9 Ch9-I Pledge Allegiance to Mr. Klutz

Chapter 9 I Pledge Allegiance to Mr. Klutz "I want to congratulate all you kids," Mr. Klutz said over the loudspeaker on Monday morning during announcements. "You did it! One million math problems. That's quite an accomplishment! See, all you needed was a little incentive. "This has been such a huge success that

I have decided to challenge you again," he continued. "Election Day is coming up in November. This is a very important day in America. I think every child in this school should write an essay about what it means to have elections. And if you achieve this goal by Election Day, I will climb the flag-

pole in front of the school and recite the Pledge of Allegience when I get to the top." "I hope he doesn't hurt himself again," said Emily. "I'll write my essay during recess," said Andrea, who always does everything the second any grown-up tells her to instead of waiting as long as possible, like a normal kid. "Couldn't we just write one essay for the whole class?" I asked Miss Daisy. "That would be a lot easier." Mr. Klutz's voice came out of the loud- speaker again. "I know some of you will ask if you can write a class essay. The answer is no. If you want to see me

shinny up the flagpole, each student must write their own essay. That's my final offer. Take it or leave it. And I'll tell you what. When we have all the essays, I will send them to the president to read. Have a nice day." The thought of the president of the United States reading our personal words was pretty cool, I had to admit. Everybody finished their Election Day essays so quickly, we were done a week before Election Day. Some kids (like Andrea) even wrote two essays. On the morning of Election Day, all the students and teachers gathered on the grass in front of the school. Mr. Klutz

came out of the door. He was wearing a red, white, and blue Uncle Sam costume. He also had on sneakers and one of those harnesses that lumberjacks use to climb trees. His leg was all better and he didn't walk with a cane anymore. We all let out a roar when Mr. Klutz started to shinny up the flagpole. I was a little afraid that he was going to fall and break his leg or something, but he didn't. For a principal, he was a good climber! When he got to the top, we all recited the Pledge of Allegience with him. Then everybody let out a cheer. When he was sliding down the flag- pole, Mr. Klutz got his foot caught in the

rope that holds the flag. As he was trying to get his foot loose, his hand slipped and he fell. The next thing we knew, Mr. Klutz was hanging upside down from the flag- pole. His Uncle Sam hat fell off. Everybody gasped. Mr. Klutz was just hanging there, half- way up the flagpole, like he was another flag or something. It would have been the funniest thing in the history of the world if we didn't honestly think Mr. Klutz was going to fall and land on his head. "Help!" he shouted. "My foot is caught in the rope!" "Quick! Get some pads from the gym