Wynona: Whiner Or Worker? Part 1 Wynona was a WHINER. (Nya-a-ya) When she wanted something, she WHINED. (Nya-a-ya) She would beg and plead and annoy everyone around her until they wanted to scream, Wynona, stop being such a WHINER! (Nya-a-ya) One Monday, Wynona woke up, got dressed for school and came downstairs. Wynona knew that this was a big week. She had a project due at school, her grandma would be coming to stay with their family for a while, and her best friend s birthday would be on Friday. Wynona was excited and nervous all at the same time. On the way to school, Wynona realized she had forgotten to finish the last few words on her spelling list. She was supposed to write each word three times and then write a sentence for each word. When she remembered, Wynona started WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) Mom, I forgot to do my words! What am I going to do? Please, just take me home! Wynona, you had the whole weekend to do those words. I reminded you twice, and you told me you wouldn t forget. I m sorry, but there s nothing I can do for you. Go inside, turn in your work and apologize to Mrs. Jorgan. But, MOM! I love you. Have a good day.
Wynona groaned her way inside school, and grumbled to herself all the way to class. Immediately after the bell, the office announcements came through the school intercom. Welcome Honeysuckle Hornets! Tomorrow will be the final day to turn in your entry form and project for the school science fair! Don t forget! Wynona didn t hear the rest of the announcements, because she was thinking about her project. She had most of the parts for her idea put together, but she still had a couple of items missing. She told herself to talk to her mom after school. When the announcements were over, Mrs. Jorgan asked everyone to put their homework on her desk. Wynona brought what she had up to Mrs. Jorgan, and started WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) Oh, Mrs. Jorgan, I just didn t have time to do this assignment. I worked on it, but my mom had to... Mrs. Jorgan interrupted Wynona. I m sorry, Wynona. I told you last week that I couldn t accept any more excuses for incomplete work. It s not that I don t believe you. It s just that this is what happens every weekend. But Mrs. Jorgan... I m sorry, Wynona. Go sit down.
Wynona grouched back to her desk. When everyone had quieted down, Mrs. Jorgan told the class that she had assigned the parts for their class presentation. This year s theme will be nature. Adam, you will be a cloud. Belinda, you will be the sun. Bradley, you will... Right about then Wynona tuned out and started thinking about her science project. She had already spent all her allowance and chore money on poster board, markers, tape, and dirt. She still needed to go to the library and make copies of the pictures she had found on the Internet. And Wynona will be a volcano. Wynona looked up when she heard her name, and was shocked. A volcano? You want me to be a volcano? Yes, Wynona. That s what I said. Now it s time for us to go to music class. Mrs. Smith has prepared a few songs we will sing during the presentation. Wynona tried to pay attention in music class, but she kept thinking about having to carry around a huge volcano costume.
During recess, she started complaining to her friend Cassy. In fact, she started WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) How can she do this to me? I ll have to stay out on the stage the whole time! My costume will be so heavy! Cassy only listened to her for a few minutes. I can t believe you re complaining about a volcano! Didn t you hear Mrs. Jorgan say I would be a tornado? But I bet my mom can help us figure out how to make lightweight costumes. But Wynona just kept WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) Finally, Cassy said, Good grief, Wynona. Let it go! It s recess! Come on, I want to have some fun before the bell rings.
After school, Wynona s mom picked her up. Mom, I need to go to the library and the store to finish my project. Wynona, I can t give you much time. You know that Grandma Rose will be coming tomorrow and I still have some things to do at home. Wynona started WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) But Mom, I have to finish! It s due tomorrow, and I m still missing some of the pictures and some of the charts! Wynona, stop WHINING! (Nya-a-ya.) I can give you about an hour, but that s all.
