Loser

In fourth grade, the other kids begin to notice Donald, and Donald begins to notice himself.

His teacher, Mr. Yalowitz, takes to Donald right away. He reverses the usual seating order and puts Donald in the first row. He spotlights Donald, often complimenting him. This causes the other students to pay more attention to him. They begin to notice things they wouldn’t have in third grade—Donald is clumsy and sloppy, and he gets most answers wrong.

Donald volunteers to play for the school orchestra—first drum and then flute. Soon he’s known for playing way off the beat.

In June, Satterfield Elementary celebrates its annual Field Day: a day of games and fun for the students. Fourth and fifth graders participate in various relay races, from a sack race to a hopping-backwards race. Mr. Yalowitz coaches his students; he calls the other fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Serota, and her classes “measles” and gives each group of runners headbands in their team color.

Donald’s purple team is the best except for him—he keeps falling behind, no matter what race they’re running—but the other team members make up for it. The final race is a simple relay run, and the Purples only need to do better than last place to win the championship.