The Trifecta writing challenge is to write a creative response of no fewer than 33 and no more than 333 words, using a one-word prompt.
This week’s word is:
CHARM (verb):
3: to control (an animal) typically by charms (as the playing of music)
In my first teaching year Rodney came to my class. He had a history of trouble from every school he’d been to.
To say I was concerned about him is to say the least.
I was a beginning teacher and this kid was by Year 9 a seasoned criminal having spent time in the boys’ home.
When you first met him you wouldn’t think butter would melt in his mouth.
Within minutes of him landing in my class there was an issue.
Mary in the front seat raised her hand and said that Rodney had taken her new pen.
Rodney was an expert at looking innocent. He’d made it into an art form.
No mount of coaxing could get him to admit guilt or responsibility.
When pushed, as I discovered, much to my discomfort and the classes, he would explode into a tirade of expletives enough to make a wharfie blush.
Every lesson went on this way.
Issue.
Confrontation.
Denial.
Accusations.
Threats.
Expletives.
One day I announced that auditions for the school musical would be held the following week. Those interested needed to have a song ready to be considered for a part.
For the first time Rodney appeared engaged.
Not one derogative remark did he utter as was his response to anything new.
On the Tuesday of the auditions we were amazed.
Rodney was lined up with the other auditioners.
We were stunned.
He had an amazing voice.
I had no hesitation in offering him the lead.
Rodney embraced the musical with great commitment. He never missed a rehearsal, he was constructive, in fact, he made the production.
The show was a huge success due largely to Rodney who wowed every audience.
On production nights he basked in the attention.
Once the show was over he went back to his old self.
“‘Hyde’ has returned,” his other teachers said.
When asked Rodney looked at me oddly, as if I should have known.
‘Music is my drug Sir, everything else is crap.’
Morpethroad 
Wow. This story speaks so much truth. There are lots of young people who just need to be engaged. Need someone to come to their level and speak their language. Well done!
-Alicia Audrey
Thank you Alicia, (Sorry I think I didn’t get your name right before) yes you are right engaging young people is not easy. Taken me a long time to learn how to successfully.
The problem with the Rodneys of this world is to find things that engage them. Very realistic story. Great portrayal of Rodney!
Thank you Gabriella. Yes he and many other of our youth. I did have a kid in a show once who when it was over was promptly expelled from the school. The musical did a lot to engage him though.
Oh yes I smiled reading this, I did 🙂
Thanks RM there is an element of truth in this one.
At least he has found a creative release; hopefully as he grows ‘Hyde’ will mellow a bit. Great story
Thanks Lewis, yes one would hope that with age he would mellow.
I’m not sure why some kids aren’t able to handle the ‘boring’ parts of life. Let’s face it, not everything we have to do is exciting (a lot of it is “crap”!) I hope with age, he learns how to deal with the non-engaging stuff more gracefully 🙂
Well yes Janna one hopes he does but resilience is not a strong virtue in the young unfortunately. Thank you so much for your comment.