He is special
B. SWAMY THAYAMMAL
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At the summer camp we learnt that enthusiasm and joy are contagious.
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A mother called to enrol her son in my summer art camp. She said her 19-year-old was a special child. She also told me that he was very friendly, creative and had already participated in some clay modelling sessions. I had mixed feelings, as I did not know how he would relate to the other children and vice versa.
On the first day he extended his hand in a warm handshake. He shook hands with every child in the class and the parents who had accompanied their children. He helped the little ones with their bags and water bottles.
Initially the other children were curious. I told them to be friendly and give him help and assistance if he so required.
We always sat in a big circle on the floor when we got to work, painting not only on our sheets, but also the floor, our clothes, legs and sometimes even the walls. He sat next to me and I encouraged him. I had told my class that they needed to be possessive about their creations and never let anyone touch it.
He was observant, and very independent. He worked patiently and turned in perfect work. When he had completed whatever task was set before him he would wave his hand in the air shouting, "Yes!" and the entire class would applaud. Enthusiasm, like joy, it is said, is contagious.
Always the first to arrive he would volunteer to help me in whatever work I was doing. I noticed that he loved watering the plants. He was thrilled when the hibiscus bloomed.
One morning he came running upstairs where I was cutting out sheets for drawing and excitedly said, "Today I walked on my own." I realised that he had accomplished something that we take for granted. I later learnt from his father that he had been adamant not to get onto the scooter and had insisted that he would walk.
As the days passed he began to change his place in the circle and I assisted him less. He joined the other children in their games and they never gave him any consideration when he was `out' and neither did he ask for any. All the silly pranks, which the kids played on each other, they played on him too. During the puppet show I sensed a feeling of togetherness as they helped him in his role as `butterfly'.
On the last day as we bid farewell and said, "see you next year in the art camp" we knew that here was someone who would always remain special to us.
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