Mrs. Peterson’s fourth-grade class had a problem. Every time there was a big test, half the kids would fidget, bounce, or tap their pencils so loudly it sounded like a woodpecker convention.
Then came the day of the Great Science Fair, and nine-year-old Tommy showed up with the grossest, most wonderfully disgusting stress ball anyone had ever seen. One squeeze and—SPLORCH—bright green slime oozed out between his fingers like a tiny volcano of yuck.
“EWWWW!” chorused his classmates, immediately crowding around.
“That’s SO gross!” said Emma, reaching out to touch it. “Can I try?”
Tommy grinned and handed it over. Emma squeezed. The slime squished out. She giggled. “This is amazing!”
Here’s the thing about the barfball: yes, it looked absolutely disgusting. Yes, it made everyone say “eww” the first time they saw it. But it also felt incredibly satisfying to squeeze, and somehow, focusing on the squishy grossness made everyone forget to be nervous.
During the science fair presentations, Tommy kept the barfball in his pocket. Every time he felt butterflies in his stomach, he’d give it a secret squeeze. Squish. Squish. Breathe. By the time it was his turn to present, he felt calm and ready.
The barfball became legendary. Kids would pass it around during reading time (quietly, of course). Someone brought it to soccer tryouts. Tommy’s little sister borrowed it for her piano recital and said it was her good luck charm.
“Why does squeezing fake barf make me feel better?” Tommy’s friend Jake wondered one day.
Tommy shrugged, giving the ball another satisfying squeeze. “I don’t know, but it totally works!”
His mom was less thrilled when she found it in the laundry, but even she had to admit—after Tommy explained how it helped him stay calm—that sometimes the grossest things make the best helpers.
The barfball lived in Tommy’s backpack, ready for math tests, spelling bees, or any moment when life felt like too much. One squeeze, and everything felt just a little bit easier.
Plus, it was really, really fun to gross out his older brother.
Need a hilariously gross way to squeeze away stress? This squishy barfball is perfect for fidgety fingers, nervous moments, or just making your friends say “EWWW!” It’s disgusting, delightful, and surprisingly effective. Grab your gloriously gross stress buddy →
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