“SAMMY,” said Teacher Nancy raising one eyebrow. She knew Sammy was definitely up to something; he simply couldn’t stay out of mischief even for a moment.

“Show me what you are hiding behind your back,” she said stretching out her hand.

“Nothing teacher, nothing,” said Sammy stepping back.

“I know there is something in your hands. What is it?” Teacher Nancy tried to peek at his hands but somebody called her from behind. Taking this opportunity, Sammy quickly turned around and ran into his classroom.

‘Thank God she didn’t see it. It would have spoiled my surprise,’ he thought to himself halting beside his desk. Looking at the card, he smiled as the words, “Happy Teacher’s Day to Teacher Nancy,” written on the card.“Hey buddy, who you are hiding from?” asked Andy shrieking at Sammy as he came walking into the classroom.

“Teacher Nancy! I had just finished making a card for her and was about to put it in my bag when suddenly she came out of nowhere and scared the life out of me!” said Sammy holding out the card for Andy to see. “I hope she didn’t see it. I want to slip it into her notebook and surprise her.”

“You made a card for Teacher’s Day?” Andy said while looking at the card with amazement.

“Yeah, I mean ... ” Sammy looked at the card, perplexed as to what was so unusual about it.

“Hahahahahahaha!! You must be kidding boy!” said Andy bursting into laughter.

Puzzled, Sammy continued looking at the card, unknowing of what was so funny for Andy.

“I mean, seriously? A hand-made card!” said Andy, when finally he stopped laughing.

“What were you thinking Sammy? She wouldn’t even look at your card. It’s so ordinary! You should have bought her something! Something grand!”

Turning red with embarrassment, Sammy remained silent.

“See what I got for her,” Andy boasted, shoving his hand into his bag.

“Voila! The famous creamy, crunchy chocolates from Switzerland!” said Andy, taking out nicely wrapped box with ‘Happy Teacher’s Day’ written on it.

“Daddy just brought these yesterday from his business tour to Switzerland! Andy flashed a bright smile at Sammy. “Now this is what I call a gift!”

Just as it was becoming too much to bear for Sammy, teacher Nancy entered the room.

“Hey, she is here!” Andy ran towards her and presented her his gift chanting “Happy Teacher’s Day!” and making his best face.

Exchanging glances between Teacher Nancy’s smiling face and Andy’s gift, Sammy looked at his card disappointingly. With his face hung, he crumpled the card and threw it in the garbage can before walking out of the class.

Teacher Nancy, who noticed Sammy leaving, instantly walked behind him, but the school bell rang off and students started pouring into and out of the class.

After politely receiving gifts from her students and thanking them, she instantly instructed them to start with their drawing assignment and quickly went to look for Sammy. Just as she was about to leave the class, her gaze fell upon Sammy’s card in the garbage can. Instantly she picked it and straightened it out to see what it said.

After reading it, tears brimmed in her eyes as she got overwhelmed by the truly innocent and pure feelings of little Sammy. Wiping the tears off, she went out to find him. Soon she found him standing alone in the corridor.

“Sammy,” she called him.

Hearing his name, Sammy turned around and got surprised to see Teacher Nancy holding his card.

“Why did you throw this away?” inquired Teacher Nancy holding out the card to him. “Why didn’t you give it to me?”

“Andy said it’s too ordinary to give somebody a handmade card and he said you won’t like it,” explained Sammy sadly. “Besides, it’s too small a gift as compared to Andy’s.”

“Oh my dear child! How can you think this way? I truly love your card!”

“But it is not as grand a gift as Andy’s. His dad brought the gift from Switzerland. And mine? It’s just some stupid card made at home!” said Sammy.

“Stupid? My dear, you are totally mistaken! You worked hard and made this card yourself, even if anybody brings me all the wealth in the world, it still would not defeat this card!

“Really?” asked Sammy, unbelievingly.

“Yes Sammy! Always remember, it’s the thought that counts, not the money. Never believe that wealth always means happiness or it ensures success. If the thought behind an action is not pure, if a person is not willing to work hard, nothing matters then. What you have written in this card is so sweet and pure that I truly love your card! I am again saying child, always remember, it’s the thought that counts!”