Alice the Bear

 

Alice the Bear

Alice was a bear. She was brown and furry and had a bad temper when she was hungry.

Alice had a bad habit of looking for food in places that she shouldn’t. She especially like the dumpsters behind the fish market.

The owner of the fish market tried everything to keep her out of the dumpster but she always found a way to get to the day old fish inside. It was almost like she had magic.

She was a bear and bears don’t have magic. Everyone knows that. but it was the only explanation for her getting through all the locks and chains on the dumpster.

The owner of the fish market put a security cameral up so he could see how she did it. When he looked at the recording the next morning, he was surprised to see the locks falling off the dumpster like magic.

Alice may be a bear but she definitely wasn’t your average bear. She liked fish and knew how to get it.

Recalcitrant

Recalcitrant (adjective - resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory)

“Mr. Douglas, I have called you into this meeting to speak about your son.” The principal said as Josh Douglas sat down in the chair in front of her. “He is the most recalcitrant child I have ever known in all my years of teaching.”

“Why thank you Ms. Wood. I think he takes after his mother.” Josh smiled. “She’s a lot smarter than I am.”

“Obviously. Your son is disruptive and disobedient in class and he starts fights at recess.” Ms. Wood said as she glared at the father in front of her.

“He really does take after his mother then.” Josh muttered under his breath. “So that recalcitrant thing isn’t a compliment?”

“No it is not.” The principal opened a file on the desk in front of her. “His test scores are high but his behavior is horrible. I want you to talk to him and impress on him that he needs to behave at school.”

“I will have a talk with him this evening.” Josh said. “Is he in his class or do you have him in detention again?”

“He is in detention.” Ms. Wood said with a sigh. “I expect him to come in tomorrow with a better attitude.”

Josh nodded. “Yes ma’am.”

Ms. Wood closed the file and waved him out of the office.

Josh left and went down the hall to the detention room. He tapped Mikey on the shoulder and they walked out.

“Mikey, you have to stop cutting up in class.” Josh said sharply as the got in the car.

“Sorry.” Mikey said sullenly

“Don’t be sorry, be good.” Josh started the car. “Wait till we get home and I have to tell your mother what you’ve been up to.”

“You can’t tell Mom.” Mikey said. There was a tinge of fear in his voice. “She will make me pay for it.”

“Maybe but if you didn’t act like a fool then she wouldn’t have to.” Josh said. “Promise me you’ll be good.”

“I promise.” Mikey sank down into the front seat of the car as they drove home.