Stella by Starlight By Sharon M Draper-pdfread.net

10
Treasures in a Cigar Box
“I must give this paper an F, Stella,” Mrs. Grayson told Stella sadly at the
end of the day, catching her as she was walking out the schoolhouse door.
“It’s incomplete. It’s got potential, but you gave up. Perhaps I should stop
by your house with a plate of gingersnaps and have a chat with your
mama.”
“Oh, please don’t do that,” Stella begged in alarm. “I’ll finish it tonight
and bring it in tomorrow. I promise.”
“I know the writing part can be a challenge for you, Stella,” Mrs.
Grayson said. “You read well. You think well. All you need to do is make
the leap to putting it down on paper. And actually, the little that you wrote
here is pretty good. But,” she added sternly, “you can do better.”
Wishing a hole big enough to swallow her would appear in the floor,
Stella couldn’t look at the teacher. “Yes, M’am,” she mumbled.
“Try this, Stella.” Mrs. Grayson pulled her pocketbook from the bottom
desk drawer. “Write about yourself. You are the expert on you. I shall
expect a finished paper in the morning, or I may be joining ya’ll for
supper tomorrow. Understood? Now get on home before your mama
starts to wondering why Jojo got there first.”
Stella nodded, thanked the teacher, then hurried down the road. And
thankfully, her mother was busy with the vegetable garden, so she didn’t
notice Stella slipping in a little later than usual.
Stella raced through her chores, making sure the carrots were sliced
perfectly, the potatoes peeled thinly, and the table cleaned and shined for
dinner. She felt jumpy—anxious for the night, hopeful that no fiery
disturbances would mar the darkness this time, and worried that her
mother would find out she’d gotten in trouble at school.
Hours later, after dinner, after Jojo’s good-night book, Stella was still
worried—it was taking everyone far too long to fall asleep! Stella waited