StoryList

Sarah and Jimmy visited Denali National Park. It was a clear, sunny day. 

The ride started calmly as the bus started on the road into the Park, and the views were magnificent.

Further into the ride, Billy’s heart went from calm to racing at top speed. 

The bus was traveling on a ribbon of a road, and looking out the window, all Billy saw was blue sky and a deep valley below that looked ten thousand feet deep; he did not see the edge of the road.

He was scared.

The bus driver saw a Mama Bear and her two cubs. He stopped and pointed to them.

The driver said, "Get your cameras ready, there is a Mama bear and her two cubs to the right of us." 

One cub was close to Mom, and the other stood farther away on a rock, crying out.

The Mama Bear raised her head and gave out a call. She slowly walked to her crying baby.

Reunited, the lost cub came down from the rock, and the other young cub slapped the head of the lost cub.

Jimmy asked Sarah, “Did you see the head slap? That's the big sister doing Mom's work.”

Mr. Thompson, my fifth-grade teacher, had a line of students waiting to ask questions.

I remember standing in line, with my eyes fixed on the part of the book where I was confused.

I was forming the question in my mind, and when it was my turn to ask, I started with the word ‘Mom,’ instead of Mr. Thompson.

I remember the boys in the class who started laughing.

Mr. Thompson said firmly, “He is thinking of his Mom.”

The laughter stopped.

Mr. Thompson answered my question, and I returned to my desk.

Some of the guys were still snickering, and I gave them that look we understood as fifth-graders.

“I’m gonna pound you next recess, I promise!”  

After reviewing my medical file, he asked about my elevated cholesterol levels.

I told him that it is coming down because I stopped eating meat three months ago.

Looking away from his computer screen and directly at me, I continued.

I told him that I found out that I'm allergic to meat, and stopped eating meat.

He squinted his eyes and quietly said, "I have never heard of that one before."

I remained silent.

Six months later, on my next visit, I told the doctor, "I found out that I am allergic to French Fries and not meat.

He just looked at me and said, "I'll submit a request for another cholesterol test."

Lesson Learned:

Before blurting out random thoughts, I need to stop and think before my lips start moving.