Series Terrible Harry ep 3 The First Good School Day

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It was Monday morning when Terrible Harry was still asleep. Mum shouted, “Time to get up — it’s school time! And don’t be lazy!” Harry groaned, “Oh, fine — let me sleep for just one more hour!” Then Excellent Tommy popped his head in and said, “Lessons start in only forty‑five minutes!” “Oh, be quiet and get lost, you snake — you can’t tell me what to do!” Harry snapped.

Mum said, “Oh yes, he can — because he makes more sense than you do!” “But I’m older than that snake!” Harry argued. “So what? Being older doesn’t mean you’re the boss of him — it doesn’t work like that! Now get up and get ready, or you’ll be banned from watching TV tonight!” Mum warned. “Fine!” Harry huffed. He got changed and brushed his teeth — for only three seconds. Mum looked and pulled a face. “Yuck! Your teeth are so yellow! Look at Excellent Tommy’s — they are bright and white compared to yours!” “That’s right,” Tommy said proudly. “And that’s why I’m always excellent — I listen, and he doesn’t!” “Mind your own business, Tommy! My life has nothing to do with you — and yes, I do listen!” Harry shouted back. “Don’t be terrible, Harry!” Mum sighed.

Harry went downstairs for breakfast — but he was too late; he should have eaten ten minutes earlier. “There’s no time left — you’ll just have to go without,” Mum told him. Tommy laughed. “At least I’ve had mine!” “Chill out — it’s only breakfast!” Harry said. “At least I feel fresh and alert!” Tommy added. “All right, calm down and leave me alone!” Harry replied.

Tommy and Harry left the house and met Harry’s best friend, Rude Thomas, and Healthy Tim. “How’s everything?” Thomas asked. “Not good — terrible morning, and Tommy keeps getting in my way just because I didn’t do things his way,” Harry grumbled. “Ignore him — he’ll get what he deserves soon enough,” Thomas said. “Thanks. And how are you, Healthy Tim?” “I’m fine — can’t wait to learn!” Tim said. “Me too,” Thomas agreed. “What about you, Harry?” “I suppose so — but Miss Prudence Pristine is our teacher, and she’s so strict! I’m so unlucky. Tommy has Miss Sweetly — she’s calm, nice, and actually listens! And Mr Tough, the PE teacher, works us so hard we get no rest. At least I like PE days, and Miss Curious Clover sometimes helps me when I’m stuck. Even Miss Victoria Vane, the headmistress, is fair — though she can be strict too.” “Don’t let it get you down,” Thomas said. “Try your best — we’ll back you up!” Tim nodded.

As they walked, Harry saw a cat. “Excuse me, may I pat it?” he asked an old lady. “Go away, you terrible boy — stay right back!” she snapped. Harry looked upset. “It’s okay — she just doesn’t know you,” Thomas said. “You haven’t done anything wrong,” Tim added. Just then, Nervous Ned joined them. “Hello, Ned — how’s your day starting?” “I’m not sure,” Ned replied. “There he goes again — ‘I’m not sure’!” Harry laughed.

When they reached school, Moody Selfish Jessica called out, “Oh look — here comes Terrible Harry, the annoying one!” “Oh, please — leave me alone!” Harry said. Jessica’s best friend, Sulky Selma, joined in: “Leave my friend alone, you dumb terrible Harry!” Jessica turned to her: “Come on, you look bored — let’s go to class and stay far away from him.” Harry shook his head and said to his friends, “Why do they always start with me? I haven’t done anything!” “I know — girls will be girls, and bullies will be bullies,” Thomas said.

In class, Miss Prudence Pristine called out, “Everyone sit down and listen! No messing around — anyone who does will lose their reward!” “Yes, Miss!” everyone replied. They settled down to draw and write. Miss Prudence asked Nervous Ned, “Tell me what you did in the holidays.” “I’m… I’m not sure,” Ned mumbled. “That’s not an answer! Go straight to Miss Victoria Vane’s office right now!” Ned left looking upset, with tears in his eyes.

Next, she turned to Harry and Thomas. “And you two — what did you do?” “We saw a massive spider in our house,” Harry said. “I saw it first,” Thomas added, “but nobody believed him — until the whole family saw it too! We helped the zoo officer catch it in a box — we were really brave!” “I saw it too!” Jessica shouted from the back. “Wait — I didn’t ask you! Out to the office as well!” Miss Prudence ordered. “Oh, come on — you can’t be that strict!” Sulky Selma protested. “Then you go too for interfering!” Miss Prudence said. “Now carry on — what happened next?”

