This afternoon was interesting to say the least. Remember Larry Batson? He's the guy who used to come to the elementary every year and show all of his wild animals. He had the sidekick guy who would never say anything. Well Larry is still doing the animal shows (his wife acts as the mute sidekick now), and made his yearly visit to MES today. The presentation was going well, my kiddos were behaving well, he brought out the parrot, baboon, gila monster, and then he started choosing "volunteers" from the audience. And yes, you guessed right, I was one of the two teachers plucked from the audience (even though I don't remember volunteering) along with the principal of course to assist with the next animal.
I had a hunch about what was going to come out of the big box under the table, and was hoping and praying I was wrong until my worst fears were realized. The PYTHON was coming out, and I was supposed to hold it. YUCK! Luckily, we girls were in the middle of the 10 foot, 300 pound snake and didn't have to hold the heavy parts the tail or head, but when that snake slithered through my arms, I almost passed out! I so wish I had a picture of the two of us girls nervously holding this snake, shaking in our boots, pale faced, sandwiched between the animal guy and my principal who looks like a professional wrestler.
Of course my kids loved it. I got a lot of "Mrs. Shively you're so brave!" comments afterwards, and an experience that was neat looking back on it, but seriously I was so scared I could feel my knees shaking! The things you so during your day as a teacher... I don't remember a class in college on snake handling!
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2 comments:
You are a way better teacher than me. I would have out right refused. I am terrified of snakes! I kid you not.. while in COLLEGE during my bio class... there was a picture of a huge icky thing.. and I covered it with a post it note! Still do.. this past Wednesday in our Scholastic reader.. yep, covered that icky one too! I would have wet my pants before I would have even considered going up there. Not way.. not paid enough! I've even told Andy that if we are ever a. robbed or b. find a snake in our home, I'm leaving and never coming back. It would be up to him to sell our house and move us. YUCK. Great.. now I"m going to have nightmares!
I'm so proud of you Mrs. Shively! 1) For holding the snake and 2) for not passing out (I seem to remember a few times in high school that you passed out). If it makes you feel better, we didn't have a snake holding class at Indiana State either.
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