Solving the Problem

Northstrum and Shelbina get sent to me for a conflict mediation. Northstrum says that Shelbina said that his mask was stupid. I am trying not to nod my head; a Barney mask for a fourth-grade boy? Shelbina says he is a liar; she did not say it. I ask them if I was there. They agree I was not. Their first agreement. I tell them that one must be telling the truth. The other must be lying. They agree with this. Their second agreement. I tell them they have to figure out what they are willing to do to solve the problem. Northstrum suggests what Shelbina should do. Shelbina suggests what Northstrum should do. I explain that they have to figure out what they are willing to do to solve the problem. Shelbina crosses her arms, sits back and says she is not willing to do anything. Northstrum says he could say “sorry”. I ask him “sorry for what?” He cannot come up with anything. I congratulate Shelbina on her stance, and tell her I shall let the principal know That she is standing by her guns and is unwilling to help solve the problem. Miraculously, Shelbina says she could say sorry too. I ask her “Sorry for what?” There was a wasp, she says. I said the wasp was stupid. Northstrum says she is lying. She said his mask is stupid. We continue this banter for a bit. Northstrum says to me “I am not like you, I am not a mind reader.” I say “I am a MIND READER! I did not know I was a mind reader!” Shelbina says she is a mind reader. Great I say. I am thinking of a number between one and a hundred. What is it? She thinks for a while. She says, “I don’t know.” Northstrum says “29.” So, he is a liar, because he is a mind reader. Because it was 29. I let him go back to class first. I congratulate her furiously for helping to solve the problem. Her arms unfold. She smiles. I ask if she has any questions. “You are awesome” she says. WHAT?