Spelling Bee

Miranda had studied the words for the spelling bee for two weeks straight. Each class in school was to send a student to participate in the school-wide spelling bee. Miranda had always been a good speller. She just had to make it to the school spelling bee.

“Encourage,” said her teacher, “encourage.”

“E—n—c—o—u—r—a—g—e.”

“That’s correct,” replied the teacher.

Miranda had made it through another round. The room seemed awfully hot. Her friend Patsy had just spelled a word wrong and had to sit down. Miranda gave her a smile across the room. Now it was just Miranda and Kevin. This was going to be close.

Kevin’s word was “accommodate.” He surprised Miranda and spelled it right. Miranda was up next, and her word was “obstinate.” “The boy was acting obstinate when he wouldn’t agree to clean his room.” Miranda didn’t know what the word meant, but she thought she could spell it. She made it through the first part of the word but had to pause for the ending. “Nate.” How would this word be spelled? Would it be “nat?” “Nate?” She just wasn’t sure.

Just then a picture of her little cousin Nate flashed into her mind. She was pushing him higher and higher on a swing. Before she could think anymore about it, Miranda blurted out the last part, “N-a-t-e.”

“That’s correct!” yelled her teacher. Everyone was happy that Miranda spelled the word right.

Miranda looked up at the ceiling and said, “Thanks, Nate!”