Cutie Pie: Can I move my reading nook, Mrs. Richert?
Me: Um, noooo, you're in the rocker today. Why don't you want to sit on the rocker?
Cutie Pie: No, I mean, can I mooooove the rocker?
Me: Oh, sure. Go ahead.
Cutie Pie: Cool, thanks.
Later, the rocker, which has no rockers because they broke off, is still in its new spot on the other side of the rug. It's read-aloud time - we're half-way through Avi's Poppy and Rye. I ease myself into the rocker, drape my right leg over the arm, and reverently open the book. I chance a glance down at my friends. Oh, what a fresh perspective this is. These kids I've known for 122 days look up at me all new-eyed and eager, somehow different. There was an expectant calm in the room, in spite of the open windows and spring fever, and today's chapters carried with them a brand new urgency. Poppy and Rye never sounded this good.
Who knew that moving a book nook could completely alter the way we perceive this thing we do every single day. Thank you, Cutie Pie. Thank you for making me see things from your perspective.
I love the way you crafted this--the dialog set it up just right. I'm also a thinking that changing perspective for familiar things once in a while might be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Lots of times following their whims leads us in good directions.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great JOURNAL entry - BAHAHAHA!
ReplyDeleteI just read Pamela's entry about her surroundings and now yours about perspective. I love it when slice's connect like that.
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