Mrs. Parks Asked an Unusual Question

In a 6th-grade science class, Mrs. Parks asked, “Which human body part increases to ten times its size when stimulated?”

A Surprising Reaction

No one answered until little Mary stood up and exclaimed, “You should not be asking sixth-graders a question like that! I’m going to tell my parents, and they will go and tell the principal, who will then fire you!”

Repeating the Question

Ignoring Mary, Mrs. Parks repeated, “Which body part increases to 10 times its size when stimulated?” Mary’s mouth fell open, and she said to her classmates, “Boy, is she going to get in big trouble!”

The Correct Answer

Finally, Billy stood up and nervously said, “The body part that increases 10 times its size when stimulated is the pupil of the eye.” Mrs. Parks praised him, then turned to Mary and said, “As for you, young lady, I have three things to say: One, you have a dirty mind. Two, you didn’t read your homework. And three, one day you are going to be very, very disappointed.”