The Dunce Jar

'Attention class!'
The teacher's voice shook the room and the rumblings of distraction were immediately hushed. Twenty three pairs of eyes all looked to the front of the class.
'We have a new student starting with us today.'
A scrawny boy stood at the front of the room. The stern looking teacher stood next to him, one hand upon the boy's shoulder.


Please give me another chance, I know I'll get it next time.


'I'm sure you will all take him under your wing and show him the same respect you show me.'
In unison the class replied, 'Yes Mr. Brookes'.


I'll try harder, I promise.


'Now Joshua, it is Joshua isn't it?'
The boy nodded.
'Speak up boy!'
'Yes sir!'
'Good. At the front of the class you will see a vacant seat. Please occupy it.'
The teacher gestured towards the desk in question before clapping his hands together and pronouncing to the class;
'Right. World History!'


Not the Principle's office, please!


Joshua made his way briskly to the empty seat behind the small lone desk.
Mr. Brookes then began to scribble the date upon the chalkboard that stood at the head of the class. He paused briefly before turning to look at Joshua.
'You will find paper and a pencil in your desk.'
Joshua promptly opened the aged wooden lid of his desk and withdrew the items.


I'm so sorry sir. I keep trying but I just can't take it in.


'The quality of last weeks assignments was poor. One inparticular was unforgiveable. This week I expect vast improvements from each and every one of you or you can expect a trip to the Principle's office and none of you want that do you?' Mr. Brookes scanned the class with a threatening glare. Nobody answered.


Not the cupboard please! No, I don't like the dark!


'This warning is to you as well Joshua. St. Mary's has a strong academic reputation to uphold and every one of you has a responsibility to do their utmost to maintain that reputation. You will find that if you acheive good grades then you will reap the rewards, however if you get poor grades then there will be consequences.'


Hello? Who's there? Can somebody let me out?


Mr. Brookes turned and pointed towards a large shelf upon the front wall of the class between the chalkboard and the door. Upon the shelf were many crude examples of taxidermy, varied other antiquity and curios, but in the centre stood a large bell jar containing a collection of human eyeballs; all motionlessly floating within a gloopy methyl hydrate concoction.


What's that? What do you need a knife for?


'If you persistently underachieve you will end up a pair of gawping lidless eyeballs in the dunce jar, like all those before you.'
Joshua's mouth dropped open as he stared at the jar. It had a handwritten label upon it that read 'The Dunce Jar'.
Joshua returned his gaze to the teacher whom returned a stoney glare. ‘Of course, I’m only joking.’ The teacher forced a half smile.
Joshua looked back at the jar of eyeballs all staring back at him. He began to feel very uncomfortable.


Oh my god! No please! It's not too late! I'll try harder!


'Right! World History, assignment two...'
Twenty four pairs of eyes looked to the front of the class.
Nine pairs of eyes looked back.



Word count 568