The nightmarish world of adults

The worry rule

Which flies bit the adults? As far as my parents are concerned, they must have been bitten by several species: those that bite them all the time, those that bite them only at certain times or in certain places, those that are never seen but may exist, those that I'm sure don't even exist and those that no longer exist but, like dinosaurs, have left their mark on their imagination.

In fact, they perceive so many threats that I wonder how we're still alive. Watching them on the lookout for the slightest sign, they end up worrying me to the point where I hesitate to go outside. But when they tell me that "That's enough of the tablet, it's dangerous for your eyes", I realize that I have no choice but to face the world.

On the road

Just eating is already a big deal: pesticides, GMOs, coliforms, bacteria, hormones, additives and so on. Once breakfast is over, I feel like I've survived thanks to my parents' vigilance. Then the real business begins.

To get to school, I have the choice of walking, riding my bike or taking the school bus. Walking is a bit time-consuming, but it's what I prefer, despite the risk of getting wet and catching cold, roasting under the UV or freezing my nose off at -20°, which I'm reminded of depending on the weather conditions. But I love rain, sun and snow. And then there are the friends I meet along the way; walking together is so much more enjoyable. By talking to everyone, there are no strangers left to talk to. It's a funny idea never to talk to strangers. When you see them every day, they're not strangers.

On a bike, it's more complicated: you have to wear a helmet, get a lock, dress more appropriately, take less busy streets and be very careful of cars. In the morning, the cars are in a hurry. It's hard to calm adults who already see themselves elsewhere. I just don't want to get run over. Curious to have put the school near such a big crossroads.

I don't like the school bus so much. It takes a lot of detours, it's noisy, it's long and you can't see much. It reassures my parents, but I don't see why they should, we're packed in like sardines and the germs they're afraid of are certainly happy with the hot, humid atmosphere. Not to mention the gang of idiots who harass the younger children. To take the bus, you have to know how to defend yourself. My parents made me take a judo class for that. But on the bus, it doesn't really work.

Survival school

Once we got to school, the fun began. I don't know whose idea it was to create such a dangerous environment. I hear there's even lead in the water, mold in the walls and the air is stale. And in the cafeteria, the menus are full of trans fats. That's what our teacher says. Fortunately, I have my snack with just organic stuff.

But in fifth grade I'm beginning to understand that it's not the physical dangers they're afraid of, for that they're well equipped: nurse, first aid, 911, evacuation plans, defibrillator, disinfectant spray, fire extinguisher, air purifier, fences, "safe" facilities, etc. No, what they're afraid of is the physical dangers. No, what they're afraid of are parents, insurance companies and social networks. We understand this, and we don't hesitate to report the slightest deviation from what they tell us to do; it really annoys them.

But it goes even further: the library is a platitude; the books there have nothing in common with my parents' library. It was as if the librarian thought that reality could give us ideas or traumatize us. We'd have to take her to play Fortnite or Red Dead. Yet she told us about Stranger Things.

The same goes for the playground. Those who tried Squid Game were reprimanded. Even their parents were surprised. I haven't seen Squid Game, I just know that those who lose die. Like in a lot of games we play. I don't see the problem. We have more problems with taxing. There are some who abuse their gang strength. At school, they're focused, it's not a game.

Still, there are things I don't understand. When they're afraid we'll compare ourselves, when they're afraid we'll learn to write or read badly. Is it dangerous to learn to write badly? This is school, not university.

They also stop us from jumping over the wall because they're "afraid we'll get hurt", and it's frustrating in the long run to keep waiting until they don't see us. We're old enough to know when it's stupid. It's true that some are dumber than others, but that won't stop them from being so. So why stop everyone? Ah yes, insurance. Sometimes I get the impression that the real danger... is the adults who are afraid.

The other day I saw teachers laughing at videos. Mr Robert gave me the link to watch them. I can't say I found it very funny. It's like what they tell us sometimes. At least I'm reassured to know that not all teachers are adults.

The Bourgeois Leclerc reform

Manuela goes back to school - Claude-Inga Barbey

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