nothing, because, at the end of the day, material stuff doesn’t lasts. It is the feelings your teachers will remember throughout their lives. So pass a tender smile to them, wish them and always be respectful.”

The small boy did not understand the words of his mother and started going towards school. It was almost 8 when Sagheer reached the school. He saw all the classmates standing near the office with gifts to wish their teachers. The boy did not move closer to the group because he had nothing to give. So he sat under a tree inside their school premises and waited.

After the students gave the presents to their teachers, they left for their classrooms. Mr Anayat, an old teacher of the school, saw Sagheer sitting under the tree and went closer to him.

He saw a tear trickling down Sagheer’s cheeks. Mr Anayat asked the reason.

“Sir, I also wanted to wish the teachers with gifts like others, but I couldn’t afford to buy gifts,” Sagheer replied broken-heartedly.

Mr Anayat smiled and said, “Dear Sagheer, we teachers don’t need gifts. We need your smiles, respect and love.” Sagheer was surprised and looked into his teacher’s eyes. The teacher repeated, and said, “Yes, it is your respect that we want. Your smiling, happy faces give us a feeling of accomplishment.”

Sagheer smiled and hugged Mr Anayat, and happily said, “Thank you sir!”

Through this story, I also want to thank my beloved teachers who have supported and motivated me to reach my destination and my success is because of them. Teachers play the most important role in the success of any country.

Today, I am have a great job and respect because of the teachers who taught me and showed me the right path to walk on. I want to thank my teachers for putting a wonderful effort in teaching us.

Published in Dawn, Young World September 30th, 2017