Try Just The Facts

Stephen had looked back at Mr Walsh slightly blankly. “The All Blacks” Mr Walsh repeated, “Who were they playing on Saturday?” Mr Walsh asked again. “Oh, The Lions.” Stephen replied enthusiastically. Mr Walsh nodded. “And what country are ‘the Lions’ actually from?” Mr Walsh asked Stephen encouragingly. “Africa?” Stephen answered with a questionable response. I then made the mistake of laughing at Stephen’s response. Even I knew, the ‘Lions’ was the name given to the English rugby team as a historical reference to the figurehead used in heraldry (The lion is a common design in heraldry. It traditionally symbolises bravery, valour, strength, and royalty, since traditionally, it is regarded as the king of beasts). However, laughing at Stephen was not the smartest thing to do, and any good will I had possibly raised in getting Stephen the opportunity to present his football was immediately undone. He glared back in my direction and Mr Walsh looked down the aisle at me and gestured me to be quiet.

“I think Stephen that the Lions are the English rugby team, Yes?” He offered. Stephen nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s right.” Stephen agreed. “And did you see the game?” Mr Walsh asked. There was a pause. “No.” Stephen answered.

“Dad went to watch it.” Stephen was a little dejected. “But he said I could bring in the ball today to show you.” Mr Walsh nodded. “Well thank you for that. If you want to take your seat, we’ll go on with the lesson.” “Can’t I let everyone see the ball close up?” Stephen asked Mr Walsh. Mr Walsh was starting to feel the lesson would never get done. “Very well, just walk it around the aisles to your seat.” Mr Walsh suggested.  “But you are not to touch it, Stephen added. 

He made his way down the aisles keeping a sharp eye on the excited faces of the other classmates, should any one of them reach forward and try to lay a hand on the iconic leather item. They strained to see the names written on the ball. As he passed down the aisle, his back to me. I looked across at the ball. Not really interested in the item. Then noticed it had Lancaster Park 1963 written on the part of the ball nearest to Stephen. “Why has it got 1963 written on it?” I made the mistake of asking Stephen aloud. “What?” he asked sneeringly (yes, it is possible to speak, sneer and add a question tone to your voice). He looked at the ball where I was looking. He looked at me angrily. “There’” I pointed. “It’s got Lancaster Park 1963 written on it.” ‘I don’t know”, Stephen said. “Maybe that was when it was made” He suggested. “But, that’s handwritten, the same as the signed names...” Mr Walsh spoke quickly “That’s enough. Thank you Stephen. Stephen looked down at me and, as he went to take his seat, he passed me close enough that he could swing his elbow out to collect the side of my head. I reacted vocally. A single word from Mr Walsh. “Stephen!”  Everyone stopped.

(Continued tomorrow)