one day a wise teacher named Mrs Johnson had a special lesson planned for her young students it was a sunny Monday morning and the children buzzed with excitement curious about what they would learn that day Mrs Johnson began by handing each student a potato and a marker today she said I want you to think of someone you don't like or someone who has hurt your feelings write their name on this potato the children exchanged L looks but did as they were told some wrote down one name others wrote two or three and a few students
even had five names to write once everyone was done Mrs Johnson handed out plastic bags and asked the students to place their potatoes inside now Mrs Johnson continued I want you to carry this bag with you everywhere you go for one whole week keep it with you at all times even when you sleep at first the children didn't think much of it they played attended their lessons and went about their days with their potato bags in toe however as the days passed something started to happen the potatoes began to rot by Wednesday the bags emitted
a foul smell the children began to complain Mrs Johnson my bag stinks cried Emily it's so heavy groaned Jacob who had written five names on his potatoes do do we really have to carry them all week they asked but Mrs Johnson remained firm yes you must carry them until the end of the week by Friday the smell was unbearable the children were frustrated and tired of carrying their heavy smelly bags they could barely focus on their schoolwork and felt embarrassed when other students noticed the smell finally the week came to an end Mrs Johnson gathered
the children in a circle and asked how did you feel carrying the potatoes with you all week the children eagerly shared their feelings it was awful said Sarah the smell was so bad and it just got worse every day it was heavy and made everything harder added Ben Mrs Johnson listened patiently and then said this experience was to teach you an important lesson the potatoes represent the hatred and grudges you carry in your heart just like like the potatoes became rotten and unbearable so does hatred when you hold on to it it contaminates your heart
and makes your life harder she continued if you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just one week can you imagine what it is like to carry hatred in your heart for a lifetime forgiving others and letting go of your anger is the best way to free yourself from this burden the children nodded understanding the powerful message they real realized that holding on to anger and hatred only hurt themselves from that day on they decided to practice forgiveness and kindness
