From Grade 3 To Grade 4

Episode 2 – From Grade 3 to Grade 4

Grade 3 was one of the hardest years of my childhood. I was only eight at the time, studying in Class A. My dad had told me I was lucky, that I had a talented, kind teacher. But the reality was far from it. That year, I met the worst teacher of my life.

Her name was Isabel Lorente.

In Thailand, it’s not uncommon for teachers to discipline students physically, like tapping a hand with a stick. It stings, yes, but the pain fades quickly. What hurt more, what stayed with me, were her words. The things she said cut deeper than anything physical ever could.

One moment still lives in my memory. It was during an exam. She came over to help me, but instead of offering guidance, she scolded me harshly. Then she walked away to assist another student. A few minutes later, she returned, angrier than before, and began insulting me again. I can’t remember her exact words, but I remember how small and stupid I felt in that moment.

There was another day that I’ll never forget. My dad had to go to the hospital for a medical procedure, and I was already feeling anxious. That same day, I got detention with two other classmates, twin boys from Africa, because we hadn’t finished our classwork. During detention, Isabel scolded me again, her words sharper than ever. This time, something inside me broke. I cried. And that was rare, I had never cried for anyone before.

That night, I cried again. And the next night too. Quietly, alone. My heart was heavy.

Then there was Eeman. Do you remember her? She wasn’t very kind back then. She told everyone about my grades, like it was a joke. She made my failures sound worse than they were. I felt humiliated.

But not everything was dark. I had Sukhreet and Jennifer by my side. Jennifer was from Colombia but had moved to Spain. They were my safe place, my little bit of sunshine during those gloomy days.

When summer finally came, I felt relief. No more school. No more Isabel.

But my relief was short-lived.

Grade 4 started... and she was still my teacher.

I remember hoping, wishing, maybe even praying to the stars: Please, next year, let me have someone kinder. Please not her again.

But the stars didn’t listen. Or maybe they listened a little, because something had changed. Isabel was still strict, still angry, but she tried to be calmer. She held back more than before. I think someone talked to her. Maybe it was Tomeu—the son of the school’s principal. He’ll appear again in my Grade 6 story, so remember him. Maybe he said something to his mother about how Isabel treated students. Whatever the reason, she was a little more patient that year.

Just a little.

Next time, I’ll tell you what happened in Grades 5 and 6. Grade 5 started off even worse... but things began to change. And yes, Eeman becomes an important part of that story.

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