Happy Howlidays: A Tail-Wagging Surprise for Mr. Colins

As the winter chill settled in, Mr. Colins eagerly anticipated the joys of the holiday season. Teaching a lively group of 2nd graders was always a handful, but it was the end of term, and he couldn’t wait for a much-needed break. Little did he know, this year’s holiday gift would come with a wagging tail.

On the final day before Christmas break, Claire, his enthusiastic student with a love for all things canine, approached him with a box that seemed to have more energy than a puppy at playtime. With a beaming smile and twinkling eyes, she held out a brightly wrapped gift.

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Colins!” Claire exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. “This is for you!”

Curious and a little bewildered, Mr. Colins accepted the box, which was adorned with cheerful, cartoonish dogs in various festive poses—some wearing Santa hats, others tangled in holiday lights. At the top, it boldly proclaimed: “Happy Howlidays, Mr. Colins!”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “This is fantastic, Claire! You know how much I love dogs!”

With great care, he peeled back the wrapping and opened the box, revealing a delightful assortment of personalised chocolates. Each chocolate was neatly arranged and looked delicious, but the true surprise was the message inside the lid, which read:

"To the best dog-loving teacher! Thanks for being pawsitively awesome! From Claire."

Mr. Colins felt a surge of warmth as he read her words. It was the perfect gift from one of his most thoughtful students. “Thank you, Claire! This is so kind of you,” he said, genuinely touched.

Mr. Colins laughed heartily, imagining Claire’s thought process as she picked out the perfect gift. “These are pawsitively delightful, Claire! I can’t wait to share them with my family over the holidays.”

As the final bell rang, Mr. Colins waved goodbye to his students, knowing that the gift from Claire would not only satisfy his sweet tooth but also serve as a fond reminder of the joy of teaching.

Later that evening, as he unwrapped his chocolates, he smiled at the memory of Claire’s enthusiasm. The “Happy Howlidays” box would take pride of place in his kitchen, a cheerful nod to the joy and creativity of his students.

Mr. Colins may have been ready for a break, but with gifts like this, the festive spirit was sure to linger long after the school doors closed.