Metaphors are a tricky topic to cover because there are always very obvious metaphors that people can choose that would seem to lessen the impact of the metaphor itself. For this reason I would view myself as a teacher from the metaphor of a bowling ball engraver. As I begin my job engraving bowling balls as a profession there may be a seasoned veteran that tells me what I can and cannot do. He may tell me that I can only fit a certain amount of information or a limited catch phrase on one ball such as "Top Gun." However, I would push the limitations and say, "Nay sir, I am going to fit an entire on novel on this here ball." Often times, teachers are only expected to do what it takes for their students to pass standardized tests, but it is very important to go above and beyond what is required and to strive to teach as much as possible. Some bowling balls are heavier and larger than others and people want their balls to say different things according to their interests. It is the job of the bowling ball engraver to observe said differences and cater each engraving to the balls capacity also to foster the varying interests and aspirations that each balls message may hope to achieve.
People hand you their bowling ball with optimism that you will make it better than before with information engraved such as their nickname "Iceman." They also hope that you might throw in a polish to make the engraving stand out. It is the same with children. Parents send their children to school with the confidence that their child will be in able hands that will imprint their child with necessary knowledge and polish them into functioning well rounded members of society. While it is not necessarily the job of the bowling ball engraver to polish each ball a master of the craft will take that extra step to ensure they did the best job possible.
The bowling ball engraver is an under appreciated member of society. No one goes out and hoists these middle class working heroes upon their shoulders for providing them with an awesome personalized ball. Instead, it is a humble profession sought by those that find reassurance in a job well done, making a difference, and the joy of others when they get their ball back and its more glorious than they ever imagined.
