by Judy Delton
When she got to Mrs. Peters’s house for the meeting on Tuesday, Rachel was laughing with Jody. “I’m sorry I can’t come to your party,” she said. “The third grade is having a treasure hunt that night.”
“Maybe next time,” said Jody.
And maybe not, thought Molly. The party was a perfect time to turn Jody into her boyfriend! Or at least into a good friend.
“Well, our festival was a great success and a great lesson in teamwork,” said Mrs. Peters. “When we all work together, we can move mountains! And every one of you will get your new badge today.”
Then Mrs. Peters called off names and handed a badge to each scout. That was something no Pee Wee ever had enough of. Badges.
But was Molly going to get a chance to report her old good deed?
“We have to tell our good deed today,” she said to Mary Beth.
“What good deed?” asked her friend.
Molly stamped her foot. Rat’s knees! It was so old that Mary Beth had forgotten it!
“The pork chop dinner!” said Molly.
“That’s old news,” said Mary Beth. “Besides, I don’t think she’s going to ask about good deeds on badge day.”
But she did. After the Pee Wee song and pledge and cupcakes and badges, Mrs. Peters looked at her watch. “We have just enough time for a few good deeds,” she said.
Hands waved. There were a lot of Harvest Fest good deeds reported.
“I worked in the lost and found,” said Tim.
“I found a little kid’s mother when he was lost,” said Lisa.
Molly’s hand was waving. So was Rachel’s.
Mrs. Peters called on Rachel first.
“Mrs. Peters, my good deed wasn’t at the Harvest Fest,” she said. “Mine was at home. It was my mom and dad’s anniversary, and I cooked them a special gourmet dinner.”
Molly couldn’t believe her ears! That Rachel was always topping her stories! How could she steal Molly’s best good deed?
“I cooked their favorite food, French, Mrs. Peters,” she went on. “I made five courses, all by myself. Well, my aunt helped me a little, with the éclairs.”
Rachel described every dish she prepared, using ingredients and spices Molly had never heard of!
“My parents were really happy,” Rachel said. “They said they never had such a good dinner, even in a restaurant.” Rachel sat down with her curls bouncing.
Molly took her hand down. Who wanted to hear about pork chops, and gravy you had to cut with a knife, after Rachel’s gourmet French dinner?
“Molly, did you have your hand up?” said Mrs. Peters.
Molly shook her head. Mary Beth was talking to Tracy. She had forgotten the good deed altogether.
Oh well, thought Molly. There would be other dinners to cook. Dinners with gravy you didn’t have to cut with a knife. And there would be other good deeds. Lots of them. And more badges. That’s what was so much fun about Scouts. There was always another meeting, and another badge! There was even Jody’s party coming up, and Molly was invited!
She pinned the new badge on her blouse.
Rat’s knees! It was fun to be a Pee Wee! Even without the good deed!