I want to thank everyone who posted here in this marvelous sharing of thought and reasoned discourse. Even though there were many points of view, there was obvious respect and care in what was said. Y’all give me hope for humanity this coming year!
Actually, you are right. When I was approached to take the job teaching middle school the principal said, “Just remember. One day they will want to be treated as adults, and the next day, they will be in tears and act like babies.” The teachers told me, “6th graders are the babies, still playing games on the playground. 7th graders are the Brain Dead. Their bodies are shifting and they are so confused that the girls are huge and the boys still little, they can’t focus. 8th graders are Raging Hormones. And the boys will be looking you in the eye.” Well, that really helped. And you are so right, Rasputin, how could you not feel empathy for them? Except for the girl fights, gang signs, drug lock downs, senseless bullying, most were just trying to get their footing in the chaos.
The king and Smaug both love the shiny stuff.