He had wide eyes under long lashes
Sitting criss cross applesauce
In a sea of faces
Intent on every word I brought to life
Danny followed me with those warm brown eyes
Suddenly,
Against teachers and rules
As though guided by something unseen
Danny stood up from the crowd
Stepped over…and between
Fingers and toes
Around the edges of knees and elbows
To come right to my side
Everyone went quiet…
Watching what next
His tiny arms wrapped about me
His face buried against
As though…
He was trying to say…
Don’t go
Please stay
I am so small
And
Life is so big
All of these maybe
And something else perhaps
His gentle arms opened wide
Reaching for a safe place
for a little one to hide
Danny returned to sit with his friends
I finished the story
Together we sang
Of grumpy brown bears
And slow turtles who greet
With a cowabunga dude
As they dance down the street
Years from now
I will not recall the title of the picture book
Or even the weather of the day
But I shall remember
Little Danny
And my tear that slipped away
****
I read to preschoolers twice a week now. It used to be once a week but the younger class wanted in on the fun…and, now it’s twice. The children are from low income families. Some of them are under the protection of CPS and have stories that I don’t know. I only know that when we read together they remind me of many things –
The louder one sings, the better
Which number comes after “2”
Silliness is directly proportional to good health
If you hiccup around 20 children, they will hiccup back
You will have a hiccup fest
The sound a cat makes…in stereo
MEOW!
Batman is pretty awesome!
And Wonder Woman!!
And Dinosaurs…
Oh, and sprinkle donuts make really good mouse ears
Mostly they teach me that the loveliest gifts are simple ones and I am better for learning. It is a privilege and a joy to spend time laughing and singing with them. So, I ask you…
What made you smile today?
Would you read a bedtime story to a chicken?
However do you hug a porcupine?
Are dragons good at hide and seek?
What do you think a giraffe says?
And could he be friends with a turtle?
Have you ever looked up in a dark night sky and watched as animals roller skate across the moon…
And while you were out there did you wish upon a star?
****
ellie894 November 15, 2018
ellie894 