Casey Can

Mr. and Mrs. Dog had a puppy named Casey. They took him to school. The teacher looked at Casey and said, “Sit.”

“I can’t,” said Casey.

The teacher gave Casey a curious look. “Roll over.”

“I can’t,” said Casey.

Mr. and Mrs. Dog frowned. “Every time we ask Casey to do something, he says he can’t,” they cried. “Lie down, Casey.”

“I can’t,” said Casey.

The teacher thought and thought. Why couldn’t Casey sit or roll over or lie down? Finally, she decided to try something. “Shake hands, please.”

At once, Casey held up his brown and black paw for a shake. “I can,” he said, “because you said please.”