Holes (Holes 1)

Zigzag kept at it. “Come on, Caveman. Be a pal. Let me dig your hole.”

Stanley smiled, as if it were all a big joke.

When Mr. Pendanski arrived with water and lunch, Zigzag offered Stanley his place in line. “Since you’re so much better than me.”

Stanley remained where he was. “I didn’t say I was bet—”

“You’re insulting him, Zig,” said X-Ray. “Why should Caveman take your place, when he deserves to be at the very front? He’s better than all of us. Aren’t you, Caveman?”

“No,” said Stanley.

“Sure you are,” said X-Ray. “Now come to the front of the line where you belong.”

“That’s okay,” said Stanley.

“No, it’s not okay,” said X-Ray. “Get up here.”

Stanley hesitated, then moved to the front of the line.

“Well, this is a first,” Mr. Pendanski said, coming around the side of the truck. He filled Stanley’s canteen and handed him a sack lunch.

Stanley was glad to get away. He sat down between his hole and Zero’s. He was glad that he’d be digging his own hole for the rest of the day. Maybe the other boys would leave him alone. Maybe he shouldn’t let Zero dig his hole for him anymore. But he needed to save his energy to be a good teacher.

He bit into his sandwich, which contained some kind of meat-and-cheese mixture that came in a can. Just about everything at Green Lake came in a can. The supply truck came once a month.

He glanced up to see Zigzag and Squid walking toward him.

“I’ll give you my cookie if you let me dig your hole,” said Zigzag.

Squid laughed.

“Here, take my cookie,” said Zigzag, holding it out for him.

“No, thanks,” said Stanley.

“C’mon, take my cookie,” said Zigzag, sticking it in his face.

“Leave me alone,” said Stanley.

“Please eat my cookie,” said Zigzag, holding it under Stanley’s nose.

Squid laughed.

Stanley pushed it away.

Zigzag pushed him back. “Don’t push me!”

“I didn’t …” Stanley got to his feet. He looked around. Mr. Pendanski was filling Zero’s canteen.

Zigzag pushed him again. “I said, ‘Don’t push me.’ ”

Stanley took a step backward, carefully avoiding Zero’s hole.

Zigzag kept after him. He shoved Stanley and said, “Quit pushing!”

“Lay off,” said Armpit, as he, Magnet, and X-Ray joined them.

“Why should he?” snapped X-Ray. “Caveman’s bigger. He can take care of himself.”