Book 2: Chapter 5: "There's a Time for Work and a Time to Play."

Dovic was excited when he found out that The Old Wise One and Harley were joining him for school on Wednesday. He had enjoyed Lulu and Gazza’s visit – after all they’d been friends for the longest, but The Old Wise One was especially important to Dovic. He had spoken to Dovic about what being part of the Hibiscus clan meant, he had shared words with Richo when he had accidently hurt Ronnie and he just seemed to know what to say when it needed to be said. Harley loved having fun and had found his perfect hiding place in a gumboot when they had had a picnic months ago. The three of them were sure to have a good day with Hibiscus and her class.

They joined Dovic on the tractor stool at the front of the classroom and students took the time to have a chat with them before Hibiscus began teaching them. They introduced themselves to the newcomers and The Old Wise One listened and observed all of what was going on. Harley wanted to impress the students and stood proudly with his chest puffed out and his arms folded, trying to look cool in his sunglasses.

When the students noticed that The Old Wise One was old, his eyes were not quite as new as they used to be and his fluff had been worn down, Hibiscus shared the story of when The Old Wise One was loved by a boy many years ago and even though the boy had grown up, he was still loved. She told them about the story called “The Velveteen Rabbit” and read them the following:

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it Hurt?"

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen to people who break easily or have sharp edges or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But those things don't matter at all because once you are real you can't be ugly except to people who don't understand."

When The Old Wise One heard the story, a tear came to his eye because he knew he had become real to the little boy. When everyone was busy working, Lincoln came and had a chat with The Old Wise One. They spoke quietly for a few moments and when it was over, Lincoln nodded his head respectfully and went back to doing his work. The Old Wise One was his favourite member of the Hibiscus clan and he appreciated the wisdom that had been shared with him.

After all the students had gone, a few teachers popped in to talk to Hibiscus and then Miss Lauren came in to explain about Book Character day as Book Week was next week. “The theme is Curious Creatures, Wild Minds and the students make their own book character mask.” Dovic, Harley and The Old Wise One watched as she put on her mask which was a character of a cloud. They wondered what the students would make for their own masks next week. After Miss Lauren had left, it was time to go home and they looked forward to telling the rest of the Hibiscus clan about their day.

The next day Ronnie tumbled into the classroom, spinning and whirling and looking for action. He knew there were some boys in the class who thought he was one of the best and he aimed to show off to them. Ellie came in quietly and sat on the stool waiting with Dovic until finally Ronnie got up on the stool with them but decided to stand on his head, to show off.

This was the fourth day the students had been able to come to school after spending more than half their schooling this year, at home doing remote learning. It had been a challenging time and although they had looked forward to being back at school, they also had to remember the rules and remember to do their best work. Sometimes they forgot and sometimes they had so much fun, they forgot they were learning. On Thursday, a few students would leave the classroom and go to their band lesson. Due to Covid, restrictions had been placed on students learning woodwind instruments and they were not allowed to blow into their instrument which made it a bit more challenging and they all hoped that restriction would be lifted soon.

In Period 2 they went out to sport and had a lot of fun learning about softball while the other classes learned netball and soccer. They were going to get to learn a new sport each week so that next year, they could pick one they had enjoyed the most. It was very windy outside and there were a few drops of rain but that was all so they were able to stay outside and play. They had woodwork in period 3 and for the rest of the day they had Maths, reading and Geography. As it was Abby’s birthday, she was allowed to go home first, and the students put up their chairs and raced out the door to catch buses or get a lift home with their parents. Dovic wondered if Aleasha had ridden her bike to school that day.

When Hibiscus left to go and do some photocopying, Ronnie had an idea. “Let’s climb up to the ceiling and sit up there,” he suggested, “We can be on top of the world and look down on everyone.” He went over to the window and took hold of the blinds chain.

Ellie was dubious about this and voiced her hesitation, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t think Hibiscus would like us doing that,” but she followed them to the wall.

“Oh come on, it will be fun!” said Dovic and he took hold of the chain and followed Ronnie who had already abseiled up to the railing and was doing somersaults and cartwheels along the rafters.

Ellie looked up at them and touched the chain. She didn’t know what to do and wasn’t sure they should be doing it but they looked like they were having fun. She watched and she felt all alone just standing there looking up at them and finally decided to start climbing.

Ellie was about half-way up the window when she heard Hibiscus come into the room and she froze with fear. “What are you all doing?!” Hibiscus was not impressed, and they all came down and sat on the chair, listening to Hibiscus scold them for doing the wrong thing.  

“It’s my fault,” stated Ronnie, “It was my idea and I talked them into coming with me. Ellie didn’t even want to, but we talked her into it.” Dovic gulped and sat quietly, looking remorsefully at Hibiscus.

When Hibiscus looked at Ellie, Ellie replied, “I’m sorry. I knew it was the wrong thing but I wanted to be brave and clever and have adventures like Ronnie and Dovic.”

Hibiscus told them she was disappointed about the choices they had made and as a consequence, Ellie and Ronnie would not be allowed back into the classroom for awhile. She looked at Dovic who was holding back tears. “Dovic, you are here to encourage and help the students and it is an important responsibility and a privilege. I trust you to do the right thing and now you will need to rebuild that trust. We will go home and have a good sleep and I will decide in the morning if you will be able to come back to school with me tomorrow or will need to miss out on a day.” Dovic nodded and said he understood. 

It was a quiet drive home and the three of them went to The Old Wise One who listened as they told him what had happened. They talked quietly together and what he said to them, was between them only and after that, they went and played with Lego and joined in with the rest of the Hibiscus clan. They were much quieter than usual, more thoughtful and Ronnie didn’t do any somersaults at all that evening.