Once upon a time, in east puritan elementary school in Boston, Massachusetts, students crowded around the Principal's office to see the student who got caught cheating on the first test of the year. It was said that two students cheated on a boy in Mrs. Bellingham's class, but only one student was caught. The Principal's door flung open and out walked Hester holding the test that she cheated on.

Hester was asked by the teachers to stand on the stage so that all the students could see what a terrible mistake cheating was. the children tease her and whisper to each other about how much trouble she was in. Hester did not fight back, instead, she stood silently and ignored the teasing. Hester looked out into the crowd of students and saw the young boy chandler, whose test she cheated off of. He put his finger to his lips to tell her not to admit that his test she looked off of.

the Principal punished Hester with three hours of detention and told her she must wear an A pin to remind everyone of the great grade she lost from cheating. The Principal had the class President Demetrius give a speech on the honesty policy at East Puritan elementary school. The whole class loved his speech about why cheating was wrong and cheered for his "great" leadership.

 Demetrius was asked by the Principal to ask Hester to admit who the other cheater was, but Hester refused to rat out another student so Demetrius dropped the question. Chandler visited Hester in detention and brought her a juice box, Hester worried that chandler was mad about her cheating off him. Chandler asked Hester to tell him who the other cheater was, but once again, Hester refused to rat out the student.

After Hester served her detention, her teacher told her that she can return to normal recess for the rest of the year. However, she has to remain in the classroom alone for every recess period studying. During school, Hester felt very lonely. Students teased her and sang songs like "cheater-cheater pumpkin eater." 

 the only thing that made Hester happy were her grades, her tests, and papers from studying every day. Hester called her A+ tests and papers her pearls. On the other hand, they also reminded her of the shame of cheating on that very first test one day.

Hester visits the principal to discuss her exceptional grades. The principal wanted to make sure that there was no further cheating happening. All of a sudden, the class council, including the president Demetrius, walked in and began teasing Hester. The council asked the principal why Hester should be able to receive As on her test since she is known to cheat.

Hester begs Demetrius to speak up for her and tell the principal and the class that she is a great student. Demetrius reminds the council and the principal that her teacher gave her the A's, so they have no place in deciding her grades.