For all schoolchildren from first-graders to sixth-formers, the favourite school time is the holidays. Autumn, winter, spring and especially summer. The first autumn holidays are what the pupils look forward to most. After all, nobody wants to start studying again after a long summer.
The autumn slush outside the window is no obstacle to having a good rest with friends. It gets dark early, there are plenty of lessons at the start of the year, and even more homework. That's why the last few days before the holidays drag on and on. After all, the more you wait for something, the harder it is to wait for it.
Gosha is in year five. He's already quite good at maths, English language, literature and history. And of course he loves studying, but he always looks forward to the holidays more than the other children.
Every year, a week before the holidays, Gosha draws a special calendar in which he marks how many days have passed and how many are left. This year was no exception. A huge calendar on an A3 sheet hung right above the boy's bed, so that every morning when he woke up, he could mark the arrival of a new day, bringing the long-awaited holiday closer.
He remembered well how yesterday before bed he looked at the calendar and realised that tomorrow was the last day before the break. Gosha couldn't sleep for a long time that night. His head was already spinning with tomorrow's events, when he would go to school for the last time before the holidays, see his teachers and some friends, and then…
The alarm clock rang loudly and clearly. At first Gosha wanted to lie in bed a bit longer, but remembering what day it was, he woke up instantly and cheerfully left the room. Nothing could spoil his mood today, not the family cat that had bitten his leg, nor the tea he'd spilled at breakfast.
After finishing his morning tasks, Gosha packed his schoolbag, put on his school uniform for the last time and was about to head to school when he decided to take one last look at his favourite little calendar. Going into his room, he was surprised to find that the calendar was not on the wall. Gosha called out to his mum, who was having tea in the kitchen:
Mum, do you know where my calendar has gone?
What calendar, Gosha? — his mum replied, — Hurry up, it's nearly nine o'clock, you'll be late for school again.
Gosha didn't argue with his mum, but the missing calendar was very unusual news for him. Although even this news couldn't spoil the boy's mood. He left the house with a smile and headed to school.
The school day seemed to drag on unusually long. Lessons followed one after another and only one thought warmed Gosha all this time: 'Just a bit more and the holidays. Just a little bit more'. Almost all the lessons passed this way. Gosha half-listened to his teachers, didn't really write down his homework, but when in the last lesson, which was maths, a subject Gosha didn't like, he heard from his teacher: 'Write down your homework for tomorrow', he immediately perked up and asked:
Tamara Ivanovna, what do you mean for tomorrow?
The class laughed at Gosha's question.
As usual, Sidorov, for tomorrow. What exactly don't you understand? — she asked in bewilderment.
But tomorrow… Tomorrow we don't have school, do we? — Gosha said confidently. He thought that Tamara Ivanovna had made a mistake and would now say she was wrong.
Maybe Sidorov doesn't study, but the rest of the class definitely writes down the homework. What are you making up again, Gosha?
You've got it wrong, Tamara Ivanovna, tomorrow are the holidays! — said Gosha, not understanding why the whole class had gone quiet.
What do you mean 'holidays'? — the teacher asked with interest.
Holidays are a rest, days off. A whole week, like we usually have in autumn. Today is the last school day, and tomorrow nobody goes to school! — the boy explained enthusiastically.
Gosha, are you clowning around again? Making up things that don't really exist? This is the first time I've heard the word 'holidays'. Does anyone in the class know what Sidorov is talking about?
No one answered. Everyone looked with surprise and interest, first at Gosha, then at Tamara Ivanovna.
Come on, what's wrong with you all? Masha, you should know, — the boy turned to his red-haired friend, — you were going to camp for a week.
Gosha, I don't understand what you're talking about, — came the girl's voice.
Then you, Tolik, we were going to go to the bike park during the holidays, remember? — he turned to his desk neighbour, a chubby-cheeked boy named Tolik.
Gosha, that's not funny anymore, stop it. I remember the bike park, but about these, what you call them 'holi…something', I don't remember anything.
Tamara Ivanovna, are you having me on? — Gosha asked in horror, — everyone, how could you all forget that holidays exist? Look!
Gosha opened the timetable page in his diary, hoping to show the others a line with the word 'holidays' written on it, but he saw nothing.
The class burst out laughing, and Gosha couldn't stay in his seat any longer, he ran out into the corridor. Just at that moment, the school bell rang, and other pupils started coming out of the classrooms. Gosha ran down the corridor, asking everyone he met if they knew what 'holidays' were, they all shook their heads, some walked past laughing, and others watched Gosha with long, studying looks.
Out of breath, Gosha stopped. He remembered how that morning he hadn't found his favourite little calendar, and also what the pupils in the class had said. It seemed that holidays really didn't exist, and he'd made it all up himself. He was sitting by the window, watching schoolchildren trudging home, when his friend Masha came up to him:
Gosha, tell me what these 'holidays' of yours are, — she asked.
Holidays are when big days off appear in the middle of the school year. When you can go out every day and don't have to do homework, when everyone goes to the cinema and plays on the console. When you can go to bed whenever you want and don't have to get up early in the morning… — the boy said dreamily and a little sadly.
It sounds like some kind of fairy tale, to be honest. But I wish holidays really did exist.
It's not a fairy tale! They do exist! — Gosha flared up. He was already starting to doubt that he was right.
Alright, I believe you, honestly, let's go to the lesson, there's no point sitting here.
But wasn't maths the last lesson? — the boy asked in horror.
What makes you think that? There are still three lessons, and the same tomorrow, and three tests the day after…
Masha didn't finish. The school bell rang deafeningly loudly. Gosha even closed his eyes at the sound.
Gosha, Gosha! Georgy, wake up quickly! — he heard his mum's voice.
When Gosha opened his eyes, he was in his room. First of all, he checked if the calendar was still there. It was hanging on the wall.
Mum, what are 'holidays'? — Gosha asked, to make sure.
Good morning to you too, already thinking about the holidays? Son, the holidays are tomorrow, and today it's time for school, or you'll be late.
But answer me anyway, — Gosha persisted.
Holidays are what all schoolchildren wait for so long, but which fly by like a dream, — his mum said with a smile and added, — but why are you so worried? Usually you're glowing with happiness on the last day of school.
Oh, I just had a nightmare, — Gosha said happily. Now he was sure that everything was in its place.
The last school day flew by unnoticed and that evening Gosha, Masha and Tolik were heading home and sharing their grand plans for the holidays with each other. So that a week later they could tackle their studies with renewed energy.
