Why Harry Ran So Hard

The last hour of the day, Harry put his head down on his desk and stared at the floor. Everyone, including the teacher, thought that Harry was exhausted. After all, he had just run thirty-seven laps. But I knew better. Harry was bummed about the play money. I just didn’t know why.

Miss Mackle went to the whiteboard and took out her red marker.

“As you know, we are having our Sharing and Caring Tag Sale on Thursday,” she said. “I counted the votes while you were in gym, and I am happy to tell you which three charities will receive our donations. There were so many wonderful ones to choose from.”

Lots of people started clapping when they read the names on the whiteboard.

ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.

GSUSA, Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

 

“Yes!” Mary blurted out.

“I want each of you to make a poster for one of these charities tonight for homework,” Miss Mackle said. “Please use their initials. You’ll hang your poster on the front of your desk for our tag sale.”

ZuZu was beaming. “Yahoo! UNICEF won! My great-grandmother lives in Lebanon, and she told me they help poor and sick children there.”

“I voted for that charity, too,” Song Lee added. “UNICEF helps children in Korea, and that’s where I was born. My aunt Sun Yee told me UNICEF cleaned up the polluted water near our old house.”

Miss Mackle smiled. “All right,” she said. “Now, do any of you know what you will be selling at our tag sale?”

Ida spoke first. “Song Lee taught me how to make friendship bracelets. We’ve made two dozen already!”

Song Lee held her hand up so we could see the one on her wrist. The multicolored strings were all braided together. “Do you think fifteen cents is fair?” she asked.

“It’s worth at least a quarter,” I said. Song Lee and Ida bounced up and down in their seats. They liked the price.

I shared next. “I’m bringing a box of used children’s books. They’re still good, though. Not one page is ripped out. And I’m not selling the books my brother scribbled in.”

“Wonderful!” Miss Mackle replied.

“We can sell used things, but they should be in good condition.”

“Can we bake something?” Mary asked. “I want to make challah rolls. I love braiding the dough before it goes into the oven.”

“That’s a great idea,” Miss Mackle replied. “But all baked goods must be wrapped in foil or plastic for sanitary reasons. And that will make it easier for the children to take them home.”

Mary nodded. “Oh, I will be sure to wrap each roll very carefully!”

I nudged Harry. He was still slouched over his desk, and I wanted to cheer him up. “Hey, you could bake something, too. Your grandma could help.” Grandma Spooger bakes cakes and cookies all the time. She runs a bakery business out of her own kitchen.

Harry sat up. “No, I can’t ask her, Doug.” He lowered his voice. “Grandma’s stove broke down. She can’t bake anything until she gets her oven fixed. We have to save every nickel and dime for the repair job. It’s expensive!”

Oh boy, I thought. So that was the reason Harry ran so hard for cash. And why he couldn’t afford a hot lunch on sausage day. Harry had a money problem.

“That’s too bad,” I said.

“Don’t tell anyone,” Harry whispered. “Grandma says we shouldn’t talk about our money problems.”

“But . . . if you do talk about it, maybe someone could help,” I whispered back.

“No! Just forget it, okay?” Harry insisted.

“Okay,” I replied. “I won’t mention your stove again.”

I reluctantly sealed our pact with a knuckle tap. Then Harry went to get a drink of water.

After Harry had walked away, Mary leaned over and said, “Did you just say ‘stove’? We’re getting a new one this week! It’s going to be buttercup yellow to match our newly painted kitchen.”

“Well, goody for you!” I snapped.

“What did I say?” Mary asked.

“Nothing, Mare. Forget it.” I couldn’t tell Mary about Harry’s money problem. He had asked me to keep it private, and he trusted me.

The teacher stopped listing things on the whiteboard and turned around. “Please don’t forget to take home notices for your parents about our Sharing and Caring Tag Sale on Thursday. And remember to use the charities’ initials on your posters.”

Everyone watched the teacher erase most of the board. Only the initials of the charities were left. When I looked over at Harry, he was standing in the middle of the room, staring at the whiteboard.

ASPCA

UNICEF

GSUSA

 

Suddenly Harry rushed back to his seat. “I’ve got it!” he said.

“Got what?” I asked.

“My favorite charity!” Harry replied. “The GS fund!”

Mary cheered. “Yippee! Harry’s going to help earn money for the Girl Scouts!”

Harry nodded. “Go GS!” he said, punching the air with his fist.

Why was Harry so excited to earn money for the Girl Scouts?

Harry raised his eyebrows. “GS . . . get it, Dougo?” he whispered. “Now I can really help Grandma!”

What was Harry up to?