Liam and the Stuck Lid

Liam wanted to sit by the window on his first day of school.

He had packed his backpack all by himself. Inside was a red lunch box with a blue lid. His mom had said, "Eat at noon, and eat it all."

At noon, the whole class sat down at the long table. Liam got the window seat. The sun was warm on his elbow. Everything was just right.

Then he tried to open his lunch box.

The lid would not budge.

"Come on," said Liam. He pulled with both hands. His face went pink. The lid sat there like a stone.

The girl next to him was named Priya. She had a sandwich cut into triangles. "Do you need help?" she asked.

"No," said Liam. "I can do it."

He tried again. He pulled and pulled. Then he gave the lid a little twist, the way you open a jar. Nothing. Not even a wiggle.

Liam let out a big, slow breath. His tummy gave a loud grumble. Priya giggled. Then Liam giggled too.

"Maybe it's asleep," said Priya.

"Maybe," said Liam. He looked at the lid. He looked at the sides of the box. Then he saw something small. A little tab stuck out at each end, flat and pushed down tight.

"What are these?" he whispered.

He pressed one with his thumb. Nothing. He pressed the other.

Pop!

The lid flew up and bonked him right on the chin. Priya laughed so hard she snorted. Liam laughed so hard he almost slid off his seat.

Inside was a cheese sandwich, one apple, and a cookie with a face drawn on it in icing. The face had a big wide smile.

"Look," said Liam. "He's stuck, too."

"Not anymore," said Priya.

Liam picked up the cookie. The sun shone on his elbow. He took a bite of his sandwich, and the lunch box lid, open at last, rocked back and forth on the table, click, click, click, until it was still.