Back to you bike I wonder if it's electrical. If there is a loose connection or break in a wire somewhere. It broke down at the roadside, your old man comes to the rescue to try and get it started. No go, so gets put on trailer, back of van or whatever. Goes over a few bumps and back home. Electrical fault has reconnected itself and bike starts.
I would forget the homework and work on the bike. That's an education.
(:-})