| “ | What kind of cloud is that one, Mrs. Jewls? | ” |
| — Benjamin Nushmutt | ||
"Science" is the eighth chapter of Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom.
Synopsis[]
The students spot a mysterious cloud during a science lesson.
Plot[]
One day, Mrs. Jewls is looking for an assistant to help her prepare for a science lesson. Twenty-nine hands are raised, even though there are only twenty-eight kids in the class. Joy has both her hands raised, hoping that it will give her a better chance at being chosen. Bebe and Calvin beg to be chosen, but Mrs. Jewls doesn't choose them, because Bebe's toes are too short and Calvin's too heavy. Joy inevitably gets chosen, and walks outside the class to prepare for their lesson on clouds. Mrs. Jewls lifts her onto the closet that isn't there, which is why she rejected Calvin for being too heavy, and Joy stands on her tiptoes to open a trapdoor and pull down a rope ladder, which is why Bebe was rejected for having short toes.
The kids all get on the roof to study the various clouds in the sky, though Mrs. Jewls has to keep them away from the edge. Mrs. Jewls starts to point out the clouds. First, a cumulus cloud, which Bebe draws in her notebook, imagining it as the pillow of a sleeping giant, then a cirrus cloud, which Bebe draws, imagining it as the fallen feathers of angels' wings. Benjamin notices a dark cloud off in the distance, and asks what it is. This particular cloud resembles the contents of a vacuum cleaner bag while the vacuum is still on.
Mrs. Jewls, realizing what the cloud is, has all the kids quickly hurry inside, some of which injure themselves but avoid any consequences the gloomy cloud could bring upon them. The kids wait quietly in the class, for Mrs. Jewls to return, but they notice the cloud getting closer, larger, or both. Mrs. Jewls returns, and Leslie asks what the cloud is. It's explained that there are times adults hide the truth from children to let them feel safe, but Mrs. Jewls decides that as a teacher, during science class, she must be honest with the students. She explains that it is a Cloud of Doom.
Characters[]
Trivia[]
- This marks the first appearance of the titular Cloud of Doom.
- Quite strangely, in this chapter, Todd sits behind Joy, as opposed to in front of her like in chapters in the other books in the series.
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