Adventures in 4D: Riyadh Schools and Animal Adaptations

Mr. Courtney

So, folks, let me tell you about one of my star students, Moneef. This kid is absolutely obsessed with camels. I mean, we were doing a lesson on animal adaptations, and Moneef was like, 'Mr. Courtney, did you know camels can drink 30 gallons of water in just 13 minutes?' I was like, 'Yeah, Moneef, but can you explain why the giraffe has a long neck?' And he just looked at me like I was speaking a different language. 'Camels, Mr. Courtney. We should be talking about camels.'

Mr. Courtney

And you know what? Moneef’s obsession with camels isn’t just limited to the classroom. He actually brought a baby camel to school one day. I mean, a baby camel! I had to call the principal, and the next thing you know, we had animal control and the whole school was in an uproar. But Moneef was just standing there, calmly petting the camel, saying, 'It’s okay, Mr. Courtney, he’s just a baby. He won’t do anything.'

Mr. Courtney

So, the moral of the story is, if you ever want to bring a pet to school, just make sure it’s not a camel. Trust me, it’s a whole lot of trouble. But hey, Moneef, if you ever need a ride to school, I’m sure that camel can handle it, right? (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

Speaking of students, let me tell you about Adeeb. This kid has the most creative homework excuses I’ve ever heard. One day, he comes in and says, 'Mr. Kyle, I couldn’t finish my homework because my pet lizard ate it.' I was like, 'Adeeb, you have a pet lizard?' And he’s all, 'Yeah, but it’s a very hungry lizard.' I mean, how do you argue with that?

Mr. Kyle

But it gets better. Another time, he tells me, 'Mr. Kyle, my homework got blown away by a sandstorm.' I said, 'Adeeb, there’s no sandstorm in Riyadh right now.' And he’s like, 'Well, there was one in my bedroom.' I swear, I don’t know how this kid gets away with it, but he does. And you know what? I kind of respect his creativity.

Mr. Kyle

So, the next time you’re stuck on your homework, just tell your teacher your pet lizard ate it or there was a sandstorm in your bedroom. It might just work. But be warned, if you bring a pet lizard to school, you might end up like Moneef with the camel. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

Now, let’s talk about Suliman. This kid has some of the most outlandish theories about animal adaptations. One day, he comes up to me and says, 'Mr. Courtney, I think camels can survive in the desert because they have invisible water tanks in their humps.' I was like, 'Suliman, that’s a great theory, but it’s not quite how it works.' And he’s all, 'But Mr. Courtney, it would be so convenient, right?'

Mr. Courtney

And you know what? Suliman’s theories are so creative, I sometimes wonder if they’re not just a little bit true. I mean, have you ever seen a camel’s hump? It’s kind of suspiciously shaped, if you think about it. Maybe there is something to it. But then again, maybe Suliman just has a vivid imagination.

Mr. Courtney

So, if you ever find yourself in the desert without water, just look for a camel and check if it has an invisible water tank. Who knows, maybe Suliman’s theory will save your life. (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

Now, let’s talk about Abdulrahmaan. This kid is like a desert survival expert. One day, he comes in and tells me, 'Mr. Kyle, if you ever get lost in the desert, just follow the camel tracks. They always lead to water.' I was like, 'Abdulrahmaan, that’s a great tip, but what if there are no camels?' And he’s all, 'Just find the camel tracks, Mr. Kyle. They’re everywhere.'

Mr. Kyle

And you know what? Abdulrahmaan’s tips are so practical, I sometimes wonder if I should just quit teaching and become a desert survivalist. I mean, who needs a classroom when you can follow camel tracks and find water? But then again, I’m not sure I’m cut out for the camel lifestyle.

Mr. Kyle

So, the next time you’re lost in the desert, just remember Abdulrahmaan’s advice: follow the camel tracks. And if you see a camel, maybe ask it for directions. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

Now, let’s talk about Aws. This kid has a way of disrupting the class that’s both unexpected and hilarious. One day, we were in the middle of a lesson on animal adaptations, and Aws suddenly stands up and says, 'Mr. Courtney, I have a question.' I was like, 'Sure, Aws, what is it?' And he’s all, 'Why do giraffes have long necks?' I was like, 'To reach the leaves at the top of trees, Aws.' And he’s like, 'But why don’t they just climb the trees?' I was like, 'Because they can’t, Aws. They’re giraffes.'

Mr. Courtney

And you know what? Aws’s questions are so random and so unexpected, I sometimes wonder if he’s doing it on purpose. But then again, maybe he’s just trying to make sure we’re all paying attention. I mean, who knows? Maybe giraffes should just learn to climb trees. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

So, if you ever find yourself in a class and you want to disrupt things, just ask a random question about giraffes or camels or whatever animal you can think of. Trust me, it works. (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

Now, let’s talk about the unique animal adaptations we have here in Saudi Arabia. Did you know that the Arabian oryx can survive without water for months? I mean, that’s some serious desert survival skills. And you know what? I think we should all take a page from the oryx’s book. If you can survive without water for months, you can definitely survive a dry classroom. (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

And then there’s the dromedary camel. I mean, this animal is a desert survival machine. It can store water in its hump, it can survive in extreme temperatures, and it can even run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. I’m not sure if Moneef knows this, but maybe he should start training his baby camel for the Olympics. (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

So, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, just think about the Arabian oryx and the dromedary camel. If they can survive in the desert, you can survive anything. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

Now, let’s talk about the great 4D class pet debate. We were trying to decide what kind of pet to get for the class, and the suggestions were all over the place. Moneef, of course, wanted a camel. Adeeb suggested a pet lizard. Suliman thought we should get a desert fox. And Aws, being Aws, suggested a giraffe. I was like, 'Aws, a giraffe? Where are we going to keep it?' And he’s like, 'In the hallway, Mr. Courtney. It’s big enough.'

Mr. Courtney

And you know what? The debate got so heated, we almost had to call in a mediator. But in the end, we decided on a class pet that was a little more practical: a goldfish. I mean, it’s not a camel, but it’s a start. And you know what? If the goldfish can survive in a fishbowl, Moneef’s camel can survive in the desert. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

So, if you ever find yourself in a classroom pet debate, just remember: a goldfish is a safe bet. (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

Now, let’s talk about Mr. Courtney’s teaching mishaps. One day, we were doing a lesson on animal adaptations, and Mr. Courtney decided to bring in a live demonstration. He brought in a tarantula. I mean, a tarantula! And you know what? The tarantula escaped. It was chaos. Students were screaming, desks were being overturned, and I had to call animal control. Again. (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

And you know what? The tarantula was found hiding in a student’s lunchbox. I mean, imagine that. You’re just trying to enjoy your sandwich, and you find a tarantula staring back at you. I don’t know who was more surprised, the student or the tarantula. (audience laughter)

Mr. Kyle

So, the moral of the story is, if you’re going to bring a live demonstration to class, make sure it’s something that can’t escape. Like a goldfish. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

Now, let’s hear a wild classroom story from Mr. Kyle. One day, he was trying to teach a lesson on desert plants, and he decided to bring in a cactus. I mean, a cactus! And you know what? The cactus was a bit too spiky for the students. One of them accidentally touched it, and let’s just say, it wasn’t pretty. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

And you know what? The student who touched the cactus was so shocked, he started dancing around the classroom, trying to get the spines out. It was like a scene from a comedy movie. I don’t know who was more entertained, the students or Mr. Kyle. (audience laughter)

Mr. Courtney

So