Think about Cedric’s story. What advice can you give Cedric right now to help him improve his life?


Cedric groaned as he stared at the clock for the fifth time. He still had four hours of school left. He ran his thumb against the cold metal strip that ran under his desk.

Suddenly sweat drenched Cedric’s back. His classmates were staring at him.

“Cedric? Any chance you can join us from whatever planet you’ve been exploring?” His teacher, Mr. Jacobs, towered over him, his deep voice booming.

Mouth dry, Cedric tried to talk, but nothing came out. His left eye twitched uncontrollably.

“Uhhhh. Sorry, Mr. Jacobs. I, I, I, don’t know the answer.”

The class laughed. Mr. Jacobs shook his head and said, “Cedric, I asked you where you moved from. Tell me you remember where you lived two months ago.”

Two months. Two months ago Cedric had lived in Chicago. Cedric had friends. Cedric’s dad had a job at the fiber-optics company. Now, his dad is working a temporary job in Indiana.

Cedric’s teeth ground against each other, the only sound in the otherwise silent room. Time stopped. Cedric’s mind drifted to his mother, as it always did during stressful situations. She had died of breast cancer when Cedric was halfway through sixth grade. It had been four years, but Cedric still missed her terribly.

“I-I-I u-u-u used to li-li-li-li-live in Chi-chi-chicago,” Cedric forced out.

Mr. Jacobs gave Cedric a puzzled look and walked to the front.

Cedric looked at the clock again. Still four hours left.