Shaun Phillips and The Hat of All Hats

I began to tell Mr. Braxton about the hat; from the time I found it at the store, all the way up through our adventure in the Philippines.

“I found it while we were shopping.” I explained. “Whatever I’m thinking about comes to life! On the first day that I had the hat I built a castle with blocks and pretended that a dragon was terrorizing the castle and the villagers. All of the sudden a real dragon appeared in my room and it chased me all around and then set the curtains on fire!”

Mr. Braxton just stared back at me not saying a word. I showed him the hat and the instructions stitched inside.

“See? I recite these words and everything goes back to normal.”

Mr. Braxton was a cool principal. Sometimes he came outside during recess and played ball with the kids. He was usually in a very good mood and always gave me high-fives when I saw him in the hallway. I was really hoping he’d believe me.

“Here, try it for yourself Mr. Braxton.” I handed him the hat.

“Shaun you’re really telling me that if I put this hat on my head anything I think about will magically unfold?”

“That’s exactly what happens! Even my parents and my sister have used the hat and had fun with it!”

Mr. Braxton put the hat on his head.

“Well I am very hungry.” Mr. Braxton pulled a little sandwich out of his desk drawer. “The sandwich I brought today is certainly not enough. I wish I had a much bigger and tastier sandwich.”

At that very moment the biggest peanut butter and jelly sandwich I had ever seen appeared on Mr. Braxton’s desk. How big was it, you ask? It was so big that it completely covered his desk. It hung over the sides and globs of jelly dripped to the floor!

“Wow!” Mr. Braxton jumped out of his seat. “I can’t believe this!”

I wish he had shared his lunch with me but instead, he immediately spoke the magic words I had taught him and that tasty looking sandwich went away. It was probably for the best though because right after that there was a knock on the door and Mrs. Bodeen came in. My parents were right behind her.

Mom looked as angry with me as she did with Dad the day he drove the sports car.

“Shaun what did you do?” She put her arms on my shoulders and looked me right in the eye.

“This isn’t good Buddy.” Dad said looking disappointed.

“Mr. and Mrs. Phillips thank you for getting here so quickly. Please sit down.” Mr. Braxton pointed to some big chairs. “Mrs. Bodeen I’d like you to join us as well. Shaun, why don’t you wait in the hallway?”

So that is my story. And here we are; back on the bench where we started.

What do we do now, you ask? I guess we wait!

As I mentioned before, this is the first time Mom and Dad have been called to the school and they sure looked mad! I’ll admit I’m starting to feel worried. I hope Mrs. Bodeen tells them that the class had a lot of fun and that no one got hurt.

I get up and walk over near the office. I put my ear to the wall and try to make out what they’re saying.

“I assure you Mr. Braxton that Shaun did not mean to scare any of the children or put anyone in danger.” My dad says. “You see, the hat is amazing. Whatever you are imagining comes to life when wearing this thing. I’ll be honest I’ve used it myself. Maybe that influenced Shaun.”

“We have set down some rules about when and where he can use this hat.” Mom explains. “He was not supposed to bring it to school and we certainly will speak to him about this! But I know he wouldn’t have caused a scene intentionally.”

“Mr. Braxton I know this is hard to believe.” Mrs. Bodeen says.” But I was there and I must say it did get the entire class excited! Maybe Shaun knew this was all going to happen or maybe he didn’t. Regardless, he showed strong leadership skills. He assigned each of the students a task and more importantly, he kept us all safe.”

“Well in all the years I have been here at Birch Wood Elementary I have never witnessed or had to deal with a problem like this.” Mr. Braxton explains. “In other situations a student might be expelled for causing such drama. Let me assure you that this is not my first choice. Obviously Shaun meant no harm and up until today we have never had an issue with him.”

“I do hope there is another option.” Mrs. Bodeen pleads. “I’ll admit I was frightened by this expedition but I truly enjoy having Shaun in my class. He’s smart and puts in great effort. And up until today, I have never had any behavioral issues with him.”

“Thank you.” Dad says. “We are very pleased to hear that. I hope we can work out something less severe than being expelled. Jen and I will see to it that this never happens again.”

“Okay.” Mr. Braxton sighs. “Let’s go talk to him.”

I run back to the bench and sit down. The door opens and they all come out, glaring at me.

“Shaun Phillips what are we going to do with you?” Mr. Braxton asks.

I shrug.

“Mrs. Bodeen says you are a wonderful student. She also assures me that no one was hurt today. However, I’m in a difficult situation here.” He scratches his head and pauses for a moment. “I imagine that your classmates will go home and talk about what happened in school today. Phone calls from worried parents will follow. There are already several parents waiting outside and I know they’re going to have questions. It appears as though the media also found out about this and who knows what kind of story they’re going to come up with! What am I supposed to tell everybody Shaun?”

“I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I just thought it would make the other kids like my project better and maybe it would make me seem cool. Believe me Mr. Braxton; I put a stop to it when things got really dangerous. I’m sorry if I let things get out of hand and I promise it won’t happen again.”

“Thank you Shaun. I appreciate you taking this seriously. I also hope you understand that as a principal I have to set an example and I cannot allow an event like this to take place without there being consequences.”

“Excuse me Mr. Braxton?” A police officer approaches us. “We have been through the entire school and all is clear.”

“Thank you Officer Hatfield.” Mr. Braxton shakes the man’s hand and then the group of police officers leaves the school.

“Mr. Braxton, all seems intact. There are no structural damages of any kind that we can see.” A fireman in full garb says.

“That is good news.” Mr. Braxton lets out a sigh of relief. “Thank you for responding so quickly.”

Mr. Braxton turns back to me. “As I was saying Shaun, I am glad they everyone is safe and that there is no damage to the school. However, there still need to be consequences for this!”

Consequences! I think that’s a mighty big word for 4th graders but he insists! So, as the “consequences” of an exciting adventure, I have to stay after school each day for the next two weeks and help clean the classrooms and hallways. I have lost recess privileges for a month and if that isn’t horrible enough, I’m not allowed on any school field trips for the rest of the year!

Mr. Braxton gives the okay for all students to leave the gym and return to their classrooms. The busses pull up to the school at the normal time and everyone heads outside like any school day. A news reporter is walking around trying to speak with some of the parents. Mom and Dad rush me toward the parking lot hoping not to be seen.

“The last thing we need is to be interviewed about this.” Mom says as she opens the car door. “Get in Shaun and keep your head down.”

I get into the car and buckle my seatbelt. It’s a very quiet ride home. I’m not sure what Mom and Dad are thinking. Then again, I may not even want to know!