Grandma Lu Says Times Have Not Changed

Grandma Lu had hidden her precious book in the room where Joshua was coloring. She was playing a trick on her friends in response to her friends setting her up with a make believe under cover job of being a substitute teacher at the new school in town.  They had told her that there was a valuable book missing and that they needed her to get it back for them. She knew it wasn't true. They just didn't want her to be sad that the children had gone back to school. Even Marlee had been busy. She was taking dance lessons, going swimming at her lollie's house, and even went to the zoo and a friend's birthday party. She and her Grandma B and Papa were always busy at the mini farm too. She was getting so big.
As Grandma Lu walked down the hall to the Principal's office she smiled and thought, "Marlee has changed into a young lady since her baby sister, Whitlee Jo joined their family and she had her third birthday."

Grandma Lu had been seen by several of the students there that knew her. They knew she loved to wear hats and tell stories. They also knew her love of sweets. She always made sure that Grandma B and Marlee made snacks for her and the children and friends that dropped by Marleewood.

"Boy these halls are long! They must be making these halls longer than they used to. It seems like everything has changed nowadays."

Mrs. K was in her office and greeted her old friend with a grin. "You know, Grandma Lu, you might want to quit wearing those silly hats of yours. They are out of fashion nowadays you know."

Grandma Lu touched her hat and gave her friend a sad look. "You don't like my hats? I love my hats; but you don't think I should wear hats here at the school."
Mrs. K said, "Well, I didn't want to say anything, but people might talk. You could never go undercover looking like that. You know that, don't you?"

Grandma Lu slowly took off her hat and nodded her head. "Yes, I suppose you are right. I won't wear it anymore."
Suddenly Grandma Lu straightened her back and sat down on a chair. She put her hat back on her head and said, "Well, do you want me to do this job or not? You get what you see old friend and I will be wearing my hat!"

Mrs. K chuckled and nodded her head and said, "I wish more people were like you, my friend. I see children hurt all the time by other children making fun of them; sometimes for the silliest things like wearing glasses. Sometimes grownups can be bullies too. I didn't mean to hurt you, Grandma Lu. I wanted to see if you could hold your own in this new world of ours. Times have changed you know. I'm afraid you might encounter some bullying towards you."

Grandma Lu said, "No, I don't think times have changed. You know I was bullied when I was just six years old by an older boy. He followed me to my grandma and grandpa's house. I went there for lunch sometimes. He was walking on the opposite side of the street. He kept yelling at me saying that he was going to beat me up. That happened two days in a row. Of course, both days I arrived at my grandparent's house in tears. I was terrified of that boy! Finally my grandfather found the bully and settled matters."

Grandma Lu answered her friend by saying, "Okay that's settled. Now I want to know two things; what is a Smart Board, and where is the cafeteria? I need a snack."