Penny walked into class with worn-out sneakers. She sat at the lunch table alone.
The bell rang. Penny pressed her face against the window and watched the other kids play tag outside.
At lunch, her stomach growled. Penny whispered, "I just want one friend."
Penny rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a crumpled five-dollar bill.
At home, Penny laced up her brand-new bright yellow sneakers. She put on her purple sweater and tied shiny ribbons in her hair.
Penny strutted into class. The other kids stopped talking and stared. One boy dropped his apple.
The kids swarmed around Penny. "Will you play with us?" they asked. Penny smiled and said yes to everyone.
Penny tripped on the playground. Her purple sweater caught on a tree root and tore.
Penny went back to class in her old plain clothes. The kids walked away and started playing without her.
Penny sat by herself and opened a book. She read and giggled at the pictures.