TEEN MEMO

POLAR CHANGE

The midterm break was over, the students resumed the following week and they were over the moon about the poems they claimed to write. They were asked to submit their homework with their first and second names tagged on it.

Unknowing to them, Mrs Tuna Cassidy had worked out everything without their knowledge and they didn't know what she was up to. She took her time to read each poem and at the end, she selected the best fifteen that she liked.

Next, she summoned two other teachers, Mrs Lucy Walter and Mr Bright Powell to her office where she told them to play the role of judges in the activity that she was to take off next.

Mrs Luna, Mrs Lucy Walter and Mr Bright Powell all acted as judges so that the best fifteen pupils could defend their poems in front of them.

She didn't only call the learned teachers as judges but also called them so that they could instill fear in the pupils for her to be able to fish out those pupils who composed the poem by themselves.

She called each pupil, one after the other.

Out of the fifteen, only twelve claimed that they wrote the poem by themselves; the other three returned to class after seeing the strict mathematics teacher, Mr Bright Powell.

"So tell me, what inspired you to write this poem?" Mrs Lucy asked.

About seven of the the pupils were muddled that they began mixing up words; the poem they claimed to write.

Three other pupils namely; Trent, Benita and Veronica tried to tush up at first, but they got stuck on their way and found themselves jabbering in front of the teachers currently acting as judges.

Benita gave a crooked and frustrating smile which showed that she wasn't sure of what she was saying. At least, she tried to say something.

"Tell me the truth or I'll summon the proprietress. Did you compose the poem by yourself?" Mrs Tuna Cassidy stepped in.

About 52% of pupils in the school were very scared of the proprietress, Professor Alicia Sebastian because as an erudite scholar, she loved anything pertaining to knowledge and education and this mattered to her most.

She also despised deliberate lies, it irritated her (if a pupil lied in her presence, she will discipline him/her, not the usual way though. She had an anomaly way for disciplining. That was why Mrs Tuna said that she'd summon the proprietress if Benita insisted that she wrote the poem)

Alicia's first daughter was a lawyer, her second daughter was a renowned medical doctor doing very well in Orthopedics and her son was a chemical engineer.

What a bunch of blessings for such a woman!!

Her story was very sad, almost a tragedy but unknowingly, it was a blessing in disguise at the end of it all, turning into a comedy.

She married at a very early age due to pressure from her impoverished aunt. Her husband left her and her three children when the children were very tender; six years, three years and seven months respectively. She had to work as a cleaner in a hotel and a restaurant waiter just to fend for her children and send them to school.

With the chicken feed she earned from both jobs, she was able to enrol her first two daughters in public school and she attended college classes only in the evenings whenever she was through from her hotel duty daily.

After lectures, she would go back to the restaurant and finish for the day. That was her regular routine and she got so used to it that she barely believed it. She didn't have enough time to study especially with an infant in her care, so she stopped working at the restaurant and started selling small chops in college.

She was surprised and flabbergasted that her course mates and other students in college patronized her even when there were snack vendors within and outside the college premises. She probably had a real cooking taste... With that, she was able to cope with family and school.

Within five years, she graduated with a second class result. Unbelievable!! With determination, she studied further and earned the title "professor" that is, Prof. Alicia Sebastian.

She didn't pay her daughters' tuition fees because they were fortunate to be among the ten brilliant students who were awarded a scholarship till university level to encourage them. It was a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that took this step.

In less than ten years after Alicia's husband left, she became who she dreamt to be in childhood.

Long story short, she built Qualibrium Elementary school, where Daniella studied. Her story was the last thing she wanted to repeat itself and because of that, she made education a compulsory thing.

"There is a common word that Education is not for all, but how do you know that education is not for you when you haven't experienced it? Pass this stage first and know where life leads you." Alicia Sebastian would always say.

Qualibrium Elementary school was rated the #2 best elementary school in the entire state and even beyond.

* * * * * *

Trent, Benita and Veronica finally admitted that they didn't write the poem themselves but by the guidance of their parents.

Though the children disobeyed a simple instruction, Mrs Tuna was impressed that there are still sophisticated parents with sound knowledge and mind. There were three more pupils remaining; Deborah, Caleb and Daniella.

"Well, I love nature so much that my inspiration blossoms from it. That's why my poem talks about the beauty of nature and the need for gratitude." Deborah Terah commented.

