There was a school at the top of the hill.  It was a small art school, 
built by hand.  In this school was said to be the greatest teacher 
that has ever existed.  His art was beyond comparison.  I was 
overwhelmed with the realization that I might someday be able to 
attend this school.  It warmed my soul to think of the exquisite 
beauty and knowledge found within those walls.  I couldnÕt wait.  
	All but a third of my brothers and sisters finally decided to attend.  
The rest of us were sad, but we would not be kept from our dream.
	We finally arrived and sat at our desks, it was quite a comfortable 
fit for most of us.  After a brief silence the teacher stepped out 
from the back of the room and slowly bagan walking to the front.  The 
room was on fire with His presence.  His eyes sparkled with the joy 
only a teacher can know.  He turned to the class and began to give us 
our instructions.

	ÒAll of you were told to place your books, calculators, and bookbags 
behind the curtain as you walked in correct?Ó
	ÒYes,Ó we replied.
	ÒGood then we can get started.Ó
	ÒThis is unlike any school you have ever heard of," He said,  "You 
may talk to each other all you want.  In fact you may do anything you 
want.  You have complete freedom.Ó
	All of us looked at each other and smiled.  A few mischeivous grins 
could be seen about the classroom.
	ÒThe main difference between this and other schools is that there is 
only one project," He said,  "That project is to sculpt a dove.Ó
	One lone boy in the back raised his hand and asked ÒWhatÕs a dove?Ó
	The teacher grinned, his eyes sparkled and he answered ÒThat is part 
of the test.  IÕll be in the back of the class if you have any 
questions. You have a limited amount of time to complete this.Ó
	ÒHow much time?Ó a little girl asked.
	ÒIt will vary from person to person,Ó He answered ÒDonÕt worry just 
do your best.  Begin."

	We all frantically began forming our clay, but into what?  A few kids 
in the back began lobbing small mortars of clay at one another.  I 
then noticed the little boy next to me.  His little face was contorted 
in thought. There was a look of great concern on his face.  

The little boy leaned over to me and said  ÒIÕm gonna go ask the 
teacher if he has any pictures.Ó

He walked to the back of the classroom and after a little while came 
back with his hands full of pictures.  
	He walked to the front of the classroom and shouted.  ÒHey everybody 
I have pictures you can copy from, and some instructions.Ó
	The people in the back didnÕt seem to care too much. I walked up and 
took a picture.  
	ÒSo thatÕs a dove.Ó  I thought to myself.  My heart lept as I 
realized I could complete the project now.
	About an hour passed and everything was going great. I then realized 
the beak I had created was too long, and the clay was beginning to 
harden.  I frantically looked at the instruction sheet. At the bottom 
was this phrase,  "I understand you may make a mistake. Don't worry, 
I have water and extra clay at the back of the room."  
 I hopped up and began walking to the back.  I was pleased to find 
the teacher was expecting me.  He was happy I had come for his help.
	ÒThank youÓ I said.

	I found I made alot of mistakes and had to get water and clay from 
the teacher often. On one occasion I messed up so much I had to have 
one of the big kids help me carry it back to my desk.  After many 
mistakes, people were starting to finish. There were even some people 
passing out those pictures and helping people with their doves.  
ÒTimes almost up,Ó I heard.
	The people in the back were getting more and more restless, in fact, 
some of my friends were back there.  Up front I noticed a group of 
people studiously sculpting.  ThatÕs when I saw it.  The most 
beautiful sculpture I had ever seen, it was perfect in every detail.  
	I looked at my instruction book and at the bottom plain as day it 
read.  ÒThereÕs a perfect dove sculpture at the front of the room you 
can copy it as closely as you want.Ó

 	Some friends in the back called out to me but I ignored them. I 
went up front to copy the dove.  After a while I had it about right. 
I went out and helped some other people with theirs.  After helping 
for a while I felt the need to finish my own.  I went back and made 
a few finishing touches on my dove and then heard ÒTimeÕs up.Ó

	I brought my little dove to the back of the room and set it at my 
teacher's feet.  He patted me on the back and said ÒWell done,  you 
can go home now, your father will be overjoyed to see you.Ó