The teacher asked the class to use the word “fascinate” in a sentence.
Molly raised her hand.
“My family went to Grandpa’s farm, and we saw his sheep. They were fascinating!”
The teacher smiled.
“Very good, Molly. But I asked you to use the word fascinate, not fascinating.”
Sally raised her hand.
“My family visited Rock City, and I was fascinated by everything!”
“Good try, Sally,” the teacher said. “But I still want you to use fascinate.”
Then Little Johnny slowly raised his hand.
The teacher hesitated.
She had learned the hard way that whenever Johnny had an answer, trouble was usually right behind it.
Still, she figured there was no possible way he could mess up the word fascinate.
So she called on him.
Johnny stood up proudly and said,
“My aunt Carolyn bought a sweater with ten buttons…”
The teacher smiled nervously.
Johnny continued,
“…but she was so impatient, she fastened eight and left the other two for later!”
The teacher stared at him for a moment.
Then she slowly sat down.
“Johnny… somehow, you still managed to make this complicated.”
The whole class burst out laughing.
