In 1983, with one single act, I became the most hated child in Mrs. Giordano's first-grade class.
What was the act? None other than the ultimate playground betrayal -- I was an "Indian giver." What did I give and then so callously take away?
Stickers -- really pretty ones with purple flowers.
Why did I do it? Well, I just realized that I wanted them back.
Horrid little person, I know.
I'll never forget the mob of children who surrounded me -- some with tears, some with looks of scorn. I remember one little boy in particular who looked at me with tears running down his cheeks and saying:
"You're nothing but an Indian giver, and I hate you!"
I don't blame him. It was a horrible thing to do. And I'm sorry Anthony.
In an effort to amend past wrongs, I'm offering you the chance to receive a brand new mini-book of 16 high quality art stickers. You'll get a book featuring the works of Sargent, Toulouse-Lautrec, Chagall, Renoir, Cassatt, or Degas.
What do you have to do in return?
Well, email me a playground or childhood story. The theme?
Kids are mean.
Interpret that in any way you'd like. I tell you, though, I prefer true stories where you are the underdog rather the bully.
I'm offering between 10-15 books, so supply is limited. I hate flexing my subjective opinion, but those books are going to my favorite stories.
And, if I get a lot of good ones, I would like to post them somewhere.
Spread the word! I want to read your stories.
Now, go and write.
