The routine of following lesson after lesson can be
very tiring. Recess time always seems so far away. The bell
rings. One teacher leaves, another appears. What we need
is a break from the monotony.
One morning, we were a lesson into the routine
when I felt that it was going to be just another day of endless studying. After what seemed a long time the bell rang
for the second period. The Mathematics teacher left. Next would be Geography with Mrs. Singham.
The short break between the going of one teacher
and the coming of the next was when we had the opportunity to talk and have some fun. It usually lasted a minute
or two, sometimes more.
This time no teacher appeared even after five
minutes. We were having a great time. Ten minutes --
Mrs. Singham still did not appear. Our monitor went out
in search of her. A few minutes later, he returned to
announce that Mrs. Singham was absent. We cheered. This
was unexpected, but it was welcome.
So for forty minutes we literally fooled around. The
monitor could do nothing. What a good time we had.
The bell rang again. Forty minutes of fun seemed
so short, but it was great while it lasted.
Again no teacher appeared. It was another case of
an absent teacher. We cheered even louder because it was
,a double-period which meant we were free until recess.
Altogether we had one hundred and twenty minutes
-- two hours, of no lesson. It was unexpected of course
and I have to say I enjoyed it very much. I would not mind
having more of this unexpected thing. |