Sheila’s hands were numb as she tapped the right heel of her brown pump on the cold floor of the hallway outside of 6B. Five minutes had passed since the timer rang. The young art teacher’s yelling, “Okay, that’s enough,” amid the classroom chaos. Wake up! If you haven’t finished, please do so at home! refused to let up. By stealing one another’s supplies, the 11-year-old marauders continued to work feverishly on their masterpieces.
After taking a deep breath, Sheila glanced at the second hand on her watch, which was still ticking away for another minute. She concealed the box containing a battery, a plotting compass, copper wire, and a switch by pushing open the classroom door with her right shoulder and yelling, “Good afternoon, girls!” as she did so. The noise was muffled by a blast of cold air from the outside.
The intruders slowed down immediately. With a sheepish grin, the art teacher wrapped up a pile of horrible artwork and said, “You know how they are! during this time of year.”
“Well, I know that they are always the same in your class!” Sheila yelled at him with a low voice. While the girls at the front desk giggled, the art teacher ran out the door with a crumpled face. With a smile that said “Shut up and get down to business,” Sheila put the box down on the table and looked at her students.
“Now, ladies! Your classroom looks like a fish market trash can already ten minutes into the period. Do you want to carry out the electricity test right now?
A few girls responded with a cheery “Yes, ma’am!” as they held up horribly drawn Santas. The remaining students filled their backpacks with broken crayons, wet paint containers, and incomplete decorations. Under their desks, a few girls in the back continued to snip folded white sheets with scissors.
On the green board, Sheila wrote “Electric Current” and “Magnetic Field.” She then boomed, “Okay, you at the back,” as she turned to her class. Rani! Could you please explain to the class what these two things have in common? She then fiercely waved her right arm at the board for a second, drawing an imaginary infinity symbol while keeping her focus on Rani.
Rani erupted. On the ground, the scissors shattered. A rustle caused a white, folded sheet to fall.
The colosseum of 6B anxiously awaited. Watching someone get their head bitten was always fun.
“Please pick up the things you dropped and show the class,” I asked. The hushed excitement was fueled by Sheila’s gravelly voice.
The oil pastel fireplace that was adhered to the cupboard in the class library caught fire. Every December, it was a regular in Nita’s class. Stockings, hollies, stars, reindeer, and other ornamental cutouts were stapled onto the twine lines that ran along the classroom ceiling. It appeared magical and poised to win the award for class with the best decorations. Again.
Rani took the scissors from him. After carefully separating the delicate dendrites from the white sheet, she held up a perfectly formed snowflake. The group exhaled.
Beautiful! wasting precious pulp on fictitious pursuits!
“Do you know how much paper has been wasted in this class?” I asked. The paper that comes from cutting down trees? Sheila wildly flailed her arms at the ceiling.
“However, Nita ma’am has instructed us to complete the classroom decorating by today. The voice, muffled and attempting to remain anonymous, said, “Sister will come to judge tomorrow morning, first thing.”
“Certainly, Sasha! You can decorate as you please, but not during my time. Additionally, Rani, if you are unable to respond to my inquiry, the least you can do is assist me in setting up this experiment. Sheila looked up at the girl in the snowflake.
Sheila looked at the time and tsked as Rani approached the table with her hands behind her back. She abruptly announced to the class as she removed the components from her box, “I thought I would give each of you a chance to conduct this experiment.” However, considering the length of time, you are fortunate that each group only gets one look!
The group grumbled.
“That too only if you keep your composure!”
The class stopped talking.
*** Sheila crossed the barren playground area of the middle school. P.E. teachers had to hold their classes inside due to the extreme cold, frequently showing reruns of football, basketball, and cricket games in the multimedia hall. Sister Prema came up behind her as she struggled to hold the box up with her gloved hands to climb the stairs.
“Have a nice day, Ms. Sheila. Going to the laboratory?
“Have a nice day, Sister! Er…” The small sister gave a nod and raced past Sheila.
Sheila moved with a sudden surge of energy as a result of something stirring within her. She was hyperventilating when she caught up to Sister Prema. Her sister gave her a puzzled look.
“Sister, may I speak with you?”
“No, Ms. Sheila, not now. Maybe after I’ve completed my rounds.
The young, lean figure quickly left; attentive to the sounds coming from the classrooms and the movements of the forms within them.
Sheila exhaled. The box appeared heavier.
What is the purpose? Sycophants and show-offs controlled the world. The Nitas who made their understudies paint 100 earthen lights with glossy tones overflowing lead on Diwali and nailed 1,000 adornments to each conceivable surface on Christmas. And won the award for the class with the best decorations! However, she had arrived at the Senior Physics Lab. A few senior teachers talked and ate their afternoon trail mix at the computer table. As she positioned the box on the workbench, the lab assistant smirked. He looked at her as he opened the ledger without speaking. She looked at the returned column as she signed and wondered if it was fate that she would always feel like a beggar asking for lab equipment.
The most humiliating thing a middle school teacher had to do was return equipment to the senior lab.
*** At the staff party, games were played, carols were sung, prizes were given to the winners, and gifts were given to the losers; again, most likely a set of three casseroles presented in style, wrapped in golden paper.
At least there was good food!
Following her meal of butter chicken with naan and pulao, Sheila purchased a bowl of gulab jamun and ice cream.
She observed her coworkers, some of whom were festively attired and others who enthusiastically announced their vacation plans. With little food on their plates and wide, watchful eyes, school management members were seated at a distance. She glanced away when she saw Sister Prema’s eyes. Sister stood up and made her way toward her, shocking her. Sheila’s company’s other outcasts quickly dispersed, as if they were iron filings repelling electricity. After all, the brand-new principal had an impressive track record. Despite her petite frame, she was young, bright, and had a commanding presence.
Who was it of any use to? A bright young principal with a science degree who didn’t believe in the magic of science experiments?
“Ms. Sheila, how is the food?”
“It’s excellent, Sister, as usual. In the ten years I have worked at the school, the management has always provided excellent food on such occasions. Sheila gave a dry response before scooping up the mushy vanilla ice cream.
The sister grinned. It makes me happy. We are able to do so with the assistance of the Lord. Enjoy!” She moved in the direction of the other group. And ceased.
“Ah! Another thing. I spoke with management about your suggestions for creating a specialized science lab for the middle school. They have granted permission. Therefore, both you and I will have a lot of work to do when you return from the break. Have a wonderful holiday!
Sister was engulfed by the winners’ group before Sheila could react.
Sheila looked out the window at the pine tree. Around it, a fine mist of snow crystals moved. She breathed deeply with her eyes closed.
The air was filled with magic. possibly aided by snowflake magnetism. However, it was clearly present.
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