Listen and read-along with this fun story.

Mimi read the banner above the chalkboard for the third time:  

WELCOME TO CAREER DAY!

“It is finally my day to shine!” whispered Mimi to herself. 

Tip. Tap. Tippity-Tap. She did a happy dance. The big sign, the grown-up chairs lining the room, and best of all, Mom and Dad were on time. 

Miss Miller stood in front of the class, nervously smoothing her flowered dress as she waited for the parents to file in.

“Welcome to Room 101’s Career Day!”  Began Mrs. Miller. “Today we will hear from the leaders of tomorrow about what they would like to be when they grow up.” The parents clapped and the children fidgeted at their desks as Miss Miller looked at her clipboard.

“We’ll begin with…uh…um…oh gosh… Mimi,” she stammered. “Mimi, please come up and share with us briefly what you would like to be when you grow up?”

Mimi shot to the front of the room. She took a deep breath and remembered to speak slowly, clearly, and very loud for the parents at the back of the room.

“When I grow up, I want to be a goldfish,” Mimi shouted. She smiled at her attentive audience.  This was fun.

“A goldfish?” Miss Miller asked, looking quickly at her clipboard again.

“I want to be a goldfish because I want to live in a fishbowl and wear sparkly scales and blow bubbles all day long.”  Mimi beamed.

“What an interesting idea, Mimi.  Thank you.  Let’s see, oh good, Treyvon, you’re next,” Miss Miller said.

“Wait!”  Mimi interrupted.  “I changed my mind.  When I grow up, I want to be a Dalmatian dog instead.”

Miss Miller shot a panicked look at the principal who had just walked in, then at her watch, then at her clipboard.  “Oh, you want to be a dog, Mimi?”

“A Dalmatian dog, Miss Miller,” Mimi corrected.

“Yes, uh, why do you want to be a Dalmatian dog, Mimi?  Quickly, please.”

“Because I want to live at the fire station and wear a polka dotted coat and help firefighters all day long.”  Mimi smiled even bigger. 

The children looked around at each other the way that they always did when Mimi had the chance to talk in class.

Miss Miller cleared her throat loudly. “That’s another interesting idea. Thank you, again, Mimi. Now it’s Treyvon’s turn.”

“Wait!  I changed my mind,” Mimi said quickly. “When I grow up, I want to be a fairy instead.”

A groan went up from the other children. Parents shifted in their chairs. Mimi’s mom’s face turned red and splotchy. Mimi’s dad smiled with pride at his little girl. 

Between clenched teeth masquerading as a smile, Miss Miller asked, “Why exactly do you want to be a fairy, Mimi?”

“Because I want to live in fairyland and wear fluttery wings and sprinkle fairy dust all day long.” Mimi’s smile radiated.

“Great, Mimi, now we really need to move on. Treyvon, please, it’s your turn,” Miss Miller said. She nodded vigorously at Treyvon to go up to the front of the class.

“Wait!  I changed my mind!”  Mimi said.

“Mimi! You must finish! The other children need to have their turn, too!” Miss Miller’s voice bordered on shrill and her face turned beet red.

“When I grow up, I want to be a teacher!” Mimi said, triumphantly.

The room went silent. Miss Miller’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped.  

“A teacher?” she asked.

“Yes! I want to live in a school and wear flowered dresses and help children all day long! Just like you, Miss Miller. The end!” 

Mimi skipped back to her desk and plopped down. 

Mimi had never seen her teacher smile at her quite like that before.  With her clipboard hanging loosely from one hand, Miss Miller looked like she didn’t know what to do next.

But Mimi did.  She said, “Treyvon, what are you waiting for?  It’s your turn.”

THE END

About the Author

Bridget Magee is an American expat who writes, teaches, and lives in central Switzerland where she is continually finding her voice, both in English and rudimentary German. You can find out more about her at www.bridgetmagee.com.