test with some of the big uns that 5wa in the tropical waters. This
sort of synthetic material was extremely durable and would certainly
take the weight of pack fish which could sometimes be quite substantial.
A third group made up of teachers – novices and experienced were
gathered in the College’s spacious refectory.
Today this convocation had the happier task, learning and rehearsing the
new Ballads which were to be used in teaching the young.
On the second day the Fort Weyrleader would instruct the peripatetic
teachers on how best to shelter themselves if they should be caught out
during Threadfall.
Clisser had been inundated with complaints that the Weyrs were
restricting rides which had been the accustomed mode of transport. Not
all the teachers were familiar with, nor competent to ride, the sturdy
horses that had been bred for long-distance and mountain travel. He was
going to have to reassign a lot of his older teachers, yet another
headache.
But for this three-day period at least, the emphasis would be on the
music and the new curriculum. Not that he hadn’t had contentious
reactions to that. He was beginning to think that Bethany had had the
right of it when she suggested that they, like the first Settlers, had
relied too heavily on easy access to information. Oddly enough, some of
the older teachers loudly approved the new curriculum.
High time we brought things up to date, with relevance to the life
we’re leading here, not what folks had there,’ Layrence of Tillek said,
stuff we’ll never have, so what’s the point of quizzing them on it?”
But we have traditions we must uphold,’ Sallisha said, her brow creased
in a frown. Which made Clisser realize once again that her reputation
for being a right wagon’ was not without merit.
Traditions which they must understand to appreciate what we have Oh,
Sallisha,’ and Bethany smiled in her soothing way, we’re incorporating
all those traditions in the Ballads but stressing what they need to
understand of the life they have here.” But our glorious past . . .
Sallisha began.
Is past,’ Sheledon said forcefully, scowling right back at her.
All past, all gone, and why dwell on contacts our ancestors severed for
their own good reasons?” But – – but – – – they should know – – –
Sallisha began again.
If they wish to know more, they can read it. . . Sheledon said, for
advanced study. Right now, they have to cope with the problem of
Threadfall. . And that’s far more important than which planets
outlasted the Nathi bombardments and who was World Leader in 2089,’ said
Shulse. Or how to plot a parabolic course around a primary.
Sallisha glared implacably at the maths teacher.
Of course,’ Shulse went on, I do approve of mentioning such history
where it pertains to Emily Boll as Governor, or Paul Benden as Admiral
of the Fleet, because they are part and parcel of Pernese history.” But
you have to show students the overall picture – – -.
Sallisha was persistence itself.
And some students will be vitally interested, I’m sure,’ Shulse said,
but I agree with Clisser that we have to streamline the material to be
studied to the point where it has relevance to this world and our
civilization.” Civilization?” Sallisha said at her most scornful.
What? You don’t call what we’ve made here “civilized”?” Sheledon loved
to tease the literal-minded Sallisha.
Not in terms of what our ancestors had.” And all that went with a
high-tech society – like prepubescent addicts, city gangs, wild plagues,
so much tech fraud that people were stuffing credits in their mattresses
to protect their income, the Spare me,’ Sallisha said contemptuously,
and concentrate on the good that was done Sheledon gave a chuckle.
D’you know how dangerous it was to be a teacher on old Earth?”
Nonsense, our civilization,’ and she emphasized the word, revered
professors and instructors on every level. Only after they were
allowed class-room discipline Sheledon began.
And the use of stunners,’ added Shulse.
That is not a problem on Pern,’ Sallisha said loftily.
And we’ll keep it that way,’ said Clisser firmly, by adjusting what
interests our classes and dispensing with irrelevancies.” Sallisha