"It was one of the best days of my life," Seamus Heaney said. The local boy made good had returned home to hand on a little wisdom to the latest generation at the little primary school that had helped make him, writes Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor, in Anahorish, Co Derry
In the process, the principal was hoping to use the famous son's reputation to raise some money to help educate the young of Anahorish.
The Nobel laureate had arrived punctually just after the children's lunch, which had been speedily concluded with military discipline.
Escorted into the staffroom for tea, a bun and a look at a grainy black-and-white picture of Heaney's class of 1951, the poet then headed down the corridor to meet Miss Duncan's primary one class.
The five-year-olds were learning about the letter S. "Oh," said the guest. "And what words do you know that begin with S?" "Santa," they said in one voice. It was a bit of a silly question for the time of year - but nobody suggested that "stupid" began with S as well.
Miss Duncan's class is well populated with Gribbens, a popular local family name, and connections were soon established, as is the country way.
Off to Mrs Dillon's primary two where there were no Gribbens, but there was a young Heaney. "My grandad's daddy knew your cousin," said young Jane. "Oh? And what's his name?" asked the poet, clearly in search of a first name."He's Heaney too," came the reply.
Next door in Miss Devlin's primary three class there were more Gribbens and more family connections to be made.
One child offered some connections of her own. "My Granny English sold goats to your daddy."
"I'm learning things here," said the great man, who admitted not remembering having any goats about the place in his day.
Then it was into the small hall-cum-diningroom where the rest of the school were waiting in formation for the much practised formal assembly.
They sang - beautifully; they played tin whistles and an accordion, and three girls danced a reel.
Other children recited the parable of the talents simply and poignantly, to great effect.
"Talent is something is something that makes us special," said one child. "And when you have a talent you should use it," said another.
There is no cause for concern on that score around these parts.
Then a little girl recited Anahorish - her place of clear water - and the author was plainly moved.
They presented him with a locally made etched mirror bearing his image.
Then he presented them with some of his works for their library and said he hoped that some day they would be able to read them in a new, hopefully bigger, school. "This place is special for me too," he said, and told them how moving it was to hear the parable of the talents.
The rural school still had a special love for children, he said. "It continues to this day."