Write a story about how you got into trouble at school.
Answers
I was always (still am, in fact) a fan of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” I probably don’t have to explain this to you, but basically, this was a show about a group of turtles that anthropomorphized into ninjas. They studied under the tutelage of the grandmaster sensai Splinter, an elderly rat who somehow learned the art of being a master warrior. The plot is kind of suspect, but I loved the show and wanted nothing more than to be one of these weapon-wielding turtles. My favorite was Donatello.
He wore purple and carried a long stick that he used to fight criminals. I, too, began carrying a large stick (a broom, actually) whenever we played “Ninja Turtles.” One afternoon, we attacked a neighbor kid named Alex. He was 6 or so at the time, and I had no business doing what I did, but suffice it to say I smacked him pretty hard with the stick. A few hours later, Alex’s mother and the police were at our house. They threatened to press charges of assault if I didn’t apologize. I said I was sorry, and we never played “Ninja Turtles” again, per our parents’ request. Good times.
The only time I was ever punished in elementary school for misbehaving was in third grade. I was incredibly over-concerned about my behavior at school. A raised voice or wagging finger in my direction was enough to send me into a bawling mess of emotions. And this is exactly what happened on that fateful day in the lunchroom. There was a rule at lunchtime: When the lights go out, you shut up. Nobody obeyed this rule, and rarely did someone get in trouble for breaking it. Apparently, an example needed to be made on this day. I don’t remember talking, but I remember being asked to “stand up” and receive a “pink slip” for talking during lunch while the lights were out. They sent me to the principal’s office, where I proceeded to cry, going so far as to drop on my knees and beg for forgiveness (I was dramatic). My fit was so intense they had to call my parents and send me home. All of my friends thought I was out of my mind.