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Hadassah's Honest Report Card

Ages 6-9 | Story and 9 activities

When Hadassah opens her report card on the bus, her stomach does a somersault.

There is a lot of green and gold on the page. But in the corner, next to Math, is a number she does not expect. A 72.

She stares at it. She has been working so hard. She thought she was getting better. She's even gotten a ninety on the last quiz. Where has this come from?

She slides the card into her backpack, between a library book and her lunchbox. She tries to forget about it.

At dinner, Totty asks, "Anything come home from school today?"

"No," says Hadassah. It comes out too fast.

Totty looks at her for a moment, then takes a bite of his chicken.

Later that night, Hadassah lies in bed with the report card tucked under her pillow. She can't sleep. The number floats in her mind. 72. 72.

She imagines showing it to her parents. They will be disappointed. Maybe Totty will sigh. Maybe Mommy will say, "I thought you were trying." Her cheeks go hot just thinking about it.

But she also imagines hiding it. How long can she do that? What will she say when the next report card comes? She'll have two secrets then.

She sits up. It feels like a heavy backpack that she's been carrying all day.

I can't hide this, she thinks. And I don't want to.

She tiptoes downstairs. Mommy and Totty are sitting at the kitchen table, drinking tea.

"I have something to tell you," says Hadassah. Her voice trembles. "I got my report card today. I said I didn't, but I did. I was scared."

She hands it over.

Totty reads it slowly. He reads the green and gold. He reads the math grade. He looks up.

"Thank you for telling us," he says.

"Aren't you mad?"

"I'm not mad," says Totty. "I'm glad you came. What happened in math?"

Hadassah blinks. She expected a lecture. Instead, there is a quiet question.

"I don't know. I think I got confused about the new chapter. I thought I was getting it, but I wasn't. And I was afraid to ask for help."

"That makes sense," says Mommy. "It's hard to ask when you think everyone else understands."

"What would help?" asks Totty.

Hadassah thinks. "Maybe I could stay after school on Tuesdays. Morah Esther has extra help. And maybe you could look at my homework with me."

"That sounds like a great plan," says Mommy.

"And you're not upset?"

Totty puts his hand on hers. "I'm a little disappointed about the grade. But I'm proud of how you handled it. It takes courage to say, 'I got something hard.' I'll take honesty over a perfect report card any day."

A heavy weight she did not know she was carrying falls off her shoulders. Tears prick her eyes, but this time they are the good kind.

Mommy gets up and hugs her. "Come, have some tea with us. And a cookie."

On Tuesday, Hadassah stays after school. Morah Esther explains the chapter again, with colored markers and a little story about a baker with too many cupcakes. Suddenly it clicks.

She goes home with a stack of practice problems. Mommy checks them with her at the table, one at a time. Totty brings a plate of apple slices.

Three weeks later, at the next quiz, Hadassah gets an 88. She runs home with it flapping in her hand.

"Look!" she says.

"I knew you could," says Totty. "But even if you hadn't, I'd be just as glad you told us."