It was August. Summer vacation was coming to an end and it was getting close to the first day of school. Zach was starting to feel nervous. "Who would my new teacher be? Would she be nice?" he thought.

One day he asked his Mom, "What if my teacher this year is mean like a T. Rex?"

"Well, if she's like a T. Rex," Mom said, "instead of an apple, you can bring her some meat."

"But Mom, what if for hands she has big long claws like an eagle?" asked Zach.

"Then we could make sure she has a good supply of fingernail files!"

"What if she has a long tail like an alligator?" asked Zach.

"Then we could help her make it look nice with a big pink bow!" answered Mom.

"O.K." said Zach, "but what if my new teacher has a nose like an elephant?"

"Hmmmm - then I guess we better make sure she has a lot of tissues in case she catches a cold!"

"Mom! What if she has teeth like a tiger, a head like a lizard, and a neck like a giraffe?"

"Zach," Mom said with a giggle, "do you really think that could happen?"

"No way!" Zach said.

"Can you tell me why you're asking me all these questions?"

Zach thought and thought. He decided he was nervous and excited all together. After all, starting a new school year was a big deal!

His Mom helped him feel better by telling him that he's not the only one feeling this way. Lots of kids get nervous. "You know, when I was little, I would feel nervous before the new school year started!" Mom said.

"Really?"

"Oh yes!" Mom said, "But then I would remember how thrilling it was to see all my old friends! And how fun it was to get new school supplies! Plus I all ready knew what my new teacher looked like and some years, I might have even all ready met her. Before I knew it, I would be more excited then nervous and could hardly wait for school to start!"

"I guess it will be fun to see all my school friends!" said Zach. "How soon can we get supplies? I think I want a red backpack this year! Oh, and I'd really like to get a cool pencil box!"

Before Zach new it, it was the first day of school. He still felt a little nervous but when he walked into his new classroom he was surprised. It turns out Zach did know his new teacher! He recognized her from last year. She didn't have hands like claws or a tail like an alligator. Her nose looked just right. Her teeth, head and neck were all regular size too! And she wasn't nearly as mean as a T. Rex! "What a relief!" thought Zach as he said hello to one of his old friends.