The Hiking Trip

robert and his father had enjoyed hiking and camping out together ever since robert was old enough to walk their favorite hiking trail was the appalachian trail which stretches from maine to georgia they had never walked that far of course but enjoyed the section of the trail that passed through their part of pennsylvania although his dad always picked the date it was up to robert to plan the meals shop for the food and get all the necessary supplies packed for the outing dad always insisted that robert create a checklist so that nothing would be forgotten but sometimes robert got lazy if we forget anything it won't be a big deal robert explained to his mother there are always other hikers around who will loan you a can opener or share their matches mother just shook her head as if she disagreed but said nothing she had firmly stated from the very beginning that these trips had nothing to do with her and she would not get involved mosquitoes sore feet and using a bush for the bathroom was not her idea of a vacation robert checked the calendar this weekend was their next trip and here it was already thursday he had totally forgotten no big deal he said aloud i've packed our supplies a thousand times sure you don't want to make a list asked his mother sipping a cup of tea at the kitchen table never had a problem before robert answered confidently besides if i forget one little thing what could possibly go so wrong if only he knew

The Boys Get Even

have you ever noticed that girls can get away with anything it seems that if boys do just one little thing wham they’re in trouble but girls can get away with murder last summer at camp for example there was a big food fight in the dining hall okay maybe the boys started it but the girls were throwing chocolate pudding and dinner rolls just like everybody else but guess who got in trouble when we were dragged into the camp office the camp director Ms. Jenkins demanded an explanation we were all too scared to even talk finally Phil the senior boys' counselor said I guess boys will be boys Ms. Jenkins didn't even crack a smile instead she replied slowly boys should be gentlemen that night she made us sweep and mop the whole dining hall we even had to wash the windows those things hadn't been washed in like a hundred years as we worked and sweated until midnight we vowed to get revenge on the girls for sticking us with all the punishment we swore we would get even our chance came that very next day