The New Stepdad
Dear Frankie,
The teacher asked my class to write a story about an exciting adventure. The following day, she asked me to read what I had written about my adventure in Africa.
“I was riding in a jeep beside the park ranger when we came upon a pride of lions and their cubs. When the lions saw and smelled me, they were curious about who or what I was. I had never seen lions that weren’t caged, so I was thrilled to see them roaming free. When the cubs saw me, they ran right up to the jeep to get a closer look at me. Seeing how friendly they were, I jumped out of the jeep to greet them. As soon as my paws hit the ground, the lions began to roar, and some started running full force toward the jeep. The ranger, fortunately, grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and pulled me into the jeep. He then slammed the gas pedal to the floor and we made it out of there in the nick of time.”
That’s when Billy jumped up and told the class I was lying because I had never been to Africa. I was mortified and didn’t know what to do.
Artie
Dear Artie,
Billy did what? I hope your teacher immediately called him out for inappropriate and unacceptable behavior. Is this what is happening in doggie daycare classes today?
In my day, a stern look and a few sharp words from the teacher would have had students going to the principal’s office with their heads on their chests and tails between their legs. A month of busing dirty dishes in the cafeteria would be considered a light punishment.
Besides being obnoxious, Billy didn’t know what he was barking about. The assignment was to write a story about an exciting adventure. You weren’t asked to write about an exciting adventure you experienced. Stories can have imaginary characters and events. They are written to entertain, not report.
Besides, why ruin a good story by telling the truth?
Best, Frankie
© 2023 Geneva Woodruff
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