What’s so great about going back to school?

Once there lived three kittens named Blackfoot, Whitefang and Stripe. As orphans growing up together, the three were the best of friends, even though Blackfoot was all black, Whitefang was all white, and Stripe was a grey tabby.

One morning, Whitefang found himself asking a question: “What’s so great about going back to school?”

It was late summer and school was about to start, and Whitefang knew that he could not waste any more time not having an answer to his question.

So he went to his teacher – Brad, the world’s smartest rat – asked, “What’s so great about going back to school, Brad?”

“You get to learn new things in school, Whitefang,” Brad in responded. “Although you could still learn new things during the summer break, the great thing about going back to school is learning new things together with your classmates and teachers.”

Though Brad’s words were always wise, Whitefang felt that there was more about going back to school than simply learning new things in the classroom.

He went to Blackfoot next, asking the same question.

“The great thing about going back to school is getting the chance to play with your friends during breaks, Whitefang,” said Blackfoot. “You can play all sorts of games after class too, before going home.”

Whitefang liked to play games with his friends, but still he felt that there was more to going back to school than playing games with friends.

So he went to Stripe, the smartest of the three kittens, and asked the same question.

“Whitefang, the great thing about going back to school is in how we students get to do our duty to learn,” said Stripe. “Fulfilling our responsibilities builds character, and since our duty as students is to learn, going to school is very much character forming.”

Now Whitefang really didn’t mind fulfilling his duty as a student, but he still felt that there’s more to going back to school than simply fulfilling requirements and responsibilities.

So, finally, he met with Dog-las, the grumpy old dog, and asked him what’s so great about going back to school.

“That question is really easy to answer, Whitefang,” said the unusually happy dog. “The great thing about going back to school is being able to learn new things together with your classmates and teachers, as well as finding the time to have fun and play with your friends. Though you won’t be able to watch cartoons or play video games or read comics during class, you can still do those things after class or during weekends.”

Then Dog-las concluded, “Simply put, the great thing about going back to school is getting the chance to learn and have fun as you are actually fulfilling your duties and responsibilities as a student.”

Hearing that, Whitefang smiled. Now he knew why he just needed to go back to school.