by Elizabeth Bennett – Anna came home from school with a note. It said:
Dear Parents,
A child in our class has come down with chickenpox. Please watch your
children for symptoms and keep them home if they get sick.
Thanks!
Mrs. Cheng
“Uh-oh,” said her mom. “One of your friends has chickenpox. I wonder if you
will catch them.”
Two weeks later, Katie’s mother called Anna’s mother. “Katie has
chickenpox,” she said.
“Uh-oh,” said Anna’s mom when she hung up. “Your very best friend has
chickenpox. We will have to keep an eye on you.”
The next night, while she was taking a bath, Anna found a red spot right in
the middle of her stomach.
“Uh-oh,” said her mom. “Now YOU have chickenpox, Anna.”
Before Anna went to bed, she found two more spots. The next morning, Anna
stayed home from school. She had too many spots to count. Every day she had
more. Anna got upset whenever she looked in the mirror. She wondered if she
would ever look normal again. There were chickenpox spots on her face, on
her hands—even between her toes!
And she itched all over!
Anna had to stay home from school. She could not go to the restaurant to
celebrate Grandpa’s birthday. She could not even go with her mother to the
grocery store.
“I hate having chickenpox!” Anna cried. “I itch all over. I miss school.
And I miss my friends!”
Anna’s mom had an idea.
After lunch the next day, someone knocked on the door. Anna looked out the
window. She saw Katie, Mike, and Daryl. They all had spots just like Anna!
“Surprise!” cried Anna’s mom. “We are having a chickenpox party!”
All afternoon the kids played games. They had a contest to see who had the
most chickenpox spots. Then they played “Pin the Spot on the Chicken.” After
that, they tried to see who could last the longest without scratching.
Anna’s mom surprised them with a cake that was decorated with spots! Soon,
it was time for Anna’s friends to go home and rest.
“See you at school,” called Katie as she left with her mother.
“This party was great,” said Daryl. “Having chickenpox is not so bad after
all!”
“I know,” Anna laughed. “I wish we could all have chickenpox again next
week!”