Laurie, a young boy, constantly brings home stories about a mischievous and troublemaking classmate named Charles. He describes Charles's antics, which include biting, throwing things, and disrupting the class. Laurie's parents initially believe him, but as the stories become increasingly outlandish, they begin to doubt his truthfulness. They even attempt to verify his story by speaking with his teacher, only to find that there is no student named Charles in Laurie's class.
The ending of the story leaves the reader to ponder the true nature of "Charles". Is he a figment of Laurie's imagination? A manifestation of his own anxieties and misbehavior? A symbol of the pressures of conformity and childhood?
The ambiguity of "Charles" is what makes the story so compelling. It forces the reader to question the reliability of the narrator and to consider the complexities of human behavior, especially in childhood.