The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes (2 page)

“That was close!” thought Beatrice.

For the rest of the school day, Beatrice could not stop thinking about her Almost Mistake.

On her way home from school, Beatrice watched Millie and Sarah ice-skating in the park.

“Come join us!” said Millie. “It’s fun!” said Sarah.

Beatrice watched them slip and slide on the frozen pond. Millie and Sarah laughed as they wobbled on the ice.

“No, thanks,” said Beatrice.

At supper, Beatrice barely touched her food.

“Is everything all right, kiddo?” asked her father.

“I’m worried I’ll mess up tonight,” said Beatrice. “And everyone will be watching.”

“Worry? You don’t make mistakes!” he said with a smile.

Beatrice tried to smile too.

After supper, Beatrice got ready for the talent show.

First, she woke Humbert from his nap.

Next, she got the salt shaker from the kitchen table.

Finally, she filled a balloon with water.

The school auditorium was packed! Beatrice felt her stomach jumping around inside her.

Beatrice waited for her juggling music to begin.

“That’s her! That’s the Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes!” said a woman.

“Oh! We know she’ll be perfect!” said a man.

When the music started, she tossed Humbert into the air.

Next, she added the salt shaker.

And finally, the water balloon.

Beatrice didn’t miss a beat! The crowd clapped with delight.

But Beatrice noticed something odd about the salt shaker…

The specks falling out of it were not white!

Humbert was so surprised by his sneeze that he grabbed the water balloon with his claws.

Humbert, pieces of water balloon, and the pepper rained down on top of Beatrice.

For the first time in as long as anyone could remember, Beatrice made a mistake.

And it was a big one!

The music stopped.

Beatrice didn’t know what to do.

Cry?

Run off the stage?