1 The party was over. It was almost time to go home. Mrs. Martin sat on the corner of her desk. Her short, blond hair stuck out in spots. She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes.
2 "Don't lose your Valentines," she said. "Jamal, I see one under your seat." Jamal picked it up and put it in his backpack. "Karissa, don't eat the candy now. Save it for after you get home." Karissa pouted and dropped the red lollipop into her Valentine bag.
3 Mrs. Martin saw an envelope on the floor near the door. She slid off her desk and went to pick it up. "Did someone lose a card?" she asked. The children shook their heads. "There's no name on the envelope. Does anyone know who dropped it?" Again the children shook their heads.
4 "I will open it," Mrs. Martin said. "That way I can see who sent the card. I will give it to the person who sent it."
5 Inside the envelope was a handmade card. The paper was folded over once. A toy bug had been stuck on with glue. Above the bug someone had written, "Bee mine, or I will bug you."
6 Mrs. Martin giggled. "How cute!" she said. "Who made it?" No one responded. "Okay, I'm going to open it and read the inside."
7 A poem was written on the inside. It was not signed. Who had written it? It was a real mystery.
8 "Class, I am going to read the card to you. If you remember writing it, please raise your hand. I know you will want to give it to the person for whom you made it." She cleared her throat and began to read.
Paragraphs 9 to 25:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable
