1. The Story of Mary’s Hands

2. Several years ago a teacher in a New York City ghetto district, As a Thanksgiving assignment, Asked her first graders To draw something they were grateful for.

3. One child’s picture puzzled her. Mary was a timid child, Likely to be found close to her shadows at breaktime. She had simply drawn a pair of hands The class were captivated by the sketch.

4. “ I think it must be the hands of God that brings us food,” said one “A farmer,” said another, “ because he grows the turkeys.” “It looks like a policemans,” said a third child, “and he protects us.”

5. In her pleasure At the finding the class so responsive The teacher had almost forgotten Mary Later, when the other children were quietly at work, She went over to her desk. “What did the hands mean to you Mary?” she asked

6. She mumbled “There yours, Miss” because I’m so grateful for you!!! Silently she clasped Mary’s hands And realised how much she had to be thankful for