POOR MR Excuses almost knocked over the headmaster as he ran into school.

“Sorry, I’m late Headmaster. It’s not my fault! My fish was sick and I had to take him to the vet! And then my shoelace broke! And then I missed the school bus.”

“But you’re the teacher” exclaimed the headmaster. “You’re not supposed to make excuses!” And he swept away.

Mr Excuses sat at his desk for the first lesson. But he’d forgotten to prepare any work.

“Sorry class” Mr Excuses explained. “There was a fire last night and all of today’s work has been burnt.”

All the children groaned.

After school Mr Excuses was on his way home when he bumped into the vicar.

“Reverend!” exclaimed Mr Excuses. “Sorry I haven’t been to church, but I have been really good lately, so I haven’t really needed to come!”

And before the vicar could open his mouth Mr Excuses had gone.

But just then Mr Excuses ran straight into Mr Mysterious.

“Oh! I am sorry” said Mr Excuses as he helped Mr Mysterious to his feet. “I had something in my eye, and I couldn’t see.”

“No” said Mr Mysterious. “You weren’t looking where you were going. Why don’t you try being honest about your mistakes?”

“Excuse me?” said Mr Excuses.

No one had suggested that he be honest before.

“You’ll keep bumping into problems until the day you realise you don’t have all the answers” Mr Mysterious explained. “If I kept running away from situations I’d be running all my life” he added. “Go on. Be honest with yourself. No one believes you anyway.”

Mr Excuses looked a little puzzled as he walked through the front door of his house.

Mrs Excuses was waiting. As usual Mr Excuses was late.

“You’re never going to believe this...” Mr Excuses started.

“Go on” she replied. “Try me...”

See also: Mr Different, Little Miss Perfect Little Miss Questions Mr Mysterious

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