The Smart Cookie

Question 1

I live in a bakery on a street corner near a river.

Answer 1

The Smart Cookie

Question 2

Come on in!

Answer 2

The Smart Cookie

Question 3

It’s a warm and supportive place to spend some time.

Answer 3

The Smart Cookie

Question 4

When I was younger, I couldn’t have imagined fitting in here.

Answer 4

The Smart Cookie

Question 5

For a long time, I didn’t feel comfortable speaking up or sharing my ideas.

Answer 5

The Smart Cookie

Question 6

These days, life is sweet.

Answer 6

The Smart Cookie

Question 7

Looking back, I had some trouble in my early days.

Answer 7

The Smart Cookie

Question 8

When I arrived each morning, she’d wave at me and smile.

Answer 8

The Smart Cookie

Question 9

And I never raised my hand, because I couldn’t think of the answers as fast as the others.

Answer 9

The Smart Cookie

Question 10

And I was the last to finish most tests.

Answer 10

The Smart Cookie

Question 11

Sometimes, I’d get distracted and mess up, even though I knew the material.

Answer 11

The Smart Cookie

Question 12

Once I misspelled the word “dough.”

Answer 12

The Smart Cookie

Question 13

Occasionally, we’d have a lesson where I had absolutely no idea what was happening.

Answer 13

The Smart Cookie

Question 14

Something original? Due tomorrow?!

Answer 14

The Smart Cookie

Question 15

Welcome to our little community.

Answer 15

The Smart Cookie

Question 16

Pretty fantastic, eh?

Answer 16

The Smart Cookie

Question 17

But my journey wasn’t always a cakewalk.

Answer 17

The Smart Cookie

Question 18

Like this: AHA!

Answer 18

The Smart Cookie

Question 19

I went to school in a gingerbread house.

Answer 19

The Smart Cookie

Question 20

But I didn’t get the best grades.

Answer 20

The Smart Cookie

Question 21

It wasn’t because I didn’t care.

Answer 21

The Smart Cookie

Question 22

And it wasn’t because I didn’t try.

Answer 22

The Smart Cookie

Question 23

Those were the most frustrating moments of all.

Answer 23

The Smart Cookie

Question 24

That was rough!

Answer 24

The Smart Cookie

Question 25

Another time, I added when I meant to subtract.

Answer 25

The Smart Cookie

Question 26

I just couldn't keep up.

Answer 26

The Smart Cookie

Question 27

I imagined that my desk was a raft and that I was completely lost at sea.

Answer 27

The Smart Cookie

Question 28

Because that's what it felt like.

Answer 28

The Smart Cookie

Question 29

I had about six-dozen roommates.

Answer 29

The Smart Cookie

Question 30

Move.

Answer 30

The Smart Cookie

Question 31

You move.

Answer 31

The Smart Cookie

Question 32

No, you move.

Answer 32

The Smart Cookie

Question 33

Sigh

Answer 33

The Smart Cookie

Question 34

I'd stay awake and stare out the window and worry.

Answer 34

The Smart Cookie

Question 35

And it went this way, day after day after day.

Answer 35

The Smart Cookie

Question 36

But then something happened that changed everything.

Answer 36

The Smart Cookie

Question 37

It all started with a homework assignment.

Answer 37

The Smart Cookie

Question 38

"Tonight I would like you to create something completely original," she announced.

Answer 38

The Smart Cookie

Question 39

"It can be anything you want"

Answer 39

The Smart Cookie

Question 40

"Please bring it to class tomorrow"

Answer 40

The Smart Cookie

Question 41

That was it.

Answer 41

The Smart Cookie

Question 42

There were no further instructions.

Answer 42

The Smart Cookie

Question 43

I felt like a had a million butterflies in my stomach.

Answer 43

The Smart Cookie

Question 44

Create anything?

Answer 44

The Smart Cookie

Question 45

Gulp!

Answer 45

The Smart Cookie

Question 46

When I got home, I immediately went to work.

Answer 46

The Smart Cookie

Question 47

At first I tried a cooking project.

Answer 47

The Smart Cookie

Question 48

The results were...half-baked.

Answer 48

The Smart Cookie

Question 49

Next I tried to hammer and nail something.

Answer 49

The Smart Cookie

Question 50

It splintered immediately.

Answer 50

The Smart Cookie

Question 51

Then I tried making a sculpture.

Answer 51

The Smart Cookie

Question 52

It was a complete bust!

Answer 52

The Smart Cookie

Question 53

I wonder if I was about to fail yet another assignment.

Answer 53

The Smart Cookie

Question 54

I was stuck.

Answer 54

The Smart Cookie

Question 55

I stared out the window and watched the rain hit the river.

