text: The school principal sat at his desk impatiently tapping his pen. He looked at his watch before furrowing his brow and shaking his head. “Sir, Mr. Warford is here to see you,” his secretary said through the speaker phone. “Thank you, Ealith, please send him in,” the principal replied. Mr. Warford walked into the principal’s office. “You wanted to see me sir?” “Warford, take a seat please,” the principal said, skipping all the usual pleasantries. Mr. Warford sat down and crossed his legs. The principal sighed. “Warford, you know why you’re here don’t you?” Mr. Warford shifted in his chair but didn’t reply to the obviously rhetorical question. “We’ve had several complaints now,” the principal continued, “Parents are upset. I’m receiving calls and letters, I got yelled at yesterday. Now, we’ve discussed this several times, but I don’t want you teaching these kids about the Lord of the Rings!” “But, sir,” Mr. Warford replied, “I’m an ethics teacher here. These kids are asking me about ethics and history and I am simply answering their questions.” “You have been accused of *indoctrinating* these kids,” the principal said as he reached over his desk to grab a letter. “Look at this one, it says here that one of the kids came home asking about Frodo Baggins.” “And here’s another one,” the principal continued as he grabbed another letter, “This is from a mother who says her daughter wanted to be like Galadriel the elf.” Mr. Warford smirked. “This isn’t funny Warford!” the principal said sternly, leaning onto his desk. “This has got to stop! You’re an ethics teacher, these kids are 10 years old. Teach them about right and wrong, don’t do bad things, that sort of thing. Stop talking about silly myths and legends!” “But, sir,” Mr. Warford replied sternly, seemingly affronted. “With all due respect, these are not silly myths and legends. Millions of people around the world believe this and base their ethical beliefs on the teachings of the book.” “Warford,” the principal said leaning back in his chair, an exasperated smile on his face, “I really don’t understand you. An educated man, a teacher for goodness’ sake, believing in children’s stories about hobbits and elves and Sauron. Yes I know we were all taught this at one point, but you have to know, this is all nonsense.” “I don’t think it’s nonsense, sir,” Mr. Warford said seriously. “I believe it to be true. And all I am doing is presenting the children with an alternative view on our world.” “Warford, that’s enough!” the principal snapped, “This is the last time I am going to tell you. Stop teaching students about the Lord of the Rings or you will be fired. No more warnings. I will *not* have another parent complain to me about what you are teaching their children.