Charles Baxter's stories are famous for the powerful gifts of ordinary people who encounter extraordinary strangers who disturb their lives. “Gryphon” written by Charles Baxter is no exception. The story is full of characters who awaken from their boring lives and are transported to a world of possibilities. As the story's central idea, Baxter's critics often mention Middle American conventions and the effect they have on anyone who doesn't fit the mold. Within “Gryphon” the reader experiences a few days in the life of a fourth grade class; specifically, a few days spent with a single substitute teacher. The narrative outlines, on many occasions, uncertainty in the face of the unknown. Is society ready to welcome someone who deviates from the limits of the norm? The title of the story is very significant in the context that follows. The Griffin is a mythical and mysterious creature. The term is almost never used to describe the lives of fourth grade students. In this case it works perfectly. A meat cleaver metaphor describes Miss Ferenczi in her role as the substitute teacher to whom this fourth grade class is introduced. The Griffin is a fictional creature with the back body of a lion and an eagle's head. The parallel between the substitute and the unreal creation serves a multipurpose metaphor. It is used to portray Miss Ferenczi's appearance and her teaching methods. Like a griffin, Miss Ferenczi is misunderstood, courageous and intelligent. With an image like this in mind, it's easy to see why she would be an outcast. The outward physical appearance of such a creature is not widely accepted. Miss Ferenczi is depicted dressed in a strange way, her hair is bizarre "gathered in a chignon" (24...... in the center of the sheet...... the classroom is his world and he tries to make the most of it the best. The narrator just wants to listen to her. He makes up his own stories fabulous, and believes in the existence of the beast, the character of Tommy represents that small part of the unaltered society that is still willing to accept the extraordinary aspects of life The last paragraph is full of little details of “no mystery” (256) now it becomes apparent. Because of Miss Ferenczi's influence, every fact of the world begins to take on an element of strangeness. After Miss Ferenczi is gone, life in Five Oaks has restored its ignorant peace, but she. is even greater the vital spirit remained alive in the heart of fourth grader Tommy.