Free Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline Page A

Then we waited politely.
    As soon as we heard footsteps coming down the hall, we all looked over at the doorway. Even Harry. I was hopeful he might snap out of his daze.

Two Surprises for Three Kings’ Day

    T he tall man who entered our room was carrying a huge cake and had a bag over his shoulders. I noticed he was wearing a T-shirt that had a guitar on it. Now I know why Dexter is such an Elvis fan.
    â€œBoys and girls,” the teacher said, “this is Mr. Sanchez, Dexter’s father. He’s going to tell us about a holiday his family celebrates.”
    â€œThree Kings’ Day!” Dexter shouted out.
    â€œThat’s right!” his father replied, setting his things down on the long table. “Three Kings’ Day is celebrated all over Latin America, Spain, and other parts of Europe. Dex, why don’t you tell the class about the things I brought.”
    We all watched Mr. Sanchez empty the contents of his bag: one shoe, six walnuts, a piece of coal, a bucket, and a framed picture.
    Dexter picked up the framed picture first. “Actually, my family celebrates both Christmas and Three Kings’ Day. This is a picture of the three wise men who visited the stable when Jesus was born. On January sixth, the twelfth day after Christmas, we believe they visit our house and bring gifts like Santa Claus does. Only they don’t leave them in Christmas stockings by the fireplace. They leave them in shoes. Some people leave their shoes by their bed. We leave them by the door.”

    â€œMan,” Sidney said. “You get presents twice ?”
    Dexter beamed. “Yeah!”
    â€œWhat if the present is Tinker Toys?” Sid asked. “How would it fit in a shoe?”
    â€œIt happens a lot,” Dexter answered. “Last year the wise men left me an Elvis video, Fun in Acapulco, by the door. It was too big for my shoe.”
    â€œWhat about the walnuts?” Sid asked.
    â€œOh, we leave nuts and a bucket of water for the wise men’s camels,” Dexter explained.
    â€œDo you leave them coal, too?” Mary asked.
    â€œNo,” Dexter groaned. “That’s what you get in your shoe if you’ve been bad all year.”
    Mary laughed. “That’s like Christmas. I bet Harry finds coal in his stocking!”
    When Harry didn’t raise his fist or say anything, ZuZu did. “Mary, that’s a mean thing to say.”
    â€œYeah,” Sid said with a big grin. He liked it when Mary got zapped. It didn’t happen very often. Slowly she sank down in her seat. Room 3B had a new judge. ZuZu.
    Miss Mackle’s next announcement made things fun again. “Please take off one of your shoes and put it next to the doorway.”
    â€œNeat-o,” Sid said. “We get to go barefoot.”
    â€œNot barefoot,” the teacher objected. “Leave your socks on.”
    As soon as all the shoes were near the door, Mary held her nose. “It smells in here.”
    It didn’t bother Song Lee. She giggled. She doesn’t mind slimy or smelly things. That’s one reason why Harry likes her.
    â€œClose your eyes,” the teacher said. “The Three Wise Men are coming!”
    â€œBut Miss Mackle, it’s not January sixth,” ZuZu objected.
    â€œGood listening,” the teacher replied. “I mean let’s pretend that it’s January sixth.”
    Everyone put their heads down on their desk and closed their eyes except me. I wanted to see if Harry was peeking. He wasn’t. Harry wasn’t being horrible at all.
    A few minutes later, Miss Mackle called, “Come and see the surprise in your shoe.”
    Sidney made a beeline for his sneaker. Mary was behind him holding her nose with two fingers. “Crayons!” she exclaimed in a nasal voice.
    â€œThese are flashy ones,” I said.
    Harry was the last one to walk over and empty his shoe.
    â€œDid you see what kind they are, Harry?” Miss