Back to School

It was the first day of a new school term and traditionally a section of the timetable was set aside for administration - setting up schedules, welcoming returning and additional pupils, and outlining any new subjects to be covered over the coming months. 

Both my school-aged children usually regaled us with their experiences upon their return home. Brendan was first to arrive and he seemed particularly excited.

"You look happy," I said. "How did your first day back at school go?"

"Great, dad," said Brendan, eyes bright. "We were told that we're going to start doing halchibba this year,"

"Halchibba?" I briefly grasped for his meaning, settling on, "Do you mean algebra?"

"Probably." His paw waved dismissively and a faint smile suggested he was reliving the moment. "It sounds like fun."

The words brought back memories of my twin brother in our schooldays. Newton devoured mathematical expressions with glee. Brendan was good at arithmetic but I didn't see him as another boffin. Did he understand the concept?

"What have you been told about algebra, Brendan?"

"As far as I can see it's all about number puzzles." His smile broadened. "And we have to find 'X the Unknown'. Isn't that a great name? Like a secret agent."

Number puzzles? Well, maybe. But was he distracted by the idea of agent X? When he carried on his explanation, that was a distinct possibility. 

"During the morning playtime Lucky and me met up with Benedict," he said, referring to Lucky's elder brother, "and he said that we'd eventually learn about E, X's opponent."

Again I was transported to my own schooldays as I remembered about Newton's ramblings. I didn't really understand much of it but the term 'exponent' and the symbol 'e' were peppered in the narrative as he tried to explain. I decided not to correct my son; let him enjoy himself. There was also the possibility that he was teasing me.

"Well, I'm glad you're excited about the new schoolwork. You'ĺl have something else to share with your sister."

"Oh yeah. Beverley will have done this. I'll go and ask her." He started to leave but paused. 

"Except she won't be home yet. She's got that consoli-thingy lesson. And she'll have other things on her mind... but she can tell you all about that. I'll go to see mum and find out what's for tea."

With Brendan disappearing from my view I was left deciphering his parting words. I concluded that he was referring to the 'consolidation classes' that had been recently introduced to the school curriculum. An hour after the main timetable the school had introduced an optional space whereby pupils could talk to teachers and other pupils. This was to clarify any subject matter introduced that day that they needed to understand better. That could include worked examples. Some children used it as a time to begin their homework whilst having access to the school's resources.

Beverley had been positive about the scheme. I wondered: how her first day back at school had gone for her?

o 0 O 0 o

Whilst Brendan has been buoyant, Beverley's face indicated that something didn't suit her. Not exactly sulky, she didn't successfully hide her unhappiness. The exaggerated sigh alerting me to her presence confirmed that.

"Okay, pudding," I said, "I can see something's troubling you. Tell your daddy." 

"Nothing," she said, a forced smile failing to convince me. "Nothing, really."

I put my arm around her. "Alright. Tell me the 'nothing really' that's troubling you."

A small giggle. "Oh, dad. You always cheer me up."

"So?"

She sighed and began. "Mrs Hamilton asked me to be a prefect." She paused. "I thanked her but said I didn't want to boss people about. She said that was good but that wasn't what the job was about. She said she wanted some responsible students to help in a particular situation. And I wouldn't be by myself."

"What did you say to that?"

"I still wasn't keen but she sounded like she needed us."

"So you agreed?"

"Mm, yes. There was Freya, Candy Mulberry and me and we all agreed. Then we were told the job. It didn't sound too bad but now I'm not too sure."

     

"Go on."

"The teacher in one of the outlying small schools can't teach her lessons - I think it's a medical thing - so until that changes, her class is being split and the students assigned to our school. Three of them are coming to my class."

"Let me guess. Three new students. Three prefects."

"Right. I have be there to help my newby settle in and be what Mrs Hamilton calls their first point of contact."

"That sounds familiar. When I was at school, Darcy Fielding was assigned to me."

"Oh yeah. I remember you saying you had good memories about that. Ordinarily I wouldn't mind doing that sort of thing but at the moment it messes with my plans."

"How so?"

"You know the consolidation classes? Well, usually I don't need them to clarify what happened in the day's lessons. I've been using it to work on an art project for Mellowdene Day. I worry that, if I'm spending too much time on the newby, I'll need to use the consolidation class properly and I won't have enough time for my project."

