Alright, so after reading this post, some of you may have wondered: who or what is a Haroosh?
Well, this is Haroosh.
Haroosh and an Apple Buddy
Haroosh belongs to Kyle, a former student of mine. He was a sort-of sidekick for Kyle, you see. Sat on his desk, listened to me read-aloud, went on aventures. He’s an example of what’s great about being a fifth grader: you’re starting to get a little older, but you still have enough of an imagination to create an entire life for a fake baby chick.
Haroosh was also around when Kyle ran the light board for a pair of shows I directed at his junior high. At the end of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, after everyone knew I was heading to Ireland for a year, Kyle presented Haroosh to me and said, “I think Haroosh should go with you and see the world.”
Now, some of you may read this and think, “Aww, how cute!” and leave it at that. Well, for me, it was a very solemn, serious moment. This was someone giving up their sidekick, their animal familiar, their trusted friend. Haroosh was an expression of Kyle, from a class that was particularly good at expressing themselves in unique ways. (See: Apple Buddies, above.)
And so Haroosh has come with me to Ireland, to see what I see.
Haroosh stares out the window of 316.
He’s mostly been cooped up in the places I’ve lived, but he should feel very privileged to have been a brief resident of 316 S. Circular Road. Our first home, and “a remarkable place altogether.”
Haroosh watches the 2012 Olympics
Before school started, we spent most of our free time watching the BBC coverage of the 2012 London Olympics. Haroosh was quite the fan of Jessica Ennis.
Haroosh and Squid Pig
Here Haroosh joins a couple of other items that came with: Max’s Viking mug that I got for Christmas last year, and Squid Pig, another pet from another student. Hope Madison reads this and knows that ole Squid Pig made the journey as well.
Haroosh and I enjoying a small rail museum in Dundalk.
And of course Haroosh came with when I headed up north to Carlingford last month.
Haroosh looking across Carlingford Lough to Northern Ireland.
I’m starting to plan another trip that I’ll be taking once classes end in a few weeks. The Masters students are all headed to London in mid-December to catch a bunch of plays, but I’m planning something extra as well (as long as the budget holds), and Haroosh shall hopefully be reunited with one of Kyle’s good friends from that class.
And when I finally head home, after this journey is done, I hope Haroosh finds his way back to Kyle. And I hope that Haroosh stays with him, sitting on his dresser or his desk, watching him do homework, or tucked away in his bag as Kyle grows up and heads off onto his own adventures. It’s important to have reminders of who we were when we were young, when the only thing that mattered in life was a few good friends and a big imagination. (Maybe that’s all that still matters?)
When we grow up, we put away childish things, and we get serious. But that can be so, so boring sometimes. Maybe that’s why I was so good at teaching 5th grade. I never forgot what it was like to be eleven.
And I hung on to the things that matter.
Doggy goes where I go.
BrianFauth.com 
LOVE EVERY WORD…got me a little misty.
Thanks, Terrie. Glad you enjoyed it.
You’re brilliant. Ian so enjoyed reading this and has forwarded it to Ashley. She’ll be thrilled as well, I’m sure. (OK, got me a little misty, too) See you soon!
Hello Patty, that’s just great to hear about Ian and Ashley. Glad he read and enjoyed it. And yes, looking forward to Prague next month!
Hiii. Yes it is me the Mentioned “kyle”.
Hehe sooo this post captures the story of haroosh vey well and shows how 5th grade is probably the best grade you can be in. You are old enough to understand some things, yet you still have an imagination and can still have little things to hold on to when you were younger. Haroosh hatched from an egg that i sat on for a good two weeks in class, and started out as a little fuzz ball with feet, and hit a growth spurt into a full grown Haroosh chick. Mr. Fauth was probably THE best teacher you could ever have, because he understood what you need as a fifth grader. He gives you the freedoms you need, but still had order as a class, nothing ever got too crazy. Other teachers didnt get that, they didnt let you have those little things that every kid should have. Haroosh was eventually followed by his two younger siblings, Poonk and Doonk. Poonk died from blood loss when he was only two days old, thanks to logan trying to rip off his limbs, and Doonk was “lost in the mists of time.” actually, he got thrown into a trash can by someone, and was never recovered. But yaa Mr. Fauth was the best teacher ever because he understood what his students needed at the age of not-yet-teen and not-kid-anymore ad gave them the freedoms they needed for that. Byee
Wow. I am kind of speechless at that, Kyle. But let me at leas say a very sincere Thank You. And I’m glad to see you haven’t changed a bit, pal. Glad I was a good teacher for you. You were an awesome student. I miss hearing “I Am A Little Cat” during those extra read-aloud sessions!
Hehehe so i still read that sometimes… Like if i just finished a book and i dont want ti start another one yet… still holding on to thise fifth grade memories
Both Kyle and Brian are some of the greatest non-chumps I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Why thank you, fellow non chump
Cheers, Justin.
Hey Mr.Fauth I love the mug
Hey Max! Glad you noticed. And don’t worry, I’m still going to do a proper post about Vikings in Dublin. Just be patient…