The 6th-grade science teacher, Mrs. Parks, stood before the class, her glasses perched on her nose, as she asked, “Can anyone tell me which human body part increases to ten times its size when stimulated?”

The room went quiet, and Mrs. Parks waited for a response. When no one spoke up, she decided to call on someone at random.

Little Mary, a very vocal and often outspoken student, stood up abruptly, her arms crossed defiantly over her chest. “You should not be asking sixth graders dirty questions like that!” she exclaimed. “I’m going to tell my parents, and they will go and tell the principal, and then he’ll fire you!”

Mrs. Parks, calm as ever, simply smiled and waved her off. “Let’s try that again, Mary,” she said, “Which body part increases to 10 times its size when stimulated?”

Mary’s face turned beet red as she pointed at Mrs. Parks. “You’re gonna get in big trouble!” she shouted. The entire class was now staring at her in shock and curiosity, but Mrs. Parks just kept her composure.

Mrs. Parks repeated the question, ignoring Mary’s protests. “Anybody? Anyone know the answer?”

After a few moments of awkward silence, Billy, a shy boy in the back row, raised his hand, glancing around nervously. “Uh… the pupil of the eye?” he ventured.

Mrs. Parks beamed. “Very good, Billy!” she said, turning to Mary. “Now, as for you, young lady, I have three things to say: One, you have a dirty mind. Two, you didn’t do your homework. And three, one day, you are going to be very, very disappointed.”

The class burst into laughter as Mary’s face turned even redder. She had been so sure she knew the answer, but now she realized just how hilariously wrong she had been. As for Mrs. Parks, she couldn’t help but chuckle along with the class—though her gentle words and playful teasing made sure Little Mary would never forget the lesson.