Building Block Blunder

“Justin! Breakfast!” Justin’s mom called from the kitchen as she placed a plate of pancakes at the table and poured a glass of milk.

“Okay!” Justin hollered from his bedroom. “Just a few more pieces,” he muttered to himself as he added more building blocks to his tower. Then he placed his favorite knight on a horse in front of the castle on the little table. “I will defend this castle with my life!” Justin said in his deepest “knight” voice then added, “Hey, where’s his spear?” He turned to the bin full of blocks to search for the knight’s weapon. As Justin rummaged through the bin, his door opened.

“Justin! You’re still in your pjs?” His mom stood in the doorway staring in disbelief.

“Look, Mom. I added to my castle. Isn’t it great?” Justin pointed to his newly built tower.

“Justin, mornings are not the time to be playing with blocks. Your pancakes are cold, and you’re going to be late for school!” Mom grabbed clothes from the dresser and laid them on Justin’s bed.

“Get dressed and come down for breakfast—now.” As she left the room, she pointed to the paper on his table and added, “And don’t forget to put your homework into your backpack.”

Justin rushed around his room getting ready for school. He didn’t notice when his homework paper swished off the table and drifted down to the floor. Justin hurriedly grabbed his backpack and raced downstairs to eat. Sure enough, his pancakes were cold.

“Please chew with your mouth closed, Justin,” said Mom.

“I’m trying to eat fasht!” mumbled Justin with his mouth full.

Justin’s little sister, Ellie, giggled. “You got bad mannahs, Jussin.”

Justin crossed his eyes at Ellie then gulped his milk to wash down the pancakes. “Done!”

“Okay, we need to hustle. I hope traffic isn’t bad,” Mom said as they scrambled out the door.

Finally, Justin slipped into his seat at school just as the bell rang.

“You’re cutting it close, Justin,” said his friend Jessie from her seat behind him.

“Yeah. Good thing my mom’s a fast driver,” Justin replied as he held an imaginary steering wheel and pretended to drive wildly, making Jessie laugh.

“Class, make sure your homework is on my desk,” their teacher, Mrs. Bentley, announced.

Justin and several other students jumped up and ran to their backpacks. Justin unzipped the big pocket and felt around inside. But his homework paper wasn’t there!

“Uh-oh,” Justin whispered. He quietly tip-toed back to his seat, hoping no one would notice.

“Justin, where’s your homework?” Mrs. Bentley asked.

“I guess I forgot it at home—but I did it,” Justin explained.

Mrs. Bentley looked disappointed. Justin felt terrible. “I’m really sorry. I’ll bring it tomorrow.”

Mrs. Bentley sighed. “Okay. Make sure you do.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Bentley!” Justin let out a huge sigh of relief. He was glad for another chance.

That evening, after dinner, Justin and his dad played together with Justin’s blocks.

“I know, Dad! Let’s build a castle for you!” Justin suggested.

“That’s a good idea, but it’ll have to wait for tomorrow. It’s time for bed,” Dad replied as he slowly stood from his cramped position at Justin’s little table. “Good night, Justin.”

The next morning, when Justin woke up, he threw on his clothes and raced to his table. “I know just how to build Dad’s castle. It should have three towers,” he decided as he set to work. When his mom called him for breakfast, he had one and a half towers built! Since he was already dressed, he hurried downstairs and ate his pancakes before they were cold.

Justin got to school feeling pretty good about the day.

“Did your mom have to drive like crazy again today?” asked Jessie.

“Nope. I didn’t make us late this time,” Justin declared proudly.

Just then, Mrs. Bentley stopped at Justin’s desk and held out her hand. “Do you have your homework?” she asked.

Justin’s face turned pale. “Oh no!” He gulped. He quickly unzipped his backpack, but there was no homework sheet inside. “No, ma’am. I’m really sorry. I don’t know why I keep forgetting it!”

“Hmm. I’m afraid I’ll have to send a note home for your parents today,” his teacher replied.

Justin nodded miserably; he had forgotten again! Another blunder, just because he chose to play with his blocks instead of doing what he was supposed to do.

After school, Justin gave his mom the note. “Oh, Justin! You still haven’t turned in your homework?” said Mom in surprise. “Why didn’t you put it in your backpack when I reminded you yesterday?”

Justin shrugged. “I was playing with my blocks and—I guess I forgot. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”

“Of course, I forgive you,” said Mom. “But this can’t keep happening.”

Justin thought for a minute. “Well, every time I see my blocks, I want to play with them.”

“So, what should we do about it?”

“Move them?” Justin suggested.

“That sounds like a wise idea,” Mom agreed.

That night, Dad helped Justin pack up the blocks and put them in his closet—out of sight. Then Justin spotted something on the floor. “Hey! My homework!”

“So, that’s where it was,” said Dad.

Justin looked at his paper then at his now-empty table. “I won’t be forgetting you again!” he promised. And he slid the homework sheet into his backpack and zipped it up tight.

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