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Belinda bounces through the classroom door with a cheery “Good morning, Teacher!” After depositing her lunch box at her hook she swiftly patters over to the cluster of students gathered at one end of the classroom. She is drawn by the curiosity that pervades all of humankind and especially 7-year-olds. She needs to see what all the others are checking out.

After investigating, the lass’s attention is caught by the flower she planted that is sitting in a cup on the windowsill. Minutely, she examines the tiny flowerpot for signs of growth. Finding nothing, the charming young damsel’s attention finally falls on the stack of books waiting on her desk.

“Oh, yes! I still need to check my books,” she exclaims and smiles half-sheepishly in the direction of her teacher who has been watching her with an amused toleration on his face. It would be nice to see the girl tend to business a bit more, but she does get things done … and in inimitable fashion.

Now the enthusiastic 7-year-old lass is doing her job for the morning, looking over her lessons from the day before.

“Yay! A 100 percent!” She cries. A bit later, “Oh bummer. I just missed one that time.”

Bragging? Not a bit. These celebrations spring from sheer unbridled exuberance and an innocent spirit.

Bouncy Belinda has arrived at Sunrise Valley School.

The bell rings. The school day here at Sunrise Valley commences with devotions. All three classes congregate in the largest classroom for devotions. To make room, students sit together.

Bouncy Belinda finds a tall 13-year-old to sit with and smiles disarmingly. A grin splits the big girl’s face and she scoots over to make room. Some would call Belinda adorable, some huggable. Whatever she is, she’s easy to like.

After participating in devotions and singing with gusto, Belinda returns to her own seat for the start of classes. It’s school time.

Belinda’s teacher calls her class. After first grade is gathered around the table, Teacher Tim presents first grade with a page of pictures they will need to write words for.

One picture baffles first grade. Bouncy Belinda though, has a feeling she has seen it before. This picture looks like something she saw hanging above the busy intersection in town.

“It’s a- a- a- light stopper!” she declares. Teacher Tim suddenly needs to cough into his sleeve, then he redirects the conversation.

The fun and games are not over yet. After a while it’s time for math class and today first grade is introduced to the quarter.

Teacher Tim hands each young scholar a quarter, and after giving them just a moment to examine it, opens discussion with a question.

“Does anyone know who the man is on the front of the quarter?”

This could be interesting.

Belinda’s classmate guesses it is Abraham Lincoln. Teacher Tim points out that this is a good guess but that while Honest Abe is on the penny, he is not on the quarter.

A few more guesses are made and first grade’s supply of possibilities is almost exhausted. Bouncy Belinda has one more shot. Fear of being wrong is not a big obstacle to Belinda.

Teacher Tim turns to Belinda, who is jabbing her hand in the air, and almost panting in fear that she will not be called on.

“Yes, Belinda, who do you think that man is?”

Belinda’s hand finally comes down and says with unfeigned eagerness, “Is it John the Baptist?”

Teacher Tim is seized by another coughing fit. Finally, the last bell of the school day sounds and Bouncy Belinda, after being dismissed, bounces around the school room doing first this, now that, in preparation to go home. Belinda’s brothers are already outside, hitching the pony. Suddenly, Belinda realizes the school house is almost empty and she must hustle to avoid making her brothers wait for her. Grabbing her pink lunch box, she barrels out the door. Belinda, all 4 feet of her, sprints down the hill with covering and bonnet strings streaming in the wind. She makes it into the cart seat just as her older brother clucks to the pony. They’re off.

Teacher Tim, who had been helping the boys hitch their steed, watches them go. Bouncy Belinda makes a point of turning around in her seat, raising her arm in a huge wave, and calling, “See ya, Teacher Tim!”

A smile splits Teacher Tim’s face. See ya, Belinda.