Matilda

by Roald Dahl

“Who threw the water over her?” asked the matron. “I did,” said Nigel proudly. “Good for you,” another teacher said. “Shall we get some more?”

The children began filing out of the classroom. Matilda started to go with them, but as she passed Miss Honey she paused and her twinkling eyes met the teacher’s eyes and Miss Honey ran forward and gave the tiny child a great big hug and a kiss.

;o;

The next morning she did not turn up at school. At lunchtime, Mr Trilby, the Deputy Head, telephoned her house to enquire if she was feeling unwell.

Who cares?

And very soon after that, Matilda was moved up into the top form where Miss Plimsoll quickly discovered that this amazing child was every bit as bright as Miss Honey had said.

<3

While you were in my class you had nothing to do, nothing to make you struggle. Your fairly enormous brain was going crazy with frustration. It was bubbling and boiling away like mad inside your head. There was tremendous energy bottled up in there with nowhere to go, and somehow or other you were able to shoot that energy out through your eyes and make objects move.

Boy I wish my brain would do that when I'm bored and understimulated

You are in the top form competing against children more than twice your age and all that mental energy is being used up in class. Your brain is for the first time having to struggle and strive and keep really busy, which is great.

Okay I'll admit that's a lot healthier

“I’m glad it’s happened,” Matilda said. “I wouldn’t want to go through life as a miracle-worker.” “You’ve done enough,” Miss Honey said. “I can still hardly believe you made all this happen for me.”

When I was a kid, I was always disappointed when she lost her powers. I get it now.

This child, Miss Honey told herself, seems to be interested in everything. When one is with her it is impossible to be bored. I love it.

I love this so much. Because Miss Honey sees Matilda exactly as she is, and she loves her for it.

parent’s

Parents'

“For ever!”

Forever

on to

Onto

Miss Honey was still hugging the tiny girl in her arms and neither of them said a word as they stood there watching the big black car tearing round the corner at the end of the road and disappearing for ever into the distance.

Forever

Miss Honey was still hugging the tiny girl in her arms and neither of them said a word as they stood there watching the big black car tearing round the corner at the end of the road and disappearing for ever into the distance.

Good fucking riddance