back to him. “You can erase your name from the board, too.”
Todd could hardly believe it. For the first time ever, he erased his name from the board.
As he headed back to his seat, Mrs. Jewls said, “Here, take a Tootsie Roll Pop too, for the sweeeeeet puppy.”
Todd was amazed.
So was Joy. Now, more than ever, she wanted that toy!
Out at recess everyone wanted to see Todd’s toy.
“It’s magic,” said Bebe. “It kept you from getting into trouble.”
“No, Mrs. Jewls is just a nice teacher,” said Todd. “Here, let me show you the best part.”
He grabbed hold of the dog’s tail and turned it like a crank. Suddenly the cute floppy ears stood straight up. The mouth opened wide, and the teeth grew into sharp fangs.
“Wow,” breathed Deedee.
Todd wasn’t finished. He pulled the dog’s nose and stretched out its face. The cheeks became thin and bony. The eyes were no longer sweet, but grim and frightening.
“What a great toy!” said Calvin.
The cute little puppy had turned into a mean, hungry, man-eating wolf.
“I still haven’t shown you the best part,” said Todd.
But before he could show them the best part, the bell rang, and everyone ran up the stairs to class.
I’ve got to get that puppy dog, thought Joy as she stared at the back of Todd’s neck. Then I’ll never get in trouble again! She didn’t know Todd’s toy had changed into a man-eating wolf.
Her lunch box was on her lap. She quietly opened it and took out a carton of cranberry juice and a tiny straw.
She stuck the straw into the carton and sucked up some juice into it.
She waited for Mrs. Jewls to turn around, then blew the juice out of the straw. It splattered against Todd’s neck.
He slapped the back of his neck with his hand.
Joy laughed to herself. She sucked up some more juice, took careful aim, and fired.
Todd turned around, but Joy already had the straw out of her mouth and was looking down at her book.
Todd rubbed his neck and faced front.
Joy sucked up more juice and blew it onto Todd’s neck.
“Hey!” he shouted, turning around.
“Leave me alone, Todd—I’m trying to work,” said Joy.
“Todd, what’s the matter with you?” asked Mrs. Jewls. “I try to be nice, but you just take advantage. Now go write your name on the blackboard.”
Todd walked to the front of the room. He still thought Mrs. Jewls was the nicest teacher in the world. He looked up at the clock. It was almost eleven. I might just make it today, he thought. I just might make it. He started to write his name when he heard a loud scream.
He turned around and saw Joy jumping up and down and waving her hand in the air. His toy was biting her pinky, and she couldn’t shake it off.
“Help!” screamed Joy as she hopped around the room. “Todd, how do I get it off? Todd? Please?”
Todd smiled. “There,” he said. “That’s the best part.”
g
Chapter 9
Mush
WARNING: Do not read this story right after eating. In fact, don’t read it right before eating, either. In fact, just to be safe, don’t read this story if you’re ever planning to eat again.
g
Miss Mush wiped her hands on her apron. She smiled at the children who were lined up at the cafeteria. It warmed her heart to see how much they liked her food.
Maurecia was first in line.
“And what would you like today, Maurecia?” Miss Mush asked. She knew the name of every child in Wayside School.
Maurecia looked at the sign.
g
g
g
“Just milk,” said Maurecia. “I brought my lunch.” Miss Mush smiled and gave Maurecia a carton of milk.
Joy was next in line.
“And what would you like, Joy?” asked Miss Mush.
“Milk,” said Joy.
Miss Mush smiled and gave Joy a carton of milk. “And what would you like, Jason?”
“Milk, please,” said Jason.
“Just milk,” said Dameon.
“Milk,” said D.J.
“Milk,” said Leslie.
It was almost Ron’s turn. He hadn’t brought a lunch. He normally brought a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school,
Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough