“Showing off is the fool’s idea of glory.”

– Bruce Lee, American martial artist and actor

Freddy was the classroom clown. Every chance he got, he was doing something crazy, and he seemed to revel in the attention. Classmates were always talking about the latest crazy thing Freddy did.

One time, when we were studying geography in middle school, the teacher had told Freddy to go up to the map at the front of the class and point to the continent of Africa. As I recall, Freddy pointed to Newfoundland and everyone laughed. When he admitted to having no idea where Africa was, the teacher suggested he move his finger down the map and she would say “warmer” as he got closer.

“Hot!” she said when he nearly touched it.