Another Perspective

When I found myself outside a school I was not surprised, as many
stewards are appointed when they qualify as teachers (but are not
officially appointed until they embark on their first "case" which
usually happens once they start teaching).

As I walked round the corner of the empty corridor I was shocked to see
that the only person in sight was a young girl, not more than fifteen
years of age. She was the one I was sent to appoint - but she was so
young! I could imagine, sadly, only too easily, the different
circumstances that could have made a fifteen-year-old more emotionally
mature than some twenty-five year olds. The fact that she was still
strong enough to help others spoke volumes for her character and,
despite my fears of the job being too much for her, I was eager to meet
this girl.

As I approached she jumped, as if I suddenly appeared in front of her -
I had forgotten that if I don't want to be seen I will not be seen and
as I had not wished to be seen while I was observing her I had remained
hidden from her sight. I addressed her by her name - which startled
her, naturally. As I looked into her eyes I saw a barrier shut down in
front of them that disguised her true feelings and emotions. I was
worried.

I led her into a separate room to inform her of her new duty. As I
related my own story to her I watched her closely. She was shocked. I
noticed that the more I opened up to her the more the barrier was
dropped so I opened up completely and told her things about my earlier
life which very few people know - my original refusal to accept my duty
and the resulting misery.

All the while, questions were running through my mind. Why was someone
so young being appointed? Who was she helping already? How could
someone so young be emotionally mature enough to help others?

As I feared, she was overwhelmed by the task ahead of her. She asked
why she had been chosen and I could not give her an answer. I felt so
helpless. I did not know why they picked her, although I could tell
that she would make an excellent watcher just from the way she was
handling this so well at such an early age. I told her to go home and
sort out any questions she might have and that I would always come back
to answer them.

As she left the room I thought of all the misery that her young eyes
were soon to see - and sighed.

As a steward appointing another I am bound to return to them once more
only but I could tell that I would be watching her for a long time yet
- even if she did not call on me.

The next day she needed me so I went to her. She was walking about in
the rain, having doubts about whether she would be good enough to make
a steward. I looked into her eyes and deep down saw courage and
determination to take on the role and I knew that she could do it. I
told her and it seemed to embolden her and give her strength.

I did not want her to accept the duty if she was not ready and could
not help but ask whether or not she felt she could do it. She said she
was sure she could and I believed she could and so, although it goes
against my better judgement, I left it up to her to decide.

Her final question, "How long have you been doing this?" took my breath
away for a minute. I could not tell her the truth - I do not know
myself, exactly and it is one of the rules never to give away the
length of the job, so no one knows how long he or she will do it for. I
just told her that it had been a long time and she seemed to accept
it.

As I walked away I sensed that she would make an excellent steward, yet
I also sensed that something was coming to try her very soon. And I
wondered whom she was helping at the present time. I made up my mind to
watch her closely for a while.