The following story was inspired by Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery.
This book is dedicated to Ms. Sanders, for being an inspiring English teacher this year.
- Andy Huynh & Gianghiem Tran
Created & published on StoryJumper™ ©2026 StoryJumper, Inc.
All rights reserved. Sources: storyjumper.com/attribution
Preview audio:
storyj.mp/ai2i6w6npbth
2
Once upon a time, it was a beautiful and sunny day.
The students were going to school to learn and play.
3
They soon began to gather in the cafe
to hear what Principal Winters had to say.
4
The principal was a little late.
He wouldn't arrive until nearly 9:28.
5
Some students went to the announcement board to take a look,
but most read over their book.
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When the principal finally came, he had a black manila folder.
At that moment, the room suddenly felt colder.
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The students all quickly became quiet,
for they knew what was inside it.
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The folder was torn and old.
Principal Winters held it high and said, “Everyone, behold!”
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Then, he asked, “Is everyone here?”
One student said, “Yes, except for Thomas Bier."
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The doors opened. “Sorry, I was helping my dad with our lawn,” Tomas apologized. Though, some students believed that he had lied.
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“Welcome to The Ceremony,” the principal said,
as he pulled out a list and read:
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"Timmy, Jim, Sally, Hunt."
One by one, each child went up front.
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Then, Principal Winters opened the folder wide
for the students to put their hands in inside.
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They each pulled out a sheet of folded paper.
Each child held theirs tight and made sure not to stir.
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Then, they each went back to their seat.
Principal Winters told them, “Keep them closed and don't cheat”.
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He continued with: "Harry, Kaya, Julie, and Bob."
Poor little Julie began to sob.
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“There’s no reason to cry," Principal Winters told her.
Same as before, the students drew from the black manila folder.
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Thomas turned to Jim and said, “I heard some schools have stopped doing the ceremonies." Jim told him, “They’re all just a bunch of phonies."
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The Ceremony
This is fabulous book for children that is full of fun and surprising twists and turns, and also has a valuable theme at the heart of its story.
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"The Ceremony"
Principal Winters holds a ceremony where students draw slips from a folder. Thomas Bier gets an F and is pelted with books by his classmates.
(31 pages)
Privacy level:
PUBLIC
13 reads
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