“He just sits there and stares out of the window. I thought that I saw an actual tear roll down his cheek earlier. There’s no comforting him.” Miss Jones, the science teacher had neither explanations nor remedies for the sorry state of her Principal Mr. Hudgens.
It was the very last day of school, half day actually, and well, all of the students and teaching staff needed at least a parting word from their scholastic chief before all would depart for the annual summer vacation.
After a sip of water and untold shoulder pats Mr. Hudgens finally looked around at the congregated concerned and uttered a few moans.
“Three hundred twenty seven of them and not one, not a single one mind you, missed a day of school for the entire year. Not a one was sent to my office for reprimand or even for advice.”
Mr. Hudgen’s head was slowly moving side to side now…”Not a voice was raised in argument, and not a single parent required an appointment to see me about the disappointing progress of their child.” The tears were welling up again.
“Where have I gone wrong. All of my years of training for what? They don’t need me. I could have remained in absentia the entire school year for the simple, unmistakable reason that I wasn’t needed.”
“But…Sir. You are our…THEIR leader. Their Principal…you must say something to the school body as they leave…Sir….please…anything.”
“Yes…of course, you’re right. Give me the microphone.”
With a cracking weak voice Mr. Hudgens summoned one last effort and merely wished all within earshot to…”Have a wonderful vacation!” then he slumped onto the desk.
The children calmly and quietly walked two by two past the Pricipal’s office, down the center hallway and out of the double main school doors and did not cut across the front lawn, and patiently waited for the buses in a single line and slowly and serenely departed for their homes and summer vacation.
During that summer, Mr. Hudgen’s made an application, then interviewed for and was awarded a job more suited to his experience as Principal of Centerville Elementary School…the job of Ringmaster of the Barnum and Bailey Circus.