,,! ,,FROG ,,PR9CESS

             ,E4 ,D4 ,,BAK]

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
    ,BLOOMSBURY ,,USA ,*N'S ,BOOKS1
            ,NEW ,YORK1 ,,NY
      ,COPY"R #BJJB 0,E4 ,D4 ,BAK]
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =CAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,M>IAN ,HAYES1 ,LAURA ,MELTON1
           & ,MIKE ,CAVANAU<
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #IC-AIB

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJE
                                     ;II
























                  ,N9E               #IC

  ,X 0 ! IT*+ T WOKE ME ! NEXT MORN+4 ,!
RA% T ,I'D PREDICT$ ! NI<T 2F COV]$ MY
BACK1 & NO MATT] H[ ,I TWI/$ OR TURN$1
,I CDN'T R1* ALL ! IT*Y SPOTS4 ,I 0 GET-
T+ DESP]ATE :5 ,I F9,Y F.D T IF ,I TWI/$
>.D A C]TA9 WAY & RU2$ AG/ A B> (! CAGE1
,I CD RELIEVE "S (! WOR/ IT*+4
  8,Y LOOK L AN OLD BE> :5 Y D T10 SD A
VOICE F ABV4 8,N T ,I'VE SE5 _M OLD
BE>S40
  ,A B"R %AFT ( SUNLI<T CAME "? A HOLE
HI< ON ! WALL1 9 ! G5]AL DIREC;N F : !
VOICE _H -E4 ,AT F/ ,I ?"\ ,I MI<T 2
HAV+ A DIV9E VISIT,N1 B ! VOICE _H BE5
HI< & SQU1KY1 N AT ALL ! SORT ( VOICE ,I
?"\ WD 2L;G 6A DIV9E 2+4 ..,MAYBE X'S A
.TRICK1 ,I ?"\4 ,B X CDN'T 2 ,EADRIC4
,HE 0 / S.D ASLEEP4 ,X WASN'T ! WIT*1
EI4 ,I CD SEE H] LY+ ON H] BACK ) H] H1D
TURN$ 6! SIDE4 ,H] M\? 0 OP51 DROOL
TRICKL+ ONTO ! ?9 MATTRESS )! /A9$ GRAY
COV]4
  8,": >E Y80 ,I ASK$1 SQU9T+ "? ! %AFT
( SUNLI<T &! DANC+ DU/ MOTES4 ,O!R   #ID
?AN ! CRACKS 9 ! %UTT]S COV]+ ! TWO W9-
D[S1 ! HOLE 9 ! WALL 0 ! ONLY S\RCE (
LI<T 9 ! ROOM4
  8,I'M UP "H10 SQU1K$ ! VOICE4 8,0!
RAFT]S40
  ,I LOOK$ T[>D ! CEIL+4 ,A T9Y PAT* (
D>K;S SEEM$ 6%IFT1 B ,I CDN'T 2 SURE4
8,SORRY10 ,I SD4 8,I C'T RE,Y MAKE Y \ F
"H4 '''0
  8,B ,I'M "R ''' OH1 =GET X4 ,"H1 IS ?
BETT]80
  ,A BIT ( %AD[ DETA*$ XF F ! RAFT] &
FLAPP$ D[N 96! DIMLY LIT ROOM4 8,OH1
MY10 ,I SD1 TAK5 0SURPRISE4 ,X 0 A BAT4
,Z A RULE1 ,I DIDN'T L BATS1 AL? ,I'D
N"E 5C.T]$ "O 9 P]SON 2F4 ,X 0 J T ,I'D
HE>D S _M BAD ?+S AB !M4
  8,>E Y SATISFI$ YET8 ,C ,I G BACK 6MY
RAFT] N[80 ! BAT ASK$4
  8,( C\RSE60 ,I SD1 EMB>RASS$ 0MY BAD
MANN]S4 8,I DIDN'T M1N 69CONV5I;E Y40
  8,9CONV5I;E6 ,MY1 >5'T Y A NICE LL
FROG6 ,N"O (! O!R IDIOTS >.D "H WD "E
?9K AB :AT IS OR ISN'T 3V5I5T = ME4
,TAKE T NA/Y LL WIT* ON ! B$1 =      #IE
9/.E40
  ,I TURN$ T[>D ! WIT* 9 ! BACK (! ROOM1
AFRAID T %E MI<T 2 AWAKE & LI/5+4
8,DON'T WORRY10 SD ! BAT4 8,VANNABE'S /
ASLEEP4 ,I ALW "K :5 %E'S AWAKE1 2LIEVE
ME4 ,ANYWAY1 %E N"E ?9KS AB :AT'S 3V5I5T
= ME4 ,X'S ALW ,8,G AWAY1 YA /UPID
BAT60' OR ,8,GET T BUG1 YA /UPID BAT60'
,IF ,I DIDN'T "K BETT]1 ,I'D ?9K MY "N 0
,/UPID ,BAT4 ,X ISN'T1 ( C\RSE4 ,X'S
,LI'L ,/9K]4 ,T'S :AT MY F/ MI/RESS "ND
ME :5 ,I 0 A "Y/]4 ,N[1 T WOMAN 0 F> M
3SID]ATE4 ,%E US$ 6SAY1 ,8,LI'L ,/9K]1
Y'D BETT] GET T FAT1 JUICY BUG OR Y
WON'T H ANY D9N] TN40' ,SEE :AT ,I M1N8
,%E 0 A M* M ?"\;L P]SON40
  ,I 0 2G9N+ 6FEEL OV]:ELM$4 ,I _H ALW
?"\ T BATS 7 QUIET CR1TURES1 B ? BAT CD
TALK M ?AN ANY"O ,I'D "E MET4
  ,I RU2$ MY BACK AG/ ! B> AG4 ,! RA% 0
IT*+ M N[ & 0 SPR1D+ 6MY *E/4
  8,I CDN'T HELP B HE> Y TALK+ 6,VANNABE
LA/ NI<T10 SD ,LI'L4 8,Y C TALK 6HUMANS1
HUH8 ,T'S TOO BAD4 ,! ONLY HUMANS ,I C
TALK 6>E WIT*ES )! TAL5T & T'S !     #IF
WAY ,I L X4 ,S1 DID YR FR EAT ! WORM80
  8,HE SURE DID4 ,HE ATE ! :OLE ?+4 ,I 0
AFRAID T HE'D 2 POISON$1 B HE'S F9E40
  8,I WDN'T SAY T EXACTLY4 ,HE'S /
ASLEEP1 ISN'T HE80
  8,WELL1 YES1 B NEI ( U HAS GOTT5 M*
SLEEP LATELY4 ,HE'S RE,Y TIR$40
  8,IS T X8 ,G %AKE HM & WAKE HM UP40
  8,I 0 GO+ 6LET HM SLEEP =A :ILE4 ,HE
NE$S 8 RE/40
  8,G %AKE HM N[ & SEE :AT HE DOES40
  8,I'D R N40
  8,J D X6 ,X'S = YR [N GD60
  ,X 0 OBVI\S T ! BOSSY LL BAT 0 GO+ TO
PE/] ME UNTIL ,I DID :AT %E'D SD4 ,RE-
LUCTANTLY1 ,I HOPP$ 6,EADRIC'S SIDE &
G5TLY %OOK 8 %\LD]4 ,HE 3T9U$ 6SNORE4 ,I
%OOK HM H>D]4 ,HE SNORT$ & ROLL$ OV]4
  8,I C'T SEEM 6WAKE HM10 ,I SD1 FR[N+4
  8,( C\RSE N4 ,Y WON'T 2 A# 6IF HE ATE
T WORM6 ,DIDN'T Y SEE T VIAL ,VANNABE _H
9 H] H&8 ,X 0 SLEEP+ PO;N4 ,A T9Y DROP &
Y'LL SLEEP = "DS4 ,:AT D Y ?9K ^? WIT*ES
US$ 6HELP ,SLEEP+ ,B1UTY & ,SN[ ,:ITE
GET ALL T B1UTY RE/8 ,A FULL VIAL    #IG
C KNOCK Y \ =A HUNDR$ YE>S OR M4 ,N[1
UN.S Y WANT 6TAKE A V L;G NAP1 ,I SU7E/
T Y DON'T LET ! WIT* "K T Y'RE / AWAKE4
,G CURL UP "S": & PRET5D T Y'RE ASLEEP
OR %E'LL F9D ANO!R WAY 6GIVE Y T PO;N4
,%E HAS H] R1SONS = WANT+ Y TWO 6/AY
QUIET4 ,N[ WAT* \60 ,LI'L ,/9K] SD S(T-
LY4 8,%E'S WAK+ UP40
  ,I SCURRI$ 6! BACK (! CAGE & PRET5D$
6BE ASLEEP1 J 9 CASE ! BAT 0 "R4 ,) MY
EYES HALF CLOS$1 ,I WAT*$ ,VANNABE YAWN1
SIT UP1 & SCRAT* H] RIBS4 ,DROOL %"O
WETLY ON H] *EEK1 B %E DIDN'T SEEM 6NO-
TICE4 ,KICK+ (F ! GRIMY BLANKET1 %E
SWUNG H] FEET 6! FLOOR4
  8,:AT >E Y LOOK+ AT80 ,VANNABE SD
GRUMPILY1 LOOK+ UP AT ! BAT4 ,LI'L ,/9K]
DIDN'T GIVE H] AN ANSW]1 B ! WIT* OBVI-
\SLY DIDN'T EXPECT "O1 = %E /OOD UP &
%U6L$ ACR ! ROOM )\T ANO!R ^W4
  ,/ 9 H] B>E FEET1 ,VANNABE W5T \ !
DOOR1 L1V+ X OP54 ,I ?"\ ! FRE% AIR WD 2
A RELIEF1 B 9/1D X /IRR$ UP ! DU/ 9 !
ROOM & RECIRCULAT$ ! ODOR ( UNWA%$
CLO!S1 FIL?Y CAGES1 BAT DROPP+S1 &   #IH
OLD GR1SE4 ,I 0 ALM HAPPY 6SEE ! WIT* -E
BACK 9SIDE & CLOSE ! DOOR 2H H]4
  ,/ SCRAT*+ H] RIBS1 ,VANNABE %U6L$ 6!
FIREPLACE1 ": %E B5T OV] ! FIRE1 H] BACK
6\R CAGE4 ,%E LIFT$ A WOOD5 SPOON F A
HOOK ON ! WALL & /IRR$ "S?+ 9 A GR1SY
BLACK POT4 ,!N %E TOOK X 6! TA# 9 ! MID-
DLE (! ROOM & SAT D[N 6EAT4 ,:5 %E 0 F9-
I%$1 %E SCRAP$ ! BOTTOM (! POT ) H]
WOOD5 SPOON4
  8,"H N[1 C'T H ANY"O G HUNGRY ) ALL ?
GD FOOD >.D1 C WE80 SD ! WIT* Z %E WALK$
T[>D \R SIDE (! ROOM4 8,DON'T EAT X ALL
AT ONCE1 'CAUSE Y WON'T 2 GETT+ ANY M
TD40
  ,MY VIEW 0 BLOCK$ 0A /ACK ( BOOKS ON
"O SIDE &A COLLEC;N ( BOTTLES ON ! O!R1
B ,I CD HE> O!R CR1TURES MOV+ AB 9 _!
CAGES Z ! WIT* GAVE EA* ( !M _! [N DOL-
LOP ( FOOD4
  ,:5 ! WIT* CAME NE> \R CAGE1 ,I KEPT
MY EYES CLOS$ & MADE MY BR1? -E SL[LY &
EV5LY1 TRY+ 6MAKE X S.D L ,EADRIC'S4
,VANNABE OP5$ ! CAGE DOOR & ,I ?"\ MY
HE>T WD B1T XS WAY \ ( MY *E/1 B     #II
,I WILL$ MYF 6HOLD /4 ,EV5 :5 A L;G F+]-
NAIL POK$ ME 9 ! RIBS1 ,I KEPT MY EYES
CLOS$ & /AY$ Z LIMP Z ,I CD4 8,PR9CESS1
HUH80 ,VANNABE'S VOICE 0 H>% & MOCK+4
8,:AT'S X L 2+ A FROG1 ,MISS ,HI< &
,MI<TY80
  ,! H& MOV$ AWAY & ,I REFUS$ 6LOOK1
PICTUR+ ,EADRIC RCVG ! SAME TR1T;T4 8,Z
= Y1 ,PR9CE ''' SLA9 ANY DRAGONS LATELY1
OR IS X DRAGONFLIES N[80 ,VANNABE LAU<$1
! %RILL S.D GRAT+ ON MY E>DRUMS3 ..,& P
SAY T ,I H A /RANGE .LAU<1 ,I ?"\4
  ,:5 ! CAGE DOOR _H %UT )A S(T CLICK &
,I 0 SURE T ! WIT* _H MOV$ AWAY1 ,I OP5$
MY EYES 6SLITS & 0 RELIEV$ 6SEE H] PICK
UP H] SACK F ! FLOOR & H1D \ ! DOOR4
8,2HAVE YRVS1 V]M960 %E TOLD ! ANIMALS4
8,NO WILD "PIES :ILE ,I'M G"O60 ,LAU<+1
! WIT* SLAMM$ ! DOOR 2H H]4
  ,)! WIT* G"O1 ,I CD F9,Y RELAX4 ,I B5T
MY LEG & SCRAT*$ MY BACK ) MY TOE1 B ,I
/ CDN'T R1* ! RE,Y IT*Y SPOTS4
  ,=! F/ "T ,I 0 A# 6TAKE A BETT] LOOK
AT MY SURR.D+S4 ,! COTTAGE 0 SMALL1 )!
WIT*'S B$ AG/ ! WALL OPPOSITE !     #AJJ
ONLY DOOR4 ,LI'L ,/9K] HUNG F A R\<-HEWN
