100 points if you can guess who else she's talking about. also voice test. . .

[friz]

I think what you're thinking of, is the class of teachers. We're faculty! We help children on their paths of life! Some by nuturing, some by teaching, some by adventures when they're a little more grown up!

We've all got our roles, and I happen to like mine ex-po-nentially!

Comments

[doitrockapella]

Now there's an outlook I can agree with.

[friz]

I would hope so.

[doitrockapella]

It's a pleasure to see you out and about. And they say I'm supposed to be the hard one to find.

But indulge me a moment of curiosity: what adventure do you have planned for today?

[friz]

Well, you've always had quite the knack for keeping to the shadows, Carmen.

I think perhaps a bit of intellectual enlightenment. I've got my little writer up and doing her homework on me, and I have to say, if she's not enjoying it, then I don't know what enjoyment is!

[Wait. No, that worked. Let's stick with it.]

[doitrockapella]

Learning comes in all varieties. Some bright young minds need a teacher to take them on a roller-coaster ride. Others need a challenge — and a rival to test their wits against. As you said yourself, we all have our roles.

And those writers of ours are no exception. I've always enjoyed my relationship with the Player, but this one in particular? I certainly put her through her paces. Someday she'll learn enough to keep up with me without Wikipedia's help, but for the time being, I don't begrudge her the handicap.

[friz]

You're an awfully big challenge for anyone to take on, and anyone who can or does should be commended. I know my girl still pales at the thought of someone so dazzlingly complex. She's still paling over me!

We've all got roles, and even the children, the students and no-longer-students... Well, it's like you said. And playing one of us? I think I'd be buzzing with nervous flies if I had to take on role that wasn't quite me.

[doitrockapella]

As T.S. Eliot once put it, "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." The Player finds herself referring back to that particular quotation a great deal in contending with me, and I think it's a fitting assessment. How will we ever know what challenges we can overcome if we don't test ourselves against them?

I'd offer the same advice to your student. Along with, I think, the words of another of my favorite philosophers: "Take chances! Make mistakes!"

Wouldn't you agree?

[friz]

Wise words! I'm sure I could brush up my Eliot in time for class one day. Only the most fitting for a third grade class.

[How amused she seems. Amusement that seems to blossom into a fond sense of pride, perhaps.]

Words to live by, I always say! [A hand rises to the side of her mouth, conspiratorially.] It's Getting Messy the kids like the best, though.

[justjunes]

I thought teachers were only supposed to give homework.

[friz]

We do that too, sometimes. But you won't know what the homework is about unless we teach you something, don't you think?

[justjunes]

Uh huh! I know. That's how we're supposed to remember our lessons. I make sure I do my homework every night before I have to go to bed.

[friz]

That's awfully good of you! I'm sure you're learning about everything, everywhere and everywhen!

But we teachers do more than just teach lessons and give out homework. We help you grow! We love seeing you learn from us, and go on to learn and figure things out on your own, too.

[justjunes]

Is it the same way like how my teacher lets us water the plants? We have to be careful it doesn't get too much sunlight or water or else the plants get sick.

[friz]

Exactly like that. We love to see the results of our teaching, right in front of our eyes! Even with something like watering the plants, it's a very important job, one that requires just the right amounts of T.L.C.

It's like my Aunt Nessa used to say, "Everything could use a bit of tender, lovin' care."

[marshmallow_power]

Now that's someone with a lot of class!

[Thumbs up to you, Ms. Frizzle.]