Tom was an eight-year-old boy. Hewas sick to death ofschool because he didn't want to do his homework. He was always looking for excuses not to do it. When he sneezed（打喷嚏）or had a headache, he told his mom he was seriously ill and he couldn't do his homework. Though Tom's mom was angry, she didn't know how to deal with him. Most of the time, Tom went to school without finishing his homework. Even though he finished his homework indeed, he usually did it very carelessly.

    One Thursday evening, Tom told his mom that he couldn't do his homework because he was having a fever. After his mom took his temperature, she realized that Tom didn't tell the truth. So he had to do his homework. To his mom's surprise, the light in Tom's bedroom was still on at midnight. His mom opened the door quietly and found Tom was already asleep. His homework was only half completed.

The next morning, Tom went to school as usual. He left his homework at home on purpose. When Tom returned home from school, his mom asked,“Did your teacher punish you today? I know you didn't finish your homework last night.”

    “No, mom.”Tom answered.

    “How did you make it?”his mom asked him.“What did you say to the teacher?”

    “I told my teacher that an accident happened to me this morning.”

    “What?”Tom's mom looked at him with eyes wide.

    “The school bus fell into the pool on my way to school.”Tom continued.“I climbed out of the pool, but my homework didn't climb out of the pool.”

    “______”Tom's mom said.

    “Of course, I don't.” Tom said. “But my teacher doesn't know that.”