Cousin's Challenge by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

and bring them upstairs. When the other class is ready for show and tell, we’ll go downstairs and join them.”
    Sylvia put the kitten inside its carrier, and Irvin put the turtle back in the box. Then Jolene followed the children up the stairs to their classroom.
    As the children approached their desks, Sylvia stood in front of Irvin with her back to Jolene. She stayed like that a few seconds before she finally turned and faced Jolene. “I told my brother that he’d better pay attention and do his lessons today.” Her forehead wrinkled as she pursed her lips. “Said I’d tell Papa if he didn’t.”
    Jolene bit back a chuckle, and then she told the children that it was time for them to sign the Lord’s Prayer.
    Sometime later as Jolene was about to give the children their arithmetic lesson, Fern entered the room, looking quite distraught. Jolene moved closer so she could read Fern’s lips.
    â€œMy helper, Becky, isn’t feeling well, and I need to take her home,” Fern said. “Would you mind taking over my class while I’m gone?”
    Jolene’s mouth went dry. “You—you want me to teach the scholars?”
    â€œYou won’t have to teach—just have them show their pets while I’m gone.” Fern touched Jolene’s arm. “It won’t take me long to drive Becky home, and I’m sure you’ll do fine while I’m gone.”
    Jolene gave a slow nod. If all she had to do was oversee the children as they showed their pets, it shouldn’t be too hard.
    â€œGet your pets; we’re going downstairs,” Jolene signed to the children. Sylvia jumped right up and got her kitten, and Irvin, though moving slowly, picked up the box with his turtle inside. They both tromped down the stairs ahead of Jolene.
    As soon as Fern left with Becky, Jolene went to the blackboard and wrote: Those of you who brought small indoor pets can show them now. Afterward, we’ll go outside to see the bigger pets.
    Before Jolene had the chance to explain that they would take turns showing their pets, Elmer Beechy raced across the room where his parrot’s cage sat on a shelf. He fumbled with the latch but was unable to open it.
    Kyle leaped out of his chair, pushed his brother aside, and pulled the latch open. The parrot hopped out, flapped its wings, and swooped over the children’s desks.
    Pandemonium broke out as most of the girls ducked down on the floor, while several boys leaped out of their seats and chased after the bird. Jolene clapped her hands, trying to get the scholars’ attention, but she was completely ignored. While the parrot continued to fly around the room, Kyle, wearing a smug expression, took a seat at his desk and stared straight ahead as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
    Jolene stood in front of Kyle’s desk. “Please catch the parrot and put him away!”
    He cupped his hands around his ears. “What was that? I can’t hear you.”
    Jolene gritted her teeth. In her previous years of teaching, she’d never encountered such a difficult child. Even though Kyle had been in her class two years ago, he’d been much younger then and had never given her any problems. The way he acted now made no sense, but it had to stop!
    Suddenly, Irvin jumped out of his seat, raced to the back of the room, and jerked the door open. The parrot made another circle of the room and flew out the door. Kyle leaped out of his seat and chased after it.
    Jolene was tempted to go after Kyle but decided it was best to let the boy go and try to get the rest of the class under control. She motioned to Sylvia and signed, “Why don’t you show us your kitten?”
    Sylvia left her seat and was about to open her pet carrier when Kyle burst into the room, riding his pony. He stopped in front of the blackboard, leaned down, scooped up a piece of chalk and wrote in big letters: MY PONY’S NAME IS