I used to be shy and my first day at the new school made me look stupid in front of the class. The teacher asked me to write my name and address on the blackboard. I knew my name and address, knew how to write them, knew how to spell them, but standing at the blackboard with the eyes of the many girls and boys looking at me made me nervous. I was unable to write a single letter.
"Write your name," the teacher said to me. I lifted the white chalk to the blackboard and, as I was about to write my name, my mind went empty. I could not remember my name, not even the first letter. "Just forget about us and write your name and address," said the teacher. I wanted to write but my hand refused to move. The children began to whisper. "Don't you know your name?" asked the teacher. I looked at her and could not answer. The teacher stood up and walked to my side, smiling at me to give me confidence (自信) .
She put her hand softly on my shoulder and asked, "What's your name?"
"Richard Wright," I whispered. I spelled my name very quickly.
"Now, can you write?"
"Yes, madam."
Again, I turned to the blackboard. I wrote my name and address down quickly and correctly.
"Good boy. You may go to your seat," said the teacher.
Today I can still remember my teacher's words and encouragement. They meant a lot to me.
