Billy and the Passionfruit, Part 1 of 7.

I had intended to tell this story to everyone I knew before I left high school, but I never really found the time. As it is only a select few thus far have heard it - so may I present "Billy and the Passionfruit: Blog Format."

Disclaimer: I don't own this story. I heard it somewhere.

Once upon a time there lived a young boy named Billy. Billy was five years old. He had blond hair, brown eyes and a cheery disposition.

Today was Billy's first day of school. Because of this, Billy was very excited. "It's my first day of school!" he cried, as he skipped along the pavement holding his mother's hand. "I'm so excited!"

Billy's mother smiled down at her son. "Now, now, Billy," she said, "calm down. We're almost there."

Billy continued to frolic in joy and delight. The brightness of his smile blinded a nearby mosquito, which fell to the ground in shock and was squashed by Billy's foot. But Billy was too excited to notice.

"It's my first day of school!" he repeated joyfully.

"Indeed it is," Billy's mother proudly said. She quickened her pace to match her son's.

When they finally arrived at school, Billy rushed to his first class with great alacrity, leaving his mother waving wistfully behind. He sat down at the front of the classroom and waited.

And waited.

After five minutes the whole class had arrived. Most were sitting trembling at the back. "Come on up here, children!" said the teacher in a friendly voice. "I won't bite, you know!"

So the children (apart from Billy, of course) moved cautiously to the front. Billy beamed at them. They stared uncertainly back.

"Today we'll be doing a little bit of art," said the teacher cheerfully. "I want you to use these crayons" - she pointed to some crayons - "to draw this apple." She pointed to an apple. "Doesn't that sound like fun?"

There was a pregnant pause. The children shuffled their feet.

"Yeah! That sounds great!" said Billy happily. He grabbed some crayons and started drawing. The other children stared.

A large bead of sweat formed on the teacher's head. She had never encountered a class quite like this one. "Come on, children," said the teacher in an encouraging tone. "Look at" - she checked her roster - "Billy here. See how fun it is for him?"

Billy beamed again. The other children nodded slowly.

The teacher sighed. It was going to be a long day.

To be continued...