A Wiccan in the Classroom

A Wiccan in the Classroom

By: Lady SilverVixen

1/31/12

                There was once a little girl named Snowbright, and a little boy named Sunskeeper. They were brother and sister. Snowbright was a happy and talented little 7 year old, and her brother, Sunskeeper was a joyous and sneaky little 9 year old. Both attended the same elementary school, but sadly were in two different classes.

                Snowbright loved her teacher Mrs. Luna, who was from Italy. She was a perky woman who made learning so much fun for her. She taught her class about numbers…..how to write…..how to read….and about the natural world around them in science class. Snowbright just loved, Loved, LOVED going to school to see Mrs. Luna every morning.

                Sunskeeper however, was not so lucky. He didn’t like Mr. Rupert who seemed to yell at him all the time about the little star that hung around his neck.

                “You take that Devil’s symbol of your neck young man, right this minute!” he’d yell.

                “But Mr. Rupert...” Sunskeeper would start.

“No BUTS!” Mr. Rupert would say sternly.

This is why Sunskeeper wasn’t fond of Mr. Rupert. See though, that Mr. Rupert is not a bad man, he is a loving father, a caring husband, and a very faith-filled man who goes to church every Sunday. He does not understand or know about Sunskeeper’s faith. He thinks the little star is the symbol of evil and the Devil.

The kids began taunting Sunskeeper, and at recess, Snowbright as well. They would yell at them

“Devils kid, Devils kid!” and “You’ll burn in hell!”

After several months of this, and feeling singled out by the kids who taunted him and his sister, Sunskeeper went to his mother and father and told them. He cried in his mother’s arms while his father was in an outrage. His dad paced back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Finally he came to a stop.

“I will go and have a talk with both teachers and the principal of this school.” His father said. “They need to be educated that it is not okay to say such cruel things.”

This made Sunskeeper feel better. Snowbright, who was standing around the corner, gave a heavy sigh of relief to know she was not going to get picked on anymore.

The following day, as their father had said, he went to the school during his children’s lunch, with his wife on his heels. The principal, Mrs. Luna and Mr. Rupert were all waiting for them in the main office in a little room.

“Please, Come in Mr. and Mrs. Suade” said the principal, “We have been waiting for you.”

Together they found their seats across from the teachers and sat with a few books and pamphlets.

“So it has come to my attention that the teachers here have not been kind to your children, and neither have the other kids in their classes.” Stated the principal.

“The children tell us they are being picked on every day during their recess.” Said Mrs. Suade.

“Oh My!” exclaimed Mrs. Luna. “I wish Snowbright would have said something to me.”

“She can be rather shy sometimes” replied Mrs. Suade.

“The main reason we are here is our son Sunskeeper” Mr. Suade chimed in.

“Oh?” asked the principal. “I understand he has had some issues of late listening to his teacher Mr. Rupert here.” He said.

“It was brought to our attention that Mr. Rupert was telling our son that he wore the devil’s mark around his necklace.” Said Mr. Suade.

“He is! That child has Devil written all over him!” Cried out Mr. Rupert.

“Well now, that is enough of that!” exclaimed the principal in a very angry tone. “None of the children in this school are of the Devil Mr. Rupert, and I would ask you kindly to keep such negative comments to yourself.”

“I see that our son was telling us the truth.” Mrs. Suade said to Mr. Suade.

“We have brought some reading material to educate Mr. Rupert here, on what a Wiccan is.” Mr. Suade stated firmly.

“Wiccan?” asked Mrs. Luna. “What is that if I may ask?”

“Wicca is a nature based religion that honors a Male and Female Deity.” Mrs. Suade said calmly. “We practice no harm against anyone.”

“It is the Devil in disguise” Mr. Rupert blurted.

“We do not believe in a Devil sir.” Mr. Suade said. “You do not know much about our faith do you?” he asked.

“No I do not. The Bible tells me what I need to know about people like you, and that’s all I need.” Mr. Rupert said firmly.

“Well, tell us what you know about “people like us” “Mrs. Suade said casually.

“You eat children, and you sacrifice babies and animals. I have half a mind to call child protective services on you both for forcing your children to practice such a dangerous cult.” Said Mr. Rupert.

