I like things to balance, partly because of my name, "Ava." When something bothers me, I try to balance the bad with the good. That's why I don't mind being the tallest kid in third grade.
Bad: Have to stand in the back row of my class picture.
Good: Can reach the books on the top library shelf.
Bad: Everyone always points out how tall I am.
Good: Sometimes I want people to notice me. So it balances.
One day, a new girl, Ava Zafra, comes to school, and she's the shortest kid in third grade. Now everyone calls me "Ava J." and the new girl "Ava Z." I thought if we had the same name, maybe we were alike. During art class, I paint a kitten sliding down a rainbow. Ava Z. paints her shoes black. She shouts, "I am an alien hunter! Fear me!" We aren't alike.
During a break, Samir yells, "Over there, Ava!" When I look at Samir, he shakes his head. "Not you, Big Ava. I meant Little Ava." From then on, I'm not just Ava. I'm not even Ava J. — I'm Big Ava. I try to think of something good about being big, but I can't remember anything good.
The next day, Ms. Wu has a surprise. "Everyone, let's draw to pick the speaking roles for our class play!" she announces. "It's called Clever Jack. He rescues a princess from a giant with the help of a wood fairy."
The fairy! Maybe I can wear my fairy costume. I cross my fingers when she picks the name. "The fairy will be Ava Z.," Ms. Wu says. Then, she pulls one more name from the jar and looks at me. "Ava. J. will be the giant." My heart sinks. The ugly, scary giant? My only line is, "ARRGH!" I hate yelling! I don't want to be too big!
Our class rehearses (排练) until we know every line. The day before the play, we try on our costumes. When it's my turn, Ms. Wu drops a burlap (麻布) robe over my head. I am an ugly, scary giant.
I run to the bathroom, so no one will see my cry. I'm not alone.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Little Ava is there, and she's crying, too.
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"Ready to exchange?" asks Little Ava.
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