"Hmm. I see. Can your Aunt Angelica help?"

Cecile's sister-in-law Angelica Ivory is the art teacher at the school. Beverley has benefited from her teaching since she came to Mellowdene.

"It's not really something I can work on at home. I really need to be at school to do the work."

"Maybe your aunt could give you more time at school in order to compensate for any time you lose. I could have a word..."

"No, daddy," said my daughter, shaking her head, "but I could explain to her. It is a good idea. Thanks."

At that point, Brendan ambled into the room.

"Hi sis. Coco says you're going to be a prefect. At first I thought he said 'perfect' but I knew that couldn't be right."

An eye roll and Beverley responded. "Well, I've been given an important job, if that's what you mean."

"I know. I went to have a word with Una Fielding as she usually has inside information on schooly things. You're getting three students from White Cottage Schoolhouse to look after."

"I'm impressed at your detective work. Well, you're right. I don't know who the students are, though."

"Una said they're placing students where they will fit in best. That's so they will be more comfortable settling in. There's a list."

"Don't tell me that you've seen it."

"Alright, I won't." He turned, as if to go. "But you might get Iona Dale."

"Iona?"

The Dales used to be our neighbours until they moved to be nearer to the family business. Friendships endured but the frequency of associations reduced.

"Yep. You'd like that, eh?"

Beverly grinned and winked at me.

"I definitely need to speak to Aunt Angelica."

o 0 O 0 o 

 

Heroes and Villains

Flash Gopher in space - Publicity shot

 

It was the time when a new Flash Gopher story was broadcast and - predictably - Brendan would attend a Telly Party (*see Notes for details) at Lucky Snow-Warren's house to absorb another chapter of this televised space fantasy. Orton was now part of the entourage so they added another seat for him. 

 

Atypically, I accompanied them but it wasn't to watch another conflict between Flash and the dreaded Mink. I'd gone to see my old school pal Clarence Snow-Warren.

As school children, Clary and I were inseparable. I think that's the reason I have a warm feeling seeing our sons continue the close friendship. Yes, we were inseparable. Until we were separated. Our teacher, Dermot Buckley, decided that we needed to associate more in other groupings. The first time was when I was tasked to look after a new pupil - an active-minded little field mouse called Darcy Fielding (see Field Trip*). However, even though Clary and I were no longer solely working alongside each other in school, our activities outside the classroom continued as normal.

On this occasion, Clary wanted to talk to me about his mother, recently returned after years missing. 

"I've had conversations with both with her and with Chris," he said, "but it makes no sense to me. They're talking about 'limbo' and the heroic rescue by a funny little bear called Blink..."(*see Notes for details)

"Bink," I corrected.

"Right. Bink. But it all sounds as daft as... as an episode of Flash Gopher." His eyes entreated me. "You were there. Please make some sense of it, Jack." 

My old friend is a practical bunny. To him, spirituality may as well describe alcohol content. Now, whilst I lean towards that way, I have seen things that I find hard to explain and have gradually shifted towards a different view. I accept that there are things that I don't understand. That I don't necessarily need to understand everything. That I can accept unusual situations without a detailed analysis and get on with my life. But could I get Clary to think that way? I could try.

"I look at it this way, pal. Somehow Sylvania was created. Somehow critters became Sylvanians and we are their descendants. Maybe the Snow Queen was involved. Maybe there is a mysterious group called the Sylvanian Order that carries on her legacy. Maybe there is a weird place beyond Sylvania that - for the sake of argument - we call Limbo and your mum got lost there. Maybe Morwenna Deerheart was able to contact someone - this heroic little chap called Bink - that went to find her."

"Right..." said Clary, clearly wondering where I was going with this. 

 

"Supposing all this," I concluded, "the end result is all that really matters. Your mum, Chris, Morwenna and even me... we could all be under a delusion. But none of that is really important. Edith Snow-Warren is back with her family. That's what's important."

"But this Bink creature..."

"A short bear with attitude, confidence and skills to find your mum. Did we imagine him? Possibly, but would I imagine such an atypical hero?" I paused. "More to the point, why do you need to know, mate?"

Clary stared at me and then a grin crept onto his face. "Practical. You may be an arty type with all your songsmithery," - he chuckled - "but you've always been a stable influence on me. Fine. Weird bears. A mum back from being a ghost. You're right. The 'how' doesn't matter. If the story comes up again maybe I can treat it like a Flash Gopher story. That is tosh but it works as a morality tale. The hero wins. In this case my family wins because my mum is back."

