Gemotions

He felt a deep sense of irritation bubbling inside. Mr. Bell looked at the mountain of paperwork on his desk. His head was a mess. The school board was breathing down his neck. The stress of the job was making his chest feel tight. He was close to breaking point.

He glared at the unopened mail, and then noticed a small, hand-painted box. It wasn't there before. He picked it up, curiosity winning over his mood.

The card read: "To Mr. Bell, my favorite teacher, and the one who believed in me! - Maria." Inside the box, a collection of small, colorful pebbles. Maria, a student he helped through a difficult time. The simple beauty of the pebbles soothed his troubled soul.