Maggie was a 5th grader at James Elementary School in Montgomery, Alabama. Her favorite subject in school was Language Arts. 

Maggie has wanted a puppy for a while, and has begged her parents to get her one.

Maggie tried to convince them with every reason she could come up with, she even promised her parents she would take care of the puppy all by herself. 

But her parents still said no.

Maggie was very sad, most of her classmates at school had puppies, and they were always telling stories about their puppies, which made Maggie want one even more. 

She wanted to be able to tell stories about her puppy, and fit in with everyone else.

Maggie decided to ask her parents for a puppy one more time. Her mom and dad didn't say no right away like they always have, instead they said they would think about it.

Maggie got very hopeful about getting a puppy, so she didn't ask again. 

Two days later, Maggie's parents sat her down and told her that if she got an A on her upcoming Science test, they would get her a puppy.

Maggie could not control her excitement. 

She began to jump up and down with joy, and then she gave her parents a big hug. 

Science was Maggie's least favorite subject in school, it seemed no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't understand it. 

The next day after school, Maggie had a great idea. She knew she wanted the puppy very bad, so she decided that every day after school she would study for her science test. 

She knew the extra practice was her best chance at getting an A, so her parents would finally let her get a puppy.

So, Maggie did just that. 

She had 5 school days until her test, and every day after school she sat at the kitchen table and studied for her test. 

Maggie had kept all the handouts her class had done together, and she was looking over them constantly.

TEST DAY

Maggie's parents were impressed to see how seriously Maggie was taking the challenge. 

Finally, the day of the test came. 

You can do anything you put your mind to Mags

Before going to school, Maggie's parents gave her a hug like they do everyday, but this time her mom whispered into her ear, "You can do anything you put your mind to Mags."

TEST

Maggie couldn't hold back the smile that came to her face after hearing those words. 

Now she had even more ambition to pass this test. 

At school, all Maggie could think about was the test. 

She knew this was the chance she had been waiting for to get the puppy she's wanted for so long. 

Just Breathe

At last, the test was laid in front of her. 

Maggie took a deep breath and began. 

She recognized most of the material on the test, but not all of it.