Seventeen pairs of tiny hands dragged along the railing into the museum. Four pairs were attached to sniffly noses. Two sniffly noses were just allergies. One pair of hands carried H1N1 and their nose showed no symptoms at all. Quiet voices argued over who got to hold the door. A child with brown hair in pigtails eventually became the designated door holder.

Inside, Minerva waited to greet the class field trip. “Hi, I”m Minerva and I’m the Curator here at the museum. How many of you have been to the museum before?”

Nearly every hand went up.

“Awesome. I want to welcome each and every one of you to our museum today. Does anyone have any questions?”

The children looked suddenly shy.

“Well, we’d love to answer any of your questions and please don’t hesitate to ask us if you think of one while you’re here.”

Mrs. Walker reminded the students about using their inside voices and split them into groups between the adult chaperones.

Minerva smiled as seventeen pairs of hands held the railing as they descended into the basement.