ABC Wednesday.....P!

(The Teacher logo, designed for "Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd)

When I was in junior school one particular teacher sticks in my mind for all the wrong reasons...Mr. Pallister! I was on free meals at the time, being from a one parent family this was one of the benefits. Now really there was not much I did not like when it came to food but two particular dislikes of mine were cheese pie and coconut pudding! On one such fateful day both were served....cheese pie as our main course, coconut pudding for desert. I tried in vain to hide the cheese pie underneath the potato but the pile loomed on my plate and as we were not allowed to leave any my plate found its way back to the table with strict instructions from Mr. Pallister that I had to clear my plate. I tried in vain to enjoy the cheese pie, with each mouthful I felt the reject signals coming from my stomach. The empty plate was returned to make way for desert. This time I felt myself wretching at the mere thought of the coconut pudding. Mr Pallister was watching me and came over to the table. I told him I did not like it and he replied something to the tune of... "People like me(him) payed their taxes so people like me could have privelages like free school dinners, and we didn't have a choice in the matter. Totally embarassed and mortified by his comment (I was only 8) I forced the coconut pudding into my mouth! Moments later whilst skipping (wrong choice) I felt the contents of my stomach beginning to rebel, and very soon appeared on the playground surface. I was so scared incase Mr Pallister discovered this and would point out that people like him payed taxes so people like me were not allowed to be sick I ran home to Auntie Dot's. Auntie Dot was baking at the time, rolling out pastery on the kitchen cabinet unit. I was sick again and after I had cleaned up I told her the tale. Armed with the rolling pin she left for the school. I do not know what she said, but I do know Mr. Pallister never demanded I finish a plate again. The family took me off free meals and from then on we found the money to pay for my dinners. Mr Pallister was my class teacher for 2 long years. He made a lasting impression on me. Later when I became a primary school teacher I vowed I would never be such a bully to any pupils who came my way, never insisting they eat something they did not like with a vengence.

Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 (Waters) We don't need no education We dont need no thought control No dark sarcasm in the classroom Teachers leave them kids alone Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone! All in all it's just another brick in the wall. All in all you're just another brick in the wall. We don't need no education We dont need no thought control No dark sarcasm in the classroom Teachers leave them kids alone Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone! All in all it's just another brick in the wall. All in all you're just another brick in the wall. "Wrong, Do it again!" "If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?" "You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!" To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!