Little Billy

1 x1 = 1, 2 x 2 = 4, 3 x 3..
Little Billy fidgeted his black, buckled boots on the wooden, slatted floor..Mr. Manners stood at the white board opening his unlocked desk drawer, staring at Billy willing him to say some more.. But this little lad welled up troubled tears as anxiety made him tongue-tied, he was shaking with fears..

Well all the other children in the classroom sat with mouths open wide watching poor little Billy who so wished he could hide, if only a great big gaping hole on the ground would gobble him whole.. as he stood speechless looking down at his feet poor little soul..but then from the corner of the class came the rest of the times tables as Paula Patton had her hand high in the air, what a bright, clever lass..

“Well done Paula” Mr. Manners did spout “I have taught you well without a shadow of a doubt and Billy boy goodness knows what that lot was all about? but Paula came to your rescue and helped you out!!”
Of course Billy said nothing at all though that was such a relief, and he thought to his innerself..I really should pay attention instead of acting at mischief..then Maths and English lessons wouldn’t cause me such grief, as he quietly wiped his eyes with his cotton hankerchief...