Mrs. Goodnight

It's tuff being the new kid.

Chapter Four

Mrs. Goodnight

I entered the fifth grade as the new kid,  surrounded by a sea of strangers as curious about me as I about them.

Being the new kid isn't as easy as it might seem. There's always the question of, where do I fit in. Who amongst this society of strangers will take me into their little group of friends.

Back home in Venezuela things were always so easy. I was one of the popular kids, a leader amongst my peers, and  a bit too high on myself. Well, maybe I was a lot high on myself.

I remember my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Goodnight, bringing it to my attention rather clearly. She didn't hold back an ounce of pity for my feelings.  That lady was a woman possessed.  She let me have it good.

She referred to me as a stuck up little brat who cared about no one else but myself.

I had a lot to think about that day.

Most kids my age would have taken the criticism and brushed it off, but not me. What she said hit a nerve somewhere, I don't know exactly where, but somewhere. Was I really that bad? Did I really act like I was better than everyone else?

There was only one way to find out...ask my friends.

There's something about asking your nine year old friends anything... and that something is their honesty. 

Being young and...not so diplomatic, they were brutally honest, maybe too brutally honest. 

But maybe that's what I needed...maybe I needed a good kick in the pants.

 I can't explain what happened next, but a transformation took place.

 I began to listen to myself, and I didn't like what I heard. 

A time of reconstruction had begun.

 I'll always remember Mrs. Goodnight. She was young and she was harsh, but she saw in me what I couldn't. I guess you could say she made me a better person, or at least, I like to think she did.

The sad thing is, I never thanked her for it. I guess I didn't really understand it back then.

But now I understand.

Thank you Mrs. Goodnight.

Author's Note

A short but important chapter in my life.

Reviews

[Woody]

being made aware of your faults at such a tender age is quite remarkable, I think.
all our lives we strive to be better persons and that's what counts.
good continuation, Mike.

[Marie]

I can't think much of her teaching methods, but apparently she did something good for you.