Mike was bored out of his mind. Sitting up here in Science class, talking about pebbles. To make things worse, people were acting like they were actually interested. Mr. Carter droned on and on. Pebbles.
“These little wonders scatter beaches, riverbanks, and even your local park. Ever noticed how each one seems to tell a story? They come in all sorts of sizes, colors, and textures, each as unique as a fingerprint.”
Mike couldn’t stifle a yawn.
“Want to know how these unique little guys came to be?” Mr. Carter continued. “Think erosion and weathering. Huge boulders start the journey. Over years, they get broken and smoothed out by wind, water, and maybe even a few curious collectors, like me. Windy day? Rain downpour? It’s all part of the process that shapes these stones.”
“Oh no.” Mike thought to himself. “He’s gonna show the slides. Not the slides.”
Mr. Carter was known among all of the seventh graders as the most boring teacher in school, and when he broke out the slides, that usually meant it was time to go to sleep. Mike was doing well in the class, even though he usually dozed through half of it.
Mr. Carter continued. “Beyond their beauty, pebbles play a pretty cool role in nature. Those intricate patterns aren’t just eye candy. They create microhabitats, providing shelter for tiny creatures like insects and small aquatic life.”
Mike’s eyes flew open, and he jerked his head up. He must have dozed off for a few moments. He hoped Mr. Carter hadn’t noticed.
“Humans have a history with pebbles too. Across cultures, pebbles have been collected and cherished not just because they’re pretty cool but they hold cultural significance. From ancient tools to skipping stones, they weave into our history beautifully.”
Nope. He hadn’t noticed. Mike looked around the class, as Mr. Carter droned on. He sat in the back, so he had a good view of everyone in the class. He looked over at Mac. Mac’s eyes were glued to the screen, and he was even taking notes. Mike rolled his eyes. Tammy had her head glued to her paper furiously taking notes.
As he looked around the room, all of a sudden, something hit him on the side of his head. He looked around trying to see what it was, when he saw Ed, a couple of rows over, grinning at him. He had thrown his eraser at Mike. “Pay attention.” Ed silently lipped to Mike. Mike playfully shook his fist at him, and Ed made a goofy face in mock terror.
“Ever found yourself captivated by a garden’s neat arrangement of rocks?” Mike wondered, what the heck was he talking about now? “Pebble patterns aren’t just pretty—they’re known for their calming values. Studies suggest that handling pebbles or creating balance structures can actually lower stress levels.”
“Stories across cultures often feature pebbles.” Riiiinnngggg!!! That was the bell, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. “I’ll finish this part tomorrow.” Mr Carter shouted over the instant chatter, and sound of chairs being pushed out. “And after that we will be talking about how erosion can change the shape of the land.” Mike rushed out of class, thankful he didn’t have to hear anymore about Pebbles. He caught up with Ed and gave him a playful punch in the arm for throwing the eraser at him. Right now they were headed for Mike’s favorite period. Lunch.