The Part Sheduh

Although Ry is a little small for his age, he has been known to be stronger than he looks. Last week a police officer was called into the school to restrain him. Ry has two sides: a sweet side, and a vicious side. You never know what side of the coin you will get.

Yesterday he was his sweet, innocent seeming self. During structured recess time he came up to me and began an interesting conversation.

"Do you want to see me run?" he asked hopefully. "I'm really fast. The fastest there is."

"Oh, of course, Ry. Do you want me to time you?" I said enthusiastically.

"No. Just stop right there. I'll run to the end of the sidewalk and back. Watch!"

Just then with a look of determination on his face he dashed off as fast as he could in his black puffy coat and blue jeans. He was running with with all his might, at about the pace of a small gorilla. Try as he might, it is doubtful he will win any gold medals for his quick speed. He certainly gets an A for effort, however.

Upon returning I congratulated him on his "quick" adventure.
"Did you see how fast I was?" he asked in a matter of fact manner.
"Yes, Ry. Very fast."
"Yeah, I'm part sheduh." said Ry in a confidant "no questions asked" tone.
"Excuse me, you're part what?"
"Shee duh!"
"Cheetah?" I asked, unsure.
"That's what I said." said Ry in an annoyed tone.
"Oh. How do you figure you are part cheetah?"
"Everyone has an animal inside them. I'm part cheetah."
While I try hard to suppress a laugh, he continued "I'm also part bat, part mountain goat, part dolphin, part elephant." he listed with his fingers.

Ry likes teaching me things, so he went on. "I'm part cheetah because I'm fast."

"Oh." I began with an enlightened tone. "So why are you part bat and mountain goat?"
With his hand movements matching the speed of his voice he answered "part bat because I can hang upside down, part mountain goat because I can climb trees. I'm part elephant because I'm really strong." I nodded, knowingly.

"So what animal is inside you?" He looked up squinting his eyes in the sun with a very wondering look on his face.

Searching my brain for an animal I quickly stated, "rabbit."
"Why?" My brain was swarming. Why did I say rabbit? How am I like a rabbit? Thankfully he quickly interjected "because you like carrots?"
"Yes" I stammered thankfully. With a moment to think I added "I also have a Labrador Retriever inside me, because I'm friendly." He shook his head in an approving manner.

His hands were moving with commanding gestures as he stated "When you get home today, draw a picture." I stared at with a quizzical look trying to decipher where this was going. "If you are good, you're an orangutan. They draw good."

I didn't hold back my smile. "Okay, Ry. I'll let you know."

I drew a picture. I don't think I'm an orangutan.