Answer 55

The Smart Cookie

Question 56

There was something mesmerizing about the water - how it moved in such a chaotic way, swirling around and around, yet ultimately figuring out exactly where it needed to go.

Answer 56

The Smart Cookie

Question 57

Suddenly I had an idea.

Answer 57

The Smart Cookie

Question 58

I decided to write something original.

Answer 58

The Smart Cookie

Question 59

A poem!

Answer 59

The Smart Cookie

Question 60

I came up with a title, based on how I was feeling: "My Crumby Days."

Answer 60

The Smart Cookie

Question 61

After that, the rest of it seemed to fall into place,

Answer 61

The Smart Cookie

Question 62

I wrote. And I wrote.

Answer 62

The Smart Cookie

Question 63

I lost track of time.

Answer 63

The Smart Cookie

Question 64

An hour went by in a flash.

Answer 64

The Smart Cookie

Question 65

AHA! I said when I was finished.

Answer 65

The Smart Cookie

Question 66

I couldn't sleep that night.

Answer 66

The Smart Cookie

Question 67

But it wasn't because I was worried.

Answer 67

The Smart Cookie

Question 68

It was because I was excited.

Answer 68

The Smart Cookie

Question 69

I felt like I had really accomplished something.

Answer 69

The Smart Cookie

Question 70

I felt...smart.

Answer 70

The Smart Cookie

Question 71

One kid showed off his original frosting art.

Answer 71

The Smart Cookie

Question 72

Another kid revealed her sprinkle distribution machine.

Answer 72

The Smart Cookie

Question 73

It was neat seeing how everyone was good at such different things.

Answer 73

The Smart Cookie

Question 74

"Would you like to share anything?" she asked.

Answer 74

The Smart Cookie

Question 75

"Gulp!" I gulped.

Answer 75

The Smart Cookie

Question 76

I thought I would probably crumble under the pressure.

Answer 76

The Smart Cookie

Question 77

But I made my way to the front of the classroom.

Answer 77

The Smart Cookie

Question 78

I noticed my hands were shaking.

Answer 78

The Smart Cookie

Question 79

My mouth went dry.

Answer 79

The Smart Cookie

Question 80

"This poem is called 'My Crumby Days,'" I said, my voice cracking.

Answer 80

The Smart Cookie

Question 81

And then I read it aloud.

Answer 81

The Smart Cookie

Question 82

As I spoke, I noticed some kids nodding at certain lines.

Answer 82

The Smart Cookie

Question 83

Other kids laughed at parts that were supposed to be funny.

Answer 83

The Smart Cookie

Question 84

As I built toward the finale, I felt myself becoming more confidant and animated.

Answer 84

The Smart Cookie

Question 85

And in the end, everybody clapped and cheered!

Answer 85

The Smart Cookie

Question 86

I promise you this: I'll never, ever forget it.

Answer 86

The Smart Cookie

Question 87

"No one but you could've written that poem," she said.

Answer 87

The Smart Cookie

Question 88

"It was completely original."

Answer 88

The Smart Cookie

Question 89

I had done it.

Answer 89

The Smart Cookie

Question 90

I'd created something and shared it with the world.

Answer 90

The Smart Cookie

Question 91

Well...my world, at least.

Answer 91

The Smart Cookie

Question 92

The rest of the day was a blur.

Answer 92

The Smart Cookie

Question 93

By recess, I was already planning my next poem.

Answer 93

The Smart Cookie

Question 94

I would call it "My Sweet Morning."

Answer 94

The Smart Cookie

Question 95

"AHA!" I thought when I came up with the title.

Answer 95

The Smart Cookie

Question 96

It said I should keep on writing, no matter what.

Answer 96

The Smart Cookie

Question 97

That meant so much to me.

Answer 97

The Smart Cookie

Question 98

School was a bit different after that.

Answer 98

The Smart Cookie

Question 99

I wasn't so scared to raise my hand or ask a question...or share my work.

Answer 99

The Smart Cookie

Question 100

But now I know you can be smart in many different ways.

Answer 100

The Smart Cookie

Question 101

You don't have to have the answers to every question or suddenly be great at everything, all at once.

Answer 101

The Smart Cookie

Question 102

You just need a chance to try all kinds of things, to find out who you are and what you like to do.

Answer 102

The Smart Cookie

Question 103

As for me, I learned that I can write and I can think up great ideas.

Answer 103

The Smart Cookie

Question 104

And I've found plenty of other things I'm good at, too.

Answer 104

The Smart Cookie

Question 105

I no longer feel lost at sea.

Answer 105

The Smart Cookie

Question 106

It's more like floating down a river.

Answer 106

The Smart Cookie

Question 107

And the best part is: There's always more to learn!

Answer 107

The Smart Cookie