April.30.2026 The Crayon Box

After starting the new school year we all were provided a school supplies list by the new first grade teacher. A box of tissue. Some pencils. Perhaps a bottle of glue.

We always went off to the store to pickup our supplies on the list. My wise Mother always guiding us along, pen in hand, to check off the items as they were placed in our shopping cart.

This is where my Mother's job shined. For she was a school teacher herself. And she made certain that every item on the list was followed to a 'T'. Absolutely no substitutions permitted.

So this particular year was just like all of the rest. As we selected our items and placed them in the cart, my Mother informed us of the next item on the list.

Luckily we finally came to my absolute favorite...crayons. I heard the word. I was overjoyed. Crayons. I quickly eyed the box I wanted and grabbed it to place in the cart.

Suddenly I hear her emphatic voice from behind...."Not that one. That's not on the list."

I am both perplexed and crestfallen because I just had in my hands the most coveted box of crayons for sale...you know the box. The 64 colors with the sharpener on the back.

I quickly recovered. Placed my hand on the next largest box. Sixteen colors. Surely I could still work with this. I hear my Mother's voice again from behind..."Not that one either."

I turn quickly towards my Mother...for she must be mistaken. I mean whatever could she be thinking. My Mother impatiently taps the paper list and says..." It says here. A box of 5 Crayons."

Five! Five! My brain explodes. Thoughts going everywhere. Whatever is going on here. I stand as tall as my 6 year old self would allow, place both hands squarely on my hips, face her and say as clear as a bell..."Mom, there are more than five colors in the world! We cannot work with five colors."

To this little girl, color is breath.

My Mother says calmy ..." It's probably just for a math ditto where you figure out equations and color the pictures."

I cannot believe my ears. I mean, the only reasonable box of crayons is the 64 colors with the sharpener on the back. Everyone knows that.

I finally accept my fate. I am to own a box of 5 crayons. Something is wrong with this world.

As we leave the store I turn to my Mother. Our list now complete. Well, I say to myself, Christmas is coming soon. So I ask my Mother for the box of 64 crayons with the sharpener on the back.

My Mother nods.

I smile.