148. High school, first day: new faces, old friends, & a slice of (humble) pie.

Nervous, tentative,

Feeling small.

New faces, all unsmiling, unsure.

Familiar faces comforting.

Look, there’s one …

“Hi Max.”

Old Penrith Primary colleague,

Peter Herrmann.

Chatting reveals news of my being

Dux of Penrith South.

Peter comments:

“Geez, must’ve been dumb there!!”

No arrogance, no malice.

Matter-of-fact.

No harm comes from humble pie!