1176 slov / 6 min.

Štvrtý deň. Cesta do minulosti

Ráno bolo iné ako predchádzajúce dni. Všetci sa tešili na výlet do skanzenu, a tak sa poponáhľali s raňajkami. Autobus ich viezol kľukatou cestou len krátko, ale akoby cestovali v čase – ocitli sa v dedine, ktorá vyzerala, akoby zastal čas.

„Vitajte v 19. storočí,“ privítala ich sprievodkyňa v kroji. Drevené domčeky s malými oknami a slamenými strechami vyzerali ako z rozprávky. Vzduchom sa niesla vôňa dymu z pecí a čerstvo pokosenej trávy.

Prechádzali od domu k domu. V každom ich čakalo niečo zaujímavé – v jednom videli, ako sa priadla vlna, v druhom, ako sa piekol chlieb v starej peci. Ale najviac Roderika zaujala stará škola.

Vošli do triedy s drevenými lavicami. Boli tvrdé a nepohodlné, úplne iné ako ich moderné stoličky v škole. Na stene visela čierna tabuľa a vedľa nej mapa Rakúsko-Uhorska. Na učiteľskom stole ležala dlhá tenká palica.

„Viete, deti, na čo sa používala táto trstenica?“ spýtala sa pani učiteľka Kvetková.

Roderik zdvihol ruku. „Môj dedko mi rozprával, že keď chodil do školy, neposlušné deti dostávali po prstoch alebo po dlani,“ povedal. „Ale povedal, že to nebolo príjemné a je rád, že dnes sa už v školách takto netrestá.“

„Výborne, Roderik,“ pochválila ho pani učiteľka. „Je dobré, že si pamätáme históriu, ale ešte lepšie je, že sme sa z nej poučili.“

Po návrate a výbornom obede (dnes boli parené buchty s makom, Roderikove obľúbené) mali ešte hodinu matematiky. Počítali príklady o tom, koľko metrov dreva potrebovala rodina na zimu v 19. storočí.

Potom prišiel voľný program. Chlapci sa vybrali preskúmať okolie penziónu, samozrejme, s prísnym napomenutím, aby sa nevzďaľovali príliš ďaleko. Za penziónom, napoly skrytý v kríkoch, objavili starý hrdzavý automobil.

„To musí byť z vojny!“ zvolal nadšene Maťo.

„Predstavte si, že tadiaľto prechádzali vojaci,“ zamyslel sa Filip, ktorý pre zmenu nemal potrebu predvádzať svoje vedomosti. Všetci mlčky stáli okolo vraku a predstavovali si príbehy, ktoré by im tento starý svedok minulosti mohol rozprávať.

Večera voňala už z diaľky – boli pečené zemiaky s kuracím mäsom a šalátom. Po večeri mali voľný program v spoločenskej miestnosti. A práve vtedy sa stalo niečo nečakané.

Roderik cúval, aby lepšie videl na stolný futbal, keď do niekoho narazil.

„Prepáč!“ otočil sa rýchlo a stretol sa s rozžiarenými očami dievčaťa, ktoré poznal z vedľajšej triedy.

„To nič,“ zasmiala sa. „Ja som Táňa.“

„Roderik,“ predstavil sa tiež.

„Aha, čo to máš?“ všimla si knihu, ktorú držal v ruke.

„Kroniky Narnie,“ povedal trochu nesmialo.

Táni sa rozžiarili oči ešte viac. „To je moja najobľúbenejšia kniha! Ktorá postava sa ti najviac páči?“

A zrazu sedeli v kúte na vankúšoch a rozprávali sa, akoby sa poznali odjakživa. Obaja mali radi fantasy knihy, obaja mali mladšiu sestru, obaja zbierali kartičky s dinosaurami…

„Večierka!“ zaznelo príliš skoro. Ešte mali toľko tém, o ktorých sa chceli porozprávať!

„Zajtra na raňajkách?“ spýtala sa Táňa s nádejou v hlase.

„Jasné!“ prikývol Roderik a s úsmevom sa pobral na izbu.

