I’ve hit upon a particular memory of my childhood and it just keeps making me laugh. It was me being my most audacious. Well, before becoming a teenager, and then most of that was just being brainless.
I recall that my friend and I were frequently disciplined for our incessant in-class chatting by being relegated to the hallway. I could never understand why our Grade 5 teacher put us both out there at the same time? On one particular occasion, because we were alone together, we cooked up a plan. We determined that I would be ‘not well’ the next day and call her at the school during school hours. A flawless plan, in our minds, and for what particular purpose? I’ve no idea.
The next day, while being ‘fake’ sick, I waited until what I thought an ideal time and telephoned the school. The call that I anticipated would be answered by a school secretary, who would most assuredly be easily duped, was actually answered by the school Principal! I was a bit thrown, but kept to the carefully crafted(?) plan and asked to speak with my friend, please. The gentleman Principal was suspicious sounding when he asked ‘are you her mother?’ “Well, no,” I replied, “but I need to speak with my friend,” and now I was improvising – “I need her to bring me my homework.” He then asked who I was, and I told him that I couldn’t tell him, that I would just like to speak with my friend, please. I don’t remember exactly how the call ended, but I know I did not tell him who I was, as if he didn’t know – it was a small school – and I did not get to speak with my friend on the school phone! I do remember being quite peeved that the plan didn’t work and that the principal just did not cooperate! After that my friend and I didn’t seem to be put out together into the hall as much?
I am quite impressed with the way I was. How fearless, creative and undaunted my effort to make something exciting happen. This particular memory has challenged me to look for ways to be creative and daring in my day to day life. Always ‘going along,‘ as far as I know, has never facilitated innovation, growth or excitement. What were you like as a child? Maybe she/he has something to teach you.
I recall that my friend and I were frequently disciplined for our incessant in-class chatting by being relegated to the hallway. I could never understand why our Grade 5 teacher put us both out there at the same time? On one particular occasion, because we were alone together, we cooked up a plan. We determined that I would be ‘not well’ the next day and call her at the school during school hours. A flawless plan, in our minds, and for what particular purpose? I’ve no idea.
The next day, while being ‘fake’ sick, I waited until what I thought an ideal time and telephoned the school. The call that I anticipated would be answered by a school secretary, who would most assuredly be easily duped, was actually answered by the school Principal! I was a bit thrown, but kept to the carefully crafted(?) plan and asked to speak with my friend, please. The gentleman Principal was suspicious sounding when he asked ‘are you her mother?’ “Well, no,” I replied, “but I need to speak with my friend,” and now I was improvising – “I need her to bring me my homework.” He then asked who I was, and I told him that I couldn’t tell him, that I would just like to speak with my friend, please. I don’t remember exactly how the call ended, but I know I did not tell him who I was, as if he didn’t know – it was a small school – and I did not get to speak with my friend on the school phone! I do remember being quite peeved that the plan didn’t work and that the principal just did not cooperate! After that my friend and I didn’t seem to be put out together into the hall as much?
I am quite impressed with the way I was. How fearless, creative and undaunted my effort to make something exciting happen. This particular memory has challenged me to look for ways to be creative and daring in my day to day life. Always ‘going along,‘ as far as I know, has never facilitated innovation, growth or excitement. What were you like as a child? Maybe she/he has something to teach you.
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