RAFT] NE> ! FRONT (! COTTAGE & APPE>$ TO
2 ASLEEP4 ,BIRDS' B"OS SUSP5D$ F A FRAY$
CORD CLATT]$ TGR4 ,\R CAGE RE/$ ON A
DU/-COV]$ %ELF NEXT 6A /ACK ( BOOKS4 ,!
SKULL ( AN UNBORN BABY DRAGON SAT ON TOP
(! BOOKS1 ! DU/ S ?ICK T ! EYE SOCKETS 7
NE>LY FILL$4
  ,A COLLEC;N ( J>S & BOTTLES /OOD ON !
O!R SIDE (! CAGE4 ,!Y 7 ALL LABEL$1 AL?
"S (! LABELS 7 TURN$ S T ,I CDN'T R1D
!M4 ,RA2ITS' E>S1 CATS' TAILS1 & WILD
BO>S' TUSKS FILL$ "S (! L>G] J>S1 &
CRY/ALS & DRI$ -P.DS FILL$ O!RS4 ,"O J>
0 FILL$ ) D>K BLUE1 FUZZY CLUMPS & 0 LA-
BEL$ .,TROLL .,NAVEL .,L9T4 ,ANO!R 3TA9$
SMOO? :ITE BALLS SUSP5D$ 9 A CLE> LIQ-
UID4 ,:5 "O BO2$ AB1 TURN+ 6/>E AT ME1
,I GASP$3 !Y 7 EYEBALLS1 OBVI\SLY ALIVE1
F ! WAY !Y JO/L$ = POSI;N4 ,I QKLY R1L-
IZ$ T "! 7 O!R J>S ) LIV+ 3T5TS1 L !
SQUIRM+1 PUCK]+ PIECES ( GRE5 FLE% 9 A
J> LABEL$ .,LIZ>D .,LIPS &! WR9KL$1
SNU6L+ .,PIG .,SN\TS4 ,! 3T5TS ( "O SLIM
VIAL MAY N H BE5 ALIVE1 B !         #AJA
COLOR$ GASES SWIRL$1 MIX+ & SEP>AT+ 9
9TRICATE1 N"E-REP1T+ PATT]NS4
  ,"S?+ ?UMP$ 0! FIREPLACE & ,I SCURRI$
ACR MY CAGE 6LOOK4 ,"! 0 NO?+ "! B AN
OLD /ICK US$ = POK+ LOGS & TWO CRUDELY
3/RUCT$ B>RELS1 "O LABEL$ .,TRA% .,C1 !
O!R .,TRA% .,C'T4 ,! ,TRA% ,C 0 UNCOV]$4
,:5 ,I LI/5$ C>E;LLY1 ,I ?"\ ,I CD HE>
"S?+ GURGL+ 9SIDE4 ,A WOOD5 LID COV]$ !
,TRA% ,C'T & Z ,I WAT*$1 ,I CD SEE !
:OLE ?+ %AKE & ?UMP4 ,6MY SURPRISE1 ,I
CD AL HE> CR1TURES CALL+ F O!R CAGES4
  8,:O >E !Y80 SQU1K$ "O VOICE4
  8,I DON'T "K1 B ,I HE>D "O ( !M TALK+
6,LI'L ,/9K]40 ,! SP1K]'S VOICE 0 S FA9T
& BR1?Y T ,I _H 6/RA9 6HE> X4
  8,D Y ?9K %E'LL 9TRODUCE U80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,ASK ,MISS ,BOSSY4 ,Y "K
%E ALW HAS 6BE 9 *>GE40
  8,I'D 2 HAPPY TO10 9T]RUPT$ ! BAT4 8,B
,I DON'T "K _! "NS YET4 ,HEY "!1 ,FROG60
  ,2C ,I'D HE>D ! 5TIRE 3V]S,N1 ,I 0
R1DY :5 ,LI'L CALL$ 6ME4 8,I'M ,EMMA & ?
IS ,EADRIC10 ,I 2GAN4 8,WE'RE BO? 5*ANT$
FROGS4 ,I'M A PR9CESS & ,EADRIC     #AJB
IS RE,Y A PR9CE40
  ,I _H N"E HE>D ANIMALS H[L ) LAU<T]
2F4 ,X WD H MADE ME FEEL DEF5SIVE IF !Y
_HN'T S.D$ S FUNNY4 ,I 2GAN 6LAU<1 TOO1
& SU45LY ,I FELT ! BE/ ,I _H 9 "DS4
  ,LI'L %IFT$ >.D ON H] P]* UNTIL %E
FAC$ ME AG & WAIT$ UNTIL MY LAU<T] GREW
W1K 5 T ,I CD HE> H]4 8,T'S "S LAU< Y H
"!1 ,PR9CESS60 ,LI'L DCLD Z ,I HI3UP$ MY
WAY 6SIL;E4 8,DID Y GET T :5 Y 2CAME A
FROG OR H Y _H X ALL AL;G80
  8,X'S MY LAU< NO MATT] :O OR :AT ,I
AM4 ,MY R1L "N IS ,PR9CESS ,EM]ALDA1 & 8
IS ,PR9CE ,EADRIC4 ,I'M ! ONLY * ( ,K+
,LIMELYN & ,QUE5 ,*>TREUSE (! ,K+DOM (
,GRT] ,GRE5SW>D4 ,EADRIC IS ! ELDE/ SON
(! RUL]S ( ,UPP] ,MONTEVI/A40 ,PR\D ( MY
ROYAL H]ITAGE1 ,I 0 SURE T ^! CR1TURES
CDN'T HELP B RESPECT ME N[1 S ,I 0 /UNN$
0! RECEP;N MY NEWS RCVD4
  8,Y1H1 "R10 SQU1K$ A VOICE4
  8,!N ,I'M ,K+ ,M\SEWOR?Y60 SQU1K$ AN-
O!R4
  ,! CR1TURES ACT$ Z IF !Y'D HE>D !
FUNNIE/ ?+ 9 ! _W4 ,LI'L ,/9K]      #AJC
LAU<$ S H>D T %E TUM#D (F H] RAFT] &
FLAPP$ WILDLY1 TRY+ 6REGA9 H] BAL.E4
  ,9DIGNANT1 ,I TRI$ 6%\T OV] _! LAU<T]4
8,B ,I RE,Y AM A PR9CESS6 ,I C PLAY !
LUTE & EMBROID] & S+ & D.E & D ALL ! O!R
?+S T PR9CESSES >E SUPPOS$ 6D1 AL? N Z
WELL Z MY "M WD L4 ,I C AL D "S O!R ?+S
T MO/ PR9CESSES C'T D4 ,I C C.T & R1D
&--0
  8,DID Y SAY R1D80 ASK$ ,LI'L1 SU45LY
2COM+ S]I\S4
  8,:Y1 YES10 ,I SD4 8,& ,I C SWIM1 AL?
,I CDN'T D T 2F ,I 2CAME A FROG4 ,I C--0
  8,ALL "R6 ,I 2LIEVE Y6 ,T'S Q A LI/ (
A3OMPLI%;TS10 SD ,LI'L4
  8,X SURE IS60 *IM$ 9 A BR1?Y VOICE4
8,I WI% ,I CD C.T4 ,X WD PROBABLY HELP
ME ) "S ( MY PATT]NS40
  ,MY LEGS 7 2G9N+ 6IT*4 ,! RA% 0 SPR1D-
+4 8,N[ X'S YR TURN10 ,I SD1 FEEL+ MOD]-
ATELY APP1S$4 8,I WANT 6HE> "EY"O ELSE'S
"NS40
  8,T'S EASY 5\<10 SD ! BAT4 8,I'M
,LI'L1 Z Y "K1 & 9 ! CAGE 2L Y >E !
SPID]S1 ,E5IE1 ,ME5IE1 & ,MOE4      #AJD
,!Y US$ 6LIVE 0! BROOM 9 ! CORN]1 B
,VANNABE F.D !M & /UCK !M 9 A CAGE40
  8,WE _H ANO!R BRO!R "ND ,M9EY10 :ISP]$
A T9Y VOICE1 8B ! WIT* /EPP$ ON HM :5 %E
CAU<T U40
  8,I'M S SORRY60 ,I SD1 FURI\SLY
SCRAT*+ 2H MY E>DRUM4
  8,X'S "O (! HAZ>DS ( 2+ A SPID]10 SD !
VOICE SADLY4
  8,CLIF=D & ,L\ISE LIVE 9 ! CAGE NEXT
6! SPID]S10 3T9U$ ,LI'L4 8,CLIF=D & ,L\-
ISE >E ! MICE :O US$ 6LIVE "U ! B$4
,!Y'VE BE5 TGR =A L;G "T1 S !Y T5D 6F9I%
EA* O!R'S S5T;ES40
  8,VANNABE SD %E GOT TIR$--0
  8--( HE>+ U SCURRY >.D40
  8,%E PUT U 9 ! CAGE--0
  8--& WE DON'T H ANY": 6G40
  8,X'S S BOR+60
  8,WE US$ 6H ! BE/ ADV5TURES60
  8,Y WDN'T 2LIEVE--0
  8--:AT WE F.D 9 ! WALLS60
  8,"S ?+S >E BETT] LEFT AL"O10 SD
,LI'L4 8,& T BR+S U 6,FANG4 ,FANG HAS
LIV$ "H S9CE ,VANNABE MOV$ IN4      #AJE
,%E F.D HM 9 ! Y>D & PUT HM 9 A CAGE H]
V F/ "D4 ,FANG DOESN'T TALK M*1 S ,I'LL
TELL Y A BIT AB HM4 ,8 CAGE IS ON !
FLOOR 9 ! CORN]4 ,X'S ! BI7E/ CAGE 9 !
COTTAGE1 B X'S N NE>LY BIG 5 = ,FANG4
,HE 0 A L>GE SNAKE :5 HE GOT "H & HE'S
GR[N S9CE !N40
  .,A .SNAKE1 ,I ?"\4 ,EV5 IF X 0 9 A
CAGE1 ! ?"\ (A SNAKE 9 ! ROOM MADE MY
HE>T B1T FA/] & MY SK9 FEEL COLD & CLAM-
MY4
  8,X'S \R TURN60 BR1!D "O (! SPID]S4
8,I WANT 6HE> H[ ! TWO FROGS 7 5*ANT$40
  8,G AH1D1 PR9CESS60 SQU1K$ A M\SE4
  8,TELL U H[--0
  8--Y 2CAME A FROG60
  ,)A SNAKE 9 ! ROOM1 ALL ,I WANT$ 6D 0
HIDE1 B X SEEM$ ONLY FAIR T ,I ANSW]4 ,I
SWALL[$ H>D & TRI$ 6SP1K NORM,Y4 8,ACTU-
,Y10 ,I 2GAN1 8X 0 ,EADRIC :O 2CAME A
FROG F/4 ,HE SD "S?+ 6A WIT* T %E DIDN'T
L & %E TURN$ HM 96A FROG4 ,!N :5 ,I
KISS$ HM S HE WD TURN BACK 96A PR9CE1 ,I
TURN$ 96A FROG1 TOO4 ,:5 WE F/ SAW
,VANNABE1 WE ?"\ %E 0 ! WIT* :O     #AJF
DID X1 B X WASN'T H] AT ALL40
  8,>E Y KI4+80 SD ,LI'L4 8,VANNABE
CDN'T TURN A CA2AGE 96COLESLAW4 ,%E'S
TRY+ 6BE A WIT*1 B %E DOESN'T H ! KNACK
= X40
  8,IF %E'S N A WIT*1 :AT DOES %E WANT )
,EADRIC & ME8 ,:AT IS %E GO+ 6D ) ^?
PLANTS %E F.D80
  8,I'LL TELL Y IF Y RE,Y WANT 6"K10 SD
! BAT4
  8,%E'D 2 ! "O 6TELL10 :ISP]$ "O (!
SPID]S 9 A VOICE S S(T ,I MI<T H IMAG9$
X4 8,LI'L ,/9K] HAS LIV$ "H MO/ ( H]
LIFE4 ,%E'S TI$ 6T RAFT] )A PIECE (
TW9E4 ,X'S TOO %ORT 6R1* ANY (! CAGES1
OR "O ( U WD H HELP$ H] UNTIE X L;G AGO4
,I'VE SE5 H] TRY _M A "T1 B T KNOT LA/S
L IRON4 ,I WI% ,I CD GET UP "! 6SEE :AT
K9D ( KNOT ! OLD WIT* US$40
  8,MOE'S V 9T]E/$ 9 KNOTS4 ,E5IE & ,I L
6TRY DI6]5T DESIGNS 9 \R WEBS1 B \R
BRO!R HAS MADE KNOTS 8 LIFE /UDY4 ,Y C
SEE "S ( \R H&I"W ON ! BROOM AG/ ! BACK
WALL4 ,E5IE1 ,M9EY1 ,MOE1 & ,I DID X 2F
! WIT* CAU<T U40                    #AJG
  8,I'M SURE Y'RE V TAL5T$10 ,I SD4
  8,IF Y ALL >E F9I%$ TALK+1 ,I'LL TELL
H] AB ,VANNABE N[4 ,I REFUSE 6TRY 6SP1K
OV] YR CACKL+60 ,LI'L GL>$ AT EA* (!
CAGES 2F SW++ >.D 6FACE ME4 8,I'M GO+ 6H
6GIVE Y A LL HI/ORY F/4 ,VANNABE HAS
LIV$ "H = AB A YE>4 ,I'M ! ONLY "O :O'S
BE5 "H L;G] ?AN T4 ,I US$ 6LIVE "H )!
OLD WIT*1 ,MUD9E4 ,%E 0 A NICE OLD LADY1
AL? K9D ( CRAZY T[>D ! 5D4 ,H>DLY ANY-
BODY CAME 02C %E DIDN'T L -PANY & %E
MADE P FEEL UNCOM=TA#4 ,%E _H ME LIVE )
H] ONLY 2C %E DIDN'T L ! BUGS4 ,! OLD
WOMAN ?"\ CL1N+ 0 A WA/E ( H] "T1 S "! 7
ALW PL5TY ( BUGS & ,I 0 "H 6EAT !M40
  ,LI'L SI<$ & RE>RANG$ H] W+S4 8,^? 7 !
GD OLD "DS4 ,T WIT* CD D R1L MAGIC & "S
"DS ? PLACE 0 HOPP+6 ,B ,MUD9E 0 OLD EV5
:5 ,I F/ CAME 6LIVE ) H]1 & H] H1L?
