Ira Glass

Thanks, as always, to our program's co-founder, Mr. Torrey Malatia. He's been taking a figure drawing class. His drawings are pretty good, except for the hands. He does the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, all great, and then gets to the end of the arm, and it's always, we can't quite put a finger on it. I'm Ira Glass. Back next week with more stories of This American Life.

May's six years old, in first grade. And she's the kind of forthright kid who, when we sit down for an interview, before I can get to any of the things that I want to ask her, she launches into a few get-to-know-you questions of her own. Hi, May.

May's six years old, in first grade. And she's the kind of forthright kid who, when we sit down for an interview, before I can get to any of the things that I want to ask her, she launches into a few get-to-know-you questions of her own. Hi, May.

We discuss favorite colors, and then she moves on to... What's your middle name? I'm glad you're asking me that. My middle name is... We move on to last names, and soon she's instructing me on the pronunciation of her last name.

We discuss favorite colors, and then she moves on to... What's your middle name? I'm glad you're asking me that. My middle name is... We move on to last names, and soon she's instructing me on the pronunciation of her last name.

Zmil Jenski.

Zmil Jenski.

The story I was there to talk to Ms. Jenski about happened this fall, at the beginning of the school year. In St. Louis, where she lives, it was hot out.

The story I was there to talk to Ms. Jenski about happened this fall, at the beginning of the school year. In St. Louis, where she lives, it was hot out.

This is her older sister, Johanna. Johanna's eight in third grade. Again, Mae, six, first grade. And Johanna, as the older sister, is very aware of the things that make Mae upset.

This is her older sister, Johanna. Johanna's eight in third grade. Again, Mae, six, first grade. And Johanna, as the older sister, is very aware of the things that make Mae upset.

Especially, she says, when it comes to what Mae is wearing.

Especially, she says, when it comes to what Mae is wearing.

Here's May.

Here's May.

What do you do when you have a tantrum?

What do you do when you have a tantrum?

You're scrunching your fist as tight as they can go.

You're scrunching your fist as tight as they can go.

Meanwhile, May and Johanna's mom, Megan, was trying to get them both dressed and ready for school.