I’ve always wondered why Mrs. Smith chose to teach kindergarten as a profession. She never seemed to enjoy it.
Her favourite form of punishment for the smallest misdemeanor was to send a child to stand in the corner — behind the big upright piano. Her victim didn’t have to be a wayward kindergarten pupil. Sometimes it was an older kid, making faces at us through the window. Occasionally Mrs. Smith would forget she had sent someone there. One hapless 7th grade student was forgotten until noon when he timidly spoke up from behind the piano and asked to be allowed to go home for lunch.
One day I was sent to the corner for who-knows-what, and Mrs. Smith forgot I was there. Singing time came, and I was still there. Continue reading »











