Words and Pictures :: School Lunch

This post was inspired by a creative writing prompt from the blog Meet Me At Mikes. Click over there if you would like to read other writings on this theme!

"God we thank you for this food


For rest and home and all things good


For wind and rain and sun above


But most of all for those we love."

She had been chosen to collect the meal tickets. "The second time this week!" she excitedly thought to herself as she moved up and down each row of small desks. It was an important job, fit only for the most trustworthy and serious. At least those were her thoughts as she ducked her head in embarrassed pride. The act of taking her classmate's lunch tickets was difficult for her, but filled her with a sense of joy.

"Boys, you may line up first," the teacher announced.

There was the scratching and clattering of chair legs as the boys race-walked to the door. Stomachs were growling with hunger as the aroma of warm chili drifted up from the basement cafeteria toward the door of Mrs. Kenley's first grade classroom.

"Girls, please join the line."

There was more movement in the classroom, this time a little quieter, as the girls tried to maneuver so they were lined up with their best friends. Some quietly held hands.

"Boys and girls, bow your heads as we say our prayer together," Mrs. Kenley instructed.

God we thank you for this food


For rest and home and all things good


For wind and rain and sun above


But most of all for those we love.

As the class made their way to the cafeteria the smells got stronger. There was always the odor of freshly mopped floors mingled with spilled milk and sweaty kids. In the long corridor that led to the cafeteria the line of student split in half as the boys washed their hands at one sink and the girls used the other.

"Make sure you use soap!"

The lines merged again as each student scrubbed their hands dry on scratchy paper towels. This bit of choreography happened at every meal.

"Where is my ticket collector?" the teacher asked.

She ducked her head, flushing, as she made her way to the front of the line.

God we thank you for this food


For rest and home and all things good


For wind and rain and sun above


But most of all for those we love.

"Yes, indeed," she thought to herself as she was the first to pick up her Easter-egg pink, divided plastic tray. "And thank you that I got to be ticket collector. Again!"