Ученики, которых оставили позади.
It was April 23, 2001. After 19 days of hardship caused by the teachers’ strike, Observer Grigoriy received intelligence that the strike might finally be ending. He learned that the new contract would require major programs to be cut and special funds to be drained to cover the cost.
Such legislative action was almost unheard of in their homeland of Russia.
If there isn't enough money in Russia, they find a complicated solution. They create a new committee, announce a temporary measure, and then spend years discussing where every ruble went.
Back in Keaukaha, the Kimo Clan is anxious about the strike because the children have already missed two crucial practice sessions for their upcoming May Day performance.
For the students, not going to school felt strange. Every morning, they woke up expecting the familiar routine. Instead, their days stretched out at home. At first, the unexpected vacation felt exciting. But as the strike continued, the excitement disappeared.
Some students worried about falling behind. Others missed their friends, teachers, sports, and the simple rhythm of school.
For families who depended on school meals, transportation, and childcare, the disruption was harder still.
And then there were the casual workers.
They were usually the people students barely noticed. When the doors closed, their work disappeared too.
A janitor the Grigoriy Clan nicknamed the "Portuguese Guy" counted the days on his kitchen calendar. He had no paycheck coming for the entire duration of the strike, and went back to worrying about groceries, the electric bill, and how long his savings would last.
“I want the teachers to get what they deserve,” he told his family. “But I wish the people who live paycheck to paycheck didn't have to suffer too.”
The day finally came. Teachers voted to ratify the new contract and agreed to reopen their schools on April 26.
“Tomorrow,” Observer Grigoriy said, “the teachers return. The day after that, the children return.”
The mice looked at one another.
Their celebration suddenly became quieter.
“Children make crumbs,” Technician Grigoriy whispered.
“Lots of crumbs,” Commander Grigoriy agreed.
Observer Grigoriy smiled.
“Exactly.”
The mice raised their pieces of cheese in a toast.
“To school!”
And deep beneath the quiet classrooms, the smartest mice in Hawaii celebrated because soon, the school would once again be full of teachers, children, laughter, and plenty of crumbs.
Иногда приходится пережить удар, чтобы увидеть радугу.