The Brief Report

“If I sit through one more of these science reports, I’m going to die,” thought Kelsey as she rested her head on the desk.

Each student in her class had been assigned a report on a different planet. Kelsey had been the first to give her report, so she found it hard to sit quietly through the rest of them. She had already been given a warning to stay in her seat and keep quiet. Kelsey no longer was stressed about giving her report, so she had no adrenaline going to keep her nervous.

Kelsey watched Patrick get up and walk to the front of the room.

“Ughh!” moaned Kelsey silently. Patrick always bored her silly with his scientific terms and phrases. He perused his report before beginning.

Something in the corner of the room caught Kelsey’s eye. Was it a mouse? It sure looked like one! Kelsey kept her eye fixed to the crack in the wall.

Mrs. Smith noticed Kelsey’s distraction and calmly called across the room. “Kelsey, you know what your job is, so remember to do it.”

“My job has changed, Mrs. Smith,” said Kelsey, but she didn’t take her eyes off the wall.

“And what would that be?” demanded Mrs. Smith.

Just then, the mouse scurried out and raced across the room. “My job is to watch that mouse run under your desk,” said Kelsey calmly.

“Eeeeeek!” screamed Mrs. Smith along with the rest of the class.