Ming put his finger to his lips and gave me the “shush” sign. I relaxed in his arms and kept my snout shut.
The cluster of children in the corner began to feel tight. They squirmed and coughed as the minutes ticked on. Even I had trouble staying still. Ming’s breathing had settled. I knew he was relaxed. So I wiggled in Ming’s arms until he put me down. I liked to snuggle. But like the kids, it was best for me to stand during the drill. As a Helper Hound, it was important that I be prepared.
Finally, the bell boop-booped again. Principal Jackson came over the intercom. Everyone relaxed and moved a step away from each other.
“Our lockdown drill has ended,” she said. “Thank you, everyone, for behaving so well. If anyone would like to talk about today’s drill, counselors are available. Just tell your teacher. Also, King Tut the Helper Hound is on hand.”
Eva snickered.
“Pretty sure only Ming needs King Tut…”
“Eva!” Ms. Hanson said. “Your stress is coming out in terrible ways. We can talk about it over lunch recess today.”
Eva kicked her shoe into the ground.
Luis bent down to pet me before Ming walked me over to Ms. Hanson’s desk.
“She can sleep in her kennel if she needs to,” Ming said. “I feel okay now.”
“You did well, Ming,” Ms. Hanson said. “I’m proud of you.” Ms. Hanson smiled down at me. “Proud of both of you.”
For whatever reason, that night I did not sleep well. I was used to exciting events as a Helper Hound. But after today’s drill, something didn’t sit right with me. Maybe it was a smell in the wind. Maybe it was an energy I picked up in the classroom. Either way, I knew tomorrow would be another big day. And I knew I needed to be back in Ms. Hanson’s classroom. How was I going to make that happen?
CHAPTER 8
The next morning at school, I made a huge fuss. I didn’t settle into my crate like I normally do when Eloise gets her supplies ready for the day. I didn’t sniff around the room like I do when I’m bored.
Instead, I followed Eloise and whined.
I had to find a way to tell Eloise I needed to be back with Ms. Hanson’s class.
Eloise brought her finger to her mouth. I stopped whining.
Then I thought of another idea. My Helper Hounds vest was still at school. Eloise had it in my bag under her desk. So I ran over and pulled my vest out. I sat in front of it and wagged and wagged my tail until Eloise picked me up.
“Silly girl,” Eloise said. “What on earth has gotten into you?”
Eloise put me down and picked up the Helper Hounds vest. She took two steps toward her desk and then stopped.
“Wait,” she said. “You want to wear this?”
She held my vest toward me. I barked and wiggled and shook.
“What’s going on?” Eloise asked.
I had no way of telling her, of course. But as she snapped the vest on my body, I relaxed. When she was done, I trotted toward the door and scratched at it.
“Where do we need to go?” Eloise asked.
I galloped down the hallway and paused at Room 112.
“Ms. Hanson’s room,” Eloise said. “You want to be back with Ming? I think he’s doing okay today.”
But Eloise tapped on the door. Ms. Hanson opened it and smiled when she saw me.
“What a lovely surprise,” Ms. Hanson said. The kids behind her waved and said hello.
“King Tut led me here this morning,” Eloise said. “I’m not sure what to say, except that I think she wants to be here with you today.”
“Fine with me,” Ms. Hanson said. “Is it okay with you all?”
The class clapped and said, “Yes!”
Eloise walked me over to Ming. He reached down to pet me, and I licked his hand. I sat down next to Ming’s desk but looked around for Eva. When I did sleep last night, I dreamt that Eva was being chased by rabbits. I chased the rabbits and scared them away, of course. But normally people weren’t in my dreams about bunnies. That was weird.
Eloise walked back into the classroom with my crate. “Just in case she needs some alone time later,” Eloise said.
“Or a time out,” said Eva.
Eloise nodded. “King Tut should behave herself,” Eloise said. “But you are right. Sometimes we all need a time out from our duties.”
“Having to sit by Ming all day would make me want a time out,” Eva said.
She whispered it. But I could hear her. So could Ming. His hand shook as he bent down to pet me.
“Why do you choose unkindness?” Ms. Hanson asked.
Eva shrugged. “Ming’s weird. He’s easy to make fun of.”
Eloise sighed. “One day you’ll learn to appreciate the ‘weird’ people,” Eloise said. “They’re the ones who change the world—and save lives.”
“Whatever,” Eva said.
“We’ll talk again at lunch today,” Ms. Hanson said. “And…”
But before Ms. Hanson could finish, the bell booped again. Principal Jackson spoke over the loudspeaker:
“Attention: Lockdown. Lockdown. This is not a drill.”
