Calling the roll

A class of prep children sit on the mat in their classroom. Our Batsman sits among them. 

They all wait expectantly for their brand new teacher to call their names and establish the day’s attendance. The day before the children had participated in their very first Spanish lesson, the school’s language of choice.

The teacher calls the names and one by one the children respond. “Yes” they call or “I’m here”. 

The teacher calls the Batsman’s name. He pauses for a second, thoughtful.

“Hola” he calls with a very big proud grin on his face.

Oh my beautiful quirky boy. Be still my heart. Hola indeed.