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This is Jack. Today Jack is feeling stuck. His class is doing a spelling test and he can’t remember how to spell any of the words. Jack is good at art. He is good at soccer. He is even pretty good at maths, but he is terrible at spelling. No matter how hard he stares at the words, they just won’t stay in his brain. A big salty tear slides down Jack’s nose and drops onto his paper. He quickly rubs his eyes before anyone sees. It’s no use! The harder he tries, the worse it is.

Finally the bell goes. At last! Jack thinks. He breathes out a big hot puff of air. ‘OK, class,’ Ms Walton says. ‘Put your tests on my desk before you go out to play.’ Jack folds his paper in half so no-one can see his terrible work. He drops it on Ms Walton’s desk. Then he runs into the hallway to get his snack from his bag. Already Jack’s heart feels lighter.

But then he hears Ms Walton’s voice.‘Jack, can you come back in here for a moment?’ Jack’s heart squeezes into a ball. Billie looks at him with a worried face. ‘I’ll wait for you,’ she whispers. ‘Thanks, Billie,’ Jack says. He trudges back into the classroom. ‘Did you try your hardest on this test, Jack?’ Ms Walton asks him. Jack nods. His eyes begin to fill with tears again. ‘I can’t do it,’ he whispers. ‘I’m just no good at spelling. Or reading.’ ‘Oh dear. I can see how hard this is for you, Jack. I think it might be time for you to get a bit of extra help from Miss Campbell,’ Ms Walton says. Jack gasps.‘But then everyone will know how stupid I am!’

‘Oh, Jack!’ Ms Walton says.‘There’s nothing wrong with needing a little extra help with some subjects. You are very clever. But not everyone learns at the same speed. I’ll see if Miss Campbell can fit you in tomorrow after recess.’

‘But that’s when we have art,’ Jack says sadly. ‘Sorry, Jack,’ Ms Walton says. ‘But I think it is important we help you catch up to the rest of the class. You want to be able to read what your friends are reading, don’t you?’ Jack nods slowly. Billie and his other friends are reading cool books. He is still reading books for babies. But Miss Campbell’s extra classes? What will he tell his friends? They will all know how bad he is at spelling if he goes to see Miss Campbell! ‘Jack,’ Ms Walton says kindly, ‘sometimes these things turn out better than you think they will.’ Jack sighs as he plods back out of the classroom. Billie is waiting for him in the hallway.

‘What did Ms Walton want?’ she asks. ‘Nothing,’ Jack says. Even though Billie is his best friend, he still feels too embarrassed to tell her the truth.