Admittedly, I could have done much better at this particular eavesdropping effort. I kept forgetting to pay attention. That is what it is like when you are around kids, isn’t it? You forget to pay attention, and before you know it, they have grown out of their shoes. And they have grown out of my classroom, which causes me no small pain. We laughed a lot and even cried this year. It was never hard to love them. Today is the last day of school, and I will miss this group very, very much.
Heard around my school in the last two weeks:
***
Teacher: Look at that kid on the swings. He wore me out, but I love him. He is the perfect mix of trouble and fun.
***
Boy: Don’t you think every band needs a strong bass? Seriously, a band is nothing without the bass line. Am I right?
Girl: Yeah, I think so too. Like The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Boy: Huh? Oh. I was talking about tubas.
***
Boy 1: What are you going to do with that roll of duct tape?
Boy 2: Adventures, man. Adventures.
***
Girl 1: Do you realize that we just had the last recess of our entire lives?
(long pause)
Girl 2: Oh, you’re right. Uggh.
***
And this is my favorite.
Two of my students and I are sitting in the nurse’s office immediately after a terrible recess accident. The two boys had been running and had smashed into one another, face to face. I instantly was choking on my tears because there was more blood running down these dear children’s faces than I had ever seen on anyone in real life. They were fine the next day (one of them after stitches), but I don’t think any of us will forget them stoically sprinting across the playground like wounded Marines, without fear or even a cry for help.
Boy: (moaning, under paper towels and an ice pack)
Me: You sure are brave. So brave.
Boy: (moaning)
Me: I mean, goodness, you aren’t even crying. Someone’s got to cry. (My voice cracks again, and tears come). I guess I’m going to do it for both of us.
Carefully, he lifts the ice pack off his face and peers out with one, weak eye. Blood stains his teeth when he smiles.
Boy: You don’t have to worry about me, Ms. Maples … I’m a Boy Scout.