A Unicorn In a World of Gargoyles

Zebras. Monkeys. Lions too. Decorating every corner. Gorgeously done. Not the approved way, But a gloriously new classroom With a fresh teacher with crazy ideals intact. She was a bit too cheerful. Too open. Too friendly. Maybe a small-town girl. Not institutionalized at all, not used to our ways. What is she thinking? We whispered Behind her back, and in front of her face. She was a unicorn in a world of gargoyles. We poked fun of her with our cracked cement faces. She obviously knows not what she is about, we said. The students will tear up that classmate in seconds, showing their colors. Browns and grays ourselves, we never got around to showing her, for children saw her for her pinks, oranges and greens. The test scores came out in July. Zebra, Monkey, Lion, Unicorn odd-ball’s class Had the highest test scores in the state. She was promoted to coach, to teach the others how to show kind colors. Many of the whisperers left, not wanting to be taught. I decided to stay and apologize. The next year my classroom is filled to the brim with gorillas, tigers, unicorns, hope, kindness and colors. She is teaching me her magic ways.