Mr. and Mrs. Suade laughed.

“Sir, we do not eat children.” Mrs. Suade said still chuckling. “We honor a loving Mother, who like any can be a little cruel but does not want us to eat children. Live and Let to Live, is what we practice dear.”

“We do not sacrifice children or animals either.” Mr. Suade said stepping in to the conversation. “We sacrifice the bad habits and negative parts of ourselves so that we may better ourselves and those around us.”

“Our children are still early in their studies of Wicca too.” Said Mrs. Suade, taking over again. “They learn with several other children about their ages, from teachers, like your-selves. Sunskeeper is getting ready to come of age in the next few years and chose to learn himself. We have not forced our children to learn our faith, that is their choice and theirs alone. “

“We also are not a dangerous cult.” Mr. Suade said. “We are trying to live with the Earth, and we respect her for what she has given us. We let people come to us as their path pulls them. No one who practices with us is there against their will.”

“Well you use daggers and swords, and according to your son there are fights twice a year.” Mr. Rupert retorted.

With a chuckle Mrs. Suade said “Yes, that is true. We do not let the children handle these items though. The Dagger you are referring to is the Athame. It is a ritual blade in which energy is directed, the blade does not come in contact with flesh. It is not intended to be used to cause harm. The Sword is for outside only, and the children know not to touch this as well, and as in the case of the Athame, it too is not intended for harm, only energy direction. The battles you are referring to are at the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice. This is when the Holly King, and Oak King battle. The Holly King represents the sun weakening in strength, and the Oak King where the sun is gaining strength. They battle twice a year when the Sun is at its peak of strength and weakness.”

“That is so fascinating.” Mrs. Luna Chimed in.

“These are times of great celebration.” Mr. Suade said.

Mr. Rupert remained quiet.

“Mr. Rupert, we have a few books and pamphlets that are rather short and easy to read. They offer a basic understanding of our faith and what we are really about.” Mr. Suade stated.

“I would love to have one of the pamphlets and a book too, if you don’t mind.” Mrs. Luna said.

“Absolutely!” Mrs. Suade exclaimed.

They pass the books and pamphlets to the teachers and sat quietly for a moment.

The principal was the first to speak. “I hope this clears up the matter. Mr. Rupert, Mrs. Luna, you can go back to teaching your classes, but I want to hear no more about the bullying of these fine peoples children. Mr. Rupert, no more Bible in the classroom. There is a separation of church and state for a reason, so let us keep it that way. You are lucky you do not lose your job over this.”

A few months go by and there are no problems.

One day, Mr. Rupert pulls Sunskeeper to the side and hands him the books and pamphlet his parents gave him.

“I would like to apologize to you Sunskeeper. I didn’t realize how loving your faith is. It is not my faith, but I respect you for following your heart and keeping the message of love in everything you do. Make sure these books get back to your folks alright?”

“Yes sir.” Said Sunskeeper happily. “Sir, I knew you weren’t a bad person. Many people do not understand my faith, just as many do not yours. I am glad you have learned from this experience, as what my teachers tell me, Learning is a Never Ending Experience!”

Mr. Rupert smiled and patted Sunskeeper’s head. “That is very true, and do not forget it”

Mrs. Luna also surprised Snowbright on this day. She came dressed up in a beautiful Moon Goddess outfit.

“Today class we are going to talk about tolerance, and bullying. I have requested many guest speakers to arrive today and I hope you give them your full attention.” She said cheerfully.

As she walked by Snowbright’s desk, she sat the books down. “Make sure these go back to your parents and let them know I’ll see them on Saturday.”

Snowbright smiled. It was going to be a great school year.

Mr. Rupert’s class joined Mrs. Luna’s that day. The guests came in and each was a different race and religion.  The kids learned much that day, and everything went smoothly for both Snowbright and Sunskeeper for the rest of the year. The children who originally picked on them, stopped. Mrs. Luna was in Snowbrights life for the next several years until she graduated. They all had a joyous school experience.

So you see; school can be a little bumpy when you are different. Whether it’s the color of your skin, your faith, or where you grow up. When you keep love in your heart, and your friends and family close, you can overcome any obstacle. Remember to live and let live, keep your family close, and always keep love in your heart.