“Timmy, you’re late again!” Miss Russell scolded as he slipped into the classroom.
“Sorry, Miss,” Timmy said with a grin. “But this time, it’s my dad’s fault!”
Miss Russell sighed. “And what excuse do you have this time?”
“Well, we’ve got a fox sneaking into our chicken coop and eating our hens.”
Miss Russell nodded. “And what does that have to do with you being late?”
“Everything!” Timmy said.
“Last night, Dad heard a noise outside. He grabbed his shotgun and ran straight to the chicken coop… without bothering to put any clothes on!”
Miss Russell raised an eyebrow.
Timmy continued, trying desperately not to laugh.
“Dad crouched down, aimed through the coop window, and waited for the fox.”
“So?” Miss Russell asked.
“Well, our hound dog, Rip, quietly came up behind him.”
Timmy paused, already struggling to keep a straight face.
“Then Rip stuck his freezing-cold nose right where Dad definitely didn’t want it!”
Miss Russell covered her mouth.
“And what happened next?”
Timmy burst out laughing.
“Dad jumped so hard he scared the fox away!”
He wiped a tear from his eye and added:
“Miss Russell… we’ve been plucking chickens since 3:00 this morning!”
