The Zoo That Was My Fifth Grade Classroom. December 2, 2006

I had one of the greatest teachers ever in fifth grade. Her name was Mrs. Trask and she was an excellent teacher and one of the most caring, kindest people I have ever know. Part of her kindness was also extended to animals. You see it is common for most elementary classrooms to have a class pet– and we did. We had seven. There were the two rabbits–one very friendly, the other loved to scratch. Then we had the turtle, he never really did anything, but what turtle really does. We had two rats that personally I never really liked because their feet and tails creep me out. My favorite pet however was our hamster. This was a very special hamster. Towards the end of my fourth grade year, there was a terrible accident in Mrs. Trask’s class: The hamster escaped from its cage as students were doing art projects! Dun, dun, duuuuun! I don’t know if you have ever seen a hamster when it is cut loose, but those suckers like to run. So that is exactaly what this hamster was doing. It ran as fast as his little feet would take him under the desks and through students feet. Mrs. Trask’s classroom turned into complete chaos as everyone tried to catch the poor, frantic hamster. One boy finaly did, but as he jumped down to catch the hamster, he accidentlly kneed the hamster’s back legs pushing everything forward. I am sure it was not a pretty site. Mrs. Trask took the poor little animal to the Vet and miraculously the little guy lived! There was one catch, however, the poor little guys back legs were paralyzied. It is sad yes, but at the same time it was quite fascinating. When I got to fifth grade Mrs. Trask still had her hamster. It would crawl along using it’s front legs as it dragged its limp back legs behind him. He even did the hamster wheel. The resilent little guy would run ferociously with his front legs as his back legs dangled off the wheel. When we were good in Mrs. Trask’s class we were allowed to check out our classroom pets and take them on recess with us. I am not sure that these animals were ever ment to spend anytime on a playground, but for some reason we did it anyone. We even took the hamster. He of course was always the last to be picked because he wasn’t quite as fun outside since we were allowed to ever put him down and since is back legs dragging across you hand wasn’t the best feeling, well he didn’t get held a lot. But Mrs. Trask loved him and through that hamster as a fifth grade student I was taught that nothing should evern hold you back from being the best you can be and making it through all situations. If a half paralyzed hamster can do it, then nothing should stop us. Like I said, Mrs. Trask was an excellent teacher!