Back to the refrain of pencils, books and teachers' occasional dirty looks, Los Gatos classrooms are once again full of students. Whether eager or grudging, recent transplants or longtime Los Gatans, everyone hears the back-to-school call. What they do after responding to that call, however, varies widely, depending on the kid.
The Prowler remembers starting every year of elementary school with an organized binder, a clean desk and a resolution to keep them that way. But vows are spoken to be broken, as goes a song quote that comes to mind. Usually by the time back-to-school night rolled around--unfortunately just in time to disappoint Mom and Pop Prowler--this cat's desk looked more like a packrat's nest than the work station of a supposedly fastidious feline.
But did you know that a disorganized desk is supposedly the sign of a great (not to mention humble) mind? Parents, you've certainly got the right idea in teaching little Robbie and Jenny to keep their rooms and desks clean, but in some cases, you may eventually have to accept you've got some highly creative souls on your hands.
This cat graduated from messy binders and desks in elementary school to jammed and bulging lockers in middle and high school. In college, a hardy purple backpack became the Prowler's traveling microcosm, with as many non-school supplies in there as textbooks and folders. Also in college, the Prowler became the proud owner of mom's old car, which soon enough took on the signature of its new driver.
To those parents and kids smiling or frowning because they recognize an all-too-familiar scenario--take heart. The Prowler managed to earn two scholarships, graduate with honors and land a job in a field that makes good use of all that creativity--journalism. And with poetic and musical endeavors on the side, this cat can say from experience that a sloppy desk does not necessarily signal a sloppy mind.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, September 11, 1996.
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