Another addition to the ‘things I saw' file:
While riding to work, I saw a bunch of children chasing en masse after a bouncing tennis ball. A boy managed to corral it and the moment it was under his stewardship turned and pegged a girl, 7ish and wearing a jilbop, in the side of the head. She crumpled to the ground.
I was so stunned that I failed to notice the ricochet, a pretty honest 10 yards off the side of her skull, as well as the flock of children that turned on a dime to chase it down. This time a girl picked it up and instantly nailed a young boy in the gut, sending him quickly to the turf. Another girl collected the ball, and, with a surprisingly efficient throwing arm, dispatched another boy to the ground.
Just as I was considering what a sadistic game these children have invented, I noticed the gym teacher (gym teachers look pretty much the same across all cultures) standing on the side of the melee, sporting pretense in the direction of officiating. I was stunned. I guess the dodgeball debate has yet to reach Indonesia.
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vignettes from a year spent reporting from the future. Indonesia. and no parents.
3 comments:
ouch! could less painful school-yard sports be introduced -such as tickle feather? or squirt guns? or riddles? or whacking with baguette? For me dodge ball was played wearing a skirt as further hindrance to having fun.
As a teacher, I disapprove. That sort of game might fly under the radar for a while at recess, but it would never be condoned or encouraged by persons of authority. For shame.
A random suggestion for the rapscallions to exercise - wild dancing. Nothing frees positive energy like leaping in bare feet to loud music with a group of similarly enthusiastic folks. Tears of joy at NIA this morning.
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