Page 5 (1/2)

"What do youabout a s about a capital-letter ice cream shop called The Palace, where they have--"

"Bathroous!"

"Exactly right," Gooney Bird said, and she took her seat Then carefully she unscrewed her dangling earrings "Ouch," she said "These really hurt"

Malcolet out of jail, Gooney Bird?" he asked

Gooney Bird looked unhappy for a ame"

5

On Tuesday, all of the children, including Felicia Ann, arrived at school early--even Malcolm, who had never been early before

Tricia had a flower in her hair

Ben earing a vest

Keiko had a tiny bit of pink lipstick on her lips

And Barry Tucker, class," Mrs Pidgeon said "Don't you all look nice today!"

"You do, too, Mrs Pidgeon!" the children said, and Mrs Pidgeon blushed

"Well," she said, "I thought I'd wear eon wore soft, coh-heeled shoes with gold buckles

The principal, Mr Leroy, made announcements on the interco of the crossing guards

A fifth grade boy read a poem about Christopher Colue of Allegiance together Then it was tiin

But Gooney Bird wasn't there

"Well," Mrs Pidgeon said, "let's take out our social studies books, class Let's turn to the chapter called 'Cities'"

"But Gooney Bird isn't here!" Nicholas called

"No," Mrs Pidgeon said, "she isn't She seems to be absent today Maybe she has the chicken pox"

The class was silent The rooerbils, who usually scurried noisily around in their cage, were very subdued George Washington, in his portrait on the wall, looked as if he ht cry any minute

Slowly the children took their social studies books from their desks and turned to the chapter called "Cities"

Keiko began to cry very quietly "I don't want to do social studies," she whimpered "I feel too sad"

Malcolm crawled under his desk and curled up in a ball

Suddenly the door to the room burst open

"It's Gooney Bird!" everybody called The lights seean to run in a circle, and George Washington seemed to smile

Gooney Bird was out of breath "I'm sorry I' I always set three alarht before, and I even put toothpaste on o to bed so that I can brush ! But today--

"Wait," she said "I have to catch my breath" She stood in front of the class and took a few deep breaths "There," she said "I'm fine now"

She s about, and tucked it behind her ears Today Gooney Bird earing gray sweatpants, a sleeveless white blouse with lace on the collar, and aloves that ca," she explained, "I quite unexpectedly had to direct an orchestra"

"An orchestra?" asked Mrs Pidgeon

"Yes A syeon s excuses for tardiness, but I have never heard that one before"

"I believe I'm unique," Gooney Bird said

"Yes, you are, indeed Did you wear your gloves when you were directing the orchestra?"

"Yes," said Gooney Bird, "as a matter of fact, I did I found theraders had their hands in the air and

were pretending to lead orchestras Even Malcol two pencils as orchestra batons

Gooney Bird headed toward her desk She looked around at the other children's open books "I see we're in the eon slipped one foot out of a high-heeled shoe and rubbed it with her hand Then she put her shoe back on "Actually," she said, "I think the class would appreciate it if we held story time a little early today"

"YAY!" called all the children, and they closed up their social studies books

"A Gooney Bird story?" Gooney Bird asked

"Yes," said Mrs Pidgeon

"YES!" called all the children

Gooney Bird sloves She went back up to the front of the room "Which one would you like today?" she asked "'How Catman Was Consumed by a Cow'?"

"I'd certainly like to hear about Cateon said "Maybe to I'd like to hear one called 'Why Gooney Bird Was Late for School Because She Had to Direct a Symphony Orchestra'"

"Oh," Gooney Bird said "All right I could tell that"

"And it will be absolutely true?" asked Mrs Pidgeon

"Of course," Gooney Bird said "Have you forgotten? All of my stories are absolutely true"

Then she curtsied, and began

Why Gooney Bird Was Late for

School Because She Was Directing

a Symphony Orchestra

Once upon a tiot up and got dressed in the clothes that she had carefully laid out the night before