Historian Otto Scott tells the story of a Cambridge educated tutor hired by his family when he was thirteen. This story has stuck with me over the years, here it is:
"The next step came when he handed me a book to read. 'Finish it by the next session,' he said, and left leaving me somewhat shaken.
On the next occasion he said, 'Did you read the book?' I nodded. 'Did you like it?' I said, 'Yes.' He said 'Why?'
It had not, until then, occurred to me that I could dislike a book. A nonfiction book was to be obeyed, not disputed. The tutor disabused me.
'You stupid little boy,' he said. 'It is a foolish book. A boring book. A worthless book.' He then proceeded to demolish the book. It had, obviously, been a test - and one that I had failed. He handed me another book and said, 'Read it and report on it the next time.'
He left, and I realized that I was supposed to evaluate what I read. My next book report was much more careful. I read and I thought or tried to think. My comments were more deliberate, but still favorable. The tutor then said, 'Have you thought of this? Or that?' I had not, but I was not willing to be humiliated again, and I argued, somewhat ineptly. For the first time he smiled at me. 'That's better,' he said, and we began to discuss the book in more reasonable terms. He agreed that what I liked had merit. I listened to his criticisms with a sense of being taught what was interesting to learn. My tutoring had begun."
(from the forward to The Great Christian Revolution by Otto Scott)
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