Earthquake Drill

Either some occurrences are too subtle or else
our observation is inadept. How much do we become
aware of too late or miss altogether because of our inattention?
A question worth pondering and-as is the case with many such queries-
a question discovered in the small occurrences of every day life.
It was math time. A rattling, shaking noise sounded
from the intercom. It didn't start with a bang or any worthy
attention grabber, but gradually registered with my senses.
Even then, it was not perceived as a necessary concern for my brain
and was filtered instead as background noise.
An earthquake drill has a slightly amusing quality about it. Lights
shut off and everyone crouching under desks or tables, urging after two
minutes- standing around uncertainly as informed that the allotted time
under the desks is supposed to be three minutes. The kids questioning
why we need to be under desks and not understanding the reasoning behind
the drill, thinking people van respond appropriately to a situation they
have never practiced. It says a lot about the too often over-looked necessity of explaining "why"- a question which rises naturally to a child's lips and -sadly- is often rebuked.