My name is Jackson. I'm a great reader with good memory. I remember almost everything I read. But I don't like to speak in class. When Mr.
Knoll announced an oral book report, the idea of going up and having my classmates staring at me while I talked filled me with anxiety.
As for the date, if the book report was due in two weeks, I would do it right then. Mr. Knoll, though, gave us a month to get the report ready, so I thought I had plenty of time.
Finally, I chose Fire-Hunter by Jim Kjelgaard. It looked really interesting. I read the first few pages and then I set it aside. I wasn't worried. I had plenty of time. Then the book got buried in the clutter(杂物) in my room.
Before I knew it, the date of the book report was a week away. Some kids had already finished. I was in a panic. I raced home and found the book. Trembling(颤抖)，I turned to the back and discovered there were 218 pages! I read like crazy.
The last day came. When Mr. Knoll called on me to give my report, I still had eighty pages to go.
The class looked sorry for me when I pulled myself forward. They could see my fear.
"My book is Fire-Hunter, by Jim Kjelgaard," I began slowly. Then I started to tell the story and the class seemed interested. To my surprise, I discovered I was enjoying myself. However, I had no idea how the book ended. I really didn't know what came over me. I made up the rest of the story on the spot.
The class loved it, and applauded as I finished.
At break time, Mr. Knoll called me over. "You know, Jackson, I don't really remember the book ending that way."
I gulped(倒吸气).
"You told a pretty good story," he continued. "The assignment was an oral book report. You did a great job on the oral part."
"Uh, thanks," I said.
"When you actually finish Fire-Hunter, please come to me and give me the book report.
"Yes, I definitely will," I said. I knew I would never make that mistake again.
