About the Author
Peter Dixon is a fun-loving poet, painter, teacher, and performer from England. He loves writing simple and playful poems for children. His words make kids laugh and think about everyday things in a new way. He has shared his poems in books and shows to help young minds see the world with wonder. This poem shows his talent for looking at teachers through a child's eyes.
What’s the Story About?
This is a sweet poem, not a long story, but it feels like a curious adventure in a child's mind. The poem is told by a young boy or girl who looks up to teachers like superheroes. In school, teachers always seem perfect—they know everything, never make mistakes, and guide us with a smile. But what happens when the school bell rings at four o'clock? Where do they go? Do they turn into normal people like us?
The child starts wondering out loud. Do teachers live in cozy houses? Do they wash their dirty socks in the sink? At home, do they slip into soft pyjamas and sit on the sofa watching TV shows? And here's a funny bit—do they pick their noses when no one is looking, just like kids do?
The questions keep coming, full of surprise. Do teachers have families? Do they have mums and dads who scold them? Were teachers once little children too? Did they ever forget to spell words right or drop food on the floor? Maybe they got naughty in class—pinching sweets from the kitchen or scribbling silly drawings on desks. Did their teachers make them stand in the corner as punishment? Did they hate eating green veggies like spinach and leave them on the plate? Did they lose their books or wear torn old jeans to play outside?
The child imagines all this with wide eyes and a big smile. It feels magical to think that strict Miss or Sir from school could have been just like me—messy, playful, and full of mischief. Finally, the child makes a plan: "Today, I'll sneak after one teacher on the way home. I'll watch what they do—maybe eat ice cream or dance in the rain. Then, I'll write a poem about it all. And guess what? The teacher can read my poem to the whole class!"
In simple words, the poem is about a kid's big curiosity. It shows how we kids see teachers as stars, but deep down, they are people with homes, families, and little secrets. It makes us giggle and feel close to our teachers, like friends.
Who’s Who in the Story
- The Child (the Poet): This is the main voice in the poem—a young student full of questions and dreams. The child sees teachers as amazing but wants to know their real, everyday side. The child is brave and funny, planning to follow a teacher like a detective!
- The Teachers: They are not one person but all the teachers in school. In the child's mind, they are perfect during lessons, but at home, they might do normal things like watching TV or making mistakes. The poem imagines them as once-kids who were naughty too—no names, just fun ideas about what they could be like.
- Mums and Dads (Imagined): Quick mentions of teachers' parents, showing they had families who cared for them, just like ours.
No other big characters—it's mostly the child's thoughts dancing around teachers!
Themes and Moral
Themes (Big Ideas in the Poem):
- Curiosity of Kids: The poem shows how children ask "why" about everything. It's natural to wonder about grown-ups, especially teachers who seem so wise.
- Teachers as Normal People: We often think teachers live in a magic world, but they eat, sleep, and play like us. This makes them feel less scary and more like family.
- Innocence and Fun: The child's pure heart turns simple questions into a joyful game. It reminds us to see joy in small wonders.
Moral (Lesson to Learn):
Everyone, even teachers, is human with good days and silly moments. Don't put people on a tall shelf—get to know them better. It teaches kindness: follow your questions, but with love, and you'll find friends everywhere. Share your thoughts, like writing a poem, to bring smiles to others.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are key words and fun phrases from the poem. I've explained them with easy examples, like chatting with a friend.
- Pyjamas: Soft, loose clothes we wear to bed for a comfy sleep. Example: I love my blue pyjamas with stars—they make bedtime fun!
- Pick their noses: Putting a finger in the nose to clean out sticky bits (boogers). It's a silly, private thing kids do when bored. Example: Sometimes, when alone, we all do it—don't tell anyone!
- Hymn books: Small books with songs for prayer or school assembly. Example: In morning prayer, we hold hymn books and sing "Twinkle Twinkle."
- Scribble: To draw or write quick, messy lines that don't make sense. Example: I scribble hearts on my notebook when the teacher isn't looking.
- Pinched the chocolate flakes: Sneakily taking a bit of chocolate without asking. Example: My brother pinched a flake from the cake—yum, but naughty!
- Leave their greens: Not eating vegetable leaves like spinach on the plate. Example: I always leave my greens and hide them under the rice.
- Old dirty jeans: Worn-out pants covered in mud from playing outside. Example: My play jeans are old and dirty from jumping in puddles.
These words make the poem lively—try using them in your own stories!