After Wynona s errands, her mom immediately started working on the house. Wynona went to her room, and started working on her project, but after a while she got frustrated. So, she went to her mom, and she WHINED. (Nya-a-ya) Mom, I m having problems with the pictures for my project. Do you think you could come help me? I m sorry, Wynona. I have a list of things to get done today, and that s not one of them. Not right now, at least. Have you gotten your dresser ready for Grandma Rose? I m working on my project. Wynona, I already told you that you would need to have your room ready for Grandma Rose. Wynona started WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) But Mom, I hate sleeping on the floor! She always stays in my room! Why can t she stay in Wesley s room this time? Wynona, you knew she would need to be in there. You should have gotten your room ready over the weekend. Go finish your project, and then after dinner you can work on your room. But Mom! Wynona, that s enough WHINING. (Nya-a-ya)
Wynona grumped her way through her project and dinner. Halfway through dinner she remembered Cassy s birthday party and she started WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) Mom, I forgot to buy Cassy a present and I spent all my money on my project. Can I have some money? Wynona, I wish you d thought of this before you spent your money. Maybe we can figure out a few extra chores you can do this week for some money. But Mom! I m so busy! I can t do extra chores! Wynona s dad interrupted her WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) Wynona! Your mother just offered to help you. Let s help your mom think about some ways you can do what you want. After dinner, she grumped around her room pretending to clean while she complained to herself. She still hadn t finished the work on her project or her room when her dad came in to tell her that it was bedtime. Wynona started WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) Dad, I m not done! What am I going to do? Wynona, I m sorry. I offered to help you over the weekend because I knew I wouldn t have time tonight. Have you done your best? But Dad! Wynona s mom stuck her head in right before Wynona could start really WHINING. (Nya-a-ya) Wynona! You didn t finish your room! I asked you to have that done tonight. What have you been doing in here? But there was so much to do! Wynona, I m very disapointed. I ll have to finish it tomorrow while you re in school. You are not going to be allowed to watch TV for the rest of this week. I love you. Now go to bed. As Wynona lay in bed, she thought about her day and she WHINED. (Nya-a-ya) Why couldn t anybody help me? My project s not done and I can t watch tv. Extra chores! It s not fair!
Wynona: Whiner Or Worker? Part 2 Wynona was a WORKER. (I work for what I want!) When she wanted something, she showed those around her by WORKING. (I work for what I want!) Wynona would show those around her how much she wanted something by persistently doing what needed to be done. She was a hard WORKER. (I work for what I want!) One Monday, Wynona woke up, got dressed for school and came downstairs. Wynona knew that this was a big week. She had a project due at school, her grandma would be coming to stay with their family for a while, and her best friend s birthday would be on Friday. Wynona was excited and nervous all at the same time. Over the weekend, her dad had helped her finish her science project so she could get her room ready for her Grandma that night.
On the way to school Wynona realized she had forgotten to finish her spelling homework. She had been so busy over the weekend with her science project, she hadn t had time to do the last few words. Oh, no! Mom, I forgot to finish my spelling words! I m so sorry, Wynona. You were so busy this weekend with your dad. Tell Mrs. Jorgan what happened, and I bet she will help you. She knows you are a hard WORKER. (I work for what I want!)
Wynona thought hard all the way to class and before the bell rang, she went to her teacher. Mrs. Jorgan, I forgot to finish the rest of my spelling words. Could I stay inside for recess and do them? That s a good idea, Wynona. You are such a hard WORKER! (I work for what I want!) After the announcements, Mrs. Jorgan told the class about their presentation. As she went through the list of characters, Wynona got excited. What fun she and Cassy would have making costumes! Cassy s mom was very creative and always had great ideas. Together, she and Cassy would have so much fun WORKING! (I work for what I want!)
After school, her mom picked her up. Wynona, thank you for your help! Since you and your dad finished your project over the weekend, you can help me finish up at home. Maybe we ll get done in time for me to help you with your room. You are such a hard WORKER! (I work for what I want!) Mom, I spent most of my allowance on my science project. Do you think you could help me with Cassie s birthday present? Excellent! I had planned on paying you for your help today. I bet you can make enough helping me with my chores to pay for a nice present. They talked about what Wynona wanted to give Cassy on the way home. After a quick snack, they were able to finish up her mom s list of chores. Together, she and her mom had fun WORKING! (I work for what I want!) After dinner that night, Wynona, her mom and dad, and her little brother Wesley sat down and watched a movie together. When her mom and dad said goodnight, both of them thanked her. Wynona, we appreciate your help so much. We were able to get everything ready so that your Grandma Rose will have a fun visit. Thank you for being such a hard WORKER! (I work for what I want!)