Last week a small group of students from the Bermuda College spent time performing one of life's simplest joys.

They read to children.

"It was about a funny cat,'' said one nine-year-old after a narration of Dr.

Seuss' "Oh, the places we will go''.

"No, it was a boy,'' interrupted another.

"He was blue.'' "He was yellow.'' Oops.

Who would have guessed a simple question about what the book was about could cause such conflict? One thing was certain despite the conflicting recollections -- the listeners definitely enjoyed themselves. A loud, jumbled chorus of "Great...funny...cool.. .fun!'' erupted when asked how they felt about the experience.

And what was the best part about having a teenager visiting their class? "I like the book because my favourite author is Dr. Seuss,'' said Patraic Castle.

"I like it because we can always learn something new,'' added Scott Kennedy.

For nine-year-old Da-Nae Gibbons, just "getting him to read'' was the best part. And Aaron Glasford said the 18-year-old student made him laugh.

This week's cooperative venture between the College and Francis Patton school was the brainchild of Lisa Osborne, a reading tutor and lecturer at the College. "I thought it would be a good idea to have them read to the children,'' she explained simply.

Although held under the umbrella of the Academic Resource Centre's Discovery programme for college entrance preparation, the project spilled over into the regular Arts and Sciences Department when more narrators were required, said Mrs. Osborne.

A total of twelve male and female volunteers were eventually assembled who willingly put aside time to read books of their choosing to each of the Francis Patton Primary school's classes.

Mrs. Osborne said she guided each of the students to select an appropriate book and let them know "if they were on the right track''. And she said she hoped the experience would be both motivational and confidence building for everyone involved.

"I want to encourage a love for reading,'' she said. "I'm always trying to find ways to be involved in the community, my personal goal is to create a link with the community,'' she added. And Marva Outerbridge, the principal of Prospect Primary School, admitted she was "just as excited as Mrs. Osborne''.

Teachers read aloud to the students on a regular basis, she said. And adult visitors have also made guest appearances.

"But to have children who they look at and think `That could be my big brother or sister', I think it takes on a new excitement,'' she said. "Our students gain respect for young men and women.'' Lynaias Symonds and Fakir Zuill were two of the volunteers involved. Mr. Zuill said he especially enjoyed having the children's attention and being able to learn "their feelings on things''.

And he said "Oh the places we will go'' was especially meaningful for him because he received the book as a primary school graduation present.

"It basically tells the children they are going to go through their different changes,'' he said.

"It's a funny little book, but it tells you what might happen to you in life.'' And Mr. Zuill said he would welcome the opportunity to return to the classroom.

Mr. Symonds echoed his fellow student's sentiments in an even stronger manner.

Before reading to the children he was uncertain whether or not he wanted to become a teacher. "After yesterday I realised that I do want to become one,'' he said.