Three Letters From Teddy
and Other Stories

by Elizabeth Silance Ballard

The actual story as originally written is substantially different, and even more charming than the movie version.

Three Letters From Teddy is a very satisfying collection of short stories that touch the heart. Those who are acquainted with Teddy Stallard and his teacher, Miss Thompson, will enjoy further stories of this teacher's ability to touch the lives of her students.

Other stories in this book include " The Christmas Nandina," which tells of a dying woman's effort to make her last Christmas special for her three young boys. "Big Rocks Cafe" shows us another aspect of the homeless while "The Mirror" shows us another face of aging. These and other stories will touch you and perhaps cause you to look at those around you in a different way.

Elizabeth Silance Ballard consistently displays just the right touch of empathy whether she writes a warm and fuzzy story or one that deals with deepest despair. This collection can be read solely as entertainment, but it is worthy of so much more. This book could easily be classified as an excellent teaching aid. Each account has strong moral principles and reminders that one never knows for sure just who your words and actions are going to affect. Ballard has not been afraid to tackle such tough issues as child beating, incest, and suicide. She points out that people who do not fit in may not be socially challenged; they just might be struggling with problems too big for them to handle. The author handles all of this with straight-forwardness, compassion and without sermonizing.

"Three Letters From Teddy is an excellent example of how the human spirit triumphs over obstacles, and how one caring person can make the difference between success and failure." -- Judy Jacobs

"The stories are...timeless. They touch the heart and make one think. The stories are beautifully written. It seems to me, that there is too much truth in some of the stories for her not to have experienced the pain described. Heart wrenchingly beautiful. You feel pain and sadness but at the same time you understand forgiveness and truth and are left with a feeling of peace when you come to the end. Everyone who reads the book will be able to identify with it, each differently based on what they've experienced It's a book you can read again and again. I loved the book and will recommend it to my friends!!!!" -- Lona Lockhart

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Elizabeth Silance Ballard

Elizabeth Silance Ballard's short stories and articles have appeared in many magazines since 197

including Our State, The Australian Women's Weekly, Home Life, Mature Living, Mature Years, The Organist, The Church Musician, The Organ Portfolio, The Music Leader, The Gospel Choir, The Lutheran Woman, The Lutheran Scope, The Mennonite, Quaker Life and many others. Her articles have also appeared in The News and Observer ( Raleigh , NC ) and the Jacksonville Daily News (NC) and her devotionals have appeared on Open Windows and The Church Musician.

Several anthologies have included her work including A Second Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul (credit was omitted in the 1st printing but corrected in the 2nd printing), Stories for a Woman's Heart, More Stories for a Woman's Heart, Stories for a Teacher's Heart, Stories for a Teen's Heart, School Bells and Ink Wells, Kisses of Sunshine, and others. Her work has also been included in other works such as Divergent Views on the Control of Schools: An Iowa Dialogue, Discipline for Life and others.

Her short story, "Three Letters from Teddy," first appeared in 1974 and has been almost continuously in print every year since that time in various publications. Marian Wright Edelman selected it to appear in her 1994 Annual Report of the National Children's Defense Fund. Congressman Dan Burton, Indiana , requested permission to have the story reprinted and distributed to every educator in his district. It has also been selected for the course packs of the schools of education in several universities including the University of South Florida, UNC-Greensboro, University of Northern Iowa and others.

She has also co-authored a book, Whoopin' and Hollerin,' a collection of humorous, nostalgic pieces by Elizabeth and her sister, Hilda Silance Corey, and their mother, Estel Stanley Silance about growing up in the south and spans a time from the early 1900s through the Sixties.

Elizabeth is a retired social worker, a church organist, a pianist, and is the mother of two and grandmother of three. She has traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad and enjoys reading, writing, needlework and line dancing. She is active in her church and the Order of the Eastern Star.

The story behind Three Letters - from Elizabeth to You:

My friend was a sub for a teacher on maternity leave many years ago. She happened to be there at Christmas and was touched at a gift a child had given to her at the class party: A rhinestone bracelet with stones missing and a small bottle of perfume, half empty.

As she was telling this, I was zapped back in memory to when I was in the fourth grade and I wanted to give the teacher a gift. My parents told me "We can't afford to give presents to everybody. You drew a name and that's the present we will have to buy. The teacher doesn't expect presents from everybody."

Well, I loved Mrs. Clinard and I wanted to give her something. I cried and cried and then my grandmother had an idea. We got a shoe box, went out into her back yard and picked up pecans. I was a little ashamed of this "gift" but Grandmama assured me anyone would be glad to get such nice pecans.

Sure enough, when my gift was opened, all the kids snickered and laughed and one girl even said, "What kind of present is THAT? It didn't even have a bow!"

Well, Mrs. Clinard just squealed and smiled and said, "Oh, thank you, Elizabeth. I've got lots of company coming and I needed some nuts for my fruitcake! You were so sweet to think of this!" And she hugged me.

Well, she validated not just my gift but somehow she validated me. I've never forgotten Mrs. Clinard who taught 4th grade at Walter M. Thompson Elementary School in Jacksonville , NC during the school year of 1952-1953. I can't remember her first name and I can't find my report cards but I would love for Mrs Clinard to know that "Miss Thompson" was based on her and how much she had meant to a little girl who felt pretty worthless at the time.

**If any one knows of Mrs. Clinard, please let us know how to contact her.

Mrs. Clinard's compassionate response coupled with my friends' story formed the basis for the Teddy Stallard story. Teddy's last name came from combining the surname of my grandmother who urged me to bring pecans to my teacher (Stanley) with my then surname (Ballard) to form "Stallard."

Variations: Teddy Stoddard, Teddy Stallart, Teddy Stollard, or Teddy Stoddart.