The Adventures of Stevie #13
These stories were told to me by friends and other people. Some of them
are true. Some of them are only partly true. Some of them should have
been true. LOL
My first post about Stevie ("Call me Stephen!") was when he was 12 and
in summer camp and was told by another camper. This was from a time
before computers would fit on a desk and when people communicated with
friends in other countries by actual letters sent through the postal
service. When children did this those friends were called "penpals".
Carlos is Stevie's penpal in Argentina and knows English. This is a
fictional contrivance to enable Stevie to tell us his stories because
he isn't here in person. I think.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
The stories may not be posted in chronological order.
Stevie's school is for gifted children who don't fit in regular schools.
Stevie is 11 in this story, which takes place at the end of the regular
school term.
The Adventures of Stevie #13 "Cosmo the Magnificent"
Dear Carlos,
School just ended. I will miss it a lot but not dance class. The
teacher is named Cosmo. I don't know if it's his last name, or his
first name, or if he made it up. That's the only name he uses. He is
medium hight for a man and very thin. Even though he isn't tall, he
looks down at everybody. He even does that to people who are taller
than him. I don't know how he does it but it's fun to watch. He walks
like he is always dancing. I suppose that's natural, because he teaches
it a lot. He is always very serious, and frustrated, and is really
fussy about every little thing we do. Sometimes he gets so upset we
don't do things just right, he looks like he is going to cry, but he
never does. I heard a teacher say Cosmo is a prancing drama queen. I
think that's mean. He is just trying his best to teach kids who don't
want to learn. I think he is funny, but I would never tell him that. He
would be hurt because he is so serious. I like him, but I think I'm the
only one who does. I think he doesn't know who likes or doesn't like
him. I don't think he notices people that way.
I am a bad dancer. I think I will never be any good at it. I don't
like it and didn't see why we should learn it. One day I was so tired
and frustrated I told him all that. He turned dark red and swelled up
like a ballon about to pop. I backed away because I didn't want his
exploded guts all over me. Then he let out all the extra air he had
stored up, through his nose. I waited for him to lift off like a V2
rocket, but he didn't, and he tried really hard to calm down. I felt
sorry for him and wished I didn't say what I did, but it was too late
to take it back, and I wouldn't know where to put it anyway. When he
was calm enough to speak without spitting, he told the whole class of 4
kids why we should learn to dance. I was surprised how calm and nice he
was. Here is what he said.
"Someday, my precious little students, you will WANT to dance with
someone you love and want to spend your life with. In fact, you will
dance with many people before you can find your true love to dance
with. It is an important part of courtship and romance we humans go
through, just like it is with many animals. If you ever do learn to
dance, you would thank me someday, for teaching you what helped you to
be very happy. There is another important reason. When you are older,
you will be going to parties for fun and sometimes to meet important
people who can help you in your career. Many times there will be
dancing. Making a good impression there can make a big difference in
your future. It is my job to prepare you for these things. I try very
hard, and I require your best efforts, always. Now we practice. Again!
From the top."
I really tried. I wanted to show him I understood. I failed. I still
think I will never be a good dancer, but I will keep trying. I
understand more than what he said, that is very important. Sometimes we
have to do things we don't like, so we can do things we like later, and
do them better. More, life isn't always about what we like, but a lot
of the times it is more about what we need, which sometimes isn't what
we like. It's like we can't live on just ice cream and candy, but we
have to eat right to be healthy and strong. I knew that but never
thought about it this way before. I have to think about it some more.
What do you think about it?
Your friend,
Stephen
--
Grant
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