From the story archive · Fictional encounter
I was presenting to 25 kindergartners about being a teacher for Career Day. The kids were sitting in a circle, completely rapt as I explained classroom rules. Then, mid-sentence—PFFFT—a barking spider makes its educational debut.
Without missing a beat, one 5-year-old stands up and announces, "Excuse you! My daddy says that's what gentlemen say." I've never been more professionally corrected in my life.