A first-grade teacher named Ms. Brooks was having a difficult time with one of her students.
One morning, she asked, “Mike, what seems to be the problem?”
Mike confidently replied, “I’m too smart for first grade! My sister is in third grade, and I know everything she knows.”
Ms. Brooks smiled.
“Is that so? Perhaps you should take a little test.”
Mike happily agreed.
She asked him several questions about reading, spelling, and mathematics.
To her surprise, Mike answered every question correctly.
The teacher went to the principal and explained what had happened.
The principal decided to test Mike himself.
He asked, “What is three plus three?”
“Six,” Mike answered immediately.
“And what is five plus five?”
“Ten!”
The principal smiled.
“You certainly seem ready for a higher grade.”
Then he asked one final question.
“What does a cow give us?”
Mike thought carefully.
“Milk!”
“Excellent,” said the principal.
He turned to Ms. Brooks.
“I think this boy is ready for second grade.”
Mike smiled proudly.
Then the principal added,
“But before we move him up, let’s make sure he can handle third grade.”
Mike suddenly looked worried.
“Why?”
The principal smiled.
“Because that’s where your sister is.”
Mike immediately sat back down.
“Maybe first grade isn’t so bad after all.”
