Fran Manushkin - No More Teasing

One day, on the way to school, Katie Woo tripped. She fell into the mud. Splat!

She scraped her knee, and mud got on her new sweater and all of her books.

Katie started to cry.

Cry baby! Cry baby! yelled Roddy Rogers.

Katies feelings were so hurt, she cried harder.

Roddy grinned.

At school, Roddy Rogers kept teasing Katie during recess.

Go away! she told him.

But Roddy didnt.

At lunch, they had pizza, Katies favorite.

She took such a big bite that she got tomato sauce on her nose and cheek.

Look at Katie, Roddy shouted. Katies got a goopy face!

Roddy said, Goopy face! Goopy face!

Stop it! cried Katie. But Roddy didnt stop. He was having too much fun.

Roddy made faces at Katie all day long.

When Katie stuck her tongue out at him, he made more faces. Ugly ones.

How can I make Roddy stop teasing me? Katie asked her friend JoJo.

But JoJo didnt know.

The next day, Roddy teased Katie when she was running at recess. And he teased her when she was trying to read her book.

Katie was so unhappy. She didnt want to go to school anymore.

The next day, Miss Winkle told the class, Everyone, our butterflies are ready to hatch. Please hurry over and watch them!

Katie pushed up her glasses.

Hey, I see four eyes! Roddy said in a quiet voice. He knew if Miss Winkle heard him, he would get in trouble.

Katie was about to say something back. But suddenly, her butterfly began hatching.

It was so amazing. She couldnt take her eyes off it!

Roddy said, Four eyes! a little louder.

But Katie kept watching her butterfly.

Roddy was so mad. He slammed his desk and hurt his finger.

Later, the class worked on their Good Neighbors paintings with a partner.

Roddy snuck over to Katie and said, Ew! Your painting is ugly!

But Katie loved painting so much that she kept doing it.

Hey! Roddy said. Didnt you hear me?

Katie still didnt answer.

Roddy got so mad that he smeared black paint all over his part of his picture.

Hey! his partner yelled. You ruined our painting!

On the way home, Roddy glared at Katie, but she didnt even look at him.

Katie began smiling and smiling.

When JoJo sat down, Katie told her, Im so happy! I know how to make Roddy stop teasing me.

What do you do? asked JoJo.

Nothing! Katie said. When I dont cry or yell, Roddy isnt having fun, so he stops teasing me.

Katie Woo, you are one smart girl, said JoJo.

Thanks! said Katie. And she smiled all the way home.

With this fun project you can make your own guinea pig out of an old sock and some dryer lint! Sounds crazy, right? But your pet will be so cute. I promise!

an old, short sock

stuffing, like cotton balls or fiberfill

a needle

thread

craft glue

dryer lint (Ask a grown-up where to find this soft, fuzzy stuff. It comes out of your clothes dryer!)