This story is loosely based on a Yiddish Folktale called It could Always be worse.   In this book the kids in school hate their lunchroom because it is crowded and noisy.  So, the principle starts adding things to the lunchroom and packing it tighter. Once all things are again emptied out the kids realize they had it pretty good at the start.  I like the parable of this story, but overall, I just did not like the story.  I get the reasoning behind it, but they make the principle seem mean or uncaring.  She smiles while reading the kids letters, but that smile almost seems sinister.  Maybe I am not in the right frame of mind while reading this, but it was just okay, not something I find memorable or that I would want in my collection.