5 What Could Be Verse

CHAPTER FIVE WHAT COULD BE VERSE Franny sat in class listening to her teacher, Miss Shelly. "Now, remember that we'll be celebrating something special at the end of the week," Miss Shelly said. "You'll need to have valentines ready to share." Franny raised her hand. "Miss Shelly, what are valentines?"

Miss Shelly never understood how Franny could know so much about weird things but so little about normal things. Franny felt the same way about Miss Shelly. The simple truth was that Franny, like most geniuses, studied the things she loved and didn't pay much attention to anything else, including holidays. "A valentine is an expression of friendship or love," Miss Shelly began.

"Like for your mom?" Franny asked. "Well, sure. You can send your mom a valentine. But valentines also celebrate love for those other than your parents."

"I'm not sure I understand," Franny said. "Here's an example of something you might write on one," Miss Shelly continued. "'Roses are red. Violets are blue. Sugar is sweet, and so are you.'" "And I write this on every valentine?" Franny asked. "No, no," said Miss Shelly. "You try to personalize them. You know, express your feelings about the person." "Okay. You're the boss," Franny said, although she had no idea what Miss Shelly was talking about.