The substitute teacher

‘I’m telling you Jeane those kids can be absolute tyrants.” Martha told her colleague Jeane. They were both teachers at the Haywards International School. “But Martha,” Jeane insisted, “Although class 1C has quite a bad reputation, I’m sure they can’t be so bad, they are, after all kids”. “You’re not going to agree this way are you? Well, tell you what? Why don’t you handle that class today instead of me, just for a day? If you feel they aren’t so bad maybe you can be they’re teacher, permanent teacher, even.” “Fine! I’ll do it.” Jeane said as the bell rang signaling the start of the day and the class.

Jeane wound her way through the corridors till she arrived at the door with   ‘1C’ engraved on it. She had just opened the door and stepped in when a piece of chalk hit her face narrowly missing her eye, “What the …?” shrieked Jeane. Everyone and everything froze for a moment as realization dawned upon both the students and the teacher. There were two boys standing at opposite ends of the room, each with a piece of chalk in their hands ready to throw them at each other. Apparently no one had heard the bell. Then there was pandemonium as there was a mad scramble as everyone ran to their places and tried to settle down. “Who threw that?” screamed Jeane. At once a flurry of hands pointed in all directions. Knowing this was getting nowhere, “Stay calm!” she told herself. “Okay! that’s enough!’ she said as all the hands lowered. “So, hello class. My name is Jeane. I will be your teacher for today.” She said. At once a hand shot up in the air. “Yes?” she asked. “Where is our usual teacher?” the boy asked. “Well, she isn’t coming today.” “why?” he persisted “Because….she’s sick!” she lied. “That’s a lie!” came a voice from the back of the class, “I saw her today!”. “No, no, actually she didn’t want to come today” Jeane said matter-of-factly. “Why?” said the boy again. “Now why don’t we just forget about this and start with the class,” said Jeane. “But..” the boy started, “NOT ONE MORE WORD!” Jeane screamed . Her face still hurt where the chalk had hit her.