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“Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” screamed Leslie.
Mrs. Jewls sent Paul to the counselor’s office.
The counselor’s office was on the fourth floor. Paul had never been there before.
Like every student in Wayside School, he was afraid of the counselor. The counselor had a very scary face, with big, bushy eyebrows and a little beard on his pointed chin.
Paul knocked on the door.
“Come in,” said the counselor.
Paul entered and sat down on the couch.
“What’s the problem?” asked the counselor.
“I pulled Leslie’s pigtails again,” said Paul. “I know it’s wrong, but I just can’t help myself.”
“Watch the pickle,” said the counselor.
Paul’s eyes went back and forth as he stared at the swaying pickle.
“You are getting sleepy,” said the counselor. “Your eyelids are getting heavy.”
Paul suddenly felt very tired. He could hardly keep his eyes open.
“When I count to three,” said the counselor, “you will fall into a deep, deep sleep. One … two … three.”
Paul closed his eyes. He wasn’t exactly asleep. He felt like he was living in a dream. But it was a very pleasant dream. He felt happy and safe.
“Can you hear me?” asked the counselor.
“Yes,” said Paul. He was no longer afraid of the counselor. In fact, he liked him a lot.
“You will do what I say,” said the counselor.
“I – will – do – what – you – say,” Paul repeated.
“I am going to count to five,” said the counselor. “And then you will wake up. You will return to your classroom. You will take your seat behind Leslie. You will want to pull one of her pigtails. But when you reach for it, it will turn into a rattlesnake.”
“Leslie’s – pigtails – are – rattlesnakes,” said Paul.
“Very good,” said the counselor. “Now just one more thing.” He rubbed his beard and smiled.
“When Leslie says the word ‘pencil,’ her ears will turn into candy. The most delicious candy in the world. The candy of your dreams.”
Paul licked his lips. He could almost taste the rich chocolate and chewy caramel.
“And you will try to eat the candy.”
“When – Leslie – says – ‘pencil’ – I – will – eat – her – ears,” said Paul.
The counselor counted to five.
Paul’s eyes blinked open.
“You may go back to class now,” said the counselor.
“I’m not in trouble?” asked Paul.
