Le Naturaliste

En garde!

#3 arrived 2 ½ years after #2, three days before Christmas. In contrast to #1 & #2, blond & brunette respectively, he slowly revealed himself to be a burnished redhead. He was easy, as third babies frequently are. This little capricorn was agile as a goat on our  cork-screw stairs. He was precocious physically, but late for talking. As is typical, we, the parents, understood his utterances, while outsiders did not. Both American and French families expressed only a mild concern.  

#3’s tales began soon after we arrived in Singapore. #3 was only 2 1/2 yrs when #5 was born. It was an easy decision to send him to kindergarten, a.k.a. la maternelle, offered and encouraged by the la Petite École Française*. The idea was that children who attended would be stronger students by the age of six when the real drill would begin. For our part, it was a way to give #3 some structured activities. We were never very concerned about our kids’ readiness skills.  J.J. had attended maternelle some and declared it un désastre, & I never attended at all. At this stage in the academic ladder we weren’t very concerned about report cards or evaluations. 

The first year of maternelle the teachers expressed concern that #3 did not seem to follow directions or play with others. His verbal skills were, in their view, non-existent. He was judged a “slow maturer.” J.J. & I didn’t worry overly. The second year report showed not much improvement, although #3 was considered amusant and strong-willed. His speech was still garbled.  But worst of all, he might be un peu en retard.** Now, that got our attention! But, by the third  & last year there was were some glimmers of hope.  Although his teachers remained  skeptical, we were not, so he would progress to first grade. At home #3 had taken on complete leadership of the trio: #3, #4, & #5,  inseparable musketeers. His play demonstrated great creativity and directivity.

The last school day before summer break, parents were invited to visit their children’s room. The upper maternelle students had produced colorful pictures of Dame Souris (Lady Mouse).  Properly personified, she was decked out in a colorful little dress, a perky straw hat, & pumps on her two feet. She carried a basket with food or flowers on her arm. I was eager to see what #3 had come up with. At last I found his picture at the end of the exhibit, surely an afterthought.  Dame Souris was rendered as the observer spied her looking down: slate gray, long sharp triangular nose, whiskers, ears, & eyes accurately placed, four equally spaced paws with claws on both sides of a proportionate, blimp-shaped body, ending with a long whip of a tail. Revelation: Our son was a born naturaliste!**** His scientific view of life around him had nothing to do with fiction. How could his teachers not understand this? We were convinced that his IQ was no longer in question. But, I was still troubled.  Where had he seen that rat? 

Moral: Parents trust your instincts, but avoid being obdurate. 

*School set up for French Expats in Singapore

** A bit retarded

*** No summer in Singapore, but the school year is the same as France.

****The naturalist developed into a neuro-surgeon.