EXCUSES

by Ram Kumar, age 13, from India

"I won't go to school today
I heard her say.

"I have lumps,
I have mumps!"

"How can I go to school?
It is cold and cool"

"My lips are going black,
My eyes are going red."

"I just feel
I'm half dead!"

"I just can't go to school today,
What did you say?
It is a holiday?
Goodbye! I'm off to play!"