Years ago, a little class of kindergartners from Thomas Academy headed to a mall for a book signing with Maurice Sendak. They had been thoroughly drilled in proper etiquette, as they were wearing their uniforms and needed to have proper decorum. "Yes, Mr. Sendak, no Mr. Sendak, thank you Mr. Sendak." They clutched their copies of Where the Wild Things Are.
However, way up the mall corridor, only little boy spied Mr. Sendak and burst out: "Hey, MAUR-REECE!"
Mr. Sendak stopped signing, peered over his glasses, and then sat back and opened his arms. A flurry of red sweaters broke ranks and went running to him to be swept up in his embrace.
Maurice Sendak lives forever in those hearts.
Great story. I can see him peering out over his glasses, completely straight faced and then flinging his arms wide open to embrace them all.
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