I never wanted to go to kindergarten, or leave home at all. I spent my first five years within the loving arms of my family, and when the time came for me to begin school at PS116 in Brooklyn, I was sure that no one would keep me safe. But I was so lucky to meet Mrs. Heyman. Not only did she make me feel safe, she let me know that I was special.

Kindergarten was a fearful experience for me. I was a shy child who hated being separated from my mommy. Mrs. Heyman was a kind and patient teacher who tried to get me to stop crying each morning after I asked for one last kiss.

She would distract me with pens and colorful paper and by playing beautiful music. It seemed the feeling of being an artist distracted me from my separation unhappiness, allowing me to attend class as the tears ran down my face. I also loved to sing and dance, and performed the Virginia reel-a kind of dance—when the principal. Mr. Barton, visited our class.

Mr. Barton was an old, serious man who liked to walk behind children who behaved badly and shout, “Behave!” I was afraid of being shouted at by him, and practiced the dance with my classmates until Mrs. Heyman told us we were perfect.

Unluckily, I was so nervous before Mr. Barton’s visit that I wet myself. Mrs. Heyman calmly took me to the bathroom and told me to change into new clothes, drying my tears all the while, never showing judgement.

As I performed, Mr. Barton cheered. Pleased, I bravely stepped up to the front of the classroom and threw kisses in Mrs. Heyman’s direction.

I was lucky to have her again for the first grade and learned to love school and learning. She was right about living my life without long-lasting attention from my mommy.

【小题1】What was the author’s life like before he went to kindergarten?

A．Busy

B．Happy

C．Lonely

D．Unsafe

【小题2】How did Mrs. Heyman draw the author’s attention away from separation unhappiness?

A．By letting him do art.	B．By giving him a kiss.
C．By dancing with him.	D．By inviting his mother to school.

【小题3】What happened before the author’s performance?

A．He got himself in a mess.	B．He received ill-treatment.
C．He failed to find his new clothes.	D．He visited the bathroom many times.