THE GATHERER

In company of 3 and 4 year-olds, in my son’s nursery; the head-teacher, said I had a letter, so, after ‘goodbyes’, I waited in a corner of the class, while the letter was fetched. The day’s play commenced with the nursery-teacher, Miss. H, holding up a picture before the kids, who were witting with their tiny legs crossed, on the green carpet, surrounding her feet, in an arc. “Who knows what this is?” she asked. And, raising their hands, shouting ‘ME!’, but impatient, all answered at once, “IT’S A CHIMNEY!” “Ah...remember kids…classroom voice…” Miss H, said, in a low tone. A slight pause and she asked again, “Who can tell us why we have chimneys?” Ignoring her immediate admonition, the children yelled, again. ‘ME! ME! ME!’ and propped up their hands as they did. Though this time, they waited to be selected. “It’s for Santa”, the chosen girl said, rubbing her hands shyly. “Santa was stuck in ours”, said another boy. And uproar ensued with each child eager, to give their versi