Kids say the most intriguing and entertaining things.

(Because I find the expression "Kids say the darndest things" to be no end of irritating).

I'm working on a longer post about a trip to Hagurosan (explanation to follow), but here is a quick interlude about some of my elementary school students:

First, I had a young third grader that I often play with during recess tell me, as I attempted to ride a unicycle (difficult at the best of times- more difficult when your leg is longer than the unicycle is tall)- Aa, Jesu sensei- sore wa jisatsu to omoimasu.

Translation: "(Mr./teacher) Jess, that looks like suicide to me."

I was thoroughly amused, and what's more, agreed with her, and put the unicycle away for now, and moved on to the more manageable stilts.


The second episode happened while some of my 5th graders were making meishi, or name/business cards. The children were encouraged to draw things that they liked on their card- foods, animals, hobbies, and so on. I wanted to to make the activity a little more interesting, so while they were working I threw some extra ideas out, such as favorite books or comic book characters, and then at the end, half-jokingly, favorite bakemono (monster, apparition, demon). It was a classic example of kids listening when you don't know if they have been. For the most part kids stuck to the safe stuff: fruits, animals, and a smiley-faced self-portrait. However one girl opted, in light of my comments, for a mummy wielding two chainsaws. When I looked at her card in bemusement (and secretly, glee) she pointed and clarified for me- "It's a chainsaw."

As much as they take it out of me, I can't help but feel that this job would be a lot sadder without my elementary students...