Today, I work as a teacher in the same school where I once graduated.
And whenever I see a child being teased for being poor, I always tell them the same thing:
“There is nothing shameful about being a janitor, a garbage collector, or someone who washes clothes for a living.
What’s shameful is laughing at people who work harder and more honestly than you do.”
My mother still visits the school sometimes.
She still carries her mop and bucket through the hallways.
But now, when students see her, they smile.
No one laughs anymore.
Many of them greet her politely or nod their heads with respect.
And whenever I see her walking down the corridor, I smile and say:
“Mom, you didn’t just clean the school floors.
You cleaned my heart too.”
