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After that, he took off his shoes to wash his feet. But Mr. Scary said no.

“We're not doing a full-body scrub, son,” he said. “Your face and hands are enough.”

Sheldon looked upset.

“But germs can get on other places, too,” he said. “Like what if someone drools on your arm? Or what if you get burped on? Or what if you fall down on top of a sick person, and he sneezes germs right directly up your nostrils?”

Mr. Scary rolled his eyes. “Come on, Sheldon. Now you're just being silly,” he said. “I've been around a long time. And believe me, no one has ever sneezed germs directly up my nostrils.”

After that, he took Sheldon's hand. And he sat him down again.

Pretty soon, Mrs. Weller had to go back to her office. But before she left, she took us to the sink. And she showed us the right way to wash our hands.

Room One lined up and washed very perfect.

Then we waved goodbye to Mrs. Weller. We were sad to see her go. ’Cause now we had to do schoolwork, probably.

Only here is what we didn't even know.

Mr. Scary had a happy announcement! And he'd been waiting all day to tell us!

“Boys and girls, I know we had a pretty rough morning. But I think I have some news that will cheer you up,” he said.

He smiled. “In two weeks, our school is having an event called Parents' Night. Have any of you ever heard of Parents' Night before?”

Lennie quick raised his hand.

“I have!” he said. “My sister told me all about it. She said Parents' Night is the night when parents come to school and they poke their nose in your business.”

Mr. Scary did a little frown.

“Yes, well, I don't really think that's the best way to put it, Lennie,” he said. “Your parents don't come to poke their noses in your business. Parents are interested in what we do here in school. So sometimes they like to come to the classroom and—”

“Spy on us,” said José.

“Butt in where they don't belong,” said Shirley.

“Invade our own personal space,” said Sheldon.

Mr. Scary closed his eyes a second.

Then he walked back to his desk real slow. And he sat down in his chair. And he ran his fingers through his tired hair.

“Okay. I'll get right to the point,” he said. “This year for Parents' Night, I thought it would be fun to do something special. So I was wondering how you would feel about putting on a play.”

My ears perked up at that word.

“A play?” I said kind of thrilled.

“A play?” said Herbert and Shirley.

“A play?” said May.

Then, all at once, Room One started clapping and clapping.

“A PLAY! A PLAY! A PLAY!” we shouted. “YAY! YAY! A PLAY!”

I springed out of my chair.

“I know a lot about plays, Mr. Scary!” I said. “On account of last summer I went to a real, actual children's theater. And I saw a play about a mouse. And that thing was a hoot, I tell you! And so maybe we can do a mouse play, too!”

Mr. Scary smiled. “Yes, well, I'm sure a mouse play would be fun, Junie B. But since it's October, our play is going to be about Christopher Columbus,” he said. “We celebrate Columbus Day this month, remember? So Parents' Night will be perfect timing.”

I thought it over a second.

Then I shook my head no.

“Nope, sorry. I think a mouse play is still the way to go here,” I said.

Mr. Scary said thank you for my opinion and please sit down.

I tapped my foot kind of annoyed. Then I gazed my eyes around the room.

“Okay. Who would rather do a mouse play? Please raise your hands,” I said.

Mr. Scary snapped his fingers at me.

Snapping means the conversation is over, I believe.

I sat down.

That day when I got home from school, Mother was already back from work.

I like it when that happens.

She was in the kitchen with my dog named Tickle.

I gave her a paper Mr. Scary sent home about the play.

Her face smiled when she read it.

“Oh boy! Your class is going to do a play for Parents' Night, huh?” she said. “How fun!”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Yeah, only it would be funner if it was a mouse play,” I said. “But Mr. Scary says it has to be about dumb old Columbus Day.”

Mother kept on reading.

“Oh, and look