Thunderclouds raged above her head, her heels stabbing lightning into the tile as she marched into the third grade classroom. The carpet quieted her steps, angering her even more. She was a storm, she was powerful and her anger was going to move mountains!

“Mrs. Thrift!”
The teacher spun gracefully on her heel, “Mrs. Trumpet, how can I help you?” Her smile was winning, probably practiced and fake.
“My son tells me, in tears, that he was punished yesterday, losing some of his recess time and getting a stern lecture from you for not bringing in a leaf!”

“Any student who does not complete his homework loses some recess time.”
“A Leaf! A leaf is worth my son’s anguish! What did he need a leaf for?!”
“As I explained in the monthly newsletter, we are doing a unit on leaves in science. Today we made rubbings to explain how a leaf gets its nutrients.”
“He did that in kindergarten! Don’t you think this lesson is a bit juvenile for third grade?”
“I..”
“Never mind! I came to get his things. He’s finished here!”