WASN'T GD4 ,!N %E GOT SICK & %E CDN'T
TAKE C>E (! ANIMALS ANYMORE1 S %E LET !M
ALL \ ( _! CAGES4 ,0!N %E 0 TOO W1K 6UN-
DO MY TW9E1 S ,I 0 / "H :5 %E LAY D[N ON
H] B$ & 4APPE>$ 9 A PUFF ( SMOKE4
  8,WE'D "KN T A "Y WOMAN F "O (!   #AJH
F>MS _H BE5 SNOOP+ >.D = "S "T4 ,WE
DIDN'T LET ON1 B WE KNEW4 ,! "D ! OLD
WIT* VANI%$1 ,VANNABE TOOK ! PLACE OV]4
,! PUFF ( SMOKE 0 / FO7+ UP ! ROOM :5 T
WOMAN B>G$ 9 & MADE H]F AT HOME4 ,Z F> Z
,I C TELL1 %E HASN'T EV5 A H9T ( MAGIC 9
H]4 ,H] ONLY CLAIM 6FAME IS T %E C R1D1
:1 ,I ADMIT1 IS AN A3OMPLI%;T 9 XF4 ,:Y1
^! "DS ! BE/ WIT*ES >E ! "OS )! TAL5T :O
C AL R1D4 ,Y H 6R1D ! OLD SPELLS1 Y SEE4
,PASS+ !M D[N 0^W ( M\? C 2 A BIT %AKY4
,P =GET ?+S1 MISPRON\NCE A ^W OR TWO '''
,:O "KS :AT C HAPP5 !N8
  8,ANYWAY1 ,VANNABE RE,Y WANTS 6BE A
WIT*1 B X TAKES M ?AN J WANT+4 ,Y H 6H
"S TAL5T OR Y C D ONLY ! SIMPLE/ SPELLS1
! K9D Y J R1D F ! BOOK4 ,VANNABE'S N IN-
T]E/$ 9 ! BASIC SPELLS4 ,%E'S GOT X 9 H]
H1D T 6BE A R1L WIT* %E HAS 6D BIG1 %[Y
MAGIC1 ! K9D T WD IMPRESS LOTS ( P4 ,%E
DOESN'T R1LIZE T ! LL MAGIC IS P[];L1
TOO40
  8,B IF %E DOESN'T H ! ABIL;Y 6D ! MAG-
IC1 :Y IS %E "H80
  8,I C'T ANSW] T "O4 ,MAYBE %E     #AJI
DOESN'T R1LIZE %E C'T D X YET1 MAYBE
%E'S TOO /U2ORN 6GIVE UP1 OR MAYBE H]
LIFE ON ! F>M 0 S BAD1 %E'D R 2 "H40
  8,:AT IS %E LOOK+ = N[80 ,I ASK$4
  8,%E HAS "S IDEA AB TRY+ "O ( ,MUD9E'S
FANCI] SPELLS10 SD ,LI'L4 8,! SPELL RE-
QUIRES "S UNUSUAL 9GR$I5TS L T DRAGON'S
BR1? ON ! %ELF NEXT 6Y4 ,SEE X "!--X'S !
PRETTY BOTTLE )! SWIRLY COLORS4 ,X 0 "P
( ,MUD9E'S COLLEC;N4 ,VANNABE WD N"E H
GOTT5 X ON H] [N40
  8,:AT IS ! SPELL =80
  8,NO?+ UNUSUAL4 ,%E ?9KS X W GIVE H]
"ELA/+ Y\? & B1UTY4 ,^! ?+S USU,Y BACK-
FIRE1 B "!'S NO TELL+ H] T40
  8,TELL ! FROG AB ! RE/ (! 9GR$I5TS40
,! VOICE 0 DRY & RASPY4 ,J HE>+ X MADE
MY SK9 CRAWL4 .,! .SNAKE1 ,I ?"\1 %U4]+4
  8,OH1 Y1H10 SD ,LI'L4 8,ASIDE F "S R>E
PLANTS1 ALL %E NE$$ 7 ! T;GUES & TOES (
TALK+ FROGS4 ,%E HAS PLANS = Y & YR FR4
,YR FATE 0 S1L$ Z SOON Z %E HE>D Y TALK4
,T'S :Y %E WANT$ 6KEEP Y CALM4 ,%E WDN'T
WANT Y 6DAMAGE ^? PRECI\S T;GUES & TOES
"R :5 %E 0 AB 6USE !M40             #AAJ
  8,\R T;GUES & TOES6 ,%E WDN'T LI/5 :5
WE TRI$ 6TELL H] T WE >5'T RE,Y FROGS6
,I EV5 TOLD H] T MY P>5TS WD REW>D H]1 B
X DIDN'T MAKE ANY DI6];E40
  8,( C\RSE N4 ,IF Y 7 HUMANS1 Y WDN'T 2
( ANY USE 6H]4 ,%E NE$S TALK+ FROGS TO
MAKE H] SPELL "W4 ,NO GOLD OR JEWELS WD
GET H] :AT %E WANTS4 ,ONLY ! "R 9GR$I5TS
CD D T1 & T 9CLUDES Y1 OR AT L1/ "PS (
Y40
  8,:AT >E WE GO+ 6D80
  8,HOPE T %E DOESN'T F9D ! PLANTS %E'S
LOOK+ =4 ,%E C'T D ! SPELL )\T !M40
  8,Y RE,Y D "K "EY?+ T GOES ON >.D "H10
,I SD4
  8,I %D4 ,I'VE BE5 "H L;GE/ & C SEE J
AB "EY?+ F MY RAFT]10 ,LI'L SD PR\DLY4
  ,W9D BLEW "? ! CRACKS 9 ! %UTT]S1 S5D+
DU/ & SCRAPS ( LITT] SWIRL+ >.D ! COT-
TAGE4 ,! ROOM GREW D>K & RA9 PATT]$ ON !
RO(4 ,X LA/$ ONLY A FEW SECONDS1 !N
ABRUPTLY /OPP$4 ,! W9D BLEW AG & ,I C\<$
AT ! SWIRL+ DU/4 ,:5 ! RA9 CAME 9 E>NE/1
X 0 H1VI] & L\D] ?AN 2F4 ,A /1DY DRIZZLE
FELL "? A DOZ5 HOLES 9 ! RO(1       #AAA
L1V+ DAMP SPOTS ON ! TA# & FLOOR4 ,LI'L
$G$ AL;G H] RAFT]1 AVOID+ ! WOR/ (!
L1KS4
  ,"EY"O _H GR[N QUIET :5 ! RA9 2GAN1
LULL$ 0! /1DY DRUMM+4 ,AL? ! S.D 0 SOO?-
+1 ,I 0 UNA# 6RELAX1 = ,I'D 2GUN 6FEEL A
PRICKL+ D[N MY SP9E Z IF "S"O 0 WAT*+
ME4 ,C]TA9 T ,I WD H NOTIC$ ,VANNABE'S
RETURN1 ,I GL.ED OV] MY %\LD]4 ,AT F/ ,I
?"\ T NO "O 0 "!1 B !N ,I NOTIC$ ! J> (
EYEBALLS4 ,E "O 0 FOCUS$ ON ME4 ,X MADE
ME FEEL ! WAY ,I _H ON ! R>E O3A.N T MY
"F _H ME SIT 2S HM ON ! RAIS$ DAIS (!
?R"O ROOM :ILE HE RCVD PETI;N]S4 ,C\RTI-
]S & -MON]S ALIKE _H />$ AT ME Z IF HOP+
,I'D MAKE A FOOL ( MYF S !Y'D H "S?+ TO
TALK AB LAT]4 ,I'D HAT$ ! FEEL+ !N & ,I
HAT$ X EV5 M N[2 ^! EYES 7 UNSETTL+ EV5
:5 !Y W]5'T LOOK+ AT ME4 ,I TRI$ 6IGNORE
!M1 B X 0 NE>LY IMPOSSI#4
  ,9 A WAY1 X 0 ALM A RELIEF :5 ! DOOR
SQU1L$ ON XS ANCI5T H+ES & ,VANNABE
/ALK$ 96! ROOM3 ALL ! EYES TURN$ 6WAT*
H]4 ,TOSS+ H] DRIPP+ SACK ON ! TA#1 %E
HURRI$ 6LI<T ! LANT]N4 ,I CR\*$     #AAB
D[N & PRET5D$ 6BE ASLEEP1 B MY HE>T 2GAN
6RACE :5 ! WIT* WALK$ T[>D MY %ELF4 .,?
.IS .X1 ,I ?"\4 ,IF ANY"O _H "E TOLD ME
T ,I'D 5D UP Z A FROG US$ 9 A WIT*'S
SPELL1 ,I WD H SWORN HE 0 CRAZY4 ,B N[
'''6 ,! WIT* /OPP$ 2S MY CAGE & ,I HELD
MY BR1?4 ,I 0 POSITIVE T ,I 0 AB 6LOSE
"S ( MY FAVORITE BODY "PS UNTIL ,I R1L-
IZ$ T ,VANNABE 0 LOOK+ "? ! PILE ( BOOKS
& N AT ME4
  8,X'S "S": 9 "O ( ^!10 ,VANNABE MUTT]$
6H]F4 8,! OLD WOMAN KEPT GD RECORDS4
,I'M SURE %E WROTE AB ! PLANTS ,I NE$40
,%E TOOK ! DRAGON'S SKULL F ! PILE (
BOOKS & SET X ASIDE1 !N SELECT$ "S BOOKS
& C>RI$ !M 6! TA#4 ,A FEW M9UTES LAT] %E
0 BACK1 %U6L+ "? ! BOOKS AG4
  ,EA* "T ! WIT* APPROA*$ \R CAGE1 ,I
PRET5D$ 6BE ASLEEP4 ,I OP5$ MY EYES ONLY
:5 ,I 0 SURE %E 0 LOOK+ ! O!R WAY1 & !N
,I OP5$ !M ONLY A LL4 ,I 0 GLAD ( ? !
NEXT "T %E PASS$ BY1 = %E PAUS$ 0\R CAGE
6LOOK AT U4 ,EV5 ) MY EYES CLOS$1 ,I CD
FEEL ! WOMAN'S EYES BOR+ 96ME4
  8,! FROGS' T;GUES & TOES C WAIT   #AAC
UNTIL ,I'M AB 6/>T10 ,VANNABE DECID$ AF
A L;G SIL;E4 8,!Y'LL 2 M POT5T IF !Y'RE
NICE & FRE%40
  ,I HE>D H] MOVE ON 6! BOOKS & LOOK !M
OV] "O M "T4 ,A *ILL CREPT "? ME & ,I
F"\ 6KEEP X F %[+4 ,VANNABE SELECT$ A
BOOK & RETURN$ 6! TA#4 ,! ROOM GREW QUI-
ET1 & AL? ,I KNEW %E 0 LO/ 9 H] /UDIES1
,I 0 TOO SC>$ 6OP5 MY EYES4
  .,T;GUES .& .TOES1 ,I ?"\4 ..,%E'S GO+
6TAKE \R T;GUES & TOES4 ,EV5 IF %E
DOESN'T KILL U1 WE'LL 2 MAIM$ =! RE/ (
\R LIVES4 ,:AT >E WE GO+ 6.D8
  ,X 0 LATE 0! "T ,VANNABE F.D ! BOOK T
%E NE$$4 ,M/Y & YELL[+ ) AGE1 X 3TA9$
NOTES WRITT5 YE>S 2F 0! OLD WIT*4 ,VAN-
NABE POR$ OV] ! PICTURES1 LOOK+ =!
PLANTS "ND 9 ! SPELL4 8,F.D X60 %E SD AT
LA/4 8,B AC 6? ,I NE$ ! /EMS1 N ! L1VES4
,GD10 %E SD1 YAWN+4 8,I'LL GET !M F/ ?+
9 ! MORN+4 ,TM IS ! BIG "D60 ,/ /UDY+ !
DRAW+1 ! WIT* FELL ASLEEP )! BOOK CLUT*$
9 H] H&S4
  ,:5 ,I 0 SURE T ,VANNABE 0 ASLEEP1 ,I
HURRI$ 6,EADRIC'S SIDE & %OOK HM    #AAD
Z H>D Z ,I CD4 8,EADRIC60 ,I :ISP]$ 9 8
E>DRUM4 8,WE H 6?9K ( "S?+4 ,WE H 6GET \
( "H TN4 ,%E'S GO+ 6CUT \ YR T;GUE TM6
,%E'S GO+ 6CUT (F YR TOES6 ,PL1SE1 ,EAD-
RIC6 ,Y H 6WAKE UP60
  ,EADRIC GROAN$ & RAIS$ 8 H1D 6LOOK AT
ME "? H1VILY LI4$ EYES4 8,L1VE ME AL"O1
,EMMA10 HE SD4 8,I'M TOO TIR$ 6TALK40
  8,Y'RE AWAKE1 ,EADRIC6 ,Y'RE AWAKE60
,EADRIC'S H1D SANK D[N ONTO 8 >M4 ,I
GRA2$ 8 %\LD]S 9 DESP],N & %OOK HM4 8,WE
H 6TALK N[1 ,EADRIC6 ,WE ONLY H UNTIL TM
MORN+60
  ,EADRIC 2GAN 6SNORE4 ,I SANK 6! FLOOR
(! CAGE 9 DESPAIR4 ..,:AT AM ,I GO+ 6.D8
,I ?"\ =! HUNDR$? "T T "D4 ,FAT TE>S
ROLL$ D[N MY *EEKS & PLOPP$ ONTO ! BOT-
TOM (! CAGE4
  8,HEY1 X'S N T BAD10 ,LI'L SD F H]
RAFT]4 8,IF HE WOKE UP 5 6TALK1 Y'LL
PROBABLY 2 A# 6WAKE HM -PLETELY 9 !
MORN+4 ,L1VE HM AL"O & GET "S RE/ YRF4
,Y'RE GO+ 6NE$ X TM40
  8,I C'T SLEEP1 ,LI'L--,I'M TOO SC>$10
,I PROTE/$4 8,& EV5 IF ,I CD1 ?     #AAE
IT*Y RA% IS DRIV+ ME CRAZY40
  8,A RA%1 HUH8 ,I C'T KEEP Y F 2+
AFRAID1 B ,I MAY "K (A REM$Y = T RA%4
,WE'LL NE$ LI<T = X1 ?\<1 S WE'LL SEE AB
X TM4 ,N[ RELAX & TRY 6SLEEP4 ,NO?+ IS
HOPE.S1 AT L1/ N YET40


















