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Dear Papa David:
When I was twenty-two months of age, I was a victim of that dreaded child disease infantile paralysis which left me with a shortened leg and a badly twisted right foot. I was unable to walk until I was almost nine years old; by that time I was very self-conscious about my affliction. I hated the thought of starting to school. I shunned the other children and only watched when they played, although they asked me to join in.
One day our teacher, to whom I think I owe more than anyone else, announced that our room was to put on a forty-five minute program at the high school. I could hardly believe my ears when Mrs. Thomas said that. she was giving me the leading part in the play. I begged her not to, but to no avail.
One day she asked me to remain in at recess. It was then she made me tell her the reason I did not want to be in the play. Through burning tears I told her how I felt about my twisted foot. She patted my head and spoke so tenderly. "Honey, you are going to be in our play and no one will even know you are a cripple." She left the room and soon returned with a large box. She soon had me dressed in a long hoop skirt, a black blouse and a grey wig complete with black rim specs. It was then I learned I was to play the part of a typical "old maid" school teacher.
Two weeks later our play was presented with huge success. When I left the stage Mrs. Thomas was waiting for me. "Darling, you were wonderful," she exclaimed, and to prove she really meant it, before that term of school was out she had put me in nine forty-five minute programs. Almost unnoticed by me she managed to dress me each time in the first five plays so that no one would know I was a cripple. But the last four I played my part in very short little girl
dresses. I pleaded with her not to put me in those roles but she only smiled and said, "Honey, you have been my very best little actress and you won't let me down now, will you?"
It was then and there I made up my mind I would never let her down, and I didn't. I went on the stage as any other child and played my part.
I finished school at the age of sixteen, went to the city and took a good job. In less than a year I met and married the best man in the world I think. We have a darling baby girl and a lovely little home.
If it had not been for my teacher I don't feel I would ever have the happiness I enjoy today.
Mrs. T. L. R.
And here are other letters, each of them a lesson in life. To the writers of each of these. Radio Mirror has mailed fifteen-dollar chedks.
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Dear Papa David:
For six years I let a "sorry complex" nag my life. My first memory "was the day on which my teen-age husband was drowned. I felt I was bearing all the grief of the world. Later when my son was born, my joy was over-shadowed by my feeling of utter loneliness and I cursed the fate that placed me alone to raise my child. I had plenty to look ahead to, but I preferred to look back.
A year later my Dad was captured as a civilian worker on Wake, and for two years we were doubtful whether {ComtivAied. on page 56)
ea to Life Can Be Beautiful daUy at 10 A.lM[.,PDT, lllV.M., MDT, 12CDT, and 1 P.M., EDT, over CBS.