Station 12

Ms. Rosa Grindel observes her class completing a biology lab.

Rosa glanced up from her computer to check on the students. Maria had dropped her clipboard again. The girl quickly stooped low to pick it up. She managed to grab it before it had completely settled, cutting off the rapping sound. A couple other students had looked over, but they quickly returned to their own work. A dull buzz of conversation filled the room as the students collaborated on their assignment.  

Rosa had set up twelve stations throughout the classroom. Each station had a collection of insects of some sort. The students had to identify the key features and try to classify the taxonomy of each species. It was a fun experiment that served the dual purpose of entertaining the students and allowing Rosa to work on the upcoming Friday fun quiz. 

Maria’s pencil had snapped and Rosa could see her look briefly around for a pencil sharpener. A slight flush filled her cheeks when she remembered the class’ electric sharpener had broken the day before. A new one was on order, but it wouldn’t be there until the next week. 

“Here, use this,” said Damian. He offered a spare mechanical pencil that he had clipped to his own clipboard.  

“Thanks,” said Maria. “Did you get Anisoptera for the last one?”  

Damian smiled but shook his head, “No, I thought it was Zygoptera.” 

Another student was examining the specimens at the previous station when both Damian and Maria craned their necks over to glance at the insects. “Hmmm, I am pretty sure if the wings are perpendicular that means it’s a dragonfly which belongs in Anisoptera,” said Maria. 

Damian flipped through some notes he had stuck behind the worksheet on his clipboard to verify. He nodded his head in agreement.  

“Woops, good catch,” he said. 

The two returned to the current station and Rosa returned to her own work. This was the first year she had run this particular lab and it seemed to be going well. She got the idea from her husband who ran something similar in the biology department at the local university. Ross sure loved his insects. Most of the specimens came from his private collection. 

With five minutes before the bell, Rosa saved and closed her document and prepared to wind down the class. 

“I hope you all enjoyed today’s class,” she said. Most of the students looked up to see Rosa standing by her desk.

They glanced at the clock on the wall and hurriedly scribbled a few more notes down. Most began packing up immediately. 

“Mrs. Grindel, could I take a few pictures of some of these?” asked Damian.  

“Oh yah, me too?” 

“Me too? 

“I’d like a picture as well.” 

It seemed that the exercise had been a popular one.

 

“Go ahead, the bell will ring shortly. Please hand in your worksheets on your way out." 

The students hurried to take their pictures and pack up. As the bell rang, Rosa noticed there were two students still at the stations. Damian and Maria were taking a selfie in front of Station 12, the dragonfly display. 

  

 

Reviews

[W1STER1A]

It's nice to read a story with a certain level of innocence. No suspense, action, or intensity. Just a short and sweet story about a glimpse into life. Nothing fantastical, just the simplicity of day to day life which you captured perfectly. Keep writing, the small bits of your writing I have read is great, so don't stop, please. You'd be doing the world an injustice.

[Vic]

Thank you for taking the time to read it. Your comments are appreciated.

[A.K. Rohner]

I like the simplicity of the story. It's refreshing to read something that doesn't start out with violence or suspense. Having a nice simple story with an adorable ending is a breath of fresh air.

[Vic]

Thank you for reading it and I am glad you enjoyed it.