                                    #AAF
























                  ,T5               #AAG

  8,PS/60 ,! S.D WOKE ME F A RE/.S
SLEEP4 8,PS/6 ,EMMA1 WAKE UP60
  ,/ GRO7Y1 ,I LIFT$ MY H1D4 ,AT F/ ,I
FELT 4ORI5T$1 ! CAGE &! DRAFTY ROOM UN-
FAMILI> & ?R1T5+4 ,!N ,I REMEMB]$ ": ,I
0 & :AT 0 SUPPOS$ 6HAPP5 & SU45LY ,I 0
WIDE AWAKE4
  8,EMMA6 ,WAKE UP6 ,VANNABE'S G"O6
,HURRY--,I ?"\ ( "S?+60
  8,I'M AWAKE40 ,I BL9K$ & LOOK$ UP4
  8,F9,Y60 SD ! BAT1 & %E DROPP$ L A /"O
F H] P]* 6! /ACK ( BOOKS ON ! %ELF4
  8,LI'L60 ,I EXCLAIM$4 8,:AT >E Y DO+80
  8,I H AN IDEA10 %E PANT$4 8,I 0 ?9K+
AB YR RA% & ,I REMEMB]$ ? BOOK40 ,/RET*+
H] TE!R Z F> Z X WD G1 ! BAT TU7$ "O (!
BOOKS (F ! PILE & DROPP$ X ONTO ! %ELF4
8,"!60 %E SD TRIUMPHANTLY4 8,I ?9K T'S !
"R "O40
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB80 ,I ASK$4 8,H[ IS
A BOOK GO+ 6HELP ANY?+80
  8,OP5 X UP & TAKE A LOOK4 ,IF ,I RE-
MEMB] "R1 "! %D 2 A GRT SPELL = GETT+
RID ( RA%ES40                       #AAH
  8,! RA% ISN'T MY BI7E/ WORRY N[1
,LI'L40
  8,I "K1 B ! BOOK )! SPELL = RA%ES HAS
A LOT ( O!R USE;L SPELLS1 TOO4 ,I C'T
R1D1 S ,I'M N SURE IF ? IS ! "R BOOK4 ,G
AH1D1 TAKE A LOOK40
  8,B ,I C'T1 ,LI'L6 ,I C'T D MAGIC6 ,I
MAKE A MESS ( X E "T60
  8,:AT >E Y TALK+ AB8 ,ALL Y H 6D IS
R1D X6 ,Y C D T1 C'T Y80
  8,YES1 ( C\RSE1 B Y DON'T "K ME6 ,I C
BOT* EV5 ! SIMPLE/ SPELLS6 ,Y %D H SE5
:AT HAPP5$ :5 ,I TRI$ 6CL1N MY *AMB] US+
MAGIC6 ,MY B$ / MAKES XF :E!R ,I'M X OR
N60
  8,X'S UP 6Y4 ,IF Y'D R LOSE YR T;GUE
?AN TRY '''0
  8,ALL "R6 ,I GET YR PO9T6 ,I GUESS X
WDN'T HURT 6TRY40 ,I R1*$ =! COV] (!
BOOK1 B MY >MS W]5'T L;G 5 6T\* X4 ,EV5
TURN+ SIDEWAYS & %OV+ MY LEG 2T ! B>S (!
CAGE WASN'T 5\<4
  8,I C'T R1* X60 ,I SD1 /RET*+ MY LEG Z
F> Z ,I CD4 ,HOP+ 6F9D "S?+ T ,I CD USE
6EXT5D MY R1*1 ,I LOOK$ AB MY       #AAI
CAGE4 ,"! 0 NO?+ CLOSE 5 6! CAGE T MI<T
2 USE;L1 &! ONLY ?+ 9SIDE ! CAGE 0 ,EAD-
RIC1 LY+ ON 8 BACK ) 8 BELLY 9 ! AIR & 8
LIMBS FLOPP+ AT 8 SIDES 9 A MO/ UNFROG-
LIKE POSI;N4 ,8 LEGS 7 L;G1 L;G] ?AN
M9E1 & IF ,I CD WAKE HM '''
  ,AT F/ ,I 0 G5TLE1 %AK+ 8 %\LD]1 :IS-
P]+ 8 "N & POK+ HM ! RIBS1 B :5 T DIDN'T
"W1 ,I TRI$ M 5?USIA/IC M1NS4 ,%\T+ 8 "N
J MADE HM TWIT* 9 8 SLEEP4 ,PULL+ 8 LEG
MADE HM ROLL OV]4 ,F9,Y1 ,I TRI$ LI<TLY
SLAPP+ 8 *EEKS4
  8,X WASN'T ME1 ,"M10 ,EADRIC MUM#D1
BRU%+ AWAY MY H&4 8,I WD N"E PUT A M\SE
9 ,NANNY'S ALE1 EV5 IF %E DID L1VE !
ROOM 6USE ! PRIVY40
  ,I GL.ED UP AT ! BAT1 :O _H RETURN$ TO
H] RAFT] & 0 HANG+ UPSIDE D[N1 WAT*+ ME4
8,LI'L1 Y SD HE WD PROBABLY WAKE UP TD1
B LOOK AT HM4 ,:AT AM ,I GO+ 6D80
  8,I SUPPOSE Y CD TRY ! REM$Y US$ ON ^?
NITWITS ,SN[ ,:ITE & ,SLEEP+ ,B1UTY4 ,I
TOLD Y !Y 7 GIV5 ! SAME PO;N1 REMEMB]80
  8,"R1 "R1 ,I REMEMB] N[4 ,!Y 7 BO?
PR9CESSES & !Y 7 BO? WOK5 0PR9C-    #ABJ
ES1 IF ,I REMEMB] CORRECTLY4 ,&! PR9CES
BO? ''' AW1 ,LI'L1 ,I'M N GO+ 6H 6KISS
HM1 AM ,I80
  8,ONLY IF Y WANT HM 6WAKE UP40
  8,B ,I TOLD Y :AT HAPP5$ LA/ "T40
  8,I'D 2 R1L SURPRIS$ IF Y TURN$ 96ANY-
?+ ELSE N[4 ,B :AT"E Y'RE GO+ 6D1 Y'D
BETT] HURRY4 ,Y DON'T H M* "T "H4 ,VAN-
NABE WON'T 2 G"O ="E40
  8,I "K1 B ''' OH1 ALL "R4 ,I GUESS EV5
IF WE DID TURN 96"S?+ ELSE1 X CDN'T 2
WORSE ?AN 2+ A FROG40 ,I SQUATT$ 2S HM &
PLAC$ MY H&S ON EI SIDE ( 8 FACE4 8,X'S
FUNNY10 ,I SD4 8,HE'S F9,Y GETT+ 8 KISS
& ALL HE _H 6D = X 0 OV]SLEEP40 ,I 0 AB
6KISS HM :5 "S?+ ELSE O3URR$ 6ME4
8,LI'L80 ,I TILT$ MY H1D 6LOOK UP AT !
BAT4 8,IF ,I KISS HM & HE DOES WAKE UP1
,I'M N GO+ 6H 6M>RY HM1 AM ,I8 ,I M1N1
BO? ( ^? PR9CES M>RI$ ! GIRLS !Y WOKE ?
WAY40
  8,NAW1 Y WON'T H 6M>RY HM UN.S Y WANT
TO40
  8,GD6 ,I WANT 6KEEP MY OP;NS OP540 ,I
KEPT MY EYES OP5 Z WELL ? "T1       #ABA
?9K+ HALF S]I\SLY T T MI<T KEEP ME F
TURN+ 96"S?+ ELSE4 ,8 LIPS 7 COOL &
SMOO?1 J L ! F/ "T1 & ,I _H B>ELY TAK5
MY LIPS F 8 :5 8 EYELIDS FLUTT]$ OP5 &
HE GAZ$ UP 96MY EYES4
  8,WELL1 HELLO "!1 B1UTI;L6 ,IS "! "S?+
Y WANT 6TELL ME80 ,EADRIC SD1 LE]+ FROG-
GI%LY4
  8,:AT D Y M1N8 ,I 0 J--0
  8,DON'T GET ME WR;G6 ,I L 2+ KISS$ BY
B1UTI;L "Y LADIES2 ,I J WASN'T EXPECT+
X1 T'S ALL40
  8,I WASN'T KISS+ Y4 ,I M1N1 ,I WAS1 B
X 0 ONLY 6WAKE Y UP60
  8,& ,I LIK$ X6 ,Y C WAKE ME T WAY E
MORN+1 & PUT ME 6SLEEP T WAY1 TOO40
,EADRIC W9K$ & R1*$ = MY %\LD]S4
  ,PU%+ 8 H&S AWAY1 ,I HOPP$ 6! O!R SIDE
(! CAGE1 GIV+ ME SPACE &! "T ,I NE$$ TO
EXPLA94 8,I 0 KISS+ Y ONLY 2C Y'VE BE5
ASLEEP S9CE ! "D 2F YE/]"D6 ,I W>N$ Y AB
T WORM6 ,B NO1 Y _H 6EAT A WORM D\S$ 9
SLEEP+ PO;N6 ,Y _H 6SLEEP :5 Y %D H BE5
TRY+ 6HELP ME F9D A WAY 6ESCAPE6 ,I'VE
BE5 SC>$ 6D1? :ILE Y'VE BE5 DR1M+   #ABB
! "T AWAY & X J WASN'T FAIR60
  8,EMMA10 ,EADRIC 2GAN4
  8,N"E M9D4 ,WE DON'T H "T 6TALK N[4 ,!
WIT* IS GO+ 6BE BACK SOON 6*OP (F \R
TOES & CUT \ \R T;GUES4 ,N[ GET UP & -E
HELP ME6 ,WE H 6LOOK "? ? BOOK & ,I C'T
R1* X4 ,D Y ?9K Y C TURN ! PAGES80
  ,EADRIC LOOK$ ?OR\<LY 3FUS$1 B HE
DIDN'T "Q ME4 ,)A L;G-SU6]+ SI<1 HE
/RU7L$ 6HIS FEET & HOPP$ 6! SIDE (!
CAGE4 ,CR\*+ D[N1 HE /UCK 8 >M 2T ! B>S1
B X WASN'T Q L;G 5\<4
  8,MAYBE YR LEG10 ,I SD4
  ,I 0 OV]JOY$ :5 8 L;G] LEGS R1*$ EASI-
LY4
  8,:AT IS X WE'RE LOOK+ =80 HE ASK$4
  8,J TURN ! PAGES :5 ,I TELL Y TO10 ,I
SD4 8,I'LL LET Y "K :5 ,I F9D X40
  8,SEE IF Y C F9D ! RA% SPELL F/10 SD
,LI'L4 8,!N WE'LL "K IF X'S ! "R BOOK40
  ,EADRIC TURN$ >.D )A J]K1 AW>E ( ,LI'L
=! F/ "T4 ,TRY+ 6LOOK NON*ALANT1 HE L1N$
OV] UNTIL 8 LIPS BRU%$ MY E>DRUM4 8,:O'S
! BAT80 HE :ISP]$4
  8,%E'S A FR10 ,I EXPLA9$4 8,H]    #ABC
"N IS ,LI'L4 ,N[ 2 QUIET & LET ME R1D
?60
  ,I /UDI$ ! BOOK ( SPELLS1 3C5TRAT+ ON
"S :ILE SKIPP+ OV] O!RS4 ,AT MY DIREC;N1
,EADRIC SL[LY TURN$ "O PAGE AF ANO!R UN-
TIL ,I SAW :AT ,I WANT$ NE> ! BACK (!
BOOK4
  8,"H X IS60 ,I SD1 PO9T+ 6A SPELL4
8,RA% ,RID--RID YRF ( T IT*Y RA% 9 ^?
H>D-TO-R1* PLACES40
  ,LI'L %IFT$ N]V\SLY ON H] S1T ATOP !
/ACK ( BOOKS4 8,TRY X4 ,X'LL 2 GD PRAC-
TICE40
  8,D ,I J R1D ? \ L\D1 ,LI'L80
  8,R1D X ) FEEL+1 ,EMMA6 ,& MAKE BIG1
DRAMATIC GE/URES ) YR >MS60
  8,ANY?+ SPECIAL80
  8,NO1 NO6 ,J 2 DRAMATIC60
  8,ALL "R1 "H GOES60 ,I R1D ! SPELL ) Z
M* EMO;N Z ,I CD1 WAV+ MY >MS & GE/UR+
WILDLY4

,R$ BLOT*ES1 ROSY BUMPS1
,IT*Y SPOTS1 SCALY LUMPS1
,ALL Y RA%ES "H & "!                #ABD
,"U %IRTS & "UWE>
,ON ! LEGS & ON ! FEET1
,DON'T LOOK N[1 Y'RE 9 RETR1T6
,2G"O1 RA%1 & N"EMORE
,IRRITATE MY T5D] PORE6

