I remember the Christmas

when the circus came to town.

A few of the kids in my class skipped school

to see the show.

***

There was a murmuring in the class as

those of us remaining

began to notice the growing number of

empty desks.

***

“Skipped school to see the circus?!”

We whispered among ourselves.

“Luckeee!“

***

However, the next day,

many of the desks remained empty, and

our teacher told us that our classmates were

in the hospital suffering from severe poisoning,

but they would be OK.

***

Furthermore, she explained,

it wasn’t the circus that was in town,

but a home that was being

fumigated for insects.

***

What?!

First shock.

And then astonishment.

Again, there was murmuring

among all the children …

***

“Skipped school to see a home being fumigated for insects?!”

We whispered among ourselves.

“Luckeee!”