Moore 1

Genevieve Moore
Professor VanderSlik
English 100-16
September 17, 2014
Keeping Innocence
I tiptoed quietly through the snow, peering around the dome-like house in front me. They
have to be here somewhere, I thought, pulling back the string on my bow in anticipation.
Susan! Look out! my brother, Edmund, shouted. I sprang around the house, releasing
my arrows toward the snarling creatures. Wolves.
WAIT! I heard someone shout, pulling me out of my fantasy. You have to go around
this side! the small voice demanded, because in the game, that is how Susan does it!
Sorry, Jordan, I said solemnly. He shrugged, and went back to pretending to run from
the wolves.
Come on, Susan! he yelled, taking off across the playground. I took after him, carrying
my pretend bow with me. I watched as Jordan, or Edmund, as he wanted to be called at the
moment, barrelled across the playground, flinging his arms wildly in mock battle.
We carried on with our game until a whistle blared sharply, summoning us back inside.
As my third grade class lined up to return to the classroom, Jordan stood by me, his little hand in
my bigger one. Together, we brought up the caboose of the line, Ms. Gregory leading the way.
Once inside the classroom, I began my teachers assistant duty of filling up the classs
water bottles. Little, sweaty bodies lined up in front of me as Ms. Gregory began to read a story
aloud. After each bottle was full, I returned to my desk on the far left of the classroom. Jordan

Moore 2
was already sitting there, waiting for me in his desk that was adjacent to mine. He patted my
seat, gesturing for me to sit down.
Hey! he whispered, looking at me with eager eyes.
I held my finger to my lips, Shh, Jordan. Ms. Gregory is reading right now. He sighed
audibly and put his head down on his desk, waiting for the chapter to be over so he could tell me
his story.
This is how I spent many days during the month of July. Though there were almost
twenty students in that summer school class, none of them were more fond of me than Jordan.
He was about average size for his age, with wild blonde hair and tattered clothing. He had bright
green eyes that were full of interest, excitement, and innocence. His front teeth were slightly
crooked, giving him a hint of a lisp. The teacher didnt pay too much attention to him, other than
to yell at him when he misbehaved, to which he didnt respond well. When he was disciplined
harshly, Jordan would revert to toddler-like behavior and thrash about on the ground and cry. He
craved attention, but never received it, especially not at home. If he was talked to in the right
way, Jordan showcased a brilliant mind and showed incredible creativity.

Jordan, can we please start your math paper now? I requested. He ignored me and
continued with his current project of looking for the country of Jordan on the classroom globe.
Earth to Jordan I said, tapping his shoulder.
Did you know theres a country named Jordan? He shouted, like he just realized I was
standing right beside him. His eyes were bright with excitement, as usual.
I sure did! Maybe they named it after you! I joked.
Hey, look! Theres America! another little girl in class exclaimed, pointing to the
United States. I groaned inwardly, knowing this would only distract Jordan further.

Moore 3
Wow! Heres Michigan! he cried, like he was Columbus, discovering America for the
first time.
Very good! I said, following his finger to the mitten shape.
I only know some of the other states, he said, shrugging.
Yeah? I mused, knowing the faster we got through this, the faster we could begin our
math worksheet.
Yeah, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he tried to recall the states he knew.
Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma he began. Um France, Russia and Atlantis, he finished,
ticking each state off on his fingers as he went.
I quirked my eyebrow in amusement, but I didnt have the heart to correct him.
Wow, Jordan, youre quite the geographer. I said sincerely.
Yeah! he exclaimed.
Now can we start your math? He shrugged and followed me back to his desk where we
continued to race through the paper.
Never in my life had I been so excited to wake up before 8:00 a.m. than I was those few
short weeks I taught Jordan. Every day, he gave me a new reason to smile.
HI! he would shout each morning, jumping toward me, dragging his backpack of
papers behind him.
Hi, Jordan, I would say, smiling. He would jump into me, wrapping his skinny arms
around my waist. Did you have a good night? Id ask him. Sometimes his answer made me
hug him even tighter. It never ceased to amaze me that a boy who had seen things even I have
never seen could still have that sense of child like innocence.

Moore 4
One day, as we were meandering at the end of the line heading out to recess, he stopped
suddenly, looking intently up at the sky. It was a cloudy day; the sky threatened rain, and the
leaves rustled from the wind.
Is there going to be a severe storm? he questioned, his eyes fearfully wide.
No, buddy, I promised.
But I think the news said that there was a severe storm coming!
I think there might just be a thunderstorm watch, I responded, hoping to calm his fears.
Oh he said, still looking up at the sky. So, instead of there actually being a storm,
the storm is just watching us for right now?
I couldnt help the burst of laughter that bubbled up. Yeah, thats it. I said, giggling as I
took his hand to lead him toward the playground.
Those days were easily some of the most incredible days of my life. Though I often came
home exhausted from all the kids: their energy, their outbursts and their disruptions, it was all
worth it. Because of a simple summer job, I met a child who taught me more lessons than I ever
learned in school. Jordan taught me the joy of innocence. He showed me the difference a good
hug can make. He taught me to never take the world too seriously, because the moment you do,
life stops being so much fun. The misunderstood kids are often the most loving. Because of one
bright eyed little boy, my entire outlook on life has changed; its so important to never lose your
sense of wonder for the world.