Spaghetti In A Hot Dog Bun-Reading by Author Maria Dismondy

Remember, when you treat others with love and kindness, you are doing the right thing. Papa Geno replied. On this school bus, Lucy and her friend Harriet pulled out some paper and crayons, sitting across from them was Ralph, as usual, Ralph sat alone, staring out the window, he looked over at them and rolled his eyes. In the classroom, Lucy sat down near the teacher, miss Marshall waited to begin as the children sat down on the floor. Ralph carelessly hurried over and tripped on Lucy's foot before long he was glaring at her. Ralph whispered, woof. I can't see the book with that poodle in front of me. Lucy could hear him giggling behind her. Oh no, why did it have to be me? She wondered. During lunch, Harriet shouted one of her silly jokes over the other children's voices as the girls ate their belly shook with laughter. Down the table, Ralph Howard, yuck. That's the disgusting smell. Whoever heard of eating spaghetti in a hot dog bun. Don't you think that's gross Tony? Tony and the other children at the table turned away from Ralph's shaking their heads, Ralph continued. 

Poor little Lucy with their hair so poofy. Tears filled Lucy's eyes and she began to cry. On the way home, Lucy thought about what had happened. Maybe Ralph is mean to me because he thinks being different is bad. I wish he would stop teasing me. Slowly, Lucy stepped off the bus, how was your day, Papua Gino asked? Fine, she mumbled. Papa reached over and pulled a crayon out of her hair. How did this happen, he asked Lucy didn't say a word. That night is papa Geno talk to Lucy and Tibet, he asked, is everything all right at school? Lucy rolled over. He leaned down, kissed her on the cheek and whispered, always remember papa is here for you. If something's not right, we can work on fixing it together. It's not that easy, thought Lucy. How do I stop Ralph from teasing me? How? Can he have a heart and be so mean. The following day, Lucy was surprised to find Ralph left her alone until Lucy, I'm sorry about yesterday, Ralph snickered. Lucy took the bag Ralph had handed her inside where dog bones and a picture with a note that read Lucy Lucy eats stinky food that puts us in a big bad mood. 

Lucy Lucy's hair shaped like a cone. Here's a treat for you, a yummy Doc bone. So beating of Lucy's heart was so loud, she knew everyone around her could hear it. Her body began to trumbull as she tore the no into pieces, stop. It hurts my feelings when you do this Ralph, Lucy said, please stop Ralph turned and walked away. It was recess time in Lucy played alone, she didn't want to tell miss Marshall about Ralph, she was afraid of being a tattletale. Lucy wished Papua cino was there to help. What should I do? She asked herself over and over, the bell rang as recess ended. Cried a child off in the distance, Tony ran up and yelled, Ralph got himself stuck at the top of the monkey bars. It's the funniest thing I've ever seen. This is my chance, I'll go tell Ralph how mean he really is. Lucy said under her breath, she stomped off towards the monkey bars. When she reached Ralph Lucy paused, she looked him in the eye and said, what you did was so mean, standing before Ralph Lucy could hear papa's words. Ralph did have a heart with feelings. In that moment, she decided what she would do, busy started to climb up a monkey bars. She saw tears and Ralph's eyes, he hesitated to move and whispered I'm scared. 

Lucy reached for him and said here, take my hand, and she helped him down. The two walked back to the classroom without saying a word. On the way home, Lucy sings songs with Harriet, as the bus pulled up to her stop, Ralph suddenly reached over and handed her a picture. Lucy was amazed by what she saw. Thanks, she muttered softly. After she got off the bus Lucy reached for her papa's hand and said, papa, there's this blue Ralph, who was really mean to me today he was in trouble and I helped him. Papa Geno hugged Lucy and replied, that took a lot of courage. It wasn't the easiest thing to do. You chose to be a good person and to treat others the way you want to be treated, I'm so proud of you, Lucy. As they walked home, she asked him what was for dinner when papa Geno said spaghetti, Lucy knew immediately what she would have for lunch the next day, her favorite sandwich. 

Spaghetti in the hot dog bun. This book was written by Maria des mandi, it was illustrated by Kimberly Shah Peterson. You can find out more about the author and other books that she's written at WWW dot Maria des mandi dot com. Be sure to check out her blog where she writes about parenting, child development, and the importance of teaching children character traits. Teach your children the following that they are out of this world special to be proud, love yourself, have courage, practice giving, make each day count, celebrate differences, spread kindness, share a smile, forgive, and most of all, never give up. Love Maria.