By: Meghan Thome

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The Green Bench
By Meghan Thome
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It happened a long time ago. Im 21 years old
now, and it happened when I was 5
but I truly remember it like it was yesterday. I
was about five years old, and I was at my
preschool, Happy Time.
I was usually a good girlreally! But today was
differentIt was about noon, and the class had
gathered for Circle Time. This is where is
where my story begins.
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Class, please be respectful and sit quietly while
I read Humpty Dumpty!
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I can put photos inside of it!
Meghan, look at my locket!
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It doesnt seem like she will be quiet until she
feels that I adore her locket, so Ill look at it
again.
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Meghan, you know there is no talking during
Circle Time.
I like it.
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Uh oh
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I didnt know what to say. My heart started
pounding. Was Igettingin trouble? I felt like I
was in the spotlightbut not for a good reason.
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But it wasnt my fault! It was the redheaded
girl! Not me! I swear!
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Youre going to have to go sit on the green bench
for fifteen minutes. When time is up and you feel
that you can be quiet and respectful to the rest
of the class, you can rejoin the circle.
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I am in shock. Im being punished, and Little
Miss Locket Girl is sitting there, pretending she
has no idea what is going on! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!
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During playtime, it served as a couch, but now,
to me, the green bench was like The Chair. I
sat there, watching circle time resume as if
nothing had happened.
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These fifteen minutes are the longest fifteen
minutes in my preschool career! The green bench
is rock hardit is definitely not the most
comfortable surface to sit on.
Ill sit here for the entire time, though, making
sure to not make even the slightest peep.
Its so hard to just sit here, though. Shes
reading Five Little Bunnies Hopping on a Hill. I
love that book!
Waitingwaitingwaiting Im so bored I dont
deserve this How much longer do I have to sit
here? Boy, I wish I could tell time!
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I am going to be as quiet as I can for the rest
of the day and only answer questions when I am
specifically called on. I cant believe I got in
trouble! This is a BIG deal! I dont get in
trouble!
Okay, Meghan. You can rejoin the circle.
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No getting in trouble for me. Im not going
through that again!
Okay, Circle Time! If you havent already, put
away your crayons and sit down quietly in a nice
circle!
The Next Day
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HmmmmI see the teacher has an Eric Carle book!
And its one of my favorites! I wont have any
problem paying attention today!
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Hey, Meghan, do you want to see
She looks so innocent! That is SO not true.
I feel like I am back to my good ol innocent
self.
No. No thanks.
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And I wasthat is, until I entered kindergarten
But thats another story!
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THE END