Caroline was sad and lonely. Caroline was sad and lonely and worried. It was Caroline's first day at Hartville School. And here she sat in a brand new classroom surrounded by strangers just two days before Valentine's Day.
"Welcome to Hartville Elementary School, Caroline," said Mrs. Nicely, Caroline's new teacher. "We're so happy to have you in our class. Please, everyone, help Caroline feel welcome."
As the boys and girls began to talk to each other about their new classmate, Caroline looked around the room and wondered whether she'd ever make friends with anyone in Hartville. Oh, how she missed her old friends!
"Ok, class, get quiet so we can start making our Valentine's Day mailbags," announced Mrs. Nicely.
Caroline cut out red and pink hearts and glued them onto her bag. She added silver glitter and white lace. For the first time since she had moved to Hartville, Caroline had a smile on her face.
When Caroline arrived at school the next day, she saw Mrs. Nicely taping the valentine mailbags to each child's desk. Mrs. Nicely then reminded the students to check their mailbags each morning and encouraged them to get their cards out before the party the next day.
To Caroline's surprise, she had 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8 valentines in her bag! "Wow!" thought Caroline. "Maybe Hartville will be a great place after all."
But when Caroline walked into her classroom the next morning, her mailbag was gone! She looked under her desk, in her desk, and next to her desk. No mailbag!
Caroline hurried to Mrs. Nicely.
"Mrs. Nicely, my valentine mailbag is gone," cried Caroline.
"Oh, my!" replied Mrs. Nicely. "Did you take it off your desk yesterday? Or maybe it fell under your desk."
"No, no!" cried Caroline.
"Class," announced Mrs. Nicely, "we have a problem. Caroline's mailbag is missing. Has anyone seen it?"
Murmurs filled the air, but no one seemed to know where Caroline's
mailbag could be.
"Maybe you'll have time to make another one before the party, Caroline," suggested Mrs. Nicely. "And if anyone has extra time, could you please help Caroline?" Mrs. Nicely added.
Caroline worked hard all morning long. But before she knew it, it was time for lunch. And Caroline had not found time to make a new valentine mailbag.
Caroline sat quietly at the lunch table, trying hard to hold back her tears. The girls at her table were talking and laughing with each other. Every now and then one of the girls would include Caroline in their conversation. But Caroline didn't feel like talking or laughing. All she could do was force a sad smile and think about her missing valentine mailbag.
At recess Caroline pulled her hat down over her eyes, shoved her hands into her pockets, and walked slowly around the playground, head down.
After a while Caroline decided to search for a familiar face or two. She could certainly use a friend. But for some strange reason, she saw only a few of her classmates here and there. Where was everyone else?
Just as Caroline started to ask Mrs. Nicely about the other girls and boys, the recess bell rang. Suddenly Mrs. Nicely was too busy getting other students into their class lines to talk to Caroline.
Caroline decided to quickly and quietly get in line, too. She was determined to find time to remake her valentine mailbag.
Caroline's afternoon classes went by quickly. Each one had been shortened to make time for the party at the end of the day. So, once again, Caroline did not have time to make a new mailbag. And now it was time for the party.
"Class, please clear your desks and sit quietly so we can start our Valentine's Day party!" announced Mrs. Nicely. "Let's have rows one and two pass out cards first."
"Mrs. Nicely, Mrs. Nicely!" called two excited girls from the back of the room. "Could we talk to you in private, please?"
Mrs. Nicely was confused but very curious. She quickly walked to the back of the room and listened to the girls' whispers. Afterwards she turned and smiled.
"Boys and girls, it seems we have a welcoming committee in our class. Some very thoughtful girls and boys wanted to do something special for our new student, Caroline. I'll let them explain," stated Mrs. Nicely.
"We're sorry we had to take your mailbag, Caroline," started the boy who sat next to her.
"But we wanted to do something special and keep it a surprise until the party," finished one of the girls in the back of the room.
"And what we decided to do was ask every student in every class to bring a valentine card especially for you. We wanted to make sure you liked Hartville School, Caroline," said the other little girl in the back of the room.
"And while we were outside for recess," explained Mrs. Nicely, "the boys and girls on this committee finished collecting all of your cards. Would you like to see them now?"
"Oh, yes!" said Caroline.
Caroline could hardly believe her eyes when she saw her mailbag overflowing with valentines. And once again she tried hard to hold back her tears because this was, indeed, a mighty fine valentine surprise!