Kate Dyer-Seeley  

Apparently the new trend in preschool pranks is to have a leapin’ Leprechaun visit the classroom.  This crafty green guy from the Emerald Isle wrecks havoc on the room while the kiddos are distracted outside or in the gym. 

In Luke’s classroom this week the Leprechaun expertly evaded the traps  set out–made skillfully of shoe-boxes and baited with chocolate gold.  He left a trail of shamrock footprints and treats, but not a single clue on how he might be found.  Luke and his classmates strategized for hours on contraptions for next year, sketching designs on construction paper like an architect on a drafting table.     

For some reason this escapade with the Leprechaun left Luke convinced that the mischief maker would pay a visit to our house as well.  I began to explain that St. Patty’s Day has its roots in Irish tradition.  I began to explain that Leprechauns aren’t like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.  They don’t scatter about the county or scour local neighborhoods looking for gold.  And then I stopped myself.  I noticed that Luke’s shoulders had begun to sag and that twinkle in his eye was starting to fade.  Why does it matter? I thought.  And frankly how much longer will he believe in all things magical?  Probably not long.

So, what a surprise to arrive home yesterday after school to discover the Leprechaun paid us a secret visit.

“I told you Mommy, I told you!” Luke shouted, bounding over tipped chairs and sideways lamps.  “I knew he’d come.  I just knew it.”  He raced around the house, looking in cupboards and under the basement stairs, sure that he’d be able to catch the Leprechaun before he escaped.  Once he was satisfied that the Leprechaun was no longer on the premises, he turned to me and said, “Well, I bet he found a crack somewhere and snuck out.  He is magic after all.” 

Luke’s right.  He is. 

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 19th, 2009 at 1:09 pm and is filed under Holidays, Made Me Laugh. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.