A quiet voice cut in. "Do you really think Flash Gopher is tosh, Mister Snow-Warren?"

It was Orton, stretching his legs during a commercial break. How much had he heard?

o 0 O 0 o

INTERMISSION

A glimpse of an episode of

Flash Gopher and the Dragon from Mars 

Flash Gopher waits to act

Mink gives his pet instructions

Flash Gopher encounters the pet

A confrontation between Flash and Mink the Merciless

END OF INTERMISSION

o 0 O 0 o

"What did you hear, Orton?" I asked. "When we were talking about Grandma Snow-Warren..."

"Oh, I've learned a lot about Mellowdene myths in the time I've been here, Uncle Jack. I accept them as far as they go. I'm more curious about why you'd consider Flash Gopher a poor programme, Mister Snow-Warren."

As an addition to our extended family, Orton occasionally makes statements that surprise us. When he wants to know something he will quietly research the subject (and with a librarian/bookworm as foster father he has the resources) then floor us with a few words. This was clearly one of those times but with my school friend on the receiving end, I decided to step in.

 

"I suspect Brendan has explained the underlying meaning of the show, Orton. For someone who doesn't follow the storylines - such as Lucky's dad - isn't it possible that the fantasy theme obscures the clever parts and it all comes off as trivial?"

Orton nodded. "I can understand that. At first I couldn't see why Brendan and Lucky were addicted to the show but they showed me why. Lucky said he'd enlighten me as to how the show promoted Sylvanian values whilst wrapping them in an imaginative boost to one's dopamine."

Clary and I exchanged glances. I suspected this was Lucky's sentiment rather than his exact words. It suggested Orton had supplemented this with his own research. The boy continued.

"Mink the Merciless was constructed to pose a threat to our way of life, cloaked with extravagant schemes. Flash Gopher is the hero that shows us a better way, thwarting the schemes in an entertaining manner."

"And now you're involved too," I said, referring to the role play games arranged by Brendan and Lucky.

"I play General Octon," Orton acknowledged. "He's supposed to be Mink's adviser but Mink goes his own way. Actually, if he took the General's advice he might win occasionally."

"Sounds like Mink is a real villain," said Clary.

"Yes and no," said Orton. "Brendan says the writing is clever, making Mink look evil but he's also a warning for us to beware of taking actions that could be unSylvanian. In that sense, he's a hero too. Octon helps by outlining the threat that could occur. Mink's errors and Flash's mitigation makes them both heroes."

"I didn't realise it was that involved," said Clary.

"Hmm. It is. And for our games Brendan writes his own scenarios and we all work on a solution."

It became clear. "I always wondered why Brendan always took the role of Mink the Muckiness rather than everyone taking turns, swapping roles to give others a chance as Mink."

"Muckiness, Jack?" said Clary. "I thought it was Merciless."

"It is," said Orton, "but Brendan liked Mucky better."

"He likes playing with words," I explained to Clary. 

"Yes he does but there's a reason for that, Uncle Jack. It seems that in the second season of the show, Mink created an alliance with the flying mud monkeys of Europa. They were spreading dirt everywhere. So Brendan decided to became Mink the Muckiness."

"Makes sense," laughed Clary. 

The conversation was interrupted at that point. From the adjacent room, two voices were calling.

"Orton?" said Lucky "The show is about to recommence..."

"Ort!" called Brendan. "Get in here, General!"

Orton looked at us apologetically. 

"Mighty Mink summons me."

As Orton hurried back to his pals I pondered what I'd just heard. I'd not realised that Brendan and hìs pals were using the hero / villain construct of the TV show as a basis to perform a philosophical analysis of what it means to be Sylvanian. Wow, that sounds highbrow! Do they really do that?

Well, maybe not too stringently. Brendan? Nah. I think I know my son. Orton, however... 

 

o 0 O 0 o

Mink the Merciless - Publicity shot

* Notes: Stories supplying extra background

Telly Parties - April 2019

Clarence and Jackson after school: A Couple of Couples - February 2020

When Jackson & Darcy met: The Field Trip - April 2021

Orton included in role play: Flash Gopher and the Micro Waves - January 2024

The Ghost of Edith Snow-Warren (etc) - October/November 2025