The students' laughter echoed through the hallways on that day.

They all were quite oblivious to what was on its way.

They did not know. They were not warned. They just were not aware.

Their sparkling eyes would, very soon, turn into vacant stares.

They were talking, they were joking, as they left the well-lit hall.

But the shadow of their morning work would soon engulf them all.

While Reading, Math, and Language lurked behind the handheld screen,

the joy drained from student faces. A smile could not be seen.

Science questions, once again. And Social Studies, too.

And just like that, the "Ha, Ha, Ha's!" turned in to "Boo, Hoo, Hoo's!"

But, wait there's hope! Not all is lost!The Writing prompt's not here!

And suddenly the smiles returned, stretched from ear to ear.