Just after Madam Bella clapped her hands, the classroom quickly settled into an eerie silence.
"OK, enough with the joking," she told them. "Change in plans; take out your notebooks. Write a short note about someone you admire. It can be a footballer; a scientist; a ruler; or an actor—that just depends on your inspiration. A few lines would do, keep respect above all."
Some complained from flash of irritation before obeying; some got on with it right away. Rogue pens began to move low, heads bent. For the first time that day, it was peaceful; the only sound was the scuffling of pens.
The trio, Leo Vinci, Einstein, and Hawkings, had finished well before. They were waiting gingerly for their turns, hands interlaced in a pensive gesture. The rest of the class was still scribbling; some were still squinting as if seeking answers to recall the names of famous people.
Madam Bella glanced at the clock,"No time to waste; I'm just going to point at random. You start reading out loud what you've written."She pointed towards her left.
"Eliza, let's hear yours."
Eliza rose to her feet–cheeks dyed carnation; eyes rather withdrawn–and recited.
"I admire Rowan Atkinson. He's the man who plays Mr. Bean. He doesn't need to say much; the whole world laughs when he does anything. He is really very funny. That's real talent."
This was so true. Everybody laughed from their hearts. Eliza, with one hand on her face, was giggling; even Madam Bella shared in the chuckling. Some of the class had clapped. The trio just managed to smile back coolly; they left it at that, even if they were that geared up for some applause.
There could be no more holding back then.
"Ok, Einstein, it's your turn," the teacher said.
So the boy rose, adjusted his glasses sideways with one hand, and smiled slowly.
Albert looked at the two comic geniuses, thrilled.
Others looked indeed joyous doubtlessly at Maria's lecture; they began to connect directly with their persons.
"What is a better way of expounding on the statement already given than to pick up on another example?" he began carefully now.
"I agree entirely with what Eliza says. My favourite is Charlie Chaplin; another man who needed no speech to change the world entirely. His movements, and his expressions, the way he handled dynamism-A real genius."
Everybody was in such shock that they were no longer sure what to feel; the statement was encrypted to destroy a stellar moment in silence produced by formidable laughter.
Then some voice rose from behind.
"Entertainers themselves; Two comedians!"
The class erupted in the craziest laughter!
Madam Bella was bewildered. "Maria, w-hat is this?"
Maria blew an unmoved and empty smile, shrugging; "Oh, well, aunty, that was in fact about those three green monkeys sitting over there."" She glanced at the laughing trio.
The great quiet standing. Vinci beat his pen on the tip of the desk. Hawkings, on the other hand, relaxed to lean back on his chair with the most delightful of smiles.
They might seem cool, but they were not accepting it.
While Maria was being royally treated by Madam Bella, everyone in the class knew what was coming the second she stepped out.
The trio sat still. They didn't say a word. But they exchanged looks. Calm ones. Not embarrassed; just … calculating.
Madam Bella sighed deeply.
"Maria, that is not right. Stop it. Don't talk like that about your classmates. We have to show respect to each other; you are a girl. These boys have not said anything to you."
Smug of her accomplishments, Maria took her seat, watched by all; she was a real smugster.
Well, we need to proceed from all this being done," Madam suggested.
They started off with a quick page-turning as the principal came in through the door.
In his hand, lodged in his elbow and slightly visible, was a tiny piece of paper.
Quietly, "Good morning, students, Mr. Atkins won't be able to make it today, you know. He has some commitment."
The students stayed rooted to the spot.
"Either someone here want to take over for revision or any topic therein, or I expect you all to sit there-learning while I am absent...." and with this last word, he went around again and shut the door softly.
...Buzz filled the class in an instant.
Eyes didn't know where to skip to.
And tension returned.
Everyone knew it was the battle of the words that was in line....
And this time... the geniuses were going to vent it all....Hope had it!