Visions of long-necked children

March 3, 2005

Dear Blanchard students,

Thank you for inviting some of us grownups to your school to discuss the book "Loser." I appreciate that you thought I might understand a book about Donald Zinkoff, a first-grader who wears a giraffe hat the first day of school.

I never had a giraffe hat when I was in school but wish I had. You never know when being taller might come in handy.

Ms. Arnold's first-grade class -- Vivicah, Jewell, Landon, Teddy, Lacey, Dyreanna, Emory, Emma, Lexi, Tavious, Austin, Kiersten, Russell, Nick, Mikey, Jamaica, Leah, Kaylee, Chelsea and David -- welcomed me, each one shaking my hand and saying, "Good morning, Mr. Blackwell."

How polite they are and how lucky to have a teacher named Scarlett.

One of your teachers sent me a list of the questions you might ask about the book. Actually, you asked much more interesting questions than those on the list. Some of them astounded me.

For instance: "What's your favorite corner?"

Nobody has ever explored that part of my mind before.

Questions about my favorite movie and color and letter of the alphabet were easier to answer.

Ms. Arnold's class asked me why Donald walked around town in a frigid snowstorm for seven hours looking for a little girl he thought was lost.

I think Donald had such a kind heart because his parents showed him every day that he was loved and worthwhile, so Donald knew how to love the little girl, too.

Donald's mother gave him silver stars to make him feel special. My mother sang to us. "I love you, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck," she sang.

Donald's father took him along on his mail route one Sunday even though mailmen don't work on Sunday. Donald delivered letters that weren't real. My father coached my baseball team even though he didn't really like baseball. Songs and playing catch are gifts of love.

Although it helps a lot to have a loving mother and father, you can still be a happy person without one or both of those. You just have to remember to love yourself.

When you wake up, say "I love you, (insert your name here)." During the rest of the day, do and say the things you must do and say if you love yourself.

I hope you understand that the children who called Donald "Loser" didn't love themselves enough. That made them afraid. People who are mean are really just afraid.

Sitting in the chair nearest mine, Russell told me some boys at his bus stop pick on him. I hope the rest of you will tell those boys to stop. Don't be afraid.

As you grow up, you will meet more and more people who are different from you. Some will like different music, some will wear their hair in a different way, some will speak a different language. Don't be afraid of them. Remember Donald and that it's OK to be different.

Your motto is "The school with a heart," but I think you should change it to "The school with a humongous heart."

Forever in my memory is the vision of scores of children in giraffe hats lining the Blanchard hallways that morning in solidarity with Donald Zinkoff. I'm still smiling.

Love, Mr. Blackwell

Sam Blackwell is managing editor of the Southeast Missourian.