Keď ležal v posteli, uvedomil si, že sa mu začína cnieť za domovom. Už by chcel vidieť rodičov, objať Rexa, spať vo svojej posteli. Keď mu prišla správa od otca s fotkou, ako Rex spí s jeho obľúbeným plyšovým medveďom, pocítil v hrudi také zvláštne chvenie. Tešil sa domov, ale zároveň mu bolo ľúto, že zajtra už nebude môcť pokračovať v rozhovore s Táňou.

„Ešte jeden deň,“ pomyslel si, keď zatváral oči. „Zajtra večer už budem doma.“ S tou myšlienkou spokojne zaspal, snívajúc o starom aute, ktoré ožilo a rozprávalo príbehy z vojny, o Narnii a o domove, kde na neho čaká Rex s plyšovým medveďom.

Piaty deň. Návrat domov

Posledné ráno v Škole v prírode malo zvláštnu atmosféru. Všetci vedeli, že po obede sa vrátia domov, a tak sa každá minúta zdala akási iná, dôležitejšia.

Na hodine fyziky Tomáš nadšene vysvetľoval princíp rádiových vĺn.

„Vidíš, Roderik, tie vlny sú všade okolo nás, len ich nevidíme. Ale rádio ich dokáže zachytiť a premeniť na zvuk…“

Ale Roderik počúval len napoly. Jeho pohľad neustále unikal k skupine dievčat pri okne, kde Táňa práve rozprávala čosi veselé a jej smiech napĺňal celú triedu. Pripadalo mu to zvláštne – tak veľmi sa tešil domov, a predsa mu bolo trochu smutno, že odchádzajú.

„Roderik? Počúvaš ma vôbec?“ drgol doňho Tomáš.

„Prepáč… zamyslel som sa,“ odpvedal Roderik a snažil sa sústrediť na kamarátovo vysvetľovanie.

Po vyučovaní nastal čas balenia. Izba, ktorá sa im za tie dni stala druhým domovom, začala strácať svoj útulný charakter. Plagáty zo stien putovali do tašiek, oblečenie z políc do kufrov. Roderik našiel pod posteľou ponožku, o ktorej si myslel, že ju stratil, a medzi knihami lístok so včerajším rozpisom služieb.

Obed bol slávnostný – rezne so zemiakovým šalátom, ako na sviatočný deň. Pani učiteľka im rozdala diplomy za absolvovanie Školy v prírode a všetci si zatlieskali.

Keď nastupovali do autobusu, Roderik sa ešte naposledy obzrel. Penzión sa kúpal v popoludňajšom slnku a vyzeral presne tak rozprávkovo ako v prvý deň. V hlave mu vírili spomienky – nočné rozhovory s kamarátmi, objavenie starého auta, diskotéka, výlet do skanzenu, ranné vtáčie koncerty… a jeden určitý smiech.

Cesta domov ubehla rýchlo. Sledoval, ako sa krajina mení – z lesov späť na lúky, z lúk na polia, z polí na predmestia, až sa konečne objavili známe ulice ich mesta. V hrudi cítil príjemné chvenie – tešil sa domov, ale zároveň bol vďačný za všetko, čo v Škole v prírode zažil.

Pred školou už čakal hlúčik nedočkavých rodičov. Roderik ich zbadal cez okno autobusu – mama s otcom stáli vedľa ostatných a vystierali krky, aby ho zahliadli. Oči sa mu zaliali slzami a srdce mu bilo ako o závod.

Len čo autobus zastal, vybehol von a vrhol sa rodičom do náručia. Chcel im toho toľko povedať – o potoku s rybami, o stopách v lese, o starom aute, o Táni… ale slová sa mu zasekli v hrdle. Nevadí, pomyslel si, keď videl lásku a radosť v ich očiach, na rozprávanie bude ešte dosť času.

