The Class Pet Rota

A story about responsibility and caring for animals.

Grade Two had a new member. His name was Biscuit, and he was a guinea pig with soft ginger fur and a twitchy nose. He lived in a big cage in the corner of the classroom, and everyone adored him.

“He needs fresh water, food and clean bedding every day,” said Ms Lee, the teacher. “That is a lot of jobs, so we will make a rota.” She drew a big chart on the whiteboard, with every child’s name and a day of the week.

At first, everyone was keen. Every child rushed to fill the water bottle, and to stroke Biscuit’s head. He squeaked happily and munched on his carrots. But after two weeks, the shine began to wear off.

On Thursday, a boy called Finn forgot his turn. By lunchtime, Biscuit’s bottle was empty. His fur looked a little droopy, and he sat in a corner. Ms Lee noticed it, and gently asked the class, “What happened to Thursday’s jobs?”

Finn went red. “I forgot,” he said quietly. Ms Lee did not shout. “Biscuit depends on us,” she said. “He cannot get his own water. When we choose to look after something, we have to do it every day, even when we do not feel like it.”

Finn filled the bottle at once. Biscuit drank in long, noisy gulps. Finn felt terrible, and he said sorry to the guinea pig. “I will not forget again,” he promised. He set an alarm on a sticky note beside the cage.

After that, the whole class took the rota seriously. Each child checked the chart each morning. They cleaned the cage on Friday afternoons, wearing gloves, and washed their hands afterwards. Biscuit grew sleek and round.

At the end of term, he went home with Ms Lee for the holidays. The children made him a card, with a drawing of a carrot. “We loved looking after you,” it said. Finn’s signature was the biggest.

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