83 x365: Mike

I sat in the reading corner and hid though I knew I wasn't supposed to be there. I listened as the teachers discussed holding him back at the end of the year. I didn't know what it meant but was sure it was a bad thing. To not go through to Grade 4 seemed the worst punishment just because he was shy and did not speak much English. I went home and cried and cried for days.

I never really thought of it again, but years later, he had friends, was more self-assured and doing much better in school.