Illustrated by Peter Allen.
"Terrence" is the twenty-sixth chapter of Sideways Stories From Wayside School.
Summary[]
Terrence wants to play ball but doesn't know how to play any ball game, so he always kicks the ball over the fence, following it up with an insult when the other kids complain. Ultimately, there are no balls left; in the end, Louis kicks Terrence over the fence.
Characters[]
Plot[]
Terrence, who is described as being a good athlete but a bad sport, can't seem to behave at recess. First, he asks to join Rondi and Allison's ball game. They won't let him play, but when they give in, Terrence kicks their ball over the fence. Allison tells Terrence to go get the ball, but he taunts her instead, which causes Rondi to tell Louis. Terrence then asks D.J. and Dameon if he can join their basketball game. Again, they say no, but as soon as they give in and let him play, Terrence kicks their ball over the fence and taunts them, causing D.J. to tell Louis. The same thing happens when Terrence asks the rest of his classmates if he can join their ball games. They say no, but when they eventually decide to let him play, he kicks their balls over the fence. Ultimately, there are no balls left. All the kids who tried to play with Terrence approach Terrence again, this time with Louis. Terrence asks Louis if he has a green ball, but Louis says all of his balls seem to have mysteriously disappeared. Terrence is disappointed that there's nothing left to kick, but Louis proves him wrong by kicking Terrence over the fence.
Memorable Quotes[]
- Terrence: You have to let me play, Louis says we have to share the balls.
Notes & Trivia[]
- This is the sixth and final chapter in Sideways Stories from Wayside School where Mrs. Jewls doesn't appear, after "Mrs. Gorf," "Miss Zarves," "Ron," "The Three Erics," and "Jenny."
- However, she is mentioned in "The Three Erics" and "Jenny," even if she doesn't appear.
- Terrence making people share the balls with him may be a reference to "Ron," when Louis tells him to share the ball with Ron.
- This chapter is referenced in the intro of Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School entitled "Yard Teacher's Introduction". In it, Louis said that as the yard teacher who chases balls that go over the fence, he does not understand the "sideways arithmetic" that they teach at the school.