Cestou domov sa rodičia pýtali jeden cez druhého: „Ako bolo? Čo ste robili? Chutilo ti jedlo? Našiel si si nových kamarátov?“

Roderik sa len usmieval. „Je toho veľa,“ povedal nakoniec. „Ale bolo to super. Naozaj super.“

Keď otvorili dvere bytu, Rex sa na neho vrhol s takým nadšením, že ho takmer zvalil na zem. Olizoval mu tvár a šťastne kňučal, akoby chcel povedať: „Konečne si doma!“

„Aj ja som rád, že som doma,“ zašepkal mu Roderik do ucha a silno ho objal.

Večer, keď ležal vo svojej posteli s Rexom stočeným pri nohách, premýšľal o všetkom, čo za tých päť dní zažil. Uvedomil si, že jeho rodičia mali pravdu – smútok za domovom naozaj stál za to. Naučil sa toľko nového – nielen o prírode a histórii, ale aj o sebe samom. Zistil, že dokáže byť samostatný, že sa vie prispôsobiť novému prostrediu, že si vie nájsť nových priateľov…

A možno, pomyslel si s úsmevom, keď mu začali klipkať oči, možno sa s Táňou ešte niekedy stretne. Veď predsa chodia do tej istej školy…

S touto príjemnou myšlienkou Roderik zaspal vo svojej posteli, šťastný, že je doma, ale rovnako šťastný, že sa odvážil ísť na toto malé dobrodružstvo, ktoré sa volá Škola v prírode.

Roderik and the Outdoor School – Fourth and last day

1386 words / 7 min.

Fourth Day: Journey to the Past

The morning was different from previous days. Everyone was excited about the trip to the open-air museum, so they hurried through breakfast. The bus drove them along a winding road for only a short time, but it felt like they were traveling back in time—they found themselves in a village where time seemed to stand still.

„Welcome to the 19th century,“ greeted their guide, dressed in traditional attire. Wooden cottages with small windows and thatched roofs looked like something out of a fairy tale. The air was filled with the scent of smoke from stoves and freshly cut grass.

They went from house to house. In each one, there was something interesting to see—in one, they saw wool being spun; in another, they saw bread being baked in an old oven. But what fascinated Roderik the most was the old school.

They entered a classroom with wooden benches. They were hard and uncomfortable, very different from the modern chairs in their school. On the wall hung a blackboard and next to it a map of Austria-Hungary. On the teacher’s desk lay a long thin stick.

„Do you know, children, what this cane was used for?“ asked Ms. Kvetková.

Roderik raised his hand. „My grandpa told me that when he went to school, naughty children were hit on their fingers or palms,“ he said. „But he said it wasn’t pleasant, and he’s glad they don’t punish like that in schools anymore.“

„Very good, Roderik,“ Ms. Kvetková praised him. „It’s good that we remember history, but it’s even better that we’ve learned from it.“

After returning and enjoying a delicious lunch (steamed buns with poppy seeds, Roderik’s favorite), they had one more hour of math. They solved problems about how many meters of wood a family needed for winter in the 19th century.

Then came free time. The boys decided to explore the area around the lodge, with strict instructions not to wander too far. Behind the lodge, half-hidden in the bushes, they discovered an old rusty car.

„It must be from the war!“ Maťo exclaimed excitedly.

„Imagine soldiers passing through here,“ Filip said thoughtfully, for once not feeling the need to show off his knowledge. They all stood silently around the wreck, imagining the stories this old witness of the past could tell.

The smell of dinner wafted from afar—it was baked potatoes with chicken and salad. After dinner, they had free time in the common room. And that was when something unexpected happened.

Roderik was backing up to get a better view of the table football game when he bumped into someone.

„Sorry!“ he quickly turned and met the bright eyes of a girl he recognized from the other class.

„It’s okay,“ she laughed. „I’m Táňa.“

„Roderik,“ he introduced himself as well.

„Oh, what’s that?“ she noticed the book he was holding.

„The Chronicles of Narnia,“ he said a bit shyly.

Táňa’s eyes lit up even more. „That’s my favorite book! Which character do you like the most?“

And suddenly, they were sitting in a corner on cushions, talking as if they had known each other forever. They both loved fantasy books, they both had a younger sister, they both collected dinosaur cards…

„Lights out!“ came the call far too soon. They still had so many topics they wanted to talk about!