The door slammed shut. The lock clicked into place.
“What’s going on?” asked Luis.
“I don’t know,” Ms. Hanson said. “Come on.”
The children rose from their seats and scrambled toward the corner. Everyone except Ming and Eva.
“Kids, let’s go,” Ms. Hanson said.
I sniffed the air. I could smell her fear across the room. I could practically taste the sniffles from the kids.
Ming breathed deep and bent down to pick me up.
“King, you helped me before,” Ming said. “You can help me again.”
Ming stood up and held me close. He started to walk toward the corner where the kids clung close together.
“Eva, please,” Ms. Hanson said.
“I can’t,” Eva said. She began to sob. “I can’t move. I’m too scared.”
Ming stopped. He turned toward Eva and held me out to her. I paddled my paws in the air just like I was swimming to Eva.
“Take King Tut,” Ming said. “She helps.”
Eva nodded and reached for me. I licked her face and then jumped off her lap.
“Come here,” Eva said. “Come here.”
Normally I obey commands to “come,” but getting Eva to move was more important. So I ignored her and took two steps back.
“Follow her,” Ming said from the safety of the group. Luis patted Ming on the back.
Eva shook her head. “I can’t.”
“You can,” Ming said. “You have to.”
“But what if we get shot,” Eva said.
“We’ll be okay,” Ming said. “I read a lot about lockdowns. Because I’m weird, you know?”
“You’re not weird,” Luis whispered.
“No, I am,” Ming said. “But that’s okay. Because that’s how I know stuff. Just follow King Tut, Eva. You have to.”
I wiggled my fanny and let out a low growl. When dogs growl, we’re just warning people. Sometimes dogs growl to warn of a bite. Sometimes dogs growl to warn that we hear something. Sometimes we growl because something is about to happen.
Eva needed a warning. We had no time.
Eva scooted forward in her chair to reach me. I took two more steps back.
“Good job,” Ming said. “If you’re still scared take baby steps. You can even crawl!”
Eva nodded and slid onto the floor. She ran her hand across her nose. I jumped toward Eva, and together we moved along the floor to the rest of the group.
Ms. Hanson held her arms open for Eva. Eva fell into them and sobbed. Ms. Hanson rubbed her back and told her it would be okay.
I sat on the ground in front of Ming and Luis. I sniffed the air to smell what I could.
No bomb smell. No gun smell. No danger at all.
But still, all around me, children shook and sniffled.
Ming bent down to pick me up. He shook harder than anyone.
CHAPTER 9
Booooooop. The time between the bell and Principal Jackson’s voice felt like forever.
Everyone turned to look at the speaker on the wall behind us.
When she finally spoke, the children relaxed.
“The hard lockdown is over,” she said. “You may move around the classroom and the school. Teachers, please check your emails for more information.”
A few children cheered but most still looked worried.
Ms. Hanson turned to her computer.
“Everyone have a seat,” Eloise said.
But no one moved. Everyone watched Ms. Hanson read.
“Okay,” Ms. Hanson said. “Turns out, the bank on South Street got robbed. That’s only three blocks away. The robbers had guns, and they ran toward our school.”
Children gasped.
“That’s when they locked us down,” Ms. Hanson said. “They caught one of the robbers. And they know where the other two are. The police will have them soon.”
“But are they still near the school?” Luis asked.
“Probably not,” said Ming. Everyone turned to look at him. “I read a lot about criminals…” Ming paused and looked at Eva. “Aren’t you going to say how weird I am?” Ming said.
Eva shook her head.
“No,” she said. “Keep going.”
Ming smiled and explained that the robbers would have run in different directions. They would have a “meeting place.” The robber they caught probably told the police where that was. No way it would be in the same direction anyone ran at first.
“Thank you, Ming,” Ms. Hanson said. “I’m very proud of how well you all did. This was very scary. If anyone needs to talk to anyone, school counselors are available. Or talk to your parents or me… In fact, I’d like to hear how you’re feeling.”
“Happy it’s over,” Mallory said.
“Hoping they catch the other robbers,” Paul said.
“Wondering if my mom knows,” said Luis.
“Your parents and caregivers got an email and text alert,” Ms. Hanson said. “So she knows.”
Eva raised her hand.
“I keep thinking about Ms. Jones’s grandparents,” Eva said.
“You do?” Eloise said.
“Yeah,” Eva said. “Like how you told us they were weird. They had all these weird ideas, and people thought they were strange. But then…they had the idea for vests for working dogs. And that helped people! And now, we have King Tut. She’s weird. She’s got a weird name, and she’s not like the other Helper Hounds—she’s so little and her tail is so long. But she helped me today.
