In
this instance, it involved a nine-year-old boy, a 'magic' ring and a
principal who really needs to give his head a shake.
It
happened in Texas – where everything is bigger, including dumb
decisions.
The
young lad in question had just seen the latest Hobbit movie in which
the hero, Bilbo Baggins, uses a magic ring to help thwart the bad
guys.
Whenever
Bilbo wears The One Ring – as it is referred to in the movies –
he is invisible to all and the Ring of Power plays a significant and
vital role in the movie.
Like
most Grade 4 students, this young lad wanted to act out what he saw
on the big screen so his dad bought him the 'magic ring' from the
movie.
The
boy took The One Ring to school to show his friends. He then told
one of his friends the ring can make them disappear (as it does in
the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings stories).
The
highly anal principal interpreted this as a threat to the other
student and suspected the nine-year-old, saying threats of any type
will not be tolerated.
Seriously,
the principal actually kicked the boy out of school for essentially
using his imagination.
I
agree threats of injury, violence etc. should not be tolerated on any
level, but come on, saying a magic ring can make someone disappear is
hardly a threat – it's kids goofing around and being kids.
Had
be brought a sword to school and said it would make his friend's head
disappear that would be a threat worthy of administrative
involvement.
But
a magic ring?
What
about a magic wand? Will all fairy princesses be outlawed because of
the dangerous weapon they are packing?
“Run,
it's Princess Star Bright and her wand that will make you fart
rainbows. Oh the humanity.”
That
is just as ridiculous as a 'magic' ring being a threat.
It's
not the first time administrative zealots have intervened where they
are not wanted or necessary.
Also
in the USA was the case of a young deaf boy who was forbidden from
signing his name – Hunter – because he had to make his fingers
into the shape of a gun to fully sign his moniker.
He
was told if he did it again he would be suspended. His parents were
quite upset with the school and rightfully so.
Another
elementary school banned lunch-hour soccer matches because a parent
who was walking near the field got hit in the head with a ball and
claimed a concussion.
Dumber
still is the elementary school that banned the game of tag because
the kids had to touch each other and there was the possibility
someone could get hurt.
Officials
feared someone might skin a knee, or have some other calamity befall
them. Heaven forbid Junior should get a boo-boo while having fun with
friends and getting exercise.
Better
sit them in front of a computer monitor and feed them sugar where
they can't get hurt, well, aside from diabetes and other fat-related
illnesses.
And
then people wonder why kids today are so chubby, scared and wimpy.
Skinned knees are part of being a kid, as are bruises and all sorts
of boo-boos.
It's
enough to make one want to put on their magic ring and disappear.
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