Pip peeked through the classroom door. His spines stood straight up. A wall of noisy kids and bright tables stared back.
Pip stepped inside. His toes crunched on the cool tile floor. The teacher called a name, but it wasn't his.
A boy with a bright red backpack dropped a perfect golden leaf. It fluttered down — and landed right at Pip's feet.
Pip picked up the leaf. It was warm from the sun. He held it out to the boy.
The boy grinned. He pulled out a blue crayon and drew a smiley face on the leaf.
Pip's shoulders dropped. He laughed — a quiet, surprised squeak.
Pip sat down at the table. The boy slid a crayon toward him.
Pip traced the smiley face with his claw. One curve. Another curve. His own smile.
The boy watched Pip draw. Then he started drawing too — a wiggly sun in the corner of the leaf.
They worked on the leaf together. The boy added a stem. Pip added a little curve.
The bell rang. But neither of them moved.
Pip stayed right where he was. He wasn't so nervous anymore.