SAMMY SQUIRREL GOES TO SCHOOL

As the sun shone through the bedroom window, Sammy stretched out his little arms and gave a great big yawn. Then he remembered.  Today was his first day at school.  Sammy wriggled back under the covers and shut his eyes.

“Wakey wakey, rise and shine!”  His Mother shouted up to him “And make sure you brush those teeth Sammy, a big day for you today little one!”  Sammy sighed; flopped out of bed, and shuffled off to the bathroom to get ready.

“What’s with the glum face, Sammy,” his Mother asked as he plonked himself down at the breakfast table.  “You love chucky eggs!” 

“I’m not hungry,” Sammy replied with a sigh, “I don’t think I will be able to go to school today, I’m not feeling very well!” 

Mrs Squirrel smiled and put her arm around Sammy. “You will be fine sweetheart, all you have to do is take a deep breath and remember just what a big boy you are now. You know what your Father said, now you’re going to school you can help him chop the firewood on Saturday .... but you can’t do that if you don’t go, can you?” 

Sammy thought for a while.  He knew she was right.  Perhaps he would have to go to school, just to get to do the ‘fun’ stuff! 

Mrs Squirrel picked up Sammy's scarf and neatly tied it around his neck.  "There" she beamed, "very smart!" 

Sammy frowned.  He didn't want to look smart.  Before he had chance to re-arrange himself, the doorbell rang.  It was Morris Mole.  He'd called to see if Sammy wanted to walk to school. 

“Go on Sammy, you will be fine” his Mother smiled as she gave him a great big cuddle, “Just remember what I told you, school is good fun, and you will learn all your alphabet and numbers, and best of all make lots of new friends!” 

“Hmm ... “ he wasn’t so sure.  Morris was so bouncy and happy about school but Sammy felt scared.

As they both arrived at the school gates a lady, was helping all the children into school.  “Come in” she said to them both, as she hurried them along into their classroom.

“Well hello Class, I would like to introduce myself, my name is Mrs Hedgehog and I am going to be your teacher.”  Sammy wasn’t sure at all, she looked a bit prickly to him, and all these strange faces around him made him feel very alone. 

 “And what’s your name “ Mrs Hedgehog declared pointing at Sammy.  Sammy’s face went bright red.  He didn’t know what to say.   As she approached him Sammy wanted to hide under the table.  She bent down next to him and put her arm around his shoulder just like his Mummy did when she was trying to comfort him. 

“You don’t have to be frightened Sammy,” she said, "everyone is new today, so you’re not on your own.”  Sammy hadn’t thought of it like that, I guess she was right, everyone was new just like him. 

“Sammy, my name’s Sammy,” he replied feeling a little better.  “Well Sammy.” She said “do you think you could start by handing out all these name badges to everyone so we can all remember who is who,” she laughed.  All the children started to laugh, and so did Sammy.

The day started to pass very quickly and before he knew it the bell for the end of school had rung!  “Right class,”  said Mrs Hedgehog, “same time tomorrow and remember all your new books and pencils,” she smiled.

Morris and Sammy skipped all the way home.  Mrs Squirrel was there to meet them both at the door, “Come in Morris, I’ve made you both Sammy’s favourite cookies!”  “YESSSS!!”  they both cried and ran into the kitchen.

“I take it you had a good day today!” she laughed

“Oh Mummy! We learnt numbers  ....the alphabet .... and painted .... and played  ..... and made lots of friends ....and .....” 

“GOSH!” said Mrs Squirrel, “you have learnt a lot and sounds like you’ve had so much fun.  Guess you’ll be going again tomorrow then Sammy?” 

“Yep! ... and the day after, and the day after, and .....” 

“Oh Sammy you are funny,” she teased, and they all fell about laughing.