In a faraway kingdom, there stood a majestic crystal tower that contained thousands of golden lights. Each one represented the knowledge, hope, and future of the kingdom's children. But these lights did not shine alone; they needed care, protection, and guidance.
The Guardians took care of it. They were people dedicated to teaching, teachers who, with their passion and dedication, guided children on the path of learning. Every day, before dawn, they traveled the darkest roads to reach the tower and ensure that no light went out. They did it with love and utmost care. With patience, they fanned the small flames, pushed away the shadows of fear and uncertainty, and protected the fire from the wind of indifference.
However, over time, the people began to see them differently. They murmured and criticized their work:
—Why do they rest in the summer? They do nothing, they just take care of some lights. We do that too, and surely better.
—They charge for doing little. The Guardians listened to these words in silence. They knew that their efforts were not always valued and that their work was invisible to many. But they kept going, because each light that shone brighter was a child learning, dreaming, and preparing for a better future. Happy children, that's what they wanted.
In addition to taking care of the lights, the Guardians also had to prepare for their competitive exams, study tirelessly, and dedicate hours to lesson planning. Many of them left their families for long nights, immersed in books and notes, always seeking to be better in order to offer the best to the children. Their love for them was so great that they were willing to sacrifice moments with their loved ones to ensure that each one received the attention they deserved.
Over the years, some Guardians began to get discouraged. They left to seek new paths, while others, tired, stayed in the shadows, feeling belittled by a people who did not understand the magnitude of their work. However, there was a group that did not give up. They kept arriving at the tower every day, bringing with them new knowledge and all the love for what they did.
One day, a great darkness covered the kingdom. Ignorance and apathy spread like a thick fog. The children began to lose their curiosity and their desire
to learn; they seemed like inert beings. People desperately sought the light, but only a few remembered how to turn it on.
It was then that the king realized that he had made a serious mistake. He had paid little attention to the Guardians of the Light, those who kept the hope of the kingdom alive. He realized that, without them, the future of his people was in danger, perhaps beyond repair.
—Call the Guardians of the Light! —he ordered—. Only they know how to restore the shine to our tower and to our hearts. We are lost.
However, some Guardians had already left, tired of the lack of recognition and the prejudices towards their work. Others were still there, but their strength was failing. They felt belittled by a people who did not understand the magnitude of their work, and that was frustrating for them.
The king, realizing the void they had left, gathered the Guardians and, with tears in his eyes, addressed them. Please, forgive us. We have not valued the effort you make as we should. Without you, this kingdom has no future. Each of these lights represents the life of a child, of those extraordinary beings who will be our future.
The Guardians, moved, decided to stay and fight for their kingdom. They began to work with even more dedication, and little by little, the lights began to shine like never before. But it was also time for the people to understand what it meant to be a Guardian of the Light.
Thus, the Guardians decided to tell their story. One day they called a meeting in the town square, where they shared their experiences: the joys of seeing a child learn to read and write, the nights they stayed up planning lessons, the challenges they faced every day, the tears they had seen on the faces of their students, and the beautiful dreams they had helped cultivate.
—We are more than caretakers of lights —they said—. We are the architects of the future. Every day, we fight against the darkness of ignorance. We look for ways to ignite the spark of knowledge and curiosity in every child, so that they never stop learning.
—We dedicate ourselves to preparing, studying, and improving. Although we have vacations in the summer, our mind never rests completely, because we are always thinking about how to be better for our students, devising new ways to reach them. And although sometimes we move away from our families, we do it for one reason: we want the best for every child. Because each one of them is a light that deserves to shine.
And so, little by little, the people began to understand. They learned to value not only the effort and dedication of the Guardians, but also the importance of education in the lives of their children. They realized that every teacher in the kingdom was a fundamental pillar in the construction of a bright future, and that it was better to be by their side.
From that day on, the people never called the Guardians lazy again. They began to celebrate their work, recognize their effort, and support their mission.
And so, in the kingdom, the lights shone brighter than ever, thanks to the Guardians of the Light.
A message for teachers and families
Being a teacher is more than a profession; it is a vocation. It is more than being in a classroom. It involves constantly preparing, training, studying, and finding ways to reach all types of children, each with their circumstances, each with increasingly complicated lives.
It is listening to stories that hurt and, many times, being the only voice that encourages to move forward. It is giving without expecting recognition, it is seeing the potential in each child and fighting for them to discover it themselves.
Therefore, to all the teachers who keep fighting, who despite physical and emotional exhaustion keep going: THANK YOU. Because in their hands there are not only chalks and books, but the future of a generation.
To the parents, we want to say: we navigate together. Trust is fundamental to achieve, among all, the best for your children. We want to be your allies in this wonderful adventure.