"In your poem you used the word "emanate" What does the word mean and what part of speech is it?" Mr Bright asked her.

"Well, sir I did part of the poem on my own but my mum assisted me and wrote some vocabulary words that I didn't know." She said, though a little confident.

"Debbie, please do me a favour by noting that 'emanate' a verb which means 'to come from a source, to issue from, to spring from. In your story, you wrote that an avocado pear emanates from its seed. So, what does that mean to you?"Mrs Tuna questioned.

"That therefore means that avocado pear comes from its seed when it is planted and gets mature in its tree."

"Brilliant... I appreciate that. I want you to develop the habit of asking questions. You should have asked your mum the meaning of the words you didn't know. So, next time, take note of this." Mrs Tuna said as she gave her a 'thumbs up'.

"Caleb, over to you." Mrs Tuna said, as she saw that time was running like someone being chased about like a cheetah, one of the fastest animals on earth.

“I had unbelievable doubts that there are two types of friends in life; those who love you for who you are and those who like you for the things they they can gain from you." Caleb Brandon Horton said confidently.

"In your poem, you mentioned that some people are fair-weather friends. So, who is a fair-weather friend?" Mr Bright asked him.

“From my knowledge, a fair-weather friend is a friend that is friendly, available and helpful only when it is convenient for him or her to do so." Caleb answered.

He was good, humble and coordinated. In fact, he is the best pupil in mathematics and quantitative reasoning while Daniella has only been bagging the prize for the "best student in English and Literature"

They are the nerds of the class and they are very close friends; seatmates if I'm not wrong.

"Impressive one, Caleb. You've made me proud today."Mrs Tuna Cassidy said, raising him a ‘thumbs up.'

“Daniella Rogers, you're the last here on the list. So, where did your idea emanate from?" Mrs Lucy asked her.

"I'll start by saying a wonderful Good day to my teachers, currently my Judges."

They replied her greeting, realizing that she was the only one out of twelve pupils who greeted their teachers.

"Here's the truth; at first, I ran short of ideas that I had to pray, shut my eyes and think. Finally ,my third idea was the most meaningful to me. It concerns my birth story and I felt it wouldn't be bad if I shared it in my poem." Daniella said as she narrated the story of how her parents passed through a lot before and after her birth.

The teachers were so thrilled that they didn't know when she finished the story.

"Wow...This is a blessing in disguise." Miss Tuna commented. The other judges did the same too.

"But Daniella Rogers, I have a question for you. You composed this poem all by yourself, right?" Mr Bright questions.

"Yes sir... Every down thing." She answered boldly.

"Good one. So, tracing it to the title of your poem 'Polar Change' What do you have to say?" He asked again.

"Well, in my poem, I was comparing what is happening in the present to what might happen in the future in form of a question. Some questions have yes as their answer and others have no as their answer so Polar change in my opinion refers to those questions relating to changes that have polar answers, that is having two possible answers,yes and no." She rounded off.

"You nailed it, dear. Impeccable answer. I'm really impressed." Mrs Tuna Cassidy said.

“Thanks ma'am."

They told the twelve pupils to return to class.

"We would get back to you shortly."The judges said in uniformity and harmony; unison talk.

At exactly five o'clock (5pm) that day, Mrs Tuna Cassidy sent a message on the school's media page stating that the school would be launching it's first ever 'Creativity and Innovation Day.' She pleaded for the improptu event but urged every parent to attend if they were going to be available. She texted;

"To all the parents and guardians of Qualibrium Elementary School, this message is to inform you that the school would be launching its first ever 'CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DAY' The ceremony would hold over morrow being the 13th of March, venue at the school's enormous hall, behind the main school building, Time for the event to commence is by 9 o'clock prompt in the morning (9am). Curna media, our favorite media station will be there to record all the activities that will take place together with our one and only scholar and proprietress, Professor Alicia Sebastian as well as other dignitaries comprising of the commissioner of education, distinguished and venerable writers from different geographical locations, poets and even scientists. Before the ceremony runs out, some pupils and few parents would be presented with an award. On behalf of the school, I apologise for this improptu announcement for the event but the school will appreciate your time. Even if you don't do it for the school, consider your children who look up to you. I'd still send a reminder by this time tomorrow in case it escaped your mind and you're willing to make out time to attend. Please endeavor to bring your kids on time that day and they should be squeaky clean in their well ironed school outfit and well polished pair of black shoes. Thank you."

