Melissa was eager to begin class today. She had gobbled down her breakfast that she had made for herself. For some reason her substitute sister was still asleep. She left Kimberly a note telling her she would be home right after school, and she would help her with the PEG if she wanted her to.

Melissa entered the classroom. Everyone was seated. She still couldn't help but remember the first day she walked in to the classroom a week ago when it was her first day of being the teacher.

**********

All the kids were surprised that she had rung the school bell, all except Jesse. Jemima, Rose and Michael had looked at each other questionably as Miss Boudreaux was seated at Melissa's desk. They had all shrugged their shoulders for neither one knew why, but Jesse did. Jesse and Miss Boudreaux were seated, but the others weren't, so as Melissa took her place at the teacher's desk she said, "Please take your seats. It's time to begin class." The three left standing took their seats. "Now I'm sure you are all wondering why I'm up here, and why Miss Boudreaux is in my seat, so I'll tell ya." She paused briefly to let her words sink in and to see the reactions on their faces.

She noticed that Jesse didn't look puzzled at all like the other three did. "Someone had us switch places to earn money for the town fund. So I'm going to be the teacher until someone pays to have us change back. Now I have an idea that will have us having some fun and learning at the same time. I thought we would put on a play. Independence Day is approaching, and I thought we could pull something together for that. We could charge a dollar for people to watch, and it could go into the school fund." Melissa paused when she saw Miss Boudreaux's hand raise into the air. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Do you think we could put a play together in such a little amount of time?" The new student asked.

"Well, it would be a short play with creativity and impact. If we put our minds to it, I think we can work on it now until the fourth and have lots of fun." Melissa replied.

"But where will we get the costumes, and where will we have the play?" Rose asked.

"I'm not quite sure where but as for the costumes I'm sure we can work on that. We can make them if we have to." Melissa answered. She was committed to this first idea that she had thought of, and she wasn't about to let it die without a good fight.

"I think it's a great idea." Michael said as he smiled at the new teacher. That boosted Melissa's spirit.

So after all the discussion, they had decided to do the play.

**********

Jogging her memories back to the present, Melissa sat down at the teacher's desk. She still couldn't think of it as her desk. "I thought we would start reviewing what we have learned this week about the Kiowa Indians for our test on Friday." She looked from one face to another. None of them had groaned this time. Every other time she had mentioned test, they had all groaned except for Miss Boudreaux.

"Alright who can tell me what the Kiowa's primary food source was?" Melissa asked the class.

Everyone raised their hands. Melissa smiled and called on Michael. "Buffalo is the answer. They were mostly buffalo hunters."