Freidrich was a tall, tall kid who moved syrup-slow. He strolled up to me and stood close enough to show me that he towered over me. And then he looked down. “You know what we do to teachers who give us homework,” he whispered.
I flew by the seat of my pants then. Maybe I always do. My pants launched me forward, toward Friedrich. I grabbed his arm and grinned up at him. “I bet you send us thank you notes for helping you to get so smart that you go on to get wonderful jobs and live happy lives,” I said.
I will never forget the corners of Friedrich’s mouth, the way they twitched and then slowly, slowly turned up and broke first into a grin, and then a laugh. An indulgent laugh. Friedrich was humoring me. Giving me a break.
Which was okay with me. I desperately needed one.
We walked, the two of us, arm in arm, back to Friedrich’s seat. And he indulged me again by sitting down.
From then on, Friedrich was my ally. A very valuable ally. He was big and commanding and popular with the other kids. If I told someone to sit down, Friedrich made sure they did. “Miss G says sit down,” he would rumble, and they would sit down.
I took it.
(Next week: Part V)
For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. ~Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
Never let them see you sweat, even when your arm pits are dripping and your knees are knocking. You handled Freidrich very well.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read "Up the Down Staircase," a book written decades ago but still true?
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how humor can smooth things out. What a gutsy young thing you were. I would not have been so fast on my feet--at least thinking-wise. I think my feet would have been fast in another way...
Wow, you are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat's just the kind of remark my son would make to a student. He also tells them, "If my mouth is moving, you should be taking notes."
ReplyDeleteLove this series!!!!
In desperate situations, it helps to have an ally!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Teacher AND psychologist! My daddy was (literally) both of those things, and he would have loved your methodology.
ReplyDeleteThat took courage!
ReplyDeleteAnd what color was the seat of your pants after you flew in them? :)
ReplyDeleteNice move teach! Thank you for the kind comments lately.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
He was a good one to have on your side. Thanks to your quick thinking you made him an ally.
ReplyDelete