“And then, we have Ming…”
The students around us held their breath. What was Eva going to say?
“Ming, sometimes you are weird,” she said. “It’s weird to me that you study old Egyptian beetles and read about criminals. But I’m really glad you’re weird. You have good ideas, and you helped me.”
Eva walked over to Ming and hugged him. Ming blushed and smiled.
“How about we all thank Ming and King Tut for their help today?” Ms. Hanson said.
“To two weirdos,” said Ming. Then he picked me up and hugged me.
Epilogue
Dear King Tut,
Guess what! We had a fire drill today. And I was the leader out of the room. I wasn’t scared at all. Eva wasn’t scared either. At least, she wasn’t scared of the fire. She did get scared when I picked up a cicada beetle to show her.
Cicadas are really pretty. They have purple heads and clear wings. Have you seen one? Some dogs eat them. I’m not sure if you should or not… Wait I just looked it up. They’re okay for dogs to eat if you ever want to try one.
Anyway, when I showed Eva the beetle, she started screaming. That scared the cicada and it started flapping. Pretty soon all the kids were screaming and flapping, too.
I worried the cicada would get stepped on, but it was fine. Eva rescued it. She says she’s not normally scared of bugs. She’s only scared when someone pops them in front of her face. Ms. Hanson told me I should ask before I put a bug in someone’s face.
What’s new with you? Any fun cases?
I can’t wait to see you when you come to the assembly next week. Eva and I are assembly buddies now. We’re coloring a sign to hold up so you can see where we’re sitting.
Love,
Ming
King Tut’s
Tips on Including Everyone
It’s easy to dismiss people—or dogs!—because we think they’re different or maybe weird. Like how the people in town thought Eloise’s grandparents were foolish. Or how Eva rolled her eyes at and teased Ming for his weird ideas and hobbies. Or how people don’t expect me to be a Helper Hound because I’m little and shaggy and have a wonky tail. Plus, I’m a girl dog with a boy name. Some people think that’s weird! But weird people—and dogs!—make the world a better place. Here’s how you can appreciate and include weirdness:
TIP #1: Stop Assuming!
To assume is to guess ahead of time how or what someone should be like or how they should act. Forget that! Instead, learn to look at others with fresh eyes. Every person, dog, cat, pig, and turtle is different. Thank goodness!
TIP #2: Study Weird Things
Most cool inventions or cures were made by people who got laughed at. Think about how weird everyone thought the inventors of Apple© were! They worked out of a garage for Pete’s sake. When we know the history and the important role of “weird” or different people, we stop seeing people as weird!
TIP #3: Make Weird Friends
It’s always best to have a few friends who are different from us. And the best kind of people are willing to be silly and creative, different, and weird!
TIP #4: Let Your Weird Show
The world needs us to be us—and let’s face it: Most of us are a little weird and wonderful. So be it!
FUN FACTS
About Mutts
You probably know there are different breeds, or kinds, of dogs. But sometimes, a dog isn’t just one breed. It can be a mix of two or more breeds. When an animal is a mixture of different kinds of dogs, we call it a mixed-breed, or a mutt.
Like King Tut in the story, mutts can look very different from other dogs. They can even be kind of weird! Most dogs of the same breed look a lot alike, so a purebred dog looks just like its mother or father. But mutts are definitely different! Because these dogs are a mix of different breeds, sizes, and shapes, mutts are unique! It’s hard to find two mutts that look exactly alike.
Just like mutts are a mix of different physical traits, like color or size, they are a mix of different personalities and skills too. Many people believe that mutts are smarter and easier to train than purebred dogs. That’s because these dogs can have the best parts of all the breeds that make them up. Mutts are often more healthy than purebred dogs, too. Because they are a mix of physical traits, they can keep the best of each breed that went into creating this unique kind of dog.
Mutts are more common than you might think. About three-quarters of all the dogs in animal shelters are mixed breeds. Many dogs that look like purebreds often have other breeds mixed in. Sometimes it’s easy to tell what breeds make up a mutt. Other times the dog’s background is a complete mystery, as it is with King Tut.
No matter what breeds make up their background, most mutts make wonderful pets and companions. It can be easier for mutts to get used to living in a home or being in different situations than a breed that is bred for a specific job, such as herding or hunting.
If you think about it, a lot of people are “mutts.” We come from many different backgrounds and cultures.
Mixed-breed dogs are just as good, if not better, than many purebred dogs. No matter how weird a dog looks or what its background is, mutts are tops when it comes to a canine companion.
King Tut Helps Ming Stay Weird Page 3
