storyteller visit the rainbow fish class

I sat in the office while I waited for 9 AM to enter Sky’s class for storytelling. That office is a well-oiled machine of the nicest, friendliness people. I wish I knew what kind of happy pills they must take every day to be this way. I had a big talk with Steve Currie and the other ladies there. I got nostalgic for my old teaching days and had to remember that yes, I really loved teaching and I bet I was darn good at it, too.

Sky was connected to me like Velcro when I came into her room. If I turned quickly I would have stepped on her. I sat her in a chair next to me facing the class holding the book with the picture in I wanted her to show her class at the right time in my story. She adjusted her hair several times and swung her feet back and forth as if she were a little nervous. As soon as I started telling the story she relaxed and began to listen like the others. When I asked her to walk around showing everyone the picture she took her time. She paused at one child then the next until she felt they had a good grasp of what they needed to see. I bet she would be a through teacher herself one day if she chose to do that.

I sensed she didn’t want to join the others after I finished the first story, but she wasn’t getting a good view of the stories I was telling. She loved being in the front of the class.

In one story I was telling of myself as a little girl getting locked in the cow barn at night and how scared I was. I was really scared of the bull, especially. When I snored loudly, like the bull, the whole class reared back, teachers too. Sky, rocked backwards so hard she almost hit the floor. These children were listening so intently, they were there, with me, step by sep in the dark. It amazes me, the power of the word, and their imagination, that had gotten them scared of a bull that existed over 60 years ago.

Sky’s class were the best listeners. They asked wonderful questions, understood the story line and laughed at all the right places.

Sky was really happy and proud. She looked like she wanted to burst with joy, her cheeks were pink. The more she was recognized or comments were made about the stories or her grandmother the more she beamed. Gosh, I was on a high of my own seeing her joy.

I got to stay for snack and sit at the chair next to Sky. They were given a slice of cheese and four crackers. They were instructed to fold the cheese in half and in half again so they could make squares to go on four round crackers. In less than three seconds Sky did it was others were asking questions and not understanding the directions. She sat patiently while she waited to the next task.

We talked to the other girls at the table about their favorite color and if they had brothers and sisters.

When it was time to leave and I waved good bye to everyone and thanked them for letting me come, I kissed Sky and said out loud, “I love this Sky girl.” Everyone smiled, especially Sky.