Ruthie quotes from 7th Heaven

Annie

Why isn't Simon watching Ruthie?

Ruthie

Is Simon my new mommy?

Matt

Don't make me get Mom and Dad.

Ruthie

Ha! You couldn't get Mom and Dad away from the "Children of the Corn" if you tried!

Ruthie

Babies, babies, babies. You'd think they never even saw a baby before. The way everyone goes ooh and aah if they even poop. It's not fair.

Simon

Forget it, that's not going to change, what has changed is my luck and I've got to change it back. Did you answer that chain letter or not?

Ruthie

One to Simon Camden, one to Master Simon Camden and one to Senor Simon Camden. That's Spanish.

Simon

You can't give me back my own chain letter. You're supposed to send it to three other people. The idea is to keep the chain going or bad luck will befall you.

Ruthie

Bad luck already befalled on me the day the babies were born.

Simon

Ditto.

Simon

The Tooth Fairy doesn't hex. The Tooth Fairy grants wishes. Good wishes.

Ruthie

The Tooth Fairy is branching out.

Ruthie

Why did Daddy's heart attack him?

Simon

Some hearts just do that, I guess.

Lou

Where's your father, Ruthie?

Ruthie

He's at home and he doesn't know that I'm here. And I risk being punished to tell all of you that my dad really needs that raise so he could buy a new car. But I think you should change your minds. Do you know all the things my father does? He helps kids who are in trouble and people without jobs or houses. And when something really bad happens, he's there. And you know why? 'Cause he cares. But don't worry, he'll keep caring whether he gets the raise or not. I'm just hoping you'll change your minds. That's about all I have to say.

Ruthie

So, what kind of fun stuff do we have planned for tomorrow?

Annie

[to Eric] Teacher Work Day. No school for Ruthie.

Ruthie

Yes!

Annie

Okay, let's see. Tomorrow, you can help me clean the bathrooms, do the laundry, repair the kitchen sink, iron the socks, reorganize the linen closet, and go shopping.

Ruthie

Toy shopping?

Annie

Food shopping.

Ruthie

Man, this is gonna be worse than school!

Annie

[when Eric gives her a funny look] What?

Eric

It is going to be worse than school.

Ruthie

Shana didn't call yesterday. That's the first time that happened.

Eric

I didn't know any of this.

Ruthie

Maybe Matt just doesn't want to tell you that stuff.

Eric

Why would that be?

Ruthie

I don't know. Sometimes kids just don't want their parents to know stuff. They have their reasons.

Eric

Like you having your reasons for not wanting to tell us what your science experiment is?

Ruthie

Exactly!

Ruthie

Don't just stand there. Do something

Lucy

Well, what am I supposed to do?

Ruthie

Teach me how not to let words hurt me.

Annie

Do you know why I got so mad at your teacher?

Ruthie

Because she was mean to me?"

Annie

Yes. But also because when Ms. Riddle hurt your feelings and made you feel like you weren't smart, then school and learning became a bad thing. And if that happens enough, it won't be long before you don't like school at all. And that would be wrong. Because learning should always be enjoyable. And school should be like this safety zone where students not only learn about the stars, but reach for them as well.

Ruthie

[about Sam and David's birthday] Why can't we just celebrate it today so we can keep Valentine's sacred?

Annie

Because Valentine's isn't sacred, but the birth of those boys was sacred, so the importance of their birthday outweighs Valentine's Day.

Ruthie

I'll be sure to let Hallmark know.

Ruthie

This isn't just about Miss Riddle and me. When I thought about it, I'm not just angry that I'm in her class again. I'm angry about a whole lot of stuff. Are we tired of being told to be quiet?

Yeah!

Ruthie

Are we tired of being made to feel stupid when we don't know something?

Yeah!

Ruthie

Are we tired of not being able to ask questions?

Yeah!

Ruthie

We're tired of having no choices and having grown-ups making bad choices for us.

Yeah!

Ruthie

We are tired of eating bad school food. Ketchup as a vegetable? I don't think so.

Yeah!

Ruthie

And if we have to learn about the stuff that doesn't interest us, why can't we also learn about the stuff that does interest us? Is it too much work to give us each individual assignments if we're willing to do them?

Yeah!

Ruthie

And can't the adults do something about school safety? Aren't you scared that you're gonna get shot, or that someone else is gonna get shot? I am. There are a lot of angry kids around here. Why can't someone help them do something with their anger? I can tell you that it helps just to talk. And why can't someone help the kids who come to school hungry? It's not their fault their parents can't feed them. And why can't someone help the kids who get hit every night when they go home? Can't someone protect them? Won't someone help us? I don't just need a new teacher. We need a revolution!

Yeah!!! (they all stand up) Ruthie! Ruthie! Ruthie!

Eric

Actually, your principal called this morning, and you're not in any trouble. He thinks he may have found a way to get you out of Miss Riddle's class.

Ruthie

Thank God!

Eric

What did you say?

Ruthie

Thank God. You should thank God. I talked to God and told him how unhappy I was at school, and asked Him to help.

Eric

You prayed to get out of Miss Riddle's class?

Ruthie

If you don't ask, you don't get. I just thought you and Mom could use some help.

Ruthie

[to her parents as they are visiting Eleanor Roosevelt School] They have horses! Horses!

The school offers both English and western style instruction.

Ruthie

And there's no homework!

We feel the children work hard during the day. At night, they should be free to relax and be kids. After all, we do have them seven hours a day. Of course, if Ruthie would like to spend time at home studying any subject beyond the core curriculum, we'll set up an individual program for her.

Ruthie

I may want to do that, considering I don't have to be at school until TEN!

[laughs] We have a flexible schedule. Students can start as late as ten, but then they go until five. Not every student does his or her best work early in the morning. Plus, we have a 14 to 1 student ratio and a whole list of after-school trips and projects. Last year, we took a group of students to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. and met the President. I think that Ruthie would make a wonderful addition to our school. If you have any questions, please call.

Thank you. [they shake her hand]

Bye, Ruthie. [leaves]

Ruthie

Boy, when God answers a prayer, he answers a prayer!

Annie

Does that mean you want to go to school here?

Ruthie

Oh, yeah!

Lucy

If you got into that school, you should be honored. You should go.

Ruthie

No. I will not go! You cannot make me! I'm just going to run away.

Lucy

If you run away, you'll still have to make all new friends.

Ruthie

No I won't. My friend Sarah will come with me and we'll join the circus, and when we're old enough we'll marry clowns!

Lucy

You have put way too much thought into this whole thing.

Ruthie

Why has God forsaken me? WHY?