In a bizarre twist that could only happen in a classroom, a geography teacher in Beedleville, Utah, has claimed to have discovered a lost continent hiding right beneath his desk. Mr. Harold Maples, known for his unorthodox teaching methods, made the astonishing revelation during a routine cleanup of his cluttered workspace.
“It was just another Wednesday,” Mr. Maples recounted, “when I noticed some old papers stacked under my desk. As I pulled them out, I felt something hard underneath. To my surprise, it turned out to be an entire continent—though admittedly, it looked more like a large rock with a couple of leaves stuck to it!”
While Mr. Maples was excited about his discovery, his students were less than convinced. “At first, we thought he was joking,” said 11th grader Samantha Lee. “But then he brought it out, and it was just this weird, flat thing. I mean, it didn’t even have a map!” Despite the skepticism, Mr. Maples insists that this newfound landmass, which he has whimsically named “Desklandia,” is indeed a lost continent.
Adding to the school drama, Principal Tom Rivers expressed a mix of jealousy and disbelief. “As a former geography enthusiast, I’m envious of Mr. Maples’ newfound fame,” he said. “But let’s be real—finding a continent under your desk? That’s a stretch, even for a high school science teacher.”
Meanwhile, Superintendent Ellen Fairchild was surprisingly impressed. “Regardless of the circumstances, this could be an incredible teaching moment,” she remarked. “We might not have a formal geological study to back it up, but creativity in education is what we need!”
In a delightful twist, the bordering state of Colorado itself seemed to come alive in response to the discovery. Residents there reported unusual activity, with reports of trees shaking and rocks rolling in excitement. Local geologists speculated that the landmass’s “awakening” may have sparked Colorado’s animated response.
“We’ve seen some interesting things in our time, but a state developing a personality? That’s a first!” chuckled Dr. Lynn Earthman, a local geologist. “Perhaps Desklandia has awakened a dormant geological spirit!”
Even more absurdly, Colorado has expressed its desire to “raise” Desklandia like a pet rock. State officials have proposed a lighthearted initiative to give it a proper name, complete with a nurturing program involving local schools. “We want to care for Desklandia as if it were our own child,” said Governor Mike Peaks. “We believe it will help teach the importance of geography—and maybe provide a few laughs along the way!”
While Mr. Maples’ colleagues remain skeptical, he stands firm in his belief that Desklandia holds untold wonders. “If we can turn a classroom into a continent, who knows what else we can achieve?” he said, grinning.
For now, the curious case of Desklandia has become the talk of Boulder, inspiring countless memes, classroom discussions, and a newfound appreciation for the geography of one’s own surroundings—even if it does come from under a desk. As for Mr. Maples, he is already planning an adventurous field trip to his “discovered” continent—just as soon as he clears off that desk!