Sagas of Adolescence: Stories for Students: Stories for Students

By Sasa Shaler

My fascination with teenagers began when I was nine, and never entirely disappeared, even after living through the teens myself, even after having grown up enough to be thankful those years were behind me. My early influences undoubtedly contributed to this, as I grew up during the accent on youth culture of the late 1960s and the 1970s. Much of my continuing fascination with the tumultuous state of adolescence, the time of being neither a child nor an adult, is linked to my livelihood: I teach in an urban high school. Thus, I am surrounded by teens all the time.

I am a natural storyteller, and when I decided to teach, I chose a graduate school program in which storytelling was highly respected and encouraged as a teaching tool. As a result, storytelling became an integral part of my teaching strategy. I have employed storytelling in every teaching position I have held. My nieces and nephews have looked forward to Aunt SaSa (myself) telling stories since they were tiny. Now the older ones are moving into adolescence. As a loving aunt, I want to be on the front lines of teaching them how to make good choices, and to keep themselves safe from bad influences.

I have held teenage attention consistently by incorporating elements of my own adolescence into my stories. I have stressed that it is okay to make a mistake, because experience is the best, and the toughest, teacher. I follow with the sentiment, Try not to make the same mistake twice! I do deal in fiction; this is apparent to adults I grew up with who read my jaunty witticisms and follow the flawless judgment in my stories that they know for a fact I didnt have at that age! Yet, because there is a strong circle of love that exists for me, I know they will never give my young audience that word to the wise about SaSa!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9781462832040

Sasa Shaler

SaSa Shaler has been a teacher for many years, primarily in an urban school system. Her practice has spanned all areas of the curriculum, with students ranging from preschool through college level. SaSa uses storytelling in all disciplines, and it is a source of great pride that her students anticipate her storytelling in class. She continues to be obsessed with fashion, mystery novels and cats. Her husband and two felines continue to be loving and supportive of her endeavors. As the reader may have observed, she has very strong feelings about dating violence and sexual assault.

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Sagas Of Adolescence

Stories For Students

SaSa Shaler

Copyright © 2009 by SaSa Shaler.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Dedication

To my darling nephews and nieces who have brought me so much joy.

The absent-minded man put salt in his coffee and sugar on his egg, before the disbelieving blue eyes of David Harrison and the hazel ones of his friend Kerry Oopshyer. Do you see what I see? David asked Kerry. The petite redhead nodded solemnly. That’s one funny bunny. Look at what he’s wearing. Did he pick that out blindfolded at Bob’s Discount House? David raised an eyebrow. He looks very familiar, Kerry, and I think that’s because he’s my little brother’s teacher.

Now Kerry raised an eyebrow. If he’s teaching Seth he has a valid reason for that kind of befuddlement. That’s one crazy little third grader. Where do you suppose Seth came from? The rest of you are pretty conservative, at least by comparison. David was the only member of their tenth grade class who was from a family with five children. It wasn’t a blended fam either, and there were no adoptions or twins. Kerry, an only child, was over so often that she was dubbed the sixth Harrison kid. She found all the activity and family dynamics fascinating.

David mulled over her question. I think it may be because he’s the baby, and consequentially what Seth does comes off as cute. If Tom, Lala, Diana or I had tried half of that, the sky would have fallen! Kerry gazed reflectively across the counter at the absent-minded man again. Let’s go talk to him, David. Maybe he could use our help. Swishing her long curls and the full skirt of her black gypsy dress Kerry strode purposefully across the floor, her shiny high-heeled black boots clacking. David scrambled out of his seat, high-stepping to keep up with her.

As the two reached the man’s seat, David said, Excuse me, Mr. Blinkbumble? The man visibly jumped, and looked up, startled. Yes, young man. Can I help you with something? David introduced himself and Kerry, adding, I think my little brother Seth Harrison is in your class. Bad move. Mr. Blinkbumble was taking a sip of his coffee and nearly spat it out. Heavens, I’m sorry! he exclaimed, adding sheepishly, There seems to be something awry about this coffee. Kerry jumped to the rescue, signaling the waitress and asking for a fresh mug of coffee from the full pot. When it arrived she asked, How do you take this, sir? Let me fix it for you. Mr. Blinkbumble gratefully let her cream and sugar his coffee, sipped it, and stated, Now this is much better! David hid a grin.

When Mr. Blinkbumble took a bite of his egg dish, he grimaced again. What is it with me today? I must be having side effects from my dental work last week. Now these eggs taste sweet! David didn’t dare look at Kerry, and prayed she wouldn’t come out flat-footed and say, That’s because you sugared them! This poor guy had enough on his plate, so to speak, if he was Seth’s teacher. David now spoke up again, I find that to be a side effect of dental work also, Mr. Blinkbumble. You know what helps? Putting some Parmesan cheese on the eggs. David reached for the container and shook some on. The teacher tasted the eggs and broke into a broad grin.

Excellent idea, son! Now, what can I do for you? Kerry and David now looked at each other, and Kerry ventured, Well, we wanted to ask how Seth was doing in your class. He can be quite a handful. Mr. Blinkbumble’s expression immediately sobered. David and Kerry looked at each other in dismay. Well, the teacher began, and cleared his throat. He paused, obviously trying to tactfully phrase a summary of Seth’s classroom conduct.

Well, he began again, Seth is an amazing young man. He’s intelligent, well spoken, and has a very engaging manner. These qualities seem to fuel his very unusual personality. David felt himself shudder. But he was unprepared, as was Kerry, for what was coming.

Mr. Blinkbumble continued. The first day the new creative movement teacher came to our class, she barely introduced herself before Seth introduced himself and said, ‘I’d like to assist you in teaching the class. Allow me to present my qualifications!’ In one fell swoop, he pulled a tape player out of his desk, along with six towels. As he switched on the theme from Arabian Nights", he leaped onto the art table and performed The Dance Of The Seven Veils with the towels."

The teacher stopped for breath, and David dared a sidelong look at Kerry, who was staring transfixed at Mr. Blinkbumble. "Next, when it came time to propose