  ,DESPITE ! CLOS$ W9D[S & DOORS1 A BLA/
( COLD AIR BLEW "? ! COTTAGE4 ,=! BRIEF-
E/ 9/ANT1 ,I FELT PRICKLY ALL OV]4 ,I
LOOK$ D[N AT MY LEG4 ,X 0 ! SAME SMOO?
GRE5 X _H BE5 2F ,I GOT ! RA%4 ,I TWI/$
>.D 6LOOK AT MY BACK4 ,X1 TOO1 0 SMOO? &
GRE54 ,ALL ! IT*Y BUMPS _H 4APPE>$4
  8,GD JOB10 SD ,LI'L4 8,Y "K1 T "WS =
PIMPLES & BOILS1 TOO4 ,IF Y 7 A HUMAN1
Y'D N"E H ANO!R BLEMI% =! RE/ ( YR
LIFE60
  8,T 0 AMAZ+6 ,IF ^! SPELLS RE,Y "W1 ?
BOOK IS 9CR$I#6 ,LOOK AT "S ( ^! O!R
SPELLS1 ,EADRIC4 ,"H'S "O = SK9 S(T5+4
,X SAYS X W MAKE YR SK9 Z S(T Z A BABY'S
BOTTOM4 ,Y C H ! HAIR COLOR Y'VE ALW
WANT$ ) ,HAIR ,S ,NU4 ,? "O'S CALL$
,BODY ,B1UTI;L4 ,X SAYS Y C EAT :AT Y
WANT )\T GA9+ A P.D4 ,I WOND] IF    #ABE
"!'S A SPELL T WD MAKE ME GRACE;L40
  8,!Y LOOK L A LOT ( USE.S B1UTY TIPS
6ME10 SD ,EADRIC4 8,H[ WD ANY ( ^! HELP
U ) ? WIT*80
  8,!Y'RE N ALL USE.S4 ,LOOK1 ? CD 2 A
BIG HELP4 ,SQU1K ,2 ,G"O--SQU1KY H+ES
SQU1K NO M4 ,H[ AB ,GR[ ,RITE--GR[ !
BI7E/ VEGETA#S 9 ! M>KETPLACE6 ,EASY
,OP5--OP5 ANY 3TA9] )\T BR1K+ A NAIL4
,LI/51 !Y'RE S SIMPLE40 ,US+ MY NORMAL
R1D+ VOICE1 ,I SD1

,UNLAT*1 UNLOCK1 UNDO1 UNTIE1
,9 ! TW9KL+ ( AN EYE4
,OP5 YE LOCK1
,LIFT YE LAT*1
,REMOVE YE BLOCK1
,REL1SE YE CAT*4

  ,A S.D L ?"U %OOK ! COTTAGE4 ,A T9Y
:IRLW9D TWIRL$ DEBRIS >.D & >.D ! ROOM4
,!N1 )A POP1 E 3TA9] 9 ! COTTAGE OP5$4
,LIDS FLEW (F BOXES1 CORKS FLEW \ ( BOT-
TLES1 %UTT]S SWUNG OP51 ! DOOR 6!
COTTAGE SLAMM$ BACK )A CRA%1 !      #ABF
BAT'S TE!R TWIT*$ LOOSE1 & E CAGE OP5$
)A .:OO%6
  8,WD Y LOOK AT T60 EXCLAIM$ ,LI'L4
  8,LI'L1 Y'RE A G5IUS4 ,Y 7 "R AB ?
BOOK60
  8,LADIES1 ! DOOR IS OP56 ,DON'T J /&
"! TALK+60 SD ,EADRIC4 8,LET'S GET \ (
"H 2F ! WIT* GETS BACK6 ,LOOK1 "! G "S
MICE40
  ,CLIF=D & ,L\ISE _H WA/$ NO "T & 7 ALR
CROSS+ ! ?RE%OLD4 8,WAT* \1 ,EMMA60
CALL$ ,CLIF=D4
  8,FANG IS LOOSE60 %\T$ ,L\ISE4
  8,I'D =GOTT5 ALL AB ! SNAKE60 ,I
GASP$4 8,": D Y SUPPOSE HE IS80
  8,SNAKE8 ,:AT SNAKE80 SD ,EADRIC4
  8,"! 0 A BIG SNAKE 9 "O (! CAGES4 ,8
"N IS ,FANG10 ,I EXPLA9$4
  8,( C\RSE X IS10 MUTT]$ ,EADRIC4 8,:AT
ELSE WD X BE80
  8,HE'S PROBABLY L;G G"O 0N[10 SD
,LI'L4 8,HE N"E 0 V SOCIA#1 S ,I D\BT HE
HUNG >.D4 ,I H 6TELL Y1 ?\<1 ,EMMA1 ,I'M
PR\D ( Y6 ,I KNEW Y CD D X Z SOON Z Y SD
Y CD R1D40                          #ABG
  8,S :Y DIDN'T Y H ME R1D T SPELL "R
AWAY8 ,:AT IF ,I _HN'T R1D X AT ALL80
  8,I WASN'T SURE : SPELLS 7 9 T BOOK4
,I J KNEW T !Y 7 SIMPLE SPELLS & T A C\-
PLE MI<T H "W$ "O WAY OR ANO!R4 ,I'VE
N"E R1D !M MYF4 ,Y'RE ! F/ CR1TURE ,I'VE
MET :O CD R1D40
  8,:AT AB ! SPID]S80 ,I ASK$1 REMEMB]+
! SMALLE/ ( ,VANNABE'S CAPTIVES4 8,>E !Y
/ 9 _! CAGE80
  8,!Y 7 ! F/ "OS \10 SD ,LI'L4 8,I SAW
!M GO+ D[N A CRACK 9 ! FLOORBO>DS40
  8,:AT'S T80 SQU1K$ ,EADRIC1 PO9T+ T[>D
! FIREPLACE1 8 EYES BULG+ EV5 M ?AN USU-
AL4 ,3V9C$ T HE 0 OV]REACT+1 ,I LOOK$ TO
": HE 0 PO9T+4 ,I M/ ADMIT T IF FROGS CD
BR1K \ 9 A COLD SW1T1 ,I WD H D"O X !N4
,"S?+ / SLOPP$ >.D 9SIDE ! B>REL LABEL$
.,TRA% .,C1 B X DIDN'T LOOK ANY DI6]5T
?AN X _H 2F4 ,H["E1 ! LID _H POPP$ (F !
B>REL LABEL$ .,TRA% .,C'T1 L1V+ X OP5 6!
AIR4 ,?REE SLIMY T5TACLES WRI!D OV] !
RIM1 PROB+ ! SIDE (! B>REL4 ,I %RIEK$ :5
ANO!R ROSE UP & SLAPP$ ! WALL )A SO7Y
SQUEL*4                             #ABH
  8,DANG10 SD ,LI'L1 FLUTT]+ H] W+S 9
AGIT,N4 8,LOOKS L ,VANNABE'S GOT H]F TWO
,TRA% ,CANS60
  ,I GULP$ & :ISP]$ HO>SELY1 8,Y M1N "O
B>REL 0 CALL$ A ,TRA% ,C'T '''0
  8,2C ! TRA% CDN'T GET \ ( X4 ,B X SURE
C N[60
  8,: MAKES X A ,TRA% ,C60
  8,YUP60 SD ,LI'L4
  8,ANO!R R1SON WE %D GET \ ( "H Z FA/ Z
WE C4 ,LOOK AT ^? ?+S60 ,EADRIC'S LIPS
CR9KL$ 9 4GU/ :5 AN UNATTA*$ T5TACLE
SLID 6! FLOOR & OOZ$ T[>D ! TA#1 L1V+ A
SLIME TRAIL 2H X4 8,LET'S G "S": SAFE60
  8,HE'S GOT A PO9T10 ,I SD4 8,SEE Y
LAT]1 ,LI'L40
  8,EMMA1 2F Y G10 CALL$ ! BAT1 8TAKE ?
) Y40 ,LI'L FLAPP$ D[N 6! %ELF 2S ,EAD-
RIC & ME4 ,WRAPP+ A W+ >.D ! VIAL (
DRAGON'S BR1?1 %E DRA7$ X 6U4 8,)\T ?1
%E WON'T H ANY R1SON 6LOOK = O!R TALK+
FROGS40
  8,B WON'T %E -E AF U IF %E ?9KS WE
TOOK X80
  8,%E WON'T "K WE TOOK X IF %E     #ABI
DOESN'T SEE U ) X1 N[1 W %E8 ,& %E WON'T
SEE U ) X IF WE'RE G"O :5 %E GETS BACK40
,EADRIC GRA2$ ! VIAL ) BO? H&S & DRA7$ X
6! $GE (! %ELF4
  ,I WAV$ GD-BYE 6,LI'L & FOLL[$ ,EAD-
RIC4 ,TGR1 WE JUMP$ 6! FLOOR1 !N QKLY
HOPP$ 6! ?RE%OLD4
  8,WAIT10 ,I TOLD ,EADRIC4 ,I TURN$
BACK 96! ROOM & LOOK$ UP AT ! %ELF4 ,!
BAT / /OOD ": WE _H LEFT H]4 ,H] H1D &
W+S DROOP$ & %E LOOK$ S =LORN T ,I FELT
L CRY+4
  8,LI'L1 >5'T Y -+80 ,I ASK$4
  8,NO10 SD ,LI'L4 8,I ?9K ,I'M GO+ 6/AY
"H4 ,I'VE SP5T MO/ ( MY LIFE 9 ? COTTAGE
& ,I DON'T H ANY": ELSE 6G40
  8,Y CD -E ) U10 ,I SU7E/$4
  ,! BAT'S EXPRES.N B"R5$ MO;T>ILY2 !N
%E %OOK H] H1D & FR[N$4 8,X'S NO GD10 %E
SD4 8,I'M M1NT 6BE A WIT*'S BAT4 ,X'S
:AT ,I'VE ALW BE5 & X'S :AT ,I'LL ALW
BE40
  8,B %E'LL TIE Y UP AG60
  8,N 9 ? COTTAGE4 ,N AF T SPELL4 ,NO?+
IS GO+ 6/AY CLOS$ OR TI$ 9 "H UN-   #ACJ
.S %E F9DS ANO!R SPELL 6REV]SE X4 ,N[
HURRY & GET \ ( "H4 ,I C HE> H] -+40
  ,I HOPP$ 6! DOORWAY & LOOK$ \4 ,AL? ,I
CD SEE ALL ! WAY 6! O!R SIDE (! CLE>+1
"! 0 NO SIGN (! WIT*4 8,I DON'T SEE H]4
,H[ C Y HE> H] ALL ! WAY OV] "H80
  8,Y'RE "Q+ A BAT'S HE>+80 ASK$ ,EAD-
RIC4 8,IF ! BAT SAYS ! WIT* IS -+1 !
WIT* IS -+4 ,LET'S G4 ,? ?+ IS H1VY40
  ,B ,I / CDN'T L1VE4 8,LI'L60 ,I CALL$4
8,VANNABE ISN'T EV5 A R1L WIT*4 ,IF Y
WANT 6BE A WIT*'S BAT1 Y C -E LIVE ) MY
AUNT4 ,%E'S ! ,GRE5 ,WIT* & %E'S M* NIC]
?AN ,VANNABE4 ,-E ) U & ,I'LL TAKE Y TO
MEET H]4 ,I "K Y'D GET AL;G WOND];LLY60
  8,I DON'T "K1 ,EMMA4 ,>E Y SURE AB YR
AUNT8 ,MAYBE %E ALR HAS A BAT40
  8,NO1 NO BATS1 ONLY A SMALL GRE5 SNAKE
:O'S FREE 6-E & G Z %E PL1SES40
  8,LI'L1 PL1SE -E10 SD ,EADRIC4 8,%E'S
N GO+ 6MOVE UN.S Y D40
  8,ALL "R1 ,I'M -+60 SD ,LI'L4 8,B Y G
ON AH1D4 ,I H 6GET "S?+40
  8,Y HE>D H]10 SD ,EADRIC4 8,LET'S G60
  ,) 8 >MS / WRAPP$ >.D ! VIAL (    #ACA
DRAGON'S BR1?1 ,EADRIC HOPP$ \ ! DOOR &
96! CLE>+ 2Y4 ,I HOPP$ AL;G AT 8 SIDE1
TURN+ >.D E S (T5 6LOOK = ,LI'L4 ,WE
DIDN'T /OP 6CAT* \R BR1? UNTIL WE R1*$ !
TALL GRASS4 8,D Y SEE H] YET80 ,I ASK$4
8,D Y SEE ,LI'L ANY":80
  8,NO1 "!'S NO SIGN (! BAT1 B LOOK "!6
,! WIT* IS BACK60
  8,EADRIC1 ,LI'L HASN'T -E \ YET6 ,IF !
WIT* CAT*ES H] '''0
  ,VANNABE SAW ! OP5 DOOR ! MO;T %E 5T]$
! CLE>+4 ,)A %\T ( RAGE1 %E HIK$ UP H]
SKIRTS & RAN T[>D ! COTTAGE4 ,EV5 ?\< WE
KNEW %E CDN'T SEE U1 ,EADRIC & ,I CR\*$
9 ! TALL GRASS1 \R HE>TS P.D+ 9 T]ROR4
  ,WE SAW ,VANNABE DROP H] SACK ON !
GR.D & D>T 96! COTTAGE4 ,A SCR1M RANG "?
! CLE>+4 ,MO;TS LAT] ,LI'L %OT \ (! COT-
TAGE AT FULL SPE$ )! WIT* CLOSE 2H4
,WAV+ H] BROOM WILDLY1 ,VANNABE CURS$ &
TRI$ 6KNOCK ! BAT 6! GR.D4 ,:5 ,LI'L
PUMP$ H] W+S & FLEW HI<]1 ,VANNABE GAVE
UP & HURL$ H] BROOM AWAY 9 4GU/4
  8,!N GET \ ( "H1 /UPID BAT6 ,I DON'T
NE$ Y ANYWAY60 %E %RIEK$1 H] FACE   #ACB
TWI/$ 9 ANG]4 ,CL5*+ H] FI/S1 ,VANNABE
GL>$ AT ! P1CE;L CLE>+ Z IF X MI<T GIVE
H] ! ANSW]S4 8,:O DID ?8 ,:O FRE$ MY
CR1TURES & RU9$ MY SPELL80
  8,I GUESS %E HASN'T NOTIC$ T ! DRAG-
ON'S BR1? IS G"O YET10 ,I :ISP]$4
  ,VANNABE RAN BACK 96H] COTTAGE4 ,A
BLOODCURDL+ SCR1M RATTL$ ! W9D[ FRAMES4
  8,I ?9K %E J NOTIC$10 SD ,EADRIC4
  ,MOVE;T 9 ! CL\D.S SKY MADE ME LOOK
UP4 ,X 0 ,LI'L1 ZIGZA7+ ABV ! CLE>+ Z %E
SE>*$ = U4
  8,LI'L1 OV] "H60 ,I CALL$ S(TLY4
  ,TURN+ ABRUPTLY1 ! BAT H1D$ /RAI<T =
,EADRIC & ME4
  8,Z SOON Z %E GETS "H1 D Y M9D IF WE
GET GO+80 ASK$ ,EADRIC4 8,I FEEL A LL
3SPICU\S LU7+ ? ?+ >.D40
  8,SORRY10 ,I SD4 8,WE C G N[40
  ,LI'L SWOOP$ OV]H1D & FL$ 96! =E/4 ,WE
TRI$ 6FOLL[ Z QKLY Z WE CD1 B ! VIAL (
DRAGON'S BR1? SL[$ \R PROGRESS4 ,X 0 AN
AWKW>D OBJECT 6C>RY & MADE HOPP+ DI6I-
CULT4
  8,TELL ME AG :Y ,I'M HAUL+ ?      #ACC
/UFF >.D10 ,EADRIC SD4 8,IF WE'RE J TAK+
X S ! WIT* C'T USE X1 :Y C'T ,I PUT X
D[N N[ & L1VE X "H80
  8,?9K ( X ? WAY10 ,I SD4 8,? IS ! ONLY
3TA9] 9 ! :OLE COTTAGE T DIDN'T OP54 ,X
M/ 2 PRETTY /R;G /UFF4 ,WE DON'T WANT J
ANYBODY 6F9D X4 ,& Y N"E "K1 MAYBE WE C
USE X \RVS "S"D40
  8,N[ Y S.D L MY "M4 ,I DON'T ?9K %E'S
"E ?R[N ANY?+ AWAY 9 H] :OLE LIFE4 ,IF
WE />T KEEP+ "EY?+ WE MI<T USE "S"D1
WE'RE GO+ 6H 6BUILD A WAGON 6HAUL X >.D4
,ALL ,I C SAY IS1 ? DRAGON'S BR1? _H
BETT] 2 WOR? X4 ,& :AT'S ? AB TAK+ ,LI'L
6SEE YR AUNT ,GRASS9A80
  8,WE H 6G "! ANYWAY10 ,I SD4 8,I'M N
GO+ 6FOOL >.D ANYMORE4 ,? "T ,I'M GO+
/RAI<T 6H] T[] AT ! CA/LE4 ,IF %E /
ISN'T "!1 :Y1 WE'LL F9D "SPLACE SAFE TO
WAIT UNTIL %E -ES BACK4 ,WE "K T ! WIT*
:O CA/ ! SPELL IS D1D1 S ,GRASS9A IS !
ONLY "O WE C ASK4 ,IF ANY"O C HELP U1
X'LL 2 MY AUNT40
  8,I DON'T ?9K Y R1LIZE H[ DANG]\S A
TRIP 6! CA/LE WD BE4 ,X'S A L;G     #ACD
WAY F "H & EV5 IF Y DID R1* X1 ! GU>DS
WDN'T ALL[ Y )9 ! CA/LE WALLS4 ,!N1 IF Y
CD "SH[ MAKE X 9SIDE1 ! DOGS WD GET Y OR
! S]VANTS WD SQUA% Y ON SI<T4 ,>E Y SURE
Y WANT 6D ?80
  8,I WI% Y'D H M FAI? 9 ME4 ,I GOT U \
( T CAGE1 DIDN'T ,I80
  8,N 2C Y'D PLANN$ X T WAY60
  8,X DOESN'T MATT]10 ,I SD4 8,X WON'T 2
ANY M DANG]\S = ME 6G 6! CA/LE ?AN X WD
2 6/AY "H40
  8,= U1 Y M1N10 SD ,EADRIC4
  ,I %OOK MY H1D4 8,Y DON'T H 6G ) ME4
,Y SD Y DIDN'T WANT 6TALK 6MY AUNT4
,%E'S A ,8SPELL-CA/+ WIT*10' REMEMB]80
  ,EADRIC SI<$4 8,IF Y'RE GO+1 !N ,I'M
GO+1 TOO4 ,I ?9K ? IS A FOOLI% IDEA1 B
,I C'T LET Y G ON YR [N4 ,I'LL D :AT ,I
C 6PROTECT Y4 ,DON'T =GET1 ,I H AN 9T]E/
9 YR WELF>E4 ,IF ,GRASS9A IS YR AUNT1 %E
C'T 2 ALL BAD1 & IF %E TURNS Y BACK 96A
HUMAN1 ,I WANT 6BE "!40
  8,S %E C TURN Y BACK 96A PR9CE Z
WELL80
  ,EADRIC GAVE ME A LOPSID$ GR94    #ACE
8,IF %E C4 ,2SS1 MAYBE ,I'LL GET LUCKY &
Y'LL GIVE ME ANO!R KISS40






















