1929 Cedrus Yearbook

t The Cedrus Faculty Crusts S OME teachers are crusty old things— I know you will agree, but wait until I finish the statement—crusty on the outside. Recently I have been making some pseudo-scientific investigations, and I here report my findings. One day I suddenly caught a gleam as of a jewel, in the vicinity of the heart, and having a pirate-like love for treasure-seeking, I began my search. I might explain that in my experiment, I chose to work upon the crust as near the heart as possible. It is only by very careful microscopic investigation that we are able to analyze this crust. It seems to be a kind of professional air. In some places it is com­ posed of very close, attack-resisting cells, almost impenetrable, while in other places it is of a more porous nature. We find upon closer examination that the crust is made up of a number of layers, in some places only two or three, although in other places as many as thirteen have been found. With continual work for fourteen weeks deducting only the minimum amount of time for rest and nourish­ ment, I finally, yet ever so gently passed through the twelfth layer. Let me give a warning. Don’t ever try to use force or coldness to try to get through the crust, because it won’t work. The best and surest method is to use warmth, and love, and sympathy. The crusts gradually melt before tools such as these. Well, what about the thirteenth crust? When I reached it I found it very, very hard yet warm and transparent. I realized it would be sacrilege to attempt to go farther. But my work had not been in vain. I had found a treasure! I could see it there in all its magnificence, under the thirteenth layer. It would be ruthless to expose it to the outside world, so I laid aside my tools and just sat and watched. The layers I had passed through began to cement themselves together again. Was I disappointed? No, my joy was boundless! I was satisfied. I knew what was down underneath. I had proved my guess. Don’t get the mistaken notion that the treasure is entirely hidden. Its sublime beauty emanates from it through all the crusts. How wonderful it is then, close at hand. Friends, this investigation was true. The conclusions reached are true. Un­ derneath every outside crust there is something precious. I f you don’t believe it, experiment for yourself. Perhaps you don’t think crusts are necessary; perhaps you think this professional air should be thrown away. Let me ask you something: Why does the kernel of a nut have an outer shell? Why are the earth’s treasures often hidden so deeply? The same answer will apply. There is something infinitely precious, something sacred in the heart of a teacher, and it must be protected from knocks and injuries by thick coverings. Yet it’s there just the same and it’s worth the search. There’s more in the heart of a teacher than most of us ever realized, but still we’re thankful for crusts ! E. W. - ^ Page Twenty-tivo M