My Way To You 272 Eyes Opened

"That can't be right!"

"This is stupid! You're all stupid! She was self sacrificing! Any idiot can see that!"

"No you're stupid! She was self gratifying!"

"How can you think she was self sacrificing? She felt happy she gave everything to the boy?"

"She was happy because she gave up everything! She wanted to feel good about herself!"

"I can't do this anymore! What's the answer?!"

"Yes! Give us the answer!"

"We want a proper answer!"

"Give us a proper answer!"

"You can't leave us like this!"

Students shouted over top of one another, filling the once quiet library with a huge commotion, demanding a response. A loud and clear laugh silenced the crowd. Ariana hugged her sides tightly as tears ran down her cheeks. "It's an opinionated piece! You're answer is correct no matter what anyone says."

Everyone murmured under their breath as they slowly sat back down into their seats, embara.s.sed by their outburst. "How are we all right? If this was on the exam how would we get marks?" Lucius asked awkwardly. Ariana calmed down and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Let's look at it differently. This story is said to be based on a mother's unconditional love." Ariana said. The students all turned to her with matching horrified and doubtful faces. 

"It's true. A mother will carry a baby, giving up her arms or branches to give her child a sense of home, comfort, joy and protection. Her apples are her wages, trying to provide for her child. They will try to give them their necessities without the child knowing how hard it is. Her trunk is her whole body, the mother will give her all, her entire being so that their child would not have to suffer regardless of the consequences of the mother. While the stump.... While the stump is actually her grave, giving her child comfort when she is no longer around." Ariana finished what she said and watched everyone's faces change into enlightenment, sadness and understanding.

"So if you look at it as your mother, your father, your aunt, your uncle or your grandparents who give you so much with a word of thanks... Are they self sacrificing or are they doing it for self gratification? Only you know the answer and no one else can change your opinion. Only you can find out more about the facts then change your own opinion." Ariana explained.

Some students got up and started to excuse themselves while other started to write furiously. "What if we have no one like that in our lives?" Talisha asked in a monotone voice. "Of course you do. Servants, wet nurse, nannies, best friends, siblings, teachers, anyone who has touched your life in a positive way has given you just that. Maybe even more. If a servant indulges you without regarding themselves it because they love you. If they snuck you an extra piece a dessert or let you play a little longer do they not know the consequences? Instead they become your unsong heroes who had their wages deducted, punished, lashed or even bullied just so they could see your smile for a fleeting second. The same goes for your friends, do you not think about how they got you a gift? Or how they indulged your whims and suffered consequences in silence? We all take for granted unconditional love and never really realize what we had until it is gone." Ariana further explained.

"That was too deep." Edlyn said as small tears started to drop on to her clenched hands. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you." Ariana said gently as she reached out and covered Edlyn's hands with her own hand. 

"I want to write a letter to my mom." Lucius said as he grabbed a clean piece of paper. "I think most are doing the same." Ariana said as she pulled back from Edlyn. 

Edlyn had pulled out her handkerchief and dabbed her face. While Talisha sat in silence her face was shrouded in shadows. Halina had gone quiet too but she was completely pale. "Lucius, to get marks for the essay or piece you need to have your structure. I said it in the beginning. Your theory with your supporting three topics is your first paragraph. Your three topics are then expanded into seperate paragraphs and here you need to explain how it proves your theory. Add your facts and stay firm in your stance. Don't deviate, you'll lose marks. The conclusion paragraph, restates your three topics and confirm your theory as a correct answer. Spelling and grammar is important." Ariana said before she started to collect her things.

"Where are you going?" Lucius asked. Edlyn looked up, her eyes were red and Halina was started to tremble. "Calling it a day. We can't go on studying. We can continue another day." Ariana explained. The group nodded their heads in agreement then packed up their things. Other students heard what Ariana said and also packed up. Soon the library was completely empty and Gregory enjoyed the silence. He never knew that Ariana was hiding another level of intelligence. He couldn't help but smile.

"Have a good night." Lucius said awkwardly before turning and leaving the girls behind. Talisha turned to the girls and gave them an unreadable expression. "Hey... I'm gonna go off on my own for a bit. Be careful on your way back." She said before walking off, not even giving them a chance to respond.

"Me too... I kinda need to clear my head." Halina said in a low, unenthusiastic voice. "We'll see you later then." Ariana said but Halina gave her a half nod then walked off in a different direction.

"I don't want to be alone." Edlyn said as she hugged Ariana's arm. "I know. I hated that story too but it's a real eye opener for a lot of people. Especially privileged children who believe they were never truly loved." Ariana said with a sigh before walking along side Edlyn towards the dorms. "No more stories like that." Edlyn whispered as the walked. Ariana stayed silent for the rest of the walk.

.....

By morning the Giving Tree story spread like wildfire. Some people debated about the meaning of the story others couldn't understand the emotional a.s.spect of it. Unfortunately the story was a hit topic. To Ariana's surprise the story was actually written out correctly and posted on the school bulletin board for all to read. "Did you guys do this?" Ariana asked her roommates as the looked at the bulletin board. Each one shook their heads no.