The famous tradition of Czech humorous literature from the school environment comes to life again, or Journey into the depths of a teacher's soul
Alfred doesn't like children. He can do magic, and so he does magic for children - so he can buy cigarettes, take a hot bath and move on the next day. His dead calm is disturbed only by a strange man who makes him a strange offer. Alfréd is to become the headmaster of the magic school in Bedary. Not because of magical talents, but because of a degree from the faculty of education. For the dreaded visit of the official hierarchy is approaching. And no amount of magic can do anything against her: an endless pile of paperwork to fill out.
Jan Jícha's novel The Headmaster and the Hydra is an intelligent parody that hits at the biggest problems of today's education system - senseless paperwork, an opaque jungle of decrees and regulations, burnt-out teachers and wild pupils. And the ubiquitous stupidity. Yet, despite everything, it is mainly a book about children, about the love of knowledge and eternal curiosity. And about the roast sparrows.
Children come into the world with the ability to wonder and magic. The school system can very quickly drive both out of them. The only thing resisting the child-beating is a well-hidden elementary school. However, it too is in danger - the hydra with the stamp is approaching.
