I walked into the first-grade class, listening to their thoughts buzzing around.
I hope the sub likes me…
I hope the sub is nice…
And then when I entered the room…
Holy crow, he's HOT!
He's too young to be a teacher!
He's pretty!
I chuckled. "Hello, class!" I said. "Today we're going to have a little lesson on phobias." I paused. "Who can tell me what a phobia is?" Five hands went up. I listened.
Fear
Fear
Fear
Fear
A camera, thought Sam.
I called on Sam. "A camera!" he said proudly. The class booed.
"Stupid Sam!" they shouted. "Phobias are fears!" I struggled to keep a straight face.
"Yes," I said, "Phobias are fears. Now, I would like you to think very hard about your biggest fear. You don't have to tell anyone. When you've got it, come look it up in the big book on my desk." Ryan raised his hand. "Yes?" I asked.
"Why do we look it up?" he asked timidly. I shrugged.
"All fears have a big word," I answered. "You have to find the big word for your fear."
"Oh," he said. Then, all the students began focusing on their fears. I listened carefully.
Land sharks
Ladders
Apple cores
Hypnotism
People reading my mind, but that's stupid. I never want to tell anyone, thought Sam.
I pointed at him. "Sam, are you afraid of people reading your mind?" I asked diplomatically. He sputtered and turned beet red.
"H-how…but I-didn't…I WANT M Y MOMMY!" He cried and ran out of the room. I laughed. I loved this mind-reading thing!