Proposals

Yesterday, my 6th grade Language Arts class had two assignments. The first was an independent project---a worksheet. The second was a group project due Friday. I promised them the last 15 minutes of class to have a group meeting to discuss the project, and even though it was so quiet while they were working on their worksheet, I did follow through with my promise and allowed them fifteen minutes of meeting time. After making sure everyone was situated properly, I retired to my desk. Not five minutes later, I look up from my stack of papers waiting to be graded to find Justin at my desk waiting patiently to speak with me.

"Um, Teacher?"

"Yes, Justin?" I respond.

"I need a wife," says this 11 year old student of mine. He does not flinch nor smile. He is as serious as can be. I was taken by surprise. I mean, I still teach them Islam, but middle schoolers asking to be hooked up with a spouse? Yeah, I had no idea how this thought seriously crossed his mind.

"Well Justin, don't you think you are too young to get married?" At this point, he begins to protest.

"No, teacher that's not what..."

But at this point I begin laughing uncontrollably. I cannot stop myself. He is not shy; he joins me in our whole-hearted laughter. Finally I ask him what he means.

"Well, you know how for our project we have to do a reader's theater production of a scene from the story?" Being the one who assigned the project for our literature assignment of the week, I was well aware of the requirements of the project. I replied in the affirmative. "Well, I need a wife for my character."

"Oh," I reply, finally making sense of his slant towards matrimony. "So what do you want me to do? Would you like me to ask one of the girls to play that part with your team?"

"No," he begins. "Teacher, would you be my wife?"

Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? I'll remind him of that when he is older with ten kids of his own, insha'Allah! :)