Unionville High School, The Graphic, 1948, Page 48

Description:	All I Did Was ListenFirst, I heard my mother call, “John get up; it’s time to go to school, and,all I did was listen. Then I heard another call, “John get up,” and, all I did waslisten. Now I could tell by her voice that she meant it so I uttered a sleepy,“I’m coming.’’ I then went to breakfast; and as my dad read the paper, I heardhim remark, “Hannegan resigned. The teachers got their raise.” Now I hearthe news; so, all I did was listen.As my mother stood at the door when I left for school, she said “Study hard,listen to your teacher, keep wrapped up so you won’t catch a cold.” Here I haveit--the news, a way to education, and a way to keep healthy; and, all I did waslisten.I went to school; I tried to say something; but, the teacher said, “John, bequiet and get your work,” so, all I did was listen.From the class I walked to the hall in hope of some exercise for my voicebox, only to hear Mr. Todd say, “Please be quiet while I take a telephone callfrom Stinesville.” Again, all I did was listen.Finally I thought my chance had come. It was lunch time. I sat down toa meal and opened my mouth to speak, but I found myself very hungry. All Icould do was listen.After lunch I found myself with a few extra minutes, but I met a girl; yes,you know the rest; all I did was listen.Later I found myself on the basketball floor. I turned to say one small wordto a friend when a voice rang out, “John! how do you expect me to talk whileyou are talking?” So, all I did was listen. If it is true that you learn by listening,I ought to be very smart in the later years of my life.VictimLook what I have to go through day after day. Being a piece of chalk isn’teasy these days. Intelligent teachers transmit their puzzling knowledge ontothe deep blackness of the blackboard by rubbing my ends into powder.Students can seldom operate me with satisfaction. I never did like students.For example, take an energetic boy who awkwardly stumbles up to the blackboard,reaches into my comfortable peaceful home, the tray, and brings forth innocent me,then with the speed of greased lightning starts scribbling uneducational masterpieces.Now was I to blame if he wrote the wrong answer ?There is one incident in my life cycle, which happens without fail. Invariablythere is some brave youngster, who pounces upon me, and slings me at a faithfulcomrade. So if you are tempted to sling me at a dear friend, or write wrong answerson the ’board, please consider what I put up with. Remember you have my very lifein your hands. Please leave me whole.--Max Robertson
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-unionville/id/439
Collection:	Unionville High School

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