a new school
September! Time for a new school year…
Since arriving on Earth, my kiddos have been footloose & fancy-free all summer…but suddenly, the weather’s turned cool & our thoughts have turned to…school!
LB asked me to homeschool him, as we know many homeschoolers, in particular my sister’s children…(hello, my darlin’ sweethearts!!!)
I thought it over carefully, and decided that, unlike my elder sister, I know very little about the Earth and it’s ways… and it might be better for LB to have a more experienced teacher…
For example, there was that embarrassing moment when I asked our new visitor, Lon, if he was an African elephant or an Asian elephant, & he coughed rather shyly and said he was actually a wooden elephant. So then & there, I decided that my knowledge of Earthly matters, particularly zoology, was still not as vast as I may have wished.
There are many schools nearby…of birds, of fish, & of people as well…I’ve found all to be very warm & kind beings, & for a time I was considering enrolling LB & Seala at the bright little school for people, down the road…
…the only thing is, we clay balls have very soft voices, & many humans cannot hear us! The humans who listen very carefully & quietly hear us, but I was concerned that LB & Seala may have a little difficulty communicating…
It was Lon, finally, who helped us to find a school. Lon suggested a tree school, which is where he himself had been educated long ago…
Lon has gone through many transformations during his life, but he still remembers, deep in his spirit, his time as a young seedling, then a tree, & how close he lived to the earth & its elements then…
Lon suggested that I venture out & seek out an old oak tree, as there is usually an established school where all the young acorns study. Acorns, we reasoned, would be smallish & roundish, & have many of the same inclinations and interests at LB & Seala…
I did not have to go very far at all to find The School of Old Sister Oak…
I am not sure how old she is…I did not venture to ask…maybe 400 years???
“Good afternoon, Old Sister Oak,” I said politely.
She graciously gave a little wave…
Sister Oak told me that my children would be most welcome at her school, & would fit right in with the young class of acorns starting next week…
Can you spot me in this picture?
(Hint: You can click on the picture twice to enlarge it… I am about 3/4 of the way down!)
My camera could not take a photo of all of Sister Oak…she is too vast & branching! She has a very calm & serene presence, & everything is hushed & peaceful around her…
…And here I am resting in one of the stairwells of Sister Oaks roots… The school custodian, Mr. C, is down below on the ground…he is very, very kind & said he will keep an eye out for LB & Seala!
I feel so happy & relieved to have found a school for my children…& am somehow reminded of that inspirational saying…
“…today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground”…!
love,
Clay Ball