Signed: School Management.

Eucharia came online few hours later and viewed the message. She had already planned to go to the popular city market in their area so as to purchase new dresses and accessories so that she could fill up her boutique but for the sake of her daughter, she postponed it over to the weekend.

Leonard wasn't around because he and his business buddy (also his very close friend), Matthew Lacork travelled to Maryland for a transient and temporal business trip.

⅞ Eucharia informed Daniella about the event but little Dani was shocked to the marrow because she was oblivious and had no idea about it. The pupils believed that the poem composure was a simple home work like every other but they were overwhelmed on hearing something totally different from what they believed.

"Does that mean that the winner of the poem would be announced there?" Daniella asked herself. Her heart skipped instantly and she began feeling feverish.

Leonard once told her that strong girls fight against their fears and never feel sick whenever they had a difficult challenge to defeat. She tried to be strong but she felt giddy and fell. Eucharia who left the room to bring dinner came in and saw her daughter lying helplessly on the floor. She didn't know when she flinged the food she had on a tray in her hands and ran to the spot where Daniella laid. She quickly rushed her to the hospital,even though it was very late at night.

The doctor realized that she had a new problem in her body.

"Ma'am, after conducting a few tests on your young girl, I realized something. She has Phobophobia"The new doctor said.

"Phobophobia? What does that mean?" Eucharia asked with a few drops of tears on her cheeks. She wiped the tears off with her sparkling white handkerchief.

"Well, Phobophobia is the fear of fears. She must have heard something which made her scared. This weakened her instantly"The doctor, Dr Kennedy Lee said.

"Fear of fears?" Eucharia asked and the doctor nodded with affirmation. "What do I do? Hope it won't affect her mentally?"

"It's on a probability but you can do some things to help her whenever she finds herself in such a condition. Ensure that she takes a lot of water and enough rest,at least seven to eight hours daily. That would aid her less tension. Also,ensure that she doesn't experience panic attack whenever she finds herself in a challenging situation."The doctor said.

"But this is strange doctor. My daughter has never been scared if anything. Why would she all of a sudden become phobophobic?" Eucharia asked.

"Speaking from experience,I've seen a number of patients ace this problem. Being brave and all of a sudden,losing self confidence. Your daughter will be fine if you adopt the measures I outlined earlier. I'll still recommend a pain-relieving d**g that she would take for three days in a row"

*****

Daniella didn't attend school that day so, Eucharia sent a message to her class teacher that she was in the hospital. Mrs Tuna would have loved to visit because Dani was her favorite pupil but she couldn't make out time for that because she has a writing conference program to attend.

"My regards to her,Mrs Rogers. She'd be fine in no time"Mrs Tuna said,making Eucharia feel relieved.

Mrs Tuna Cassidy knew that Daniella was going to be presented an award so she felt sad about the recent development. Well....What could she do? She prayed for Daniella to get better!

Daniella was discharged from the hospital later that day. She slept off on the Uber as the gentle breeze passed her face...She placed her small head on Eucharia's shoulders.

The siesta would have been sweeter if she laid her head on her father's shoulders you know; those broad shoulders of his.

They arrived home safely and Eucharia ensured that she was tense-free. She served her a cholesterol free food as she felt that fat might have triggered her fear as well. After,she served her oranges and bananas.

At night, Eucharia told Leonard about Daniella's prevailing condition via video call. Leonard was worried sick on hearing that.

My daughter! Phobophobia?

He told her that he was going to make arrangements for his return tomorrow so that he could see his daughter but Eucharia urged him to stay back until he was through with his business because Daniella,their daughter was recovering rapidly.

Before tomorrow,she would be fine!

Leonard wanted to see her but it dawned on him that she had made her way to bed. Eucharia also informed him about the upcoming school event that would take place the next day.

Another issue! What's this?

His spirits dropped because he couldn't attend the function. Usually, the couple attended every school event together just for Daniella's sake but he felt relieved when he learned that he could watch the event live on TV by 9pm the next day,only on CMS,the abbreviation for Curna Media Station. He promised to cancel all his schedule so that he wouldn't miss even a thin second of the event.

Leonard prayed with Eucharia over the phone that their daughter would be fine and that someday, her health issue would change...for the best!

"Good night, sweetheart,don't let the bugs bite"Leonard told Eucharia.

"You too...Sleep tight!"

Upcoming:Episode 4