ONLI NEWEEKLYSERI ALSTORY
The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 2
[Note: If you are reading this in your classroom, you may decide to vote as a class and have your catechist or teacher submit your vote each week. If you read the story at home, you can submit your own vote from a home computer. You can only vote once from the same computer.]
© RCL Benziger
Chapter 2: The Best Way to Serve The Highland Ridge Explorers were seated in the TV room at Keiko’s house. It was raining hard outside, and they were having their Wednesday meeting there. Keiko’s mother came into the room with some crackers and cheese sticks. “Would anyone like some lemonade to go with these?” she asked. “Yes!” everyone answered together. Can we help you carry it, Mrs. Yamamoto,” asked Ellie. “Oh, that’s o.k.,” Keiko’s mother responded. “Benjie, why don’t you come out to the kitchen and help me. I have cartons, so I’m sure you can handle it.” “Okay,” said Benjie, jumping up. The group had only been in the room for five minutes and he was already fidgety. When the juice was passed out and everyone had had some of the snacks, Jake called the meeting to order. “The first thing I’d like to do is thank everyone for not kicking me out of the club, and for letting Benjie come. I told him he had better behave!”
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The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 2
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© RCL Benziger
“Oh he’ll be fine,” Ellie said. “I think when we thought it over we realized that losing you in the club would be worse than having Benjie here.” Benjie was just turning the corner from the kitchen, and retorted, “I heard that. I don’t know why it’s so hard for you. It’s harder for me! None of my friends are here and I have to sit through this boring meeting.” “I warned you, Benjie.” Jake shot him a look. At this, Mrs. Yamamoto entered the room smiling. “Benjie, I wonder if you would mind coming to the kitchen and helping me with something. I’m baking a cake for the parish bake sale, and I need help with the frosting.” Benjie flew to attention. “Sure, Mrs. Yamamoto,” he exclaimed. “Can I lick the bowl when you’re finished?” Keiko’s Mom laughed her little tinkling laugh. “I think that might be possible, Benjie, after you help me ice the cake. Now come along.”
© RCL Benziger
The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 2
“Whew!” said Jake, after they went to the kitchen. “Your mom is really a lifesaver, Keiko. Now let’s get to work. We need to come up with our next project today.” Ellie raised her hand to speak. “I thought of three possibilities,” she said. “First, ” she began, “we could raise money to buy books at our neighborhood library. Our teacher said she read in the newspaper that they don’t have money for any new books this year.” “Second,” she continued, but Jake interrupted her. “Whoa! One at a time, Ellie. Someone else might have an idea. How about you, Manuel. Have you thought of anything?” Manuel thought for a minute. “Well, as you know, my mom teaches in the Special Needs class, “ he said. “They’re going to have a Talent Fair. They’re doing art projects, putting on a concert, and also doing a skit of some kind, I think. She wants to get a crowd to come, but other than the school newsletter, she needs help. All of her time goes to helping them get ready. She wants a really big turnout for the nighttime performance.” “Okay“ said Jake. “That’s a good idea too. Anyone else?”
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© RCL Benziger
“Well, I had some other ideas,” said Ellie. “Unless you or Keiko want to suggest something,” she added. “How about it, Keiko. Any ideas?” asked Jake. “Well,“ she began shyly. “We could put on a Talent and Craft Fair with our sister school. Some of us are pen pals with the students there and I always wish we could see them face to face and get to know them better.” “But they are so far away—it’s over 40 miles from here,” said Jake. “It’s on the other side of downtown. Where would the Fair be?” “We could have one day here and one over there,“ said Manuel. “It could be fun. We would get to know more about them. The kids there come from a lot of different countries.” “But how would we get there? There would need to be rehearsals and joint projects, wouldn’t there? Otherwise what would be the point?” interrupted Jake. “And remember,” added Ellie. “It’s only your sister school, not ours. Manuel and I go to public school.”
The Highland Ridge Explorers: Chapter 2
“These are very good points,” said Keiko. “It probably isn’t a very good idea.” Ellie turned to her. “We didn’t say that, Keiko. We’re just saying there are a lot of things we would have to figure out.” “Well, “ said Jake, standing up. “The way I see it, we have three ideas on the table, all good ones. Let’s take a vote and see which one we like the best. Can we just do a show of hands on this one, or do we need a secret vote again?” “A show of hands!” they all answered at once. “Okay,” agreed Jake. “And remember, we shouldn’t just vote for what would be the most fun. We should always choose what will do the most good. Is everyone ready to vote?” __________ © RCL Benziger
TIME TO VOTE
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