Here we go again...

Below is a conversation that took place in my afternoon freshman class yesterday.

Student: Ms. L? Did you hear about that elephant panda?

Me: mistakenly thinking she is referring to the new panda cub in California Do you mean the new panda cub at the San Diego Zoo?

Student: completely blank stare – mouth open, the whole nine yards No. I mean the elephant panda. Did you hear about it?

Me:What in the world are you talking about?

Student:You know. Like when a elephant and a panda mix?

Me:realizing the potential problems that could quickly arise if I try to provide an amateur biology lesson in the midst of English exam review Honey, I am afraid that is just not possible.

Too late.

Other students: Oh man! You talking ‘bout elephants and pandas doin’ it? Dang, girl! You sick.

Student: No! I’m serious.

Student’s brother: because yes I teach the student and her brother in the same class Nah man, she serious.

A kind brother defending his sister.

Me: Y’all, where did you see this?

Student: It was in that magazine. It’s that elephant that got panda colorings. It’s even got fur.

Oh THAT magazine! Thanks for clearing that up.

Me: Could I possibly have missed something? What magazine?

Student’s brother: Yeah, it was. It was in that magazine?

Me: What magazine!? Is this recent? This is not possible. An elephant and a panda can not mate.

Student’s brother: Yeah. It was in the magazine. I don’t remember what magazine. It was a while back. We saw it at the Food Lion.

Ahh. The Food Lion. Now I understand.

Me: Wait? Did you see this in the check out aisle?

Them: Yeah! At the Food Lion!!

Me: Was it on the cover?

Them: YES!! You saw it!?

Me: No. But was it on the cover of the National Enquirer?

Crickets chirping

Student’s brother: The cover of what?

Me: realizing now I am fighting a losing battle It’s not true. That was a made up picture.

Student: decidedly unconvinced Ain’t no way. That picture look too real.

I had to leave it at that.