My name is Jackson. I'm a great reader with good memory. I rememberalmost everything I read. But I don't like to speak in class. When Mr.Knoll announced an oral book report, the idea of going up and having myclassmates staring at me while I talked filled me with anxiety.

As for the date, if the book report was due in two weeks, I would do itright then. Mr. Knoll, though, gave us a month to get the report ready, so Ithought I had plenty of time.

Finally, I chose Fire-Hunter by Jim Kjelgaard. It looked really interesting. I read the first few pagesand then I set it aside. I wasn't worried. I had plenty of time. Then the book got buried in the clutter(杂物）in my room.

Before I knew it, the date of the book report was a week away. Some kids had already finished. Iwas in a panic. I raced home and found the book. Trembling（颤抖），I turned to the back and discoveredthere were 218 pages! I read like crazy

The last day came. When Mr. Knoll called on me to give my report, I still had eighty pages to go.

The class looked sorry for me when I pulled myself forward. They could see my fear.

"My book is Fire-Hunter, by Jim Kjelgaard," I began slowly. Then I started to tell the story and theclass seemed interested. To my surprise, I discovered I was enjoying myself. However, I had no ideahow the book ended. I really didn't know what came over me. I made up the rest of the story on the spot.The class loved it, and applauded as I finished.

At break time, Mr. Knoll called me over. "You know, Jackson, I don't really remember the book

ending that way."

I gulped（倒吸气）．

"You told a pretty good story，”he continued. "The assignment was an oral book report. You did a great job on the oral part’

"Uh, thanks," I said.

"When you actually finish Fire-Hunter, please come to me and give me the book report’

"Yes, I definitely will," I said. I knew I would never make that mistake again.