It wouldn't have happened if Mrs. Black hadn't said that it seemed like a good idea. It wouldn't have happened if Mrs. Black hadn't said, "Bring your pets for show and tell on Tuesday. Be sure to have cages for them!"

 When Tuesday arrived, the bus driver couldn't wait to get to school, because the Grades 3 and 4 class had cages containing kittens, puppies, birds, turtles, gerbils and mice. There even was a pet snake and a skunk with his "odourizers" removed. Never had there been so much commotion with all the children trying to get out of their seats to see each other's pets.

 "Quiet! Quiet!" shouted the bus driver, trying to maintain order as a parrot landed on his shoulder. "Whoever owns this bird, better remove it from my shoulder. I'm trying to drive this bus!"

 The parrot was removed, but not until it had left a reminder of its visit on the shoulder of his driver's uniform. "Ugh!" said the bus driver seeing the mess.

 At school, it was no better, as Grades 3 and 4 arrived with the mainstream of other children from other buses. No one could expect that the Primary class and Grade 1 class wouldn't be interested in all the pets. Grade 6 thought the animals were cool and came down to the class to take a look. Mrs. Black realized her mistake immediately.

 She tried to gain order of the class, but by that time, someone had let out the skunk, followed by the release of the snake. Mrs. Black jumped on her chair as the snake slithered by her desk.

 The mice were scared of the snake and scurried under her desk. Mrs. Black stayed perched above the scampering, slithering mess, holding onto the blackboard.

 The puppies, Nicky and Pa, chased the kittens, Baby and Amber. Joey Turtle got turned upside down by Hoppy Gerbil. Animals got into the lunches and crumbs littered the floor. Books and paper lay scattered and children who were shrieking and screaming, grabbed for pets, or stood on their desks.

 "What is going on here?" demanded the principal.

 The snake stopped slithering, the mice stopped squeaking, the puppies stopped yelping and the kittens stopped meowing. Then the children stopped shrieking, which left Mrs. Black to reply, "Oh, this is show and tell, sir!"

 The principal was not impressed looking at the room which was in ruins. One little puppy named Nicky, was made so nervous by the big, demanding voice, that he did a "no-no" on the principal's pant leg. Silence filled the room.

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 "The bus driver will drive all those children home to take back their pets. From now on, bring pictures of your pets only for show and tell," said the principal, backing out of the room.

 Mrs. Black agreed wholeheartedly as she helped the children prepare for home.

 Winner:  Dija Pickens of Bridgewater received her prize at home for sending in the answer.

 Question about the story: What slithered by Mrs. Black's desk?

 Send answers to Storytime, c/o Verna Dunlop, RR#1, Moser River, NS BOJ 2KO or e-mail the answer to the question to vernadunlop@yahoo.com. Prizes will be sent to those sending in the answer.

posted on 03/09/10