On a very hot day, early in September, the garbage can outside was buzzing with activity. Two pieces of trash were discussing the weather.

"My, but it is really hot in this can! I wonder if we'll ever have a cooler can in which to spend the rest of our days," complained the banana peel.

The apple core nodded in agreement. "We certainly have been placed in a dangerous situation here."

"What do you mean?" asked the peel.

"Why," explained the apple core, "don't you know anything about combustion?"

"Combustion? Who's coming to bus in?" Banana peel was quite puzzled.

"No one's busting in," responds the apple core rather frustratingly. "Combustion means something is going to explode because of the reaction of heat on an enclosed container of inflammable material. There's enough rotting and highly explosive material in this can . . . "

Before the apple core could continue, the banana peel began to quiver and then - BOOM!

That was it! Combustion! The banana peel exploded into zillions of pieces which flew all over the rest of the garbage.

"Disgusting! Absolutely disgusting!" remarked the apple core.

By Sr. Anita Rolenc