„Tomorrow at breakfast?“ Táňa asked hopefully.

„Of course!“ Roderik nodded, heading to his room with a smile.

As he lay in bed, he realized he was starting to feel homesick. He wanted to see his parents, hug Rex, sleep in his own bed. When a message from his dad arrived, showing Rex sleeping with his favorite stuffed bear, he felt a strange warmth in his chest. He looked forward to going home, but at the same time, he felt a bit sad that he wouldn’t be able to continue his conversation with Táňa tomorrow.

„One more day,“ he thought as he closed his eyes. „Tomorrow evening, I’ll be home.“ With that thought, he fell asleep contentedly, dreaming of the old car coming to life and telling stories from the war, of Narnia, and of home, where Rex waited for him with his stuffed bear.

Fifth Day: Return Home

The last morning at School in Nature had a special atmosphere. Everyone knew they would be returning home after lunch, so every minute felt different, more important.

In physics class, Tomáš eagerly explained the principle of radio waves.

„You see, Roderik, these waves are all around us, but we can’t see them. But the radio can catch them and turn them into sound…“

But Roderik was only half-listening. His gaze kept drifting to the group of girls by the window, where Táňa was telling something funny, her laughter filling the whole classroom. It felt strange—he was so excited to go home, yet he felt a bit sad that they were leaving.

„Roderik? Are you even listening?“ Tomáš nudged him.

„Sorry… I got lost in thought,“ Roderik replied, trying to focus on his friend’s explanation.

After class, it was time to pack. The room that had become their second home over the past days started losing its cozy character. Posters came down from the walls and went into bags, clothes from shelves into suitcases. Roderik found a sock under the bed that he thought he had lost, and among the books, he found yesterday’s duty roster slip.

Lunch was festive—schnitzel with potato salad, just like on a holiday. Ms. Kvetková handed out certificates for completing School in Nature, and everyone clapped for each other.

As they boarded the bus, Roderik looked back one last time. The lodge bathed in the afternoon sun looked just as magical as it had on the first day. Memories swirled in his head—late-night chats with friends, discovering the old car, the disco, the trip to the open-air museum, the morning bird concerts… and a certain laugh.

The journey home went by quickly. He watched as the landscape changed—from forests back to meadows, from meadows to fields, from fields to suburbs, until finally, the familiar streets of their town appeared. He felt a pleasant thrill in his chest—he was excited to be home but also grateful for everything he had experienced at School in Nature.

A group of eager parents was already waiting in front of the school. Roderik saw them through the bus window—his mom and dad stood among the others, craning their necks to spot him. His eyes filled with tears, and his heart pounded like a drum.

As soon as the bus stopped, he ran out and threw himself into his parents‘ arms. He had so much to tell them—about the stream with fish, the tracks in the forest, the old car, Táňa… but the words got stuck in his throat. It didn’t matter, he thought, seeing the love and joy in their eyes—there would be plenty of time to talk.

On the way home, his parents bombarded him with questions: „How was it? What did you do? Did you like the food? Did you make new friends?“

Roderik just smiled. „There’s a lot to tell,“ he finally said. „But it was great. Really great.“

When they opened the door to their apartment, Rex jumped on him with such enthusiasm that he nearly knocked him over. He licked his face and whimpered happily, as if to say, „You’re finally home!“

„I’m glad to be home too,“ Roderik whispered into Rex’s ear, hugging him tightly.

That evening, as he lay in his bed with Rex curled up at his feet, he thought about everything he had experienced over the past five days. He realized his parents were right—missing home had been worth it. He had learned so much—not just about nature and history, but also about himself. He found out he could be independent, adapt to a new environment, make new friends…

And maybe, he thought with a smile as his eyes began to close, maybe he would see Táňa again. After all, they went to the same school…

With this pleasant thought, Roderik fell asleep in his own bed, happy to be home but just as happy that he had dared to go on this little adventure called School in Nature.