“The news reporters came,” Harry said, “and we told them what we did. They gave us £50 each!” “And the next day, we were in the newspaper!” Thomas added. “I was supposed to get £80 pocket money, but I did something horrid later, so it was split — Thomas got £40 and I got £40 — but I was still happy!” “That’s a very good story,” Miss Prudence said. “I read that same newspaper — I already knew it was true! Thank you for telling it properly.” Harry and Thomas felt much better — and were glad Jessica and Selma had been sent out for butting in.

At lunchtime, they headed to the canteen. “Hi, Mr Tough!” they said. The PE teacher looked them up and down. “You two terrible lot — what are you doing here?” “Just getting lunch, sir!” Harry said. “Oh — wait a minute — I did see you two in the paper catching that spider! You were brave… but still terrible boys! Now get your food before I give you both detention!”

The dinner lady was grumpy and never gave out nice portions. Today they got stew — and it tasted horrible. Excellent Tommy was sitting nearby. “I like stew!” he said. “And how was your class?” Thomas asked. “Great — I told everyone about the spider, and they already knew from the news! I even told them how the four helpers ran away scared, so you stepped in and helped the zoo officer catch it!” “Thanks — nice chat,” Thomas said. “And Miss Sweetly was lovely as always,” Tommy added. Nervous Ned wandered over. “How was detention?” Harry asked. “I’m… not sure,” Ned replied.

Then Jessica and Selma marched over. “This is your fault we got detention!” Jessica snapped. “You could have told Miss Prudence I was there helping too!” “No way — I don’t help bullies like you!” Harry shot back. “So go away and stop bothering me!” Jessica stormed off with her usual moody face, and Selma followed looking angry.

Just then, Miss Vane the headmistress arrived. “Is everything all right here?” “Yes, Miss,” Harry said. “Fine,” Thomas added — then added, “Though Jessica and Selma keep picking on us.” “I see — I’ll add another day of detention for them for harassment!” Miss Vane said. “And by the way — I saw your picture in the newspaper too! Two brave boys indeed!” “Thank you!” Harry and Thomas grinned.

They sat down to eat their stew, and Miss Curious Clover joined their table. “Hello, boys — having a good first day back? I read that story — very impressive!” “Thanks, Miss,” Harry said. “Remember,” she added kindly, “I’m always on your side, no matter what. If something’s wrong, tell me — don’t keep it all bottled up.” “That’s right!” Thomas said. Healthy Tim arrived too. “Everyone’s talking about that spider — you two are practically famous around here!” “And don’t worry — I’ll always be here for you too!” he said. “Just remember,” Miss Clover warned, “keep up good behaviour this term — not like last year when we were always having to speak to you!” “We will — promise!” Harry said.

At playtime, they all went outside. “Let’s play football!” Thomas suggested. “Great idea!” Harry agreed. They split into two teams: Harry and Thomas against Tim and Ned. Harry had great skills, Thomas had a powerful shot — they scored brilliant goals! Tim and Ned were fast and hard‑working, and managed two goals of their own — but Harry and Thomas won in the end.

Excellent Tommy and Miss Sweetly walked over. “Excellent football skills, Harry!” Miss Sweetly smiled. “I think you should join the school team!” “Thank you, Miss — that’s kind of you!” Harry beamed. “And I saw your picture in the paper — well done!” she added.

Back in class, it was Art with Miss Curious Clover. “Everyone — sit quietly, behave yourselves, no silly drawings, and no throwing things!” she called out. Just then — whoosh! — a paper aeroplane hit Harry on the shoulder. He looked around — Jessica and Selma were hiding smirks. “I saw them!” Thomas said. Before they could throw another, Miss Clover caught them red‑handed. “That is very silly! One week’s detention for both of you — report to Miss Vane now!” Harry, Thomas and Tim cheered quietly.

At the end of the day, Miss Clover called them over. “Harry and Thomas — you two are doing so much better than last year! I’m really proud — you may go home ten minutes early today!” As they left, Jessica and Selma shouted rude names after them — but Miss Vane heard it all. “I heard that! Make it two weeks’ detention for using bad language!” The pair started crying and complaining.

“Not a bad day at all,” Tim said. “Everyone seems nicer to you — probably because you’re famous now!” “True!” Harry said. They walked out together, and saw Nervous Ned again. “Did you see me in the newspaper?” Harry asked. “I’m… not sure,” Ned shrugged. “Typical Ned!” Thomas laughed. “Still — this has been the best school day I’ve ever had!” Harry said happily. “I know — it feels great!” Thomas agreed.

Soon they said their goodbyes, and Harry ran home. “So — Harry!” Mum said. “Your teachers tell me you’ve been good today — and Tommy agrees it’s true!” Dad smiled. “Well done — you can watch TV tonight as a special treat!” Harry cheered so loud the windows rattled. He raced upstairs, turned his music up full blast, danced around the room, and banged on his toy drum — happier than he’d ever been.

THE END