THE CHASM 

By Tessa Harvey


    Near the end of the lunch break, Dylan went over to the Science Block. The teacher was young and very enthusiastic. He taught Evolution but to Dylan's surprise, there was little real evidence to support the position. Dylan had been looking forward to lots of examples and exciting data. There weren't enough for him.
    The teacher was writing on the whiteboard and lit up when he saw Dylan. He loved questioning minds - young people who wanted answers. His marker pen slipped on the board with a screeching sound. Dylan flinched. "Sorry!" said Mr. Thomas, flashing a genuine smile. He looked beyond the boy and saw Ariella. "Greetings young gentleman, young lady.!" He made a sweeping bow and the children laughed together.
    It was wonderful having teachers who were clever, but not dry or humourless, who knew how to share, not condescend.
    The lesson went very well. At one point a student asked, "But sir, how can a giraffe's neck evolve? Surely it would be dead! There are so many parts. It wouldn't have time to evolve." "That's a very good point," responded Mr. Thomas. "Any other comments?"
    They had a lively discussion which led on to the subject of Genetics.
    "Who has blue eyes>" asked Mr. Thomas. Several students raised their hands, including Ariella. "So, Ariella," smiled the teacher, and you, Daniel, Eric. One or both of your parents must have blue eyes."
    Eric, a small boy with beautiful blue eyes, looked puzzled by this. "Why?" he asked. "Because," responded Mr. Thomas, "a blue-eyed child cannot come from both parents with dark eyes...." he broke off. Ariella, looking very white, stood up and asked to be excused.

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