How to Use a Dictionary (2nd Place)

“Ms. Brown?” Jimmie’s hand shot into the air.

“Yes, Jimmie.”

“Could you spell hamburger for me?”

“Sure.” Ms. Brown grinned. “That’s D-I-C-T-I-O-N-A-R-Y”

Jimmie looked down at his paper as he copied the letters, then looked up at Ms. Brown. “Hey!”

“Use the dictionary, Jimmie. I don’t mind you asking, but you need to look the words up yourself.”

Jimmie frowned. “That’s not fair.”

“Well, you’ll learn better without me telling you.”

Jimmie begrudgingly pulled the heavy book from the shelf and went back to his reading circle. Victor snickered at Jimmie. Jimmie looked up the word, and then returned the dictionary to the shelf.

“Ms. Brown?” Jimmie’s hand shot into the air again.

“Yes, Jimmie.”

“Could you spell calculator?”

“Sure.” Ms. Brown grinned again. “That’s D-I-C…”

“OK. I get it…” Jimmie hopped off his chair and lugged the big book back to his desk. Victor again chortled at Jimmie. “Man, you’re stupid, Jimmie. Two times in a row,” Victor whispered. Jimmie’s anger welled, but he maintained his composure, and returned the book to the shelf.

A few minutes passed, as the class wrote about their assigned story. “Ms. Brown?”

She ignored him, as she recorded several grades in her book.

“Ms. Brown?” The urgency of his voice apparent.

She then glared at the exasperating child. “Jimmie, I told you to use… the… dictionary!” Ms. Brown’s patience wore thin, as she paused between each of the last three words.

Jimmie frowned, “But…I…He’s…”, then glanced at Victor who put his hand over his mouth.

“Jimmie!” Ms. Brown shouted as she stared him down, then went back to her grading.

“OK…” Jimmie’s brow furrowed as his eyes fixed upon Ms. Brown “...Fine.” He walked over, retrieved the heavy volume once again, and walloped Victor upside the head with it.


296 Words
Flash Story Must contain: circle, dictionary, mind