Diane

Diane's first day of school. Diane has magical powers.

Diane

Diane had a magical friend named Explorer who had come from another world. She could hear Explorer in her mind and talk to her just by thinking the words. Only one other person in our world knew about Explorer.

All but one of the grown-ups who knew that she talked to Explorer just assumed that she was pretending, but she and her mother knew that Explorer was real, was always with her, and did things for her.

Last summer she became seven years old,

Today was her first day of school. It was ok that she walked to school because her magical friend protected her. Today, Explorer wanted to give her something grown-up for this special day.

"On your way to school, look for a piece of scrap metal."

Diane remembered the junkyard that was along her route.

At the junkyard, she first found a piece of pipe.

"That is a lead pipe,” said Explorer, "I can’t use it for your present."

Next, she found a piece of a door lock.

"That is a brass bolt,” said Explorer, "we need to find a different type of metal."

Diane saw a broken light bulb.
"This would not be enough metal. Look for something larger."

She saw a toy train boxcar, but when she picked it up, it was not metal, but plastic.

Finally, she found an old, broken electric fan.

"That is perfect. It's even twice as much as I need,' said Explorer. "Now hold the fan in one hand."

Diane picked the fan up and balanced it in her right hand. To her amazement, when the fan touched her hand, it began to disappear. Soon, the fan was completely gone, and in her open hand, an elegant watch began to form, complete with a chain with three safety pins.

She studied the ring at the top of the chain, and the two small rings at the top and bottom of the watch itself. She used these rings and the safety pins to fasten the watch to the folds in her dress. Happily, she skipped the rest of the way to the schoolyard.

When she got there, she saw several other kids her size. She did not know them yet, so she ignored them and played with her watch. She noticed her initials inscribed on the watch's back.

"May I see your watch?” she looked up. A boy the same size as her was looking down at her. She did not want anyone else to take the watch.

"I just want to look at it. I won't hurt it."

Reluctantly, she handed the watch over. The boy studied it, then suddenly turned and ran away.

"Hey, come back with my watch!" she yelled. She started to chase the boy. Although the boy had a good head start, she gained on him and had almost caught him when she heard Explorer say, "Wait, Diane."

She skidded to a stop.

"How come?"

"I saw what was going to happen. You would catch up with that boy and fight him. During the fight, the watch would have been broken."

"So, what can I do? How can I get my watch back now?"

"Wait until the school bell rings and we go into the classroom. There is only one class for your grade, so you and the boy will be in the same classroom. Then you can ask the boy to give the watch back."

“Ok. You are smart. I’ll do what you say and get my watch back later.”
***

“Hello, class. I’m Miss Aiken. I’m your first-grade teacher. We’ll all have fun in school together. When I call your names, raise your hand so I’ll know who you are.”

As the teacher called the roll, Diane looked around to see who would raise their hand as the teacher called out names.

“Diane Novell Athens”

Diane was so focused on the boy who stole her watch that she did not hear her name being called.

Explorer prompted her. “Diane, the teacher just called your name.” Diane raised her hand.

The teacher continued to call names: “Bob Anson Dewitt.”. The boy who had taken Diane's watch raised his hand.

After the teacher finished the roll call, Diane jumped up and marched to Bobby's seat. "Please give me my watch back.”

Bobby looked at her and grinned. "Beat it, girly. The watch is mine now."

Diane was speechless. What was going on?

Suddenly, the teacher was beside them. "What is the problem here?" she asked.

Diane, in tears, said, "Bobby stole my watch."

The teacher looked at both Diane and Bobby. "Bobby, do you have her watch?"

Bobby replied, "It is my watch. She is trying to trick you into making me give it to her."

The teacher frowned. "Let me see the watch." Bobby handed the watch to the teacher. The teacher studied the watch and turned it over.

Then the teacher smiled. "Bobby, what letters are on the back of the watch?"

"What!" yelled Bobby. "I never looked. How would I know what letters they were?"

"Diane, do you know what letters are on the back of the watch?"

“She smiled. "Of course. They are my initials, DNA."

The teacher smiled and handed Diane her watch. "Bobby, stay after school because I need to talk to you. And now, Diane, go back to your desk."

After school, Diane waited for Bobby. She had agreed with Explorer to wait because Explorer wanted to meet him again. Finally, he came out. "What do you want, girly? Haven't you caused me enough trouble already?"

Diane said, "I wanted to talk to you. Why did you take my watch?"

Bobby stared at her. "Why do you care? I wanted the watch."

She laughed. "I could still be your friend if you want."

He stared at her again. "Prove it. Give me that watch pinned to your dress."

"I can't. Besides, it has my initials on it." Then she had another idea. "I could give you a watch just like it sometime."

Bobby smiled. "Shake on it," he said and held out his hand. Diane extended her hand, and they shook hands. When the handshake was complete, Bobby was holding another watch in his hand.