INCLUSION THROUGH YOUNG EYES: LIFE IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM

Once upon a time, in a quiet town surrounded by hills and wildflowers, the three best friends Nestor, Laurence, and Emma spent every day playing under a large tree. They would play hide and seek or just climb on the branches and talk their hearts out.

- By Zaida Marie A. Tambis

“Why don’t we call this Rainbow Tree? I know it’s not really magic, but have you noticed that when the sun hits the leaves just right, it looks like the branches sparkle with every color of the rainbow?” Emma said. Without any argument, the boys agreed.

They had different interests, but they always stuck with each other. Nestor loved to draw. Laurence loved to dance. And Emma loved to climb the Rainbow Tree and tell stories from its tallest branch.

One warm spring afternoon, they sat beneath the tree, sipping lemonade and laughing about silly things. Then Nestor looked serious and said, “Can I tell you both something?” Laurence and Emma nodded.