Quote by Florence King
Showing up at school already able to read is like showing up at the undertaker's already embalmed: people start worrying about being put out of their jobs.
Summary
This quote suggests that when young children enter school already knowing how to read, it can create fear and unease among the teachers and educational staff, as it calls into question their role and necessity in teaching basic literacy skills. The comparison to "showing up at the undertaker's already embalmed" highlights the extreme nature of this situation, implying that the teachers may feel redundant and concerned about their job security if students are already proficient in reading before entering school.