Chapter 11 – A Poem
After the girls knew Lizboa’s history, they were more lenient with her, and Lizboa herself felt more comfortable and became quite likable.
The end of term soon arrived. Most of the girls had been at McJone’s for more than a year, and were all thinking about having to leave the Junior Section and go to a completely new part of the school that they hadn’t ever been to before, except for lectures and seminars. Some them were going to different schools, too: Andrea was going to an Art school, and Alicia to a Music school. Baixue was going back to China.
One week before the end of term, Mrs Sullivan came back, and Miss Granger left to go to the school where she used to teach.
That Monday, Mrs Sullivan said to the students, “It has been the tradition of this school for the fifth graders to take a photo or draw a picture and post it on the hallway walls. I wouldn’t like my class to break tradition, so please have that ready soon.”
The students agreed that they wanted to do something different, instead of a photo or a picture. The girls were sitting in the common room, discussing. Suddenly Evelyn had an idea.
“What about a poem, or a song?” she asked.
“A song would be quite hard, since we have such a limited amount of time,” said Harriet.
“But I suppose a poem would be good!” agreed Felecia, happily.
“Bianca and Evelyn should lead us in doing it, because they’re always top in composition,” suggested Esther.
“We’ll write it out in our best handwriting, and then sign all our names at the bottom,” said Alexis.
“Well, I suggest that let’s start!” exclaimed Alice, impatiently.
After a few days of drafting and writing, the poem was ready. Andrea added some decorations, and then they all signed their name.
Farewell, McJone’s!
Farewell, McJone’s, my memorable school
After many joyous years,
Remember you is all I can do, but who’ll
Ever forget the happiness with our peers?
We will go into the world to
Explore. We’re full of dread –
Leaving here is dark, gray-blue
Living here, however, was joyfully red!
* * * * *
Chapter 12 – End of Term
Miss Granger and the other teachers had given the girls a stone-hard set of exams, which the girls groaned over, but all did quite well. Gabriel and Bianca were top; Frances and Esther were second; Evelyn, Felecia and Harriet were third; Alexis, Alice and, surprisingly, Lizboa were fourth.
Suddenly, after the exams, time seemed to fly, and the girls found themselves walking around the corner to summer holiday!
On the last day of term the girls were quite sad, unlike the other times that they had had to say goodbye to the school and go home for the holidays. This time they knew they would never see the teachers again, except as old girls. True, most of them would still continue to study in the senior section of the school, but they would never be able to come back to the junior section, except for concerts or presentations.
The girls exchanged addresses amongst themselves, and also with the teachers.
Most of them were getting into a van that would take them to the Bringham-Jone’s home for a party.
Felecia sighed, and asked, “Why does time go so quickly?”
Bianca replied, “Felecia, I think every one of us is thinking about the answer to your question – and has been, too.”
The van drove out of the driveway. The girls looked back at the castle-like school, under the orange sunset, its colors glowing radiantly. The happy times at McJone’s appeared like a movie in front of the girls’ misty eyes. They were but a memory.
A Final Word
I hope you liked this free story. I don’t want to receive any money for it, so instead I suggest you make a contribution to one of the following charities:
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Fourth Grade of Excitement
Elena Vermeer
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