It was 1928. The Alphabet Revolution had just been announced in Turkey. On a cold November day, Teacher Ayşe made her way to the National School accompanied by the crunches of the old leaves scattered on the ground. 

 

Since her childhood, Ayşe's dream had been to teach children, but she found herself at the National School. It was a small building, but it held big dreams inside. Ayşe fulfilled her duty with great determination and dedication. However, she had one concern: Akife Ana was falling behind everyone else. She had done her part for her country during the war as much as her age allowed. She had lost her son, and had grown weary. Everyone knew that the tender-hearted, white-haired Akife Ana didn't have much time left, and they advised her not to strain herself too much, but she refused to accept it. Like everyone else, she was determined to learn the new alphabet. When Ayşe, like everyone else, advised her not to exhaust herself, Akife Ana replied firmly, "Look, Ayşe, nobody taught me how to read or write when I was younger. I always felt like something was missing in me growing up. Now, I want to learn how to read and write." Despite her age and the fatigue from the war, she was still behind in class. Ayşe loved Akife Ana like her own mother and was determined to teach her how to read and write. 

 

She had a solution in mind. When she arrived at the school, her first task was to find Akife Ana and make her an offer. If Akife Ana agreed, they could have extra lessons and study together. At first, Akife Ana hesitated, saying that she didn't want to waste Ayşe's time and would feel embarrassed in this situation. But seeing Ayşe as eager and determined as herself, she quickly agreed. Two months later, they had an exam coming up, so they quickly got to work. Every day, Ayşe would go to Akife Ana's old wooden house and in the warm atmosphere of the house, amidst pleasant conversations, she taught Akife Ana how to read and write. Akife Ana had also started solving simple math problems too. 

 

On the day of the exam, Ayşe walked her there, holding her arm. Before entering the exam building, with tears in her eyes, she turned to Ayşe and said, "Ayşe my dear, no matter how much I thank you, it won't be enough. I will never forget what you've done for me. Thank you so much, my dear." Ayşe hugged her tightly before sending her off to the exam. She wiped her tears with her handkerchief as she watched Akife Ana enter. 

 

Days passed after the exam day, and the results were announced. Akife Ana was spending a quiet Sunday at home when she heard an impatient knocking. She immediately put down her knitting and opened the door. As the door opened, a breeze cooled the house further. Standing before her was Ayşe Teacher, holding five books with colorful cover pages, looking unaffected by the cold except for her rosy cheeks. "The results?" Akife Ana asked excitedly. "Did I pass?" Ayşe Teacher's words were filled with pride as she said, "You passed, Akife Ana!" They both burst into tears on the spot. Ayşe Teacher dropped the books she had brought for Akife Ana and hugged her. That day, two proud women stood outside the door, shedding tears of happiness together.