Who Wants to Eat a Prairie Dog?
Written by Mrs. G.t: mrs. g. 24 Comments
Mrs. G. was teaching a class a while back, and she and the kids (4th and 5th graders) were discussing The Captain’s Dog by Roland Smith. This is a wonderful book about the Lewis and Clark expedition told from the perspective of Captain Lewis’ dog Seamen. The conversation had just turned to the wretchedness of eating a black tailed prairie dog when a new boy walked into the classroom. He had a yellow slip in his hand indicating he was a new student to the school. He was a cute little guy with shiny black hair and John Lennon glasses. He looked a little fearful and was white-knuckling the strap of his backpack. Mrs. G. went up to him and welcomed him to the class. She asked the boy his name and he didn’t respond…and didn’t respond…and didn’t respond.
It was just starting to get awkward when one of the boys in the class, busting with excitement, shot up like a rocket and bellowed I MET HIM THIS MORNING. HIS NAME IS HOWARD AND HE DOESN’T TALK MUCH. HE’S ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS! This morning? Best friends? It turns out Howard really doesn’t talk. Ever. He has a disconnect between his brain and his mouth. But Mrs. G. saw Howard breathe a sigh of relief and slide into the chair next to his new best friend. And after this stunning moment of grace, the discussion resumed.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I always told my kids that it was good luck to be nice and to always listen—sometimes the quietest people have the most to say. Sounds like Howard’s new best friend was pretty wise.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Don’t we all hope that there will be someone to step in with such grace when our own kids are in need?!
March 7th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
i love that kid. i want to be his best friend too. thank goodness.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
What a great kid. We should all be that mindful and kind.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Oh. My son, Jesse, didn’t talk. Still doesn’t talk much, but The Experts were saying “selective mutism”. I shoed up early one day to bring him home and the teacher was asking him numbers. Every time he smiled his little smile, looking at the floor, she would say, “Class?” and the other kids would call out the number. The she would ask Jesse another, he would be silent, repeat.
I wish that he had someone kind like you as a teacher, Mrs. G., and a friend like that little boy.
We unschool now. He is happy. 🙂
March 7th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Awww. This is the warm and fuzzy place to be, isn’t it Mrs. G? I felt pretty warm and fuzzy reading about Vallen too. But you wouldn’t let me say so.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
awww, what a priceless moment. i love unselfconscious sweet kids. teaching rocks.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
The school just drops a new student in your class without any heads up about his situation?
March 7th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Smalltown Mom, it happens.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I’d love to hear the answer to Smalltown Mom’s question.
That little boy would be why I love kids so much.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
That little ALL CAPS boy will grow up to be a wonderful spouse and daddy to some lucky people.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I’m glad what could have been Howard’s End (before it even began) turned into Howard’s Friend; don’t hit me, I couldn’t help it.
At what point between childhood and adulthood does that openness change for most of us? I hope Howard’s Friend keeps it, forever and ever.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Great story, yes, I really like both those boys. One’s a giver and one’s brave.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:02 am
You are such a wonderful writer, Mrs G..
Lisa
coastal nest
March 8th, 2008 at 8:20 am
I can’t believe they just sent him to your room without letting you know anything. That’s uncalled for. The new best friend who stood up and introduced him is a great kid.
I also can’t believe that in this day and age Laura’s son was treated like that.
March 8th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
The dog’s name was Seamen? How unfortunate.
March 8th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Dharmamama, it IS unfortunate. We shortened the dog’s name in our discussions to “Sea” to avoid giggling and snorting each and every time his name was said. It reminds me of my younger Uranus days-OK, I still snort on that one periodically.
March 8th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Isn’t that THE sweetest thing. Sometimes they are merciful and generous. I remember being in fifth grade while our teacher read Where the Red Fern Grows out loud — and I couldn’t stop weeping. I was just sobbing but refused to leave the room (which I very much also wanted to do) because I had to HEAR MORE.
I am such a book junkie.
March 9th, 2008 at 12:37 am
yep. seamen. not the best name.
but oh, that boy! the kindness and grace! wonderful. his parents should be proud.
March 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am
What a beautiful boy…it makes me feel better about the future.
March 9th, 2008 at 11:59 am
It’s a shame making friends isn’t always that easy. Howard is a lucky guy.
March 9th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I am so releived about Howard and his new best friend. May we all live our lives in grace.
March 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I think it’s wonderful that you noticed this small moment and then passed it on. It’s so hard to be the new kid in school and this little guy made a friend on the first day.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:32 am
If only it were that easy to become best friends now.