Morty and the Walkathon

Morty and the Walkathon

“ A win is twice as great when it's shared, " Principal Mouster announced at the morning assembly. “ The Mousetown Elementary Walkathon is only two weeks away! Are you ready?" As the school erupted in applause, Morty turned to wink at Ben and Fred. He had been the walkathon champion in first and second grades and planned to be the champion in third grade, too. Mousetown students had spent the last month asking their neighbors and family members to pledge money for the walkathon. For every lap they walked around the soccer field, the mice raised money to fund an exciting field trip. On the big day, everyone would receive a walkathon T-shirt, and the mouse who walked the most laps would get a trophy.

" Our theme this year is Working Together, " Principal Mouster said. “ All students will be matched up to walk in teams of two. The kindergartners will be partnered with fifth graders. The second graders will buddy with the third graders, and the first graders with the fourth graders. Your teacher will give you your partner's name this morning. " Morty groaned. " Drag a second grader around?" he complained. " No thanks. " Fred snickered. " With your luck, you'll get the fastest second grader who ever lived, " he said.

That morning in class, Miss Snickerwhisker handed out the assignments. Morty opened the folded piece of paper. WORKING TOGETHER WALKATHON TEAM MORTY, GRADE 3 RAFFY, GRADE 2 I wonder if this Raffy kid is any good, he thought as he studied the paper. Morty couldn't concentrate on his work after that. He stared at the clock, waiting for recess. He wanted to find Raffy so they could start practicing. The faster they walked, the more laps they'd do. No second grader could be as fast as I am, Morty thought. But with me as his coach, Raffy will be able to keep up in no time.

When the recess bell rang, Morty ran to the playground and found a group of second graders near the water fountain. “ Do any of you know Raffy?" he asked. A cheerful voice piped up in the crowd. " That's me! " the voice said. Morty turned to face a small mouse in a wheelchair. " Are you Morty, my walkathon buddy?" the mouse asked. " Uhhh, yes, " Morty admitted. A second grader in a wheelchair was not what he expected. How could he win the walkathon if he was pushing Raffy?

" Great! " Raffy exclaimed. " I heard you were the champion last year. What do you say to a couple of practice laps?" he asked. Before Morty could reply, Raffy began wheeling toward the soccer field. Morty scrambled after him. As it turned out, Raffy had Mega Mouse- sized muscles in his tiny upper arms. Morty wouldn't be pushing a wheelchair after all. In fact, he was struggling to keep up with Raffy's pace.