Shards of First Grade

I loved my beautiful and endearing 1st grade teacher Miss Vann, and so did my mother, who enjoyed doing nice things to show her appreciation through that first year of her daughter's primary schooling. On one occasion, she had purchased a lovely little porcelain something for Miss Vann that had come in its own pretty decorative box, which my mom painstakingly wrapped in lovely gift paper, finishing it off with a dainty little coordinated bow. As I was embarking for school the following morning, she handed it me, instructing me to be careful and to present it to Miss Vann as soon as I entered the classroom. I remember nothing of this event, but according to my mother, I managed to obediently get the gift into Miss Vann's hands that morning.

It wouldn't be until the end of first grade that my mother would accidentally learn the final disposition of the gift for Miss Vann. 

Specifics as to the number of transformative effects on porcelain occurring along a half-mile route, as entrusted into the hands of an eager 6 year old will remain ambiguous. I can imagine the details providing entertaining conversation at an adult bridge game or cocktail party. Not a whole lot of reasoning is necessary to conclude that the number of times whatever it was that happened was sufficient and could not have been more effective by an increase in quantity.

As the story goes, somewhere between waving "goodbye" and completing round one of my twice-a-day, half-mile sidewalk trek that linked our front porch to the doors of Fred Olds Elementary School, the gift in my safekeeping had apparently been subjected to considerable turbulence. When I transferred the gift to my thankful teacher, it appeared to be in the same condition as it had when my mother handed it to me, and I couldn't have been any prouder at that moment. I confidently headed for my desk and took a seat while mentally amassing the impressive volume of love-points now due me for this gesture.

Once unwrapped, a box full of porcelain shards would remain Miss Vann's secret for most of the remaining school year.