Adam was going to work with Mom for the day.
"Delivering mail will be fun," said Adam.
"A lot more fun than learning stuff at school."
"You're going to work hard," said Mom.
"And you'll still be learning—all about helping customers."
"That sounds better than learning about fractions!" said Adam.
At the post office, Adam and Mom filled two large mailbags.
Then they drove to a busy neighborhood to deliver the letters and packages.
Adam wiped sweat from his forehead.
"My mailbag is so heavy. When's morning recess?"
Mom chuckled.
"There's no recess when you're working!" she said.
"But later we'll take a short lunch break."
She pointed up a steep hill. "Follow me!"
At the top of the hill, Adam carried a package to a house.
"Woof! Woof!" A dog barked from inside.
"Shh, Peanut!" said a woman.
She opened the door wider to get her mail—and the dog dashed outside.
"Oh no! My precious Peanut!" cried the woman.
Peanut charged after a garbage truck.
"I'll get him!" Adam yelled, running after the dog.
They raced down the hill.
Peanut chased a butterfly and a skateboarder.
Finally he stopped to sniff a fire hydrant.
Adam pounced. "Gotcha!"
When Adam came back with Peanut, he was huffing and puffing.
"Good job," Mom said. "Now back to work!"
Adam groaned and followed his mother.
Their last delivery was on Chestnut Street.
Adam started to put letters into the mailbox.
A man stomped angrily toward them.
"My mail is late!" he growled.
"I've been waiting all afternoon!"
"Very sorry, sir!" said Mom politely.
Adam and Mom drove back to the post office.
"That man was rude, Mom."
Mom shrugged.
"Mail carriers have to be polite.
That's a big part of the job."
At home Adam fell onto the sofa. "Phew!"
"Tired?" asked Mom.
"Yes!" said Adam.
"Working was fun, but I can't wait to get back to school!"