Theodor enjoys the peaceful rhythms of children from St. Mary School and, along with Mother Nature, keeps an eye on the Village’s creatures while also listening for every splash, ripple, croak, and quack by heart.

Theodor Bachmann is a patient observer. He can sit beside the pond near St. Mary School for an entire afternoon and not feel like he's wasted a moment of it. He's catalogued the frogs by call, keeps informal tabs on the ducks, and considers himself on a first-name basis with at least three turtles.

The children from St. Mary School are, to Theodor's great delight, excellent companions in this endeavor. They have the right instincts: crouch down, stay quiet, watch what happens. He thinks that's a fine educational philosophy in general. Nature has a lot to say if you give it a moment. Theodor always gives it a moment.