Miss Bunsen’s School0 for Brilliant Girls: If the Hat Fits

THE PERFECT GADGET
“Girls,” Miss Bunsen continued. “We have been invited to take part in a very special interschool competition. The challenge is to invent the perfect gadget for the youth of today, a gadget that in some way improves the daily life of a modern child immeasurably.”

A whoosh of excitement swept over the assembly hall as ideas and inventions began to pop into heads.

“But that is not all,” said Miss Bunsen, trying to make herself heard over the buzz. “There is to be a grand price!”

The hall fell silent again.

Miss Bunsen leaned in close to her podium. “The prize is 100,000 pounds.” She raised her head and seemed to look every student square in the eye.

“My brilliant girls,” she said solemnly, “I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you of the pickle this school is in. We have barely enough funds to last the term, and if we don’t win this competition…well, I’m afraid the school will have no choice but to close for a time until repairs are made. In that case, you would all be sent to…” Miss Bunsen put a hand to her heart and looked down at her purple shoes. She took a deep breath, collecting herself. “You would all be separated and sent to other schools. Our wonderful Bunsen school family would be broken up for many months.”

No one could listen anymore. Murmurs of despair filled the hall.

“We can’t be split up! What would I do without you?” Millie shrieked, clasping Pearl’s and Halinka’s hands. “This is the only school I ever want to go to!”