00:00The Answer Key Under the Desk by Aishik Datta. Finley loved room 3B. He loved the smell of
00:07crayons and the squeak of the floorboards. Most of all he loved his desk, third row from the
00:13window. He was ready for a busy school day. Today the day felt extra long. Finley reached down to
00:20feel the bumpy sticker residue that was always under his seat. But today there was something
00:25else. Something thin and folded, tucked tight against the metal leg. Finley wiggled it loose.
00:32It was a crumpled piece of paper, folded into a tiny square. He smoothed it out carefully.
00:39His eyes grew wide. At the top, written in neat red handwriting were the words,
00:44Chapter 4 Math Test Key. A warm, tricky feeling bubbled up in Finley's chest.
00:50The test was tomorrow. He could get every single answer right.
00:55He quickly folded the key back up and tucked it deep inside the zipper pocket of his jacket,
01:00just as Ms. Anya announced it was time for reading practice. That night, Finley sat at his kitchen table,
01:07homework done, but the answer key was staring at him. H pulled it out and looked at the long list
01:13of B's and C's. It was so tempting. It's just one peak, a voice whispered in his ear. But another,
01:20smaller voice sounded worried. If I use the key, I won't know if I truly understand how to add fractions.
01:27I won't learn anything at all, Finley thought. Getting a perfect score wasn't the same as earning
01:33a perfect score. The next morning, the smell of fresh pencil shavings filled room 3B.
01:39Ms. Anya smiled kindly. Time for our math test, everyone. Do your best. As she walked down the
01:46aisle, she placed a booklet on Finley's desk. Finley picked up his pencil. He read the first
01:53question. It looked difficult. His hand instinctively went to his jacket pocket,
01:59feeling the stiff fold of the hidden paper. His heart thumped like a hummingbird's wings.
02:05Miss Anya, Finley whispered, his voice shaking slightly. I found this under my desk. I didn't
02:13use it. Miss Anya took the key. Finley, she said softly. I am so proud of your honesty.
02:20That is the bravest thing you could do.