                                    #ACF
























                 ,ELEV5             #ACG

  ,2C WE _H >RIV$ AT ! WIT*'S COTTAGE
%UT 9SIDE A M/Y SACK1 ,I'D _H NO IDEA T
,VANNABE _H C>RI$ U F ! SWAMP 96! =E/
UNTIL ,I SAW ! T[]+ TREES T R+$ ! CLE>+4
,Z ,EADRIC & ,I PASS$ ! F/ W1!R$ TRUNKS1
,I R1LIZ$ T ,I _HN'T ! FA9TE/ CLUE : WAY
WE %D G4 ,TALL TREES BLOCK$ ! SUNLI<T1
L1V+ ! =E/ FLOOR D>K & GLOOMY4 ,WE PASS$
2N AN OLD OAK1 HOPP+ OV] XS GN>L$ ROOTS
&! C>PET ( DECAY+ L1VES F YE>S PA/4
  8,? PLACE IS SPOOKY10 ,I SD1 GLANC+
OV] MY %\LD]4
  8,I L ! D>K10 SD A VOICE1 & WE LOOK$
UP 6SEE ,LI'L HANG+ F A BRAN*1 HU4L$ AG/
! TRUNK (! TREE4 8,X MAKES ME FEEL SAF]4
,I ?9K ,I 0 BORN "S": >.D "H1 AL? ,I
DON'T REMEMB] X V WELL40
  8,I H NO IDEA H[ 6R1* ! CA/LE F "H10
,I SD4 8,D Y ?9K Y CD FLY ABV ! TREES &
SEE IF Y C F9D X8 ,T WD HELP "E S M*40
  8,IF Y RE,Y WANT ME TO1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I
CD G LOOK4 ,B X'S AW;LLY B"R UP "! '''0
  8,IF Y DON'T M9D4 ,X'S ! ONLY CA/LE
>.D ) GRE5 P5NANTS FLY+ F ! TUR-    #ACH
RETS4 ,Y C'T MISS X40
  ,LI'L NO4$4 8,I'LL 2 "R BACK40
  ,WE WAT*$ H] FLAP H] W+S & FLY 2T !
BRAN*ES 9 FITS & />TS4
  8,DOES %E SEEM N]V\S 6Y80 ,EADRIC
ASK$4
  8,V10 ,I SD1 8B Y C'T BLAME H]4 ,? IS
! F/ "T %E'S BE5 \TSIDE S9CE %E 0 A BA-
BY4 ,I ?9K X WD 2 F"R5+ = H]4 ,S M* ( X
W 2 NEW40
  8,& H] FLY+ '''0
  8,GIVE H] "S "T4 ,DON'T =GET T %E'S
BE5 TE!R$ 6A RAFT] MO/ ( H] LIFE4 ,I
D\BT %E'S BE5 A# 6D M* FLY+40
  8,I H 6SET ? D[N10 ,EADRIC SD1 PLAC+ !
VIAL ON ! GR.D & ROLL+ 8 %\LD]S 6"W \ !
K9KS 9 8 MUSCLES4 8,T VIAL IS H1VI] ?AN
X LOOKS4 ,( C\RSE1 IF Y KISS$ ME AG1 ,I
MI<T H 5 5]GY 6HAUL X >.D "S M40
  ,I SI<$ & %OOK MY H1D4 8,I DON'T "U/&4
,:Y D Y KEEP ASK+ =A KISS80
  ,EADRIC %RU7$4 8,HABIT1 ,I GUESS40
  8,WELL1 ,I GUESS ,I'M 9 ! HABIT ( SAY+
NO60
  8,REJECT$ AG10 HE SD1 QUIRK+ UP   #ACI
"O CORN] ( 8 M\? 9 A HALF SMILE4 8,I M/
ADMIT1 ,I'M GETT+ US$ 6X40
  ,L1VES RU/L$ Z A SQUIRREL D>T$ AL;G !
BRAN* (A TREE4 ,WE BO? GL.ED UP1 & ,I1
AT L1/1 FELT V SMALL1 DW>F$ 0! IMM5S;Y (
! =E/4 ,! TREES ": WE /OOD 7 ANCI5T1 _!
TRUNKS S ?ICK T ,I CDN'T H PUT MY >MS
>.D !M EV5 :5 ,I 0 A HUMAN4 ,BROK5
BRAN*ES LITT]$ ! GR.D1 & "H & "! WE CD
SEE ": "O (! MATURE TREES _H FALL51 EX-
POS+ A PAT* (! =E/ FLOOR 6! SUN4 ,"Y
SAPL+S 7 QK 6GR[ 9 S* SPOTS1 GRE$ILY
SEEK+ _! %>E (! SUNLI<T4 ,) \R BACKS 6!
M1D[1 ! =E/ SEEM$ 6G ON ="E4 ,X WD 2
EASY 6GET LO/ 9 S* A PLACE4
  8,Y "K10 SD ,EADRIC1 8X MI<T 2 A R1L
HELP 6H YR BAT FR ) U4 ,IF %E C SC\T
AH1D1 %E %D 2 A# 6KEEP U GO+ 9 ! "R DI-
REC;N40
  8,EV5 IF %E W]5'T A# 6HELP U1 ,I CDN'T
H LEFT H] 2H4 ,NO "O DES]V$ 6BE LEFT 9 T
AW;L PLACE40
  8,I AM GLAD Y ?9K S10 BR1!D A VOICE T
S5T A *ILL UP MY SP9E4 ,I TURN$ MY H1D
T[>D ! S.D4 ,D1D L1VES :ISP]$ 2N    #ADJ
! BI7E/ SNAKE T ,I _H "E SE54 ,F\R BLACK
/RIPES RAN D[N 8 GRAY & :ITE BODY4 ,A
/R1K ( BLACK A35T$ EA* EYE4 ,I FROZE1
UNA# 6MOVE Z ! SNAKE />$ 96MY EYES4
8,:AT IS WR;G80 BR1!D ! SNAKE4 8,D Y N
RECOGNIZE ME80
  8,>E Y ''' ,FANG80 ,I ASK$ "? A ?ROAT
TI<T ) FE>4
  8,AT YR S]VICE10 ! SNAKE HISS$1 COIL+
8 L5G? "U HM4 8,Y M5;N$ YR DE/9,N4 ,I
2LIEVE T Y CD USE MY -PANY40
  8,:Y WD WE WANT Y AL;G80 ,EADRIC ASK$1
8 VOICE QUAV]+4
  ,! SNAKE SWUNG 8 H1D >.D 6FACE MY FR1
LOOK+ HM UP & D[N Z IF APPRAIS+ 8 NEXT
M1L4 8,2C ,I "K :AT LIVES 9 ? =E/4
,WIT*ES H LIV$ "H = C5TURIES1 &! SPILL-
OV] F _! MAGIC HAS *ANG$ EV5 ! TREES
!MVS4 ,B Y NE$ N FE> ! MAGICAL 2+S1 = !Y
W SEE Y Z AN ANIMAL & "!=E "O :O 2L;GS4
,/1 Y WD N MAKE X "? )\T ME1 = YR 9DIS-
CRE;NS W SOON ATTRACT ! ATT5;N ( PR$A-
TORS4 ,)\T MY PROTEC;N1 YR J\RNEY IS
DOOM$ 2F Y 2G940
  .,GRT6 ,I ?"\4 ..,EV5 ! SNAKE     #ADA
IS A .CRITIC6 ,I SWALL[$ PA/ ! LUMP 9 MY
?ROAT & TRI$ MY BE/ 6LOOK BRAVE4 8,S
Y'RE N GO+ 6EAT U80
  8,I D N EAT CR1TURES :O H HELP$ ME4 ,Y
FRE$ ME F A CAGE S SMALL ,I FE>$ ,I WD
SOON G 9SANE4 ,I [E Y F> M ?AN ,I C RE-
PAY 0A SIMPLE TRIP "? ! =E/4 ,NO1 ,I
SWE> ^U MY HONOR Z A SNAKE T ,I % N EAT
Y40 ,FANG DIPP$ 8 H1D 6ME 9 A GE/URE BO?
ELEGANT & NO#4
  ,X 0 UP 6ME 6SET AN EXAMPLE4 ,I RE-
SOLV$ N 6LET ANY"O SEE EI MY FE> OR !
REVUL.N ,I FELT AT 2+ >.D A SNAKE4
  8,DOES T 9CLUDE MY -PANIONS1 TOO80
  8,( C\RSE4 ,I W--0
  8,SNAKE6 ,SNAKE60 %RIEK$ ,LI'L1 FLITT+
BACK & =? J ABV \R H1DS4 8,LOOK \1
FROGS6 ,T'S ,FANG & HE'S GO+ 6GET Y6
,:AT C ,I D8 ,:AT C ,I D80
  ,! POOR BAT 0 FRANTIC & ,I 2GAN 6WORRY
T %E MI<T 9JURE H]F 9 H] FR5ZY4 ,APP>5T-
LY1 ,I WASN'T ! ONLY "O 3C]N$1 B ! SNAKE
0 M 4APPROV+ (! -MO;N ?AN HE 0 WORRI$ AB
H] WELL-2+4
  8,WD Y 2 S K9D Z 6D "S?+ AB       #ADB
,LI'L80 ,FANG SD A VOICE T MADE MY SK9
CRAWL4 8,%E'S DRAW+ TOO M* ATT5;N 6U4
,IF Y DON'T /OP H] IMMLY1 ,I %40
  ,I CDN'T WAT* MY FR RISK H] LIFE1 B
TRU/+ A SNAKE W5T AG/ ALL MY 9/9CTS4
,SETT+ ASIDE MY MISGIV+S1 ,I WAV$ MY >MS
FRANTIC,Y ABV MY H1D & %\T$ Z L\DLY Z ,I
CD4 8,LI'L6 ,NO6 ,HE'S A FR60 ,I HOP$ X
0 ! TRU?4
  ,LI'L VE]$ AWAY 9 MIDFLI<T & L&$ ON !
GR.D 2H ,EADRIC4 8,HAS ,EMMA LO/ H]
M9D80 %E :ISP]$4 8,H[ CD ANY SNAKE 2 H]
FR80
  8,FANG SD HE [ES H] A DEBT1 S HE'S GO+
) U4 ,HE PROMISES N 6EAT U40
  8,>E Y SURE HE C 2 TRU/$8 ,HE 0 ALW V
POLITE1 B HE N"E SEEM$ 6WANT 6BE ANY"O'S
FR4 ,H[ D WE "K ? ISN'T A TRICK8 ,F :AT
,I'VE HE>D1 SNAKES >E PRETTY SN1KY "*S40
  8,:AT D Y SU7E/ WE D AB X80 :ISP]$
,EADRIC4 8,HE'S BI7] ?AN ! RE/ ( U PUT
TGR4 ,I DON'T ?9K X WD D ANY GD 6TELL HM
N 6-E40
  8,MAYBE10 SD ,LI'L1 8B WE C KEEP AN
EYE ON HM4 ,WE'LL TAKE TURNS        #ADC
WAT*+ HM TN4 ,I'LL TAKE F/ WAT*40
  8,Y WON'T NE$ 6WAKE ME :5 X'S MY
TURN10 SD ,EADRIC4 8,I WON'T 2 A# 6SLEEP
) HM >.D ANYWAY40
  8,:AT >E Y TWO TALK+ AB80 ,I ASK$1 AL?
,I'D ALR HE>D _! 3V]S,N & FE>$ T ,FANG
_H Z WELL4 ,I HOPP$ CLOS] 6MY FRS :ILE
,FANG RAIS$ 8 H1D & />$ AT !M "? SLITT$
EYES4
  8,NO?+10 SD ,LI'L 9 A T9Y VOICE Z %E
NOTIC$ ,FANG WAT*+ H]4 ,%E CR\*$ D[N TO
HIDE 2H ,EADRIC UNTIL ALL ,I CD SEE 7 !
TIPS ( H] W+S4 8,I 0 AB 6%[ ,EADRIC MY
TW9E4 ,X'S MY ONLY POSSES.N & ,I CDN'T
L1VE X 2H40
  8,Y RISK$ YR LIFE =A PIECE ( TW9E80 ,I
EXCLAIM$4
  ,LI'L PEEK$ \ F 2H ,EADRIC4 8,T WASN'T
! ONLY R1SON ,I /AY$4 ,I MOV$ ! BOOK S
,VANNABE WDN'T "K :AT WE'D D"O4 ,ANYWAY1
! /R+ W 2 RE,Y USE;L4 ,WE C TIE ! DRAG-
