Imagine you visit a school and you are impressed by what you see. The motto is "a place of caring, teamwork and achievement" and this is emblazoned across walls wherever you look. You stay for a while to soak in the atmosphere as this is where you would like to send your daughter to school.
The playtime bell rings short and shrill and there is a rush of noise as children stamp hurriedly along to get to the playgrounds. From your vantage point, your smug sense of ease and happiness is replaced by gnawing doubt as you notice lone children dotted throughout the playground. A few of them approach groups of children playing games, but they are turned away, and they return to dejected lonely positions. A girl dabs her hands in the sand, tracing outlines. A boy sits with his hat covering his hair, cheek in hands. Then you see a group rush up to younger group, and a small boys goes flying into the turf. Giggles reach your ears as the bullies run away. Without a word you turn and leave.
On the drive home you think, is it possible to have a motto which says one cares and yet to outwardly show the opposite behaviour? You realise you have learnt a lesson, that no matter what is said or shown, it must be part of the heart.
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