The Valedictorian: A Poem

“100 again, Joe Smithy,” my teacher happily said. 

“I don’t know how you do it! Do you do it in your head? 

"Your math tests are incredible, your English scores so high, 

I really wish I knew your trick,” she stated with a sigh. 

I beamed a smile and took my seat, my homework page in hand. 

“A straight A+ student,” I said to myself, “I’m amazing and perfect and grand.” 

The very next day was the last day of school, but the morning began with murk. 

“Another A, Joe,” my teacher said, “though I wish you would show me your work.” 

“I don’t need to,” I smiled, and threw my homework into my bag. 

“I know how to do it, I don’t even go through it. I am just too smart, you see.” 

My teacher smiled and said with a nod, “You are so much smarter than me.”  

I looked down at the sheet, near fell out of my seat. I wasn’t surprised, but still. 

The A+ was green, and the paper was clean. So I closed my bag, proud of my skill. 

Soon school was out, and I waltzed home, happy and free and zealous. 

“Number one in my class,” I smiled and said, “The other three kids are so jealous.”