Free Song Lee in Room 2B by Suzy Kline Page B

“It is time now for cherry-blossom tree to leave.”
    Everyone cheered as Song Lee scooted outside to the hallway.
    Miss Mackle went over to the yellow homework chart and added another star for Song Lee. This time it was a gold one!

    As soon as Song Lee returned to her seat, she covered her face.
    â€œYour talk was great!” I said.
    Harry clapped. “You’re the best tree in the world.”
    When she spread her fingers apart, I could see she was smiling.
    I found out one thing about Song Lee that day. She may be shy, but she can sure surprise you.

Green with Envy

    T he next week it was St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone in Room 2B was bringing something for our green smorgasbord.
    As soon as Song Lee, Ida, and I got to class, we showed Miss Mackle what we brought.
    â€œMmmmm,” the teacher said, peeking inside the girls’ plastic containers. “Lime jello and pistachio pudding! What did you bring, Doug?”
    I couldn’t wait to take off the plastic lid and show everyone. “Green eggs.”
    â€œGREEN EGGS?” they shouted.
    â€œIt was easy. Mom and I just peeled some hard-boiled eggs and colored them with green food coloring. I got the idea from Dr. Seuss.”
    Miss Mackle clapped her hands. “What fun! Well, I think you three should take these things downstairs to the cafeteria and ask Mrs. Funderburke if you can store them in the big refrigerator.”
    â€œSure!” I said. It was exciting to get permission to go to the school kitchen.
    Just then, Mary hurried into the classroom with a big box.
    Miss Mackle smiled. “Goodness, Mary. What’s in there?”
    â€œGreen cupcakes.”
    â€œYum! They don’t need refrigeration ... do they?”
    Mary shook her head.
    â€œThen you won’t need to go with Song Lee, Ida, and Doug.”
    Mary scowled as she leaned in the doorway and watched us walk down the hallway.
    When we got to the kitchen, Mrs. Funderburke threw her hands in the air. “Oh, no! Not more green things!”
    â€œYes!” we replied.
    â€œLet’s see,” the cook said, as she opened the big shiny chrome refrigerator door. “We already have grapes, green peppers, snap beans, Harry’s ants ...”
    â€œANTS?” Ida covered her mouth.
    Mrs. Funderburke laughed. “Ants are a delicacy. Harry has exquisite taste.”
    I made a face. I like to study ants but not eat them.
    â€œDon’t tell anyone,” Mrs. Funderburke said. “Harry wanted his ants to be a surprise.”
    â€œWe promise,” Ida said, crossing her heart.
    Song Lee crossed hers twice.

    After we set our things carefully inside the big refrigerator, I smelled the air in the kitchen. “Mmmmm. What are you baking?”
    â€œOatmeal scotchies, Doug. Would you three like to sample one? They just came out of the oven.”
    â€œYes!”
    When Mrs. Funderburke handed us a warm cookie on a napkin, Song Lee softly said, “Thank you very much.”
    â€œThank you very much,” Ida and I copied.
    When we got back to class, Mary was waiting for us at the door. “What took you so long?”
    I licked some butterscotch off my lips. “We got a cookie. A warm one right out of the oven.”
    â€œNo fair!” Mary replied.
    â€œWe also heard a secret from the cook,” Ida said.
    Song Lee gave us a look. I could tell she was disappointed. Ida and I were making Mary feel left out.
    â€œWhat secret?”
    â€œWe can’t tell,” Ida said.

    Mary put her hands on her hips. “You shouldn’t keep secrets. We’re friends!”
    â€œWe crossed our hearts,” Ida replied. Then Ida and I went over and admired the green smorgasbord. Someone had just brought in green sugar cookies, a jar of pickles, and green-onion potato chips.
    When I looked back at Mary, she was steaming mad! She just glared at Song Lee in the seat next to her. “You better tell me that secret or