Chapter May 29th, 1968

It was onlyinevitable that I would eventually end up in the principal’s office, but to mygreat joy and relief I have managed to use it to my advantage.

Everybodyexpects a child to enjoy the company of other children, so it was no surprisewhen the principal called me into his office and asked, “What’s wrongCornelius? Aren’t you happy here at Jefferson Elementary? How come you’realways on your own? Do the other kids bully you? How come I never see yourunning around and playing? You’re always sitting one side by yourself.

“Furthermore,I’ve had complaints from all your teachers regarding your behavior in theclass. They tell me you have trouble concentrating on their lessons and thatyou constantly daydream or doodle in the back of all your exercise books.

“And,although your class work is good, even above average, they tell me that you areantisocial with all the other children.” He paused for a moment before asking,“Do you know what antisocial means?” I nodded from the large deep armchairwhere I was seated in front of his desk. “Right, well they tell me that youbecome extremely angry and aggressive, almost to the point of violent, when anyof the children play a simple prank on you.

“Also, Mrs. Plekkertells me that she has placed you in a desk in the front of her class, but thatyou constantly move to the back and have to be reminded to move.

“So, can youtell me what’s wrong? Is something troubling you? Is everything okay at home?Can you tell me what the problem is?” His tone had been calm, yet of genuineconcern regarding one of his charges.

I was almostabout to tell him how sorry I was, and that I would try to be a better studentin the future, when I suddenly realized that a great opportunity had beenplaced before me that could significantly help to relieve my frustration.

PrincipalHawkes had always been a man of thoughtful understanding and consideration whendealing with the students that studied at his educational facility.

His eyes widenedgreatly when I now calmly and quietly answered, “Well, frankly sir, it’s justthat I find all the other children to be irritatingly…well…childish. To myconstant dismay, I find their actions and conversations frustratinglyannoying.”

He sat backand tapped the ends of his fingertips together. After a short deliberation hesat forward again and said, “What do you suppose I could do to make it betterfor you? I’d like to hear your suggestions?”

“Well, forstarters, it would help greatly if you and everyone else stopped treating me asif there’s something wrong with me. There isn’t. Just because I don’t fit thegenerally accepted norm of how a child should behave, doesn’t mean that thereis a problem. Don’t feel you need to change me to suit your concept of a normalhealthy child just because I’m different. There’s nothing wrong with beingdifferent, so don’t try to force me into your idea of a conventional child’smold.”

“O…kay,uh…anything else?”

“Yes, I haveno interest in any of the physical, or should I say non-academic, activitiesthat Jefferson has to offer. I enjoy activities that require somethingmore…cerebrally stimulating.”

After anotherbrief deliberation he returned with, “I’m going to help you, but first I needyou to do something for me. I’m going to make arrangements for you to do anI.Q. test. I believe I know exactly what your…what the trouble is.”

Thanks toPrincipal Hawkes, I believe I may just have reached a wonderful turning pointin this second life!