Oh the books that you will read~

As a co-chairman for the Scholastic Book Fair at my son's school, just exactly what are my duties? My responsibilities? Is it simply to arrive on the designated date and time, open the carts and display the books in such a way that they are most pleasing to every age, gender and reading level? I can do that.

Is it to run reports, count monies, restock inventory? I can absolutely do that.

But ask me to decipher just exactly what goes on at home for each and every child who declares that $3.99 is just too much money for their parent to send to school is beyond all comprehension of mine.

Yesterday morning a young girl walked in with her 'wishlist'...this is the list that each child can create when her class visits the Bookfair at their designated time. Certainly, not every parent is aware that the Bookfair is in progress, nor when their child's class will visit. So, in all probability the child will return home from school, eager to report that her class visited the bookfair today and could she please have $5, $10, even $15 to spend at the Bookfair when their class returns on, say, Wednesday?

This is what I envisioned anyhow, when the girl approached the checkout desk with her completed wishlist and a pile of books and asked if she could pay with a check. I whole-heartedly told her that YES, she could pay with a check. The young girl presented me with two ill-folded checks written out, in pencil, in a distinct child's handwriting. They were filled out as follows:

In the Pay to the Order Of section: Book Fair

In the Amount box: $31.95

On the Pay line: $3.99 $4.99 $2.99 $6.99 $12.99

On the Signature line: My Little Pony Don't Let the Pigeon on the Bus

Under the signature line was written, and misspelled, what I presume to be her father's name. The same name pre-printed on the top of the check. On the reverse side was a neat and tidy list of prices and spot-on addition. Clearly the back of the checks were her scratch paper.

I asked the girl if her father filled out these checks, she vehemently told me he had. I explained that these checks weren't written correctly and that the bank wouldn't accept them as payment. As if she might go home and educate her father, I showed her how the checks would look if they were filled out properly. Based upon the demographic and socio-economic makeup of our elementary school, it's not unlikely that Dad has yet to master filling out a personal check. It's also a distinct possibility that the young girl would go to any length necessary to get the books she wanted. I naively suspected the English as a Second Language scenario and thought the whole incident rather heartwarming and cute. However, later in the day, her class visited the Bookfair for the second time. After a few minutes of "shopping", I noticed the young girl with an unmistakable square abdomen protruding from underneath her sweater. I simply asked the teacher if she'd like me to handle the situation or would she prefer to have a chat with the girl herself.

Again, what is my role? My first response is to buy the girl a book. I wanted so badly to ask her which book she longed for the most and I would pay for it with my own money. Then the sinical devil on my left shoulder pointed out that this young third grader might have quite intentionally taken checks from an elder's wallet, and hoped to pass them off as currency. It is also my knee jerk reaction to get those parents on the phone and explain the situation, however, one never knows if this would prompt a strong tongue lashing or a full-on beating.

On the one hand, I find her to be industrious and clever. On the other, who will teach her to focus her industriousness toward honest endeavors? How can we ensure that this little girl stays true to herself and true to society?

When she showed up again this morning at my desk with wide and beautiful eyes, she announced to me that she would like to purchase something. I watched her like a hawk while she retrieved the item which cost $3.99. When she unfolded just three dollars I could feel her heart sink as she realized there still wasn't enough money for her to buy the book she wanted. In a momentary need to solve all the world's problems, I then quietly pulled her aside and whispered to her, " Today I would like to give you enough money for this book that you want. You don't have to repay me, but I do ask that you never walk into a Bookfair or store and attempt to take something home that you haven't paid for. You got away with it this time, but next time you might get in a lot of trouble. And certainly as you get older, you will get into trouble if this behavior continues." As I held her cheeks in my hands I offered, " You're a beautiful little girl and I'd love to see you succeed and be the best person you can be"

A bit much for a shy little third grader, perhaps, but I'll be sleeping soundly tonight.