The next day, the class came in very unprepared.
Jojo: Okay, class. How are those songs coming along.
Willy: Um, FYI, we didn't practice the songs.
Jojo: What?
Missy: Yeah, they were too hard!
Tammy: I agree.
Willy: It's not fun.
Jojo: Listen, guys, I'm not supposed to let you take the easy way out. You have to challenge yourselves.
Everyone moaned. Throughout the lesson, everyone looked miserable. Jojo felt bad, but he didn't know what else to do. Milley stayed after class again, hoping that Jojo would "help" her with the song again.
Milley: Jojo, could you play that song again? Please?
Milley batted her eyelashes.
Jojo: Not today. If you want to hear how the song is played, go look it up on WhoTube. I'm not in the music mood right now.
Milley: Pweez?
Jojo: Milley, I said no! Now get to class before you're late!
Milley skittered out into the hall sadly.
The next day was a Saturday. The mayor had gone off to work for the day.
Sally: Oh dear, Ned left his paperwork on the counter. Jojo, could you go deliver it to him.
Jojo: Sure.
Jojo went out to his father's office. The mayor was having a conversation with his good friend, Horton the elephant, through the speaker over the balcony.
Jojo: Dad?
Horton: And it turns out, we don't wear pants!
Mayor: Oh, hold that thought, Horton. My son is here. Hey! What brings you here, Jojo?
Jojo handed him the papers.
Jojo: You left your paperwork at home.
Mayor: Oh, thank you, my boy. I really needed those!
Ms. Yelp called up to him.
Ms. Yelp: Mr. Mayor, there's a package for you!
Mayor: Be right back.
Once the mayor had left, Jojo looked around the office.
Horton: Mayor? Are you still there?
Jojo: Hi, Horton.
Horton: Oh, let me guess, it's… Jojo?
Jojo: You guessed it.
Horton: Oh yay! I like guessing games. Like this one time, Morton and I were playing this game where we-
Jojo: You know, Horton, I'd love to hear one of your stories, but you see, I have to go soon.
Horton: Oh right, sorry. Well, as soon as the mayor gets back I'll have to let him know that I have to get myself to my class.
Jojo turned to leave when he paused and turned around.
Jojo: Hey, Horton? You're a teacher, how do you get your students to like you? You see, I'm teaching sixth grade band students and they don't like me all that much.
Horton: I play games and make sure they have fun, yet they learn at the same time.
Jojo: Well, it's kind of different. Everyone is playing solos for the band concert and I gave them their songs and they hate them.
Horton: Well, I always let the kids express themselves. Let them pick their own songs.
Jojo: But the teaching manual clearly says that students must play the song that is given to them by the teacher.
Horton: I'm no lawyer or anything, but I see a pretty good loophole in that one. You are the teacher. And if the teacher says to pick your own songs, then it should not be breaking any rules.
Jojo: You know, Horton. I think you're right. Basically, what it's saying is that they need to do what the teacher tells them. And I tell them to do what they want to do.
Horton: You bet I'm right!
Jojo: Thanks, Horton.