How My Pet Bug Got Into Trouble

The classroom assignment was very clear:
bring to class an insect that you don't fear.

So I searched the yard to find something cool
and spied a big bug I could take to school.

It was a praying mantis, sleek and long;
It had a weird head and looked really strong.

I took it to class and showed the teacher;
she was excited to see my creature.

There I saw caterpillars move real slow
and a firefly with a gorgeous glow.

I saw bugs hover like army choppers
and the strangest flies and odd grasshoppers.

I saw ants and crickets and June bugs,too.
The classroom became an amazing zoo.

Most of the critters had a jar or box,
some hid under paper or climbed on rocks.

My pet was thrilled as he looked all around,
then jumped off my hand and onto the ground.

He suddenly seized a bouncy old bug
and chased another one onto the rug.

The teacher mumbled my mantis was mean;
the most vicious beast she had ever seen.

We were sent home and I felt like a fool;
my bug was expelled for preying in school.