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Reading Comprehension
Volume 5, Number 6, October 12, 1999
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Trogmire was surprised by the principal’s reaction. After all, this wasn’t the first time he’d been sent “to the office” because of his behavior. And it wasn’t the first time that he had been mean to a girl.
When Trogmire had told Tina Troll that she looked like a human, the teacher was furious. The principal had just calmly lectured him about using such language, and about the hurtful effect of some words.
Even the time he had pretended to be a rat by biting Trudy Troll’s ankle, the reaction hadn’t been this severe.
Mr. T. Rubric Troll took control of his emotions and spoke in a calm but serious voice. “Trogmire, I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but there have been some Trolls who have disliked me over the years. Have you ever had that problem?”
“Yes. Sometimes I hadn’t even done anything mean to them,” Trogmire replied.
“Too often, you’ll come across those who don’t like you. There will always be many who just don’t care about you one way or another,” the principal said. “But those who do care about you, who think you’re special, they are hard to come by. They are the treasures of our lives! That’s why it upsets me so much to learn what you did.
“But she wants me to be her boyfriend!” Trogmire protested.
“You don’t have to be her boyfriend. However, can’t you be a friend?”
Trogmire didn’t have an answer to that question. “I suppose I should apologize to her,” he offered.
“Only if you’re really sorry,” the principal responded. “An insincere apology is just a lie.”
Trogmire did sincerely regret the way he had treated Treasure Troll, but he didn’t know how to admit it, not even to himself.
1. What do you think Trogmire should do?
2. What do you think he will do? Now you are the author. Write the final part of the story.
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