Innocent - Ricci Schwarzler

‘I'm innocent,’ said little Timmy.

‘I don't think so’, said the teacher.

‘Yep it wasn't me’.

‘Wasn't you who did what?’

'Stole the money out of your draw and pulled Jemma's hair’.

‘Look you little drop kick, it's time to own up to your bad behaviour.’

‘But I don't have bad behaviour.’

‘Ha! are you joking? But you're right it's not bad it's abysmal!’

The other five-year-olds looked on in amazement and stunned silence.

‘Look Timmy Johnson that money was mine.'

‘Mine too.'

‘No it's not.'

‘But it is Miss.'

‘Look innocence means you didn't do anything wrong.'

‘But I…’

‘Stop it! You did.’

“Well, I think it's more about not having a good upbringing.'

‘Oh really? I think it's about being an entitled little shit.'

‘Oooo’ all of K2 exclaimed.

‘Now look what you made me do.'

‘Well if your parental skills were better I wouldn't have felt the need to transgress.'

‘TRANSGRESS?’

‘Yes if my parents paid me the relevant attention I wouldn't need to draw attention from them by deliberately stealing and pulling girls’ hair.'

‘Look your Dad will be on pick up so I'll be having words to him.'

‘He won't care.'

‘Oh yes, he will. I’ll make sure of it.'

‘Ha! Nobody cares.'

‘Well your Mum does.'

‘No she doesn't. She spends more time at her job and on Facebook.'

‘Oh Timmy Johnson, how could you say such a thing’, the teacher looked devastated and close to tears.

‘Because it's true. I'm the result of a Devil May Care parenting style.'

‘Jeezus!’, the teacher exclaimed.

‘Oooo’, came the Greek Chorus.

‘Sorry children.’ The teacher was in a fluster. She was ashamed. This child had got to her and brought her to this low ebb.

‘What do I do now miss?’

It's not Miss Timmy Johnson. I'm a Mrs and I have a name.'

‘OK what do I do now Mrs Johnson?’, with that Timmy's Mum broke down in tears.