Kitty Costume Calamity

“Class, attention, please,” said Mrs. Bentley, waiting for the class to quiet down. “Since we’ve been studying about animals, I thought it would be fun to have an animal dress-up party. And there will be a prize for the best costume!”

The class erupted in cheers and shouted out which animals they wanted to be. “I’m gonna be the best kitty in the whole class,” Jessie said to herself.

As Mrs. Bentley explained the party plans, Jessie began making plans of her own. Then before she knew it, the bell rang to go home.

In the car after school, Jessie chattered about the party. “I’m going to be a cat, just like my kitty, Freckles,” said Jessie. “What are you going to be, Justin?”

Her friend shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll think of something.”

Jessie was shocked. “What?! You don’t know yet? I figured out which animal I’m going to be before Mrs. Bentley even finished talking about the party.”

“But Jessie,” asked her mom from the driver’s seat, “did you listen to Mrs. Bentley? Or were you too busy thinking about your costume? It’s important to listen so you can get all the facts straight.”

“I know.” Jessie nodded. “I heard all the important stuff.”

Once they got home, Jessie handed her mom the letter from the teacher. “It says here that you need to make a snack that reminds you of your animal,” said Mom.

“Really?” said Jessie. “I didn’t hear that part.”

Mom read on. “And you need to tell a special thing about your animal and why you picked it.”

“I have to talk about it, too?” Jessie asked, surprised.

“Jessie,” Mom chided, “I thought you said you heard all this. You better be careful to listen before you miss something important and end up with a calamity.”

“Calamity?”

“Yes, like something bad that might happen.”

“Oh, Mom,” Jessie replied. “I’m sure I won’t have any, uh, clam—thingies. But I’ve got a great idea for my costume! I’ve gotta go work on it now.”

Jessie’s mom rolled her eyes. “Will that girl ever learn?” she wondered.

On the day before the party, Jessie talked constantly to her friends at school about her costume and the snacks she would bring. “My snack is called kitty kibble,” she told Justin. “It tastes like cereal treats but looks like cat food.”

“Sounds yummy,” said Justin. “I’m bringing peanut butter cookies ’cause elephants like peanuts, and I’m gonna be an elephant.”

Later that day during math class, Jessie suddenly got a great idea to make a tail for her costume. But since she was thinking about her cat tail, Jessie didn’t hear Mrs. Bentley’s announcement. “We won’t be able to have our costume party tomorrow, but we’ll do it next week instead. Give this note to your parents so they know, too.” As Mrs. Bentley passed out the papers, the bell rang to go home.

Hearing the bell, Jessie snapped out of her deep thoughts. She quickly grabbed her backpack and didn’t notice the paper that fell on the floor—the one Mrs. Bentley had just passed out.

That evening, Jessie ran around the house collecting all the pieces for her cat costume. “Mom, where’s my jump rope?” she hollered.

“It’s in the toy bin. What’s that for?” Mom asked.

“You’ll see!” Jessie answered as she raced through the kitchen with the jump rope trailing behind her.

The next morning, Jessie gazed in the mirror. She wore a headband with cat ears sticking up and a striped sweater. Wrapped around her middle was her jump rope, which hung down behind her for a tail. Mom added spots on Jessie’s face with makeup then stood back. “You look great, Jessie—like Freckles’ twin.” Jessie grinned at her cat snoozing on the bed.

“I hope everyone likes it,” she said. Jessie danced around in front of the mirror, watching her tail flip around behind her until she heard Mom calling, “Jessie, let’s go. You’ll be late for school!”

As they drove up to the school, the morning bell was ringing. All the other students were already inside. Jessie walked quickly down the hall. She checked her costume, making sure everything was in place, then opened her classroom door. “Ta da! I’m a cat named Freckles!”

Everyone turned and stared at Jessie. Jessie stared back. “Wait, how come you guys aren’t animals? Where are your costumes?” Jessie asked.

Some of the kids began to giggle. Mrs. Bentley looked up at Jessie standing at the door with her orange tail hanging down behind her. “Oh, Jessie!” she said. “Didn’t you hear me when I said we have to wait until next week for the party?”

Jessie shook her head. She was so embarrassed. Mrs. Bentley put her arm around Jessie’s shoulder and said, “Well, you know what, class? Jessie has done you all a favor by showing you her costume early. I think it’s a splendid costume, and now that you’ve all seen it, you know you’ll need to work extra hard to win the prize next week.”

“Mom was right,” Jessie told her teacher. “It’s a calamity! I should have listened.”

“Well, it’s not all that bad,” said Mrs. Bentley. “I hope you’ll work harder at listening from now on. But in the meantime, why don’t you share those yummy snacks with the class?”

Jessie smiled as she walked around the room—her tail swishing behind her— offering her snacks, “Kitty kibble anyone?”

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