An 18-year-old Cary, Ill., high school student made a big mistake last week.

He did his homework.

As part of his creative writing class, Allen Lee was told to write an essay expressing emotion.

He did just that. And apparently did a heck of a good job. Because the essay raised such emotions in his teacher that she took that matter to school officials who, after some discussion, called in the cops.

And the young author soon found himself under arrest on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Disorderly conduct? For doing his homework?

Cary police officials describe the essay as ‘violently disturbing’ but say it doesnt target any person or location.

So Lee faces a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.

According to the Associated Press, Cary Police Chief Ron Delelio said Wednesday disorderly conduct is a charge often filed for pulling a fire alarm or dialing 911 when no emergency is present. But he said it can also apply when someones writings disturb an individual.

Seriously? Lets hope no one in Cary ever gets hold of a Stephen King novel.

In reaction to the Virginia Tech massacre, we have become, for the moment at least, overly sensitive to any reference to violence in a students writings.

And while one can make a case for vigilance, imagination alone is no indication of a future maniac. Its a combination of traits that should be worrisome.

According to the school, Lee is an excellent student. And police say he has never been in trouble with the authorities.

Violence is a part of life and literature. Authors have used violence in novels and short stories for centuries.

One wonders what those blessed with the sensibilities of today would make of the early writings of Edgar Allan Poe or Ambrose Bierce. What reaction would a young Robert Bloch or Anne Rice face? Even a junior Ernest Hemingway or Norman Mailer might find their intentions questioned if any of their macho attitudes regarding women, drinking and fisticuffs were called into question.

No one is saying this kid is a future literary lion. But he could be. And so could many other young wordsmiths who must be confused right now about exactly how much of their imagination they are allowed to use.

Schools are supposed to spur creative thinking. They are not supposed to homogenize every student into plain vanilla.

If a students writing is genuinely disturbing, a teacher should certainly contact school officials. And perhaps the child should be evaluated by a counselor or medical professional not to suppress his creativity but only to determine if there is any real problem.

But you dont have a kid arrested simply for exercising his First Amendment rights, using his imagination and doing his homework.

In other words, lets show some common sense, folks. We shouldnt let our fears scare the imagination and creativity out of our kids.