This is the story of a little girl named Vashti (Vash-tee) and her caring art teacher. Vashti didn't believe she could draw. Her teacher said, "just make a mark and see where it takes you." Vashti grabbed the paper and gave it strong jab....nothing more than a dot on the paper. Her teacher then says, "now sign it." Vashti thinks well maybe I can't draw, but I can sign my name. The next week, Vashti returns to art class to see HER dot framed and hanging above her teacher's desk. Could it be? Hmmph! thought Vashti, I can make a better dot than THAT! She set to work. Big dots, little dots, and many more dots. They made quite a splash at the art show. A little boy at the show says to Vashti, "you're a really great artist. I wish I could draw." Can you guess what Vashti said?
I love how the teacher in this story believed in Vashti and took care of her with such a simple gesture of framing and hanging her dot. I love how Vashti then gains confidences and realizes that she CAN be successful. Sometimes we just have to believe in ourselves. I also love how "taking care of others" and such a simple gesture of kindness became contagious in this book.