Teacher Ruins Potter, Holiday

According to this news story, a teacher on her way out as headmistress of a British school "ruined" the final book in the HP series by reading from the last page as a special goodbye message. The children were not impressed.

Louie Swift, nine, said: "I don't know why she read it. She's not usually a spoilsport. She didn't even mention she had the book.

"She just picked it up and started reading it to us."

Jordan Ashton, ten, complained: "It has spoiled the book for me."

An 11-year-old boy said: "Lots of my friends complained about it. I put my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes closed because I didn't want to know about it."

Next, she gave a demonstration on how to take candy away from babies and explained why it's just fine to talk loudly on your cell phone at the cinema. Okay, not really. All the kids and teachers admitted she's a fine lady who doesn't usually steal the joy of discovering the ending of the most-loved book series in the history of the world.

That didn't keep parents from being cranky about it. My favorite selfless quote comes from this mum who had plans for her "holiday:"

"It's appalling. My son was going to read a book instead of playing on his computer and I was going to have some peace and quiet. Now that's ruined. What was she thinking of?"