RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Ms. Colman stood between Ricky and Natalie. “I think we better start over,” she said to her students. “But first I would like Karen, Hannie, Leslie, Bobby, and Hank to apologize to Ricky for laughing.”

“I’m sorry,” said the kids.

“And now I would like Ricky to apologize to Karen, Hannie, Leslie, Bobby, and Hank.”

“Why?” cried Ricky. “I do not want them in the play. And it is my play.”

“First of all,” said Ms. Colman, “it is your play and Natalie’s. Not just yours. Second, if you did not choose Karen, Hannie, Leslie, Bobby, and Hank to be in the play because you think they are not right for any parts, that is fine. But if you did not choose them because you wanted to hurt their feelings the way they hurt yours, then that is not fine. And I think that is what you did. So please apologize, Ricky.”

“Sorry,” muttered Ricky.

“Okay. Let’s start over again,” said Ms. Colman. “And Natalie, this time I would like you to speak up when you and Ricky are choosing the characters. You have good ideas. Ricky, please forget about who laughed. Choose the kids you think would be best for each role or job.”

Ricky and Natalie began again. When they had finished, Omar was still the gander, but Leslie was Lucy. Bobby and Terri were the farmer and his wife, Chris was still the goose-friend, Audrey and Sara were the farmer’s daughters, and Karen and Hank were the farm animals. Jannie, Ian, and Nancy were in charge of the costumes, and Tammy and Hannie were in charge of the props.

“Good,” Nancy whispered to Hannie. “I really did not want to be in the play.”

“And I really did,” Karen whispered back.

“Ahem! No talking!” called Natalie from the front of the room.

“Yeah. It is time to start rehearsing,” said Ricky.

“Already?” asked Ian. “Shouldn’t we plan the costumes first? Author Day is coming soon. Jannie and Nancy and I need to know what stuff to look for.”

“And Hannie and I need to know what props to look for,” said Tammy.

“Okay, okay. We will have a meeting first,” said Natalie.

Five days later, the kids in Ms. Colman’s class held their first dress rehearsal. (Mr. Bennett’s visit was just two days away.)

“All right,” said Natalie. She and Ricky were standing at the front of the room again. Their classmates were sitting on the floor. The desks had been pushed against the back wall. Ms. Colman was sitting with the kids. “Prop people,” Natalie went on, “did you bring all the props?”

“Yes!” called Hannie.

“And costume people,” said Ricky, “did you bring everything?”

“Yes!” called Jannie.

“Then everybody into your costumes,” said Natalie.

Jannie, Ian, and Nancy handed out the costumes. Leslie put on the red kerchief that Lucy always wore. The farmer and his wife slipped overalls over their school clothes. Then they put on straw hats. The farm animals put on mittens and masks, and tails made from rope. Tammy and Hannie handed out the props. Soon the story characters looked just the way Natalie had drawn them.

Ms. Colman smiled. “Everyone looks wonderful!” she said. “Okay. Ricky, are you ready to read the story?”

“Nope,” said Ricky.

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Then I will read it,” she said. “But I am not going to read it on Author Day.” (She glared at Ricky.)

The play began. Leslie in her red kerchief posed with the farm family. (Bobby’s hat kept slipping over his eyes.) Then Leslie posed with the farm animals. (The cow’s tail fell off.) Leslie dreamed of her dinner date.

“Omar, you are supposed to sit at that table now!” Ricky whispered loudly. “You are the dinner date.”

“I am trying to sit. But my tail feathers will not stay on!”

Natalie kept reading the story. “ ‘Run for your life!’ ” she read.

Nothing happened. No one moved.

“Leslie, you are supposed to start running around the room now,” said Ricky. “The farmer is after you.”

“Oh. I forgot,” said Leslie.

“Cut!” cried Natalie.

“Do over!” cried Ricky. “This is horrible.”

But Ms. Colman smiled. “I am sure it will be fine,” she said.