ON'S BR1? 6"S"O'S BACK ) X4 ,"H10 %E SD1
H&+ X 6,EADRIC4
  ,EADRIC EXAM9$ ! CO>SE BR[N /R+1 TURN+
X OV] 9 8 H&S4 8,F9E4 ,TIE X 6MY    #ADD
BACK4 ,AT L1/ T WAY MY >MS WON'T GET
TIR$ ANYMORE40
  8,IF Y H F9I%$ YR 3V]S,N1 MAY ,I SU7E/
T WE MOVE ON80 HISS$ ,FANG4 8,Y >E WA/+
"DLI<T H\RS40
  ,AT ! S.D ( ,FANG'S VOICE1 ,LI'L DUCK$
D[N 2H ,EADRIC AG4 8,I SAW ! CA/LE4 ,I C
%[ Y H[ 6GET "!10 %E :ISP]$4
  8,T WD 2 A BIG HELP10 ,I SD1 TRY+ 6BE
5C\RAG+4
  8,UH1 ,FANG10 SD ,EADRIC1 8,I'D FEEL A
LOT M -=TA# IF Y W5T 9 FRONT ( ,EMMA &
ME40
  8,EXCELL5T ?9K+10 SD ! SNAKE4 8,I'LL
SC\T AH1D = TR\#40 ,LI'L TOOK (F1 &!
SNAKE WAT*$ 6SEE ": %E H1D$ 2F SLI!R+ (F
96! L1F LITT]4
  ,X 0 UP 6ME 6TIE ! VIAL 6,EADRIC'S
BACK4 ,AL? FROGS C D _M ?+S ) _! F+]S1
TY+ KNOTS IS N "O ( !M4 8,Y'D ?9K F\R
F+]S WD 2 5 6TIE A KNOT10 ,I SD1 FUMBL+
)! TW9E4 8,B ^! ?+S J DON'T "W ! SAME Z
HUMAN F+]S D4 ,I WI% ,MOE 7 "H4 ,HE 0 !
"O :O KNEW ALL AB KNOTS40
  8,:O IS ,MOE80 ,EADRIC ASK$4      #ADE
8,N ANO!R FR ( YRS8 ,Y COLLECT FRS L
BLACK TUNICS COLLECT D&RUFF40
  ,I SI<$4 ,I'D =GOTT5 T ,EADRIC _H
SLEPT "? AN 5TIRE "D4 8,N"E M9D10 ,I
TOLD HM4 8,"S"D ,I'LL TELL Y ALL AB "EY-
?+ Y MISS$ :ILE Y 7 ASLEEP4 ,B "R N[1 Y
C TELL ME "S?+4 ,:AT >E Y & ,LI'L UP
TO80
  8,LI'L & ,I DON'T TRU/ T SNAKE & WE
WANT 6KEEP AN EYE ON HM4 ,I WDN'T WANT
HM 2H U ANYWAY4 ,:O "KS :5 HE MI<T GET
TIR$ ( WAT*+ S* TEMPT+ MORSELS HOPP+
AL;G "R "U 8 NOSE8 ,A PROMISE IS EASY TO
=GET :5 Y'RE HUNGRY40
  8,HE 0 HUNGRY :5 HE LEFT ! COTTAGE4
,IF HE WANT$ 6EAT U1 WDN'T HE H D"O X
ALR80
  8,MY DE> ,PR9CESS ,EM]ALDA1 Y >E AW;L-
LY NA@IVE1 OR P]H ,I %D SAY T Y'RE TOO
TRU/+4 ,Y ?9K T "EY"O IS GO+ 6BE YR FR
UNTIL Y LE>N O!RWISE40
  8,LOOK :O'S TALK+6 ,Y'RE ! "O :O ATE !
WIT*'S WORM6 ,B Y'RE WR;G1 Y "K4 ,I
DIDN'T TRU/ Y AT F/40
  8,!N Y TRU/ "EY"O B ME40          #ADF
  8,T'S N TRUE4 ,I TRU/ Y N[40
  8,GD6 ,B Y / %DN'T TRU/ T SNAKE4 ,I
DON'T ?9K WE NE$ HM1 DESPITE :AT HE
SAYS40
  8,Y DON'T ?9K WE'RE 9 DANG] 9 ^!
WOODS80
  8,I ?9K ! BI7E/ DANG] WE'LL FACE J IN-
VIT$ XF AL;G40
  8,I DON'T "K--^! WOODS >E AW;LLY
CREEPY4 ,I C'T WAIT 6GET "? !M & BACK
96! SUNLI<T40 ,I LOOK$ UP AT ! L1FY CAN-
OPY4
  ,LI'L FLEW (F P]IODIC,Y 6*ECK \R PROG-
RESS1 !N RETURN$ 6KEEP U H1D$ 9 ! "R DI-
REC;N4 ,H["E1 WE SAW LL ( ,FANG =! RE/ (
! "D4 ,HE SC\T$ AH1D Z HE'D SD HE WD1 &
IF HE CAME ACR ANY?+ DANG]\S1 HE DIDN'T
TELL U AB X4
  ,WE SAW "S /RANGE SI<TS Z WE TRAVEL$1
?+S T CD 2 ATTRIBUT$ ONLY 6MAGIC4 ,TREES
SEEM$ 6MOVE 9 MO/ UNTREELIKE WAYS1 B5D+
)A FLUID GRACE 6L1N T[>D NEI<BORS1 !
RU/LE ( _! L1VES ALM S.D+ L ^WS4 ,I
SWORE ,I SAW "O PULL UP XS ROOTS & MOVE
96A PAT* ( SUNLI<T1 B :5 WE R1*$    #ADG
! SPOT ! ROOTS LOOK$ Z IF !Y'D BE5 GR[+
"! = YE>S4
  ,WE'D BE5 TRAVEL+ "? ! WOODS =A FEW
H\RS :5 ! GR.D 2GAN 6%AKE & WE HE>D !
?U4+ FOOT/EPS (A L>GE1 H1VY CR1TURE4
,AL? ! NOISE GREW 9CR1S+LY L\D1 4T.E &
D5SE FOLIAGE KEPT ! ?+ HI45 F SI<T4
,SU45LY1 "! 0 A TREM5D\S CRA%1 FOLL[$ 0!
%RIEK ( SPLITT+ WOOD4 ,! TREES >.D U
%U4]$ 9 SYMPA?Y1 RA9+ L1VES L EM]ALD
TE>DROPS4 ,I JUMP$ 6AVOID A FALL+ TWIG1
B ! GR.D WASN'T ": ,I ?"\ X WD 2 & ,I
L&$ 9 A DEPRES.N NE>LY TWICE MY HEI<T4
  8,EMMA6 ,:AT HAPP5$8 ,>E Y ALL "R80
,EADRIC'S %\T MADE ME CR+E1 = HE _H BE5
L\D & ,I KNEW ! S.D WD C>RY4
  8,%H60 ,I :ISP]$4 8,N S L\D6 ,I'M D[N
"H60
  ,EADRIC'S FACE APPE>$ OV] ! $GE (!
HOLE1 PE]+ D[N AT ME )A LOOK ( S* 3C]N T
,I IMMLY REGRETT$ SCOLD+ HM4 8,LET ME
HELP Y UP10 HE SD1 EXT5D+ 8 H& 6TAKE
M9E4
  8,Y DON'T NE$ 6D T10 ,I SD1 BACK+ UP A
FEW /EPS4 8,I ?9K ,I C MAKE X4      #ADH
,WAT* \60 ,I T5S$ MY LEGS & 0 AB 6L1P :5
! GR.D %OOK ) S* =CE T ! SIDES (! HOLE
2GAN 6CRUM#1 DROPP+ CLODS ( DIRT ONTO MY
H1D & %\LD]S4 ,A FA9T :IMP] CAME F ABV1
& ,EADRIC PLOPP$ 96! HOLE 2S ME4 ,! MO;T
HE L&$1 HE %OV$ ME BACK AG/ ! SIDE (!
DEPRES.N & HELD ME "!1 ALL ! :ILE LOOK+
Z ?\< HE WD L 64APPE> /RAI<T 96! SOIL4
,"! 0 A D1F5+ ?UD1 & "S?+ BLEW HOT AIR
REEK+ ( BRIM/"O 96\R HOLE4
  8,FROGS10 GRAT$ A VOICE1 S.D+ S 4AP-
PO9T$ T ,I ALM SPOKE UP4 ,EADRIC M/ H
S5S$ ?1 = HE CLAPP$ 8 H& OV] MY M\? UN-
TIL ! CR1TURE TOOK (F )A GRT FLAPP+ (
L1!RY W+S T S5T L1VES & O!R DEBRIS
SWIRL+ D[N >.D U4
  8,:AT 0 T80 ,I :ISP]$ ONCE ! S.D _H
GR[N TOO FA9T 6HE>4
  8,A DRAGON60 ,EADRIC BR1!D4 8,I DIDN'T
"K "! 7 ANY >.D "H6 ,:Y1 IF ,I _H MY
SWORD '''0
  8,Y WDN'T 2 A# 6LIFT X6 ,Y'RE A FROG1
REMEMB]80
  8,OH1 Y1H4 ,B Z SOON Z ,I'M HUMAN AG
'''0                                #ADI
  8,UH-HUH10 ,I SD1 F9D+ X H>D 62LIEVE T
,EADRIC WD "E FACE A DRAGON 9 ANY =M
:E!R HE _H A SWORD OR N4 8,-E ON4 ,WE H
6GET \ ( "H IF WE'RE GO+ 6GET *ANG$
BACK40
  ,JUMP+ \ (! HOLE 0 EASY1 B WE'D GOTT5
TURN$ >.D & X TOOK U A FEW M9UTES 6F9D
\R ORIG9AL H1D+4 ,! TREES SEEM$ 6H MOV$
Z WELL1 B WE F9,Y F.D \R FOOTPR9TS & DE-
T]M9$ : DIREC;N WE'D BE5 GO+ 2F4 ,WE AL
FIGUR$ \ :AT _H MADE ! HOLE3 X LOOK$ L A
GIANT FOOTPR9T4
  8,GIANTS & DRAGONS60 ,EADRIC SD1 GR9N+
F E>DRUM 6E>DRUM4 8,I RE,Y W H 6-E BACK
"H ) MY SWORD60
  8,"R10 ,I SD4 8,:AT"E Y SAY40
  ,I 2GAN 6NOTICE O!R PR9TS AF T1 L !
ENORM\S M>KS (A GRI69'S TALON & PAW4 ,WE
SAW A4I;NAL SIGNS (! DRAGON Z WELL1 = "S
(! TREES 7 S+$1 &! B>K _H BE5 RU2$ (F
O!RS4 ,S5SITIVE 6! =E/ N[1 ,I SAW %AD[S
": "! 0 S.D B NO SUB/.E1 FLICK]+ LI<TS
": "! %D H BE5 N"O1 B NO?+ ELSE CAME TO
BO!R U4 ,IF WE _H PASS$ "? ? =E/ 9 !
WIT*'S BAG1 X 0 J Z WELL T WE _H    #AEJ
D"O X 9 IGNOR.E4
  ,WE _H BO? BE5 -PLA9+ ( ?IR/ = "S "T
:5 WE F9,Y CAME ACR A POOL ( WAT]4 ,AL?
%ELT]$ 0! CANOPY ( ANCI5T 9T]LOCK+
BRAN*ES1 ! WAT] SP>KL$ 9VIT+LY Z IF LY+
9 ! DIRECT RAYS (! B"RLY %9+ SUN4
  8,:AT >E Y WAIT+ =80 ,EADRIC ASK$ :5
,I HESITAT$4 8,X LOOKS CL1N 5\<40
  8,MAYBE S1 B :AT D WE RE,Y "K AB X8 ,X
CD 2 5*ANT$ OR EV5 POISON$4 ,I'M N
SURE--0
  ,I GASP$1 =! FACE & DRIPP+ LOCKS (A
B1UTI;L1 AGE.S NYMPH _H BROK5 ! SURFACE
(! WAT]4 ,%E LOOK$ >.D EAG]LY1 B :5 %E
FAIL$ 6SEE :AT"E X 0 T %E 0 LOOK+ =1 H]
P]FECT M\? TWI/$ 9 A SULKY P\T & H]
AQUA-COLOR$ EYES CL\D$ OV]4 ,SI<+ L\DLY1
! NYMPH ROSE GRACE;LLY F ! WAT] & /EPP$
ONTO ! BANK4 ,AL? H] L;G GRE5 HAIR R1*$
PA/ H] KNEES1 X DID LL 6COV] H] NAK$ =M4
,IGNOR+ U1 %E DROPP$ D[N ON "O (! L>G]
FLAT ROCKS & 2GAN 6-B H] HAIR1 H] GAZE Z
UNFOCUS$ Z A "DDR1M4
  ,EADRIC SI<$ & ,I GL.ED 9 8 DIREC;N4
,6MY 4GU/1 HE 0 GAZ+ L;G+LY AT !    #AEA
NYMPH L "S LOVESICK SQUIRE :O'D J 4COV]$
8 TRUE LOVE4
  8,EADRIC60 ,I SD1 JA2+ HM ) MY ELB[4
8,:AT'S WR;G ) Y8 ,%E'S A NYMPH6 ,Y "K
%E HAS ONLY "O ?+ ON H] M9D40
  8,I "K10 HE SD1 8 EYES GLAZ+ OV]4 8,&
,I'M A H&"S PR9CE '''40
  8,EADRIC1 Y'RE--0 ,B MY W>N+ 0 TOO
LATE1 = ,EADRIC _H HOPP$ ONTO ! ROCK4
  8,Y >E ! ESS;E ( B1UTY10 HE 2GAN1 8
EYES RAIS$ ADOR+LY 6! NYMPH'S FACE4 8,Y
>E MY SUN1 MY MOON1 MY />S40
  8,Y'RE A FROG10 %E SD1 NOTIC+ HM AT
LA/4 8,I DON'T TALK 6FROGS40
  8,I'M N J A FROG40
  8,Y LOOK L A FROG 6ME10 %E SD1 ! T9IE/
FR[N WR9KL+ H] FLAW.S BR[4
  8,YES1 YES1 ( C\RSE ,I D1 MY SWEET1 B
,I'M RE,Y AN 5*ANT$ PR9CE60
  ,! NYMPH'S EYES FLICK]$ ) 9T]E/4
8,PROVE X6 ,%[ ME YR CR[N OR YR JEWEL$
SWORD60
  8,I'M SORRY1 ,I DON'T H !M ) ME40
  8,OH10 %E SD1 H] P\T RETURN+4 8,!N
Y'LL H 6L1VE4 ,"S"O IMPORTANT       #AEB
MI<T -E 0AT ANY MO;T40
  8,B ,I'M IMPORTANT6 ,I'M--0
  8,Y'RE A FROG4 ,N[ G AWAY4 ,? IS MY
POOL & ,I DON'T ALL[ FROGS "H4 ,Y LAY ^?
4GU/+1 GOOEY E7S & F\L MY NICE CL1N WA-
T]40
  8,B ,I'M A PR9CE6 ,I DON'T LAY E7S6 ,I
WON'T--0
  ,TOSS+ H] HAIR OV] H] %\LD] )A DA9TY
FLIP ( H] WRI/1 ! NYMPH TURN$ H] BACK &
PO9T$LY IGNOR$ ,EADRIC4 ,HE LOOK$ S
CRE/FALL51 ,I ALM FELT SORRY = HM4 ,ALM1
B N Q4
  8,B ,I .AM A PR9CE60 HE SD :5 HE JO9$
ME BACK ON ! BANK4
  8,N "R N[ Y'RE N1 & X'S A GD ?+1 TOO6
,NYMPHS DR[N PR9CES1 S 2 HAPPY T %E'S N
9T]E/$ 9 Y4 ,X'S ! ONLY R1SON Y'RE /
ALIVE4 ,! PO;N ,VANNABE PUT ON T WORM M/
H S(T5$ YR BRA94 ,WE'D BETT] G 2F Y MAKE
AN EV5 BI7] FOOL ( YRF40
  ,I CDN'T TELL :E!R ,EADRIC 0 UPSET 0!
NYMPH'S REJEC;N OR 2C ,I'D CALL$ HM A
FOOL1 B EI WAY1 HE 0 9 A SULKY MOOD4 ,X
0 PROBABLY J Z WELL T HE DIDN'T     #AEC
FEEL L TALK+ 6ME1 S9CE ,I 0 S IRRITAT$ T
,I CDN'T H SD A PL1SANT ^W 6HM EV5 IF
HE'D PD ME ) ALL ! MOSQUITOES 9 ! =E/4
  ,FUM+ SIL5TLY AT ,EADRIC'S FOOLI%;S1
,I 0 RELIEV$ 6SEE A FRLY FACE :5 ,LI'L
F.D U ON ! =E/ FLOOR4 ,%E'D -E 6TELL U T
WE DIDN'T H F> 6TRAVEL1 B X 0 ALR GETT+
TOO D>K 6SEE1 ?\< %E SEEM$ N 6M9D4
  8,I ?9K WE'D BETT] /OP N[10 ,I SD1
RAIS+ MY H& & WI7L+ MY F+]S4 8,I C B>ELY
SEE MY H& 9 FRONT ( MY FACE40
  8,IF Y RE,Y WANT TO10 ,LI'L REPLI$4
8,AL? ,I ?9K X'S J GETT+ NICE \6 ,B IF Y
WANT 6G 6SLEEP1 Y %D F9D A GD PLACE TO
HIDE4 ,:O "KS :AT -ES \ AT NI<T 9 ^!
WOODS40
  8,I C ?9K ( "O ?+10 ,EADRIC SD1 SPOTT+
A SU45 FLA% ( LI<T4 8,FIREFLIES6 ,LADIES
& G5TLEM51 ,I ?9K D9N] HAS >RIV$40
  ,A FIREFLY D>T$ ]RATIC,Y "? ! GLOOM 2N
! TREES1 XS T9Y LI<T P9PO9T+ XS PA?4
,DESPITE ! EMPTY A*E 9 MY /OMA*1 ,I 0
RELUCTANT 6TRY 6CAT* "O4 ,I'D HE>D T
FAIRIES (T5 FLEW AB AT NI<T DRESS$ 9 LL
M ?AN TW9KL+ LI<TS4 ,2C !Y 7 NA/Y   #AED
:5 9SULT$1 ,I %U4]$ 6?9K :AT !Y MI<T D
IF Y TRI$ 6EAT !M4 ,EADRIC1 H["E1 _H NO
S* QUALMS & QKLY SET AB CAT*+ 8 D9N]4 ,I
LAU<$ :5 ,I SAW 8 ?ROAT LIT UP F 9SIDE4
,MY GU6AW 0 L\D 9 ! D>K5$ NI<T & S.D$
/RANGE EV5 9 MY [N E>DRUMS4 ,I /OPP$
ABRUPTLY4 ,F"R5$ 0! ?"\ (! PR$ATORS T
MI<T HE> ME1 ,I NO L;G] FELT L LAU<+4
  ,EV5TU,Y SATISFI$ T !Y RE,Y 7 FIRE-
FLIES & N DECEIT;L FAIRIES1 ,I FLICK$ \
MY T;GUE1 COIL+ X BACK )A T+LE ( ANTICI-
P,N4 ,X WASN'T BAD4
  ,:ILE ,EADRIC & ,I WAIT$ = ANO!R FIRE-
FLY 6PASS BY1 ,LI'L FLEW OV] 6SIT 2S ME4
8,H[ D !Y TA/E80 %E ASK$4
  8,DELICI\S6 ,& J ?9K1 A WEEK AGO Y
CDN'T H PD ME 6EAT A FIREFLY60
  8,A WEEK AGO ,I DIDN'T "K :AT !Y W]E10
SD ,LI'L4 8,I'VE N"E _H "O40
  8,N"E80 ,I SD4 8,!N Y NE$ 6TRY !M60
  ,"S?+ RU/L$ ! L1VES 9 ! TREE ABV U1
PROMPT+ ,LI'L 6LOOK AB N]V\SLY4 ,WRAPP+
H] W+S >.D H] BODY 6MAKE H]F Z SMALL Z
%E CD1 %E %U6L$ T[>D ME UNTIL WE /OOD
%\LD] 6W+4                          #AEE
  ,AL? ! NI<T S.DS MADE ME N]V\S Z WELL1
,I 0 RELUCTANT 6LET ,LI'L SEE X1 Z ,I 0
SURE X WD ONLY ADD 6H] FE>4 8,:ILE Y'RE
"H10 ,I SD1 HOP+ 64TRACT H]1 8"!'S "S?+
,I'VE WANT$ 6ASK Y4 ,BACK 9 ! COTTAGE1
:Y DID ! ,8OP5 BOX0' SPELL "W EV5 ?\< ,I
DIDN'T GE/URE OR USE A DRAMATIC VOICE L
Y TOLD ME TO80
  ,LI'L %RU7$ H] W+S4 8,Y DON'T H 6D ^?
?+S 6MAKE ! SPELL "W4 ,I J L X BETT] :5
X'S D"O T WAY40
  8,Y M1N ALL T >M WAV+ ,I DID 0 J =
%[80
  8,YUP40
  8,I ?"\ X MI<T 2 "S?+ SPECIAL T ,MUD9E
DID 6MAKE ! SPELLS M P[];L40
  8,NOPE40
  8,& :AT AB ! F/ SPELL8 ,! "O = RA%ES8
,X "W$ ONLY ON ME1 B :5 ,I DID ! SPELL
6OP5 BOXES1 X OP5$ "EY?+ 9 ! COTTAGE40
  8,ACTU,Y1 !Y BO? WD H "W$ ON "EY"O NE>
Y1 B Y 7 ! ONLY "O )A RA%4 ,IF Y WANT A
SPELL 6BE SPECIFIC 6"O SUBJECT1 Y NE$ TO
USE "S?+ 6FOCUS X4 ,Y C PO9T J AB ANY?+
AT YR SUBJECT 6AIM ! P[]40          #AEF
  8,L A MAGIC W&80
  8,YUP1 AL? X DOESN'T H 6BE A W&4 ,9
FACT1 IF A WIT* HAS _H 5 PRACTICE1 PO9T+
H] F+] "WS J F9E40
  ,I'D BE5 WAT*+ ,EADRIC :ILE ,LI'L & ,I
TALK$1 AMAZ$ AT H[ _M 9SECTS HE'D EAT54
,NEI \R 3V]S,N NOR ! /RANGE;S (! =E/ CD
4TRACT HM F ! PURSUIT ( FOOD4 8,W Y LOOK
AT T60 ,I SD 6,LI'L4 8,IF WE DON'T /OP
TALK+ & G CAT* "S FIREFLIES1 ,EADRIC'LL
EAT !M ALL HMF60
  ,LI'L SMIL$ HALFHE>T$LY & TOOK 6! AIR
6*ASE H] F/ FIREFLY4 ,D>T+ 2T ! TREES1
%E SNAT*$ 9SECTS F ! AIR Z IF MAGNETIC,Y
DRAWN 6!M4 ,A "D ( FLY+ _H IMPROV$ H]
RU/Y SKILLS & %E NO L;G] SEEM$ S HESI-
TANT4
  ,WE ATE UNTIL WE 7 FULL4 ,!N ,EADRIC &
,I MADE \RVS COZY B$S 9 ! DECOMPOS+
L1VES :ILE ,LI'L FLEW 96! BRAN*ES (! AN-
CI5T MAPLE ABV U4 ,X DIDN'T TAKE ,EADRIC
L;G 6FALL ASLEEP1 B ,I LAY AWAKE F> 96!
NI<T4 ,MY ?"\S B\NC$ F "O SUBJECT 6ANO?-
]1 & ,I F.D MYF WORRY+ AB "EY?+4 ,:AT WD
HAPP5 6,EADRIC & ME8 ,WD ,LI'L L    #AEG
LIV+ ) ,GRASS9A8 ,H[ WD ,I EXPLA9 "EY?+
6MY "M8 ,WD ! TREES / 2 9 ! SAME PLACE
:5 WE WOKE UP 9 ! MORN+8 ,I WANT$ 6G TO
SLEEP1 B X SEEM$ Z IF ,I'D =GOTT5 H[4
,=C+ MYF 6RELAX1 ,I LI/5$ 6! NI<T S.DS (
! =E/3 ,EADRIC SNOR+ G5TLY "U 8 BLANKET
( L1VES2 ,LI'L MOV+ F "O BRAN* 6ANO!R2 A
4TANT [L HOOT+ S(TLY2 MICE RU/L+ ! L1VES
9 SE>* ( FOOD2 ! CR1K ( BRAN*ES &! :IS-
P]+ ( L1VES4 ,EV5TU,Y1 ! S.DS GREW FA9T-
]4
  ,! NEXT ?+ ,I KNEW ,I 0 9 ! ,GRT ,HALL
( MY P>5TS' CA/LE4 ,X 0 D>K & DES]T$4
,EV5 ! GU>DS 7 NO": 9 SI<T4 ,TOR*ES
BURN$ 9 ! WALL SCONCES1 CA/+ A FEE# LI<T
T FLICK]$ & CR1T$ %AD[S4 ,A SNORT+1
BR1?Y S.D CAME F A D>K5$ CORN] (! ROOM4
,! %AD[S SWAY$1 DANC+ 9 A NONEXI/5T
BREEZE4 ,CROSS+ ! HALL1 ,I 