Siman Nuurali - Sadiq and the Pet Problem

Hi, Im Sadiq! My family and I live in Minnesota, but my parents are from Somalia. Sometimes we speak Somali at home.

Id like you to meet my family and learn some interesting facts and terms from our culture.

• Most Somali people belong to one of four major groups: the Darod, Isaaq, Hawiye, and Dir.
• Many Somalis are nomadic. That means they travel from place to place. They search for water, food, and land for their animals.
• Somalia is mostly desert. It doesnt rain often there.
• The camel is an important animal to Somali people. Camels can survive a long time without food or water.
• Around ninety-nine percent of all Somalis are Muslim.

When Sadiq walked past Ms. Colts classroom, a crowd of kids was standing by her desk. They were playing with a bunny.

Sadiq walked into his classroom. Did you see the bunny? he asked his friends Zaza and Manny.

Huh? said Zaza, confused.

Are you daydreaming again? asked Manny, laughing.

No, Sadiq answered. Ms. Colts class has a bunny! It had fluffy white fur. The kids looked really happy to be playing with it. I think it must have been their class pet!

Abs and Maryam walked into the classroom.

Hi, Abs! Hi, Maryam! said Zaza. Guess what? Sadiq saw a bunny in Ms. Colts class.

Cool! said Maryam. I didnt know we could have class pets.

I dont know if we can have one. I dont think I have ever seen one in any other class, said Sadiq. He felt sad.

We could ask Ms. Battersby, said Abs.

That gave Sadiq an idea. We could have a pet club! he said. We can come up with ideas for a class pet and them.

Yes! Maryam said. We could talk to the rest of the class and see what they think.

But first we have to ask Ms. Battersby, said Manny.

Their teacher came into the room.

Hi, Ms. Battersby! Sadiq said.

Hello, children! said Ms. Battersby. You look excited.

We wanted to ask if we can have a class pet, said Sadiq.

And a pet club, added Manny. The Pet Club will help our class find a pet.

Ms. Battersby looked surprised. Then she smiled. You must have noticed Ms. Colts new rabbit, she said. Pets are a lot of hard work. Can I count on the Pet Club to help classmates to feed, clean, and play with our class pet?

Sadiq and his friends nodded.

Okay then! Ms. Battersby said. We can get a class pet.

The group cheered.

We could get a bunny or a hamster or a turtle! Maryam suggested.

What should we name it? Manny asked.

Abs smiled. I think Rocky would be a cool name for a turtle!

Slow down, kids, said Ms. Battersby, laughing. We havent even decided what kind of pet to get!

How will we ever choose? Sadiq asked.

Maybe we can do a . We can talk with our whole class and see what everyone likes, said Ms. Battersby.

Sadiq and his friends high-fived.

* * *

Sadiq walked home from school later that day with Zaza and his sister Aliya.

Did you see that Ms. Colts class has a new bunny? Sadiq asked Aliya.

No! Aliya said. Not fair! How come my class doesnt have a pet?

Ours doesnt have one either, said Zaza, shrugging.

But we started a Pet Club, Sadiq said. Ms. Battersby said that we can get a pet. We just have to help figure out what kind of pet would be best for our class.

Ive been bugging to get us a pet for years, said Aliya sadly.

You have? asked Sadiq.

Aliya nodded. They say we cant have one because Rania is to a lot of things. But maybe I can convince Mr. Dawes to get a class pet. What kind of pet are you thinking?

I dont know, Sadiq said. Maybe a turtle?

Turtles are so boring! said Aliya.

Well, what do you suggest? Zaza asked.

Ive always wanted a rat, said Aliya. Theyre so cute!

Eww, rats arent cute! Sadiq said. Theyre gross!

Youre gross! Aliya playfully bumped shoulders with him as they walked toward their house.

The next day, Ms. Battersby stood patiently at the front of the room while the class settled down.

Good morning, children, she said after everyone was seated. Some of your classmates have come to me with an idea. They have started the Pet Club. They are hoping they can help our class a pet.

Laughter and chatter broke out.

Well, it seems like were all on board! Ms. Battersby said, laughing. Remember, caring for pets is a lot of hard work. Everyone will have to help out. She paused and picked up a dry-erase marker. Lets share some ideas for class pets.

What if we got a rat? Ellie said. Theyre really smart and playful.

Good idea, Ellie, Ms. Battersby said. She wrote it on the board.

My family keeps chickens at home, said Avina. Maybe our class can adopt one.

Chickens are a lot of work. Im not sure that they would make a good classroom pet, said Ms. Battersby.

How about a ? said Kianna.

Scorpions sting sometimes, the teacher replied. We need to make sure the pet is safe around children.

Lets get a cat! Dale called out.

I love cats, but lots of people are allergic to them, Ms. Battersby said. Unfortunately we cant have one as a classroom pet. What other ideas do you have?

are nice, said Abs. We had one when I was little. They sing a lot and sometimes sit on your head!

Ms. Battersby smiled and wrote it down. Anyone else have an idea? she asked.

I like ! said Maryam.

Goldfish are colorful and pretty, said Odin.

A snake! They can be fun to watch, said Zaza.

Ms. Battersby wrote those three ideas down as well. This is a great list, she said.

The list read:

• rat
• parakeet
• tarantula
• goldfish
• snake

How do you think we should decide what pet is best for our class? Ms. Battersby asked.

Several hands went up. Ms. Battersby pointed to Abs.

The Pet Club could research all the animals on our list. That way we can pick the one that would be the best class pet.

Great thought, Abs. What do the rest of you think, Pet Club? Ms. Battersby asked.

Thats a great idea, said Sadiq. Could we use our library time to do research?

Certainly! said Ms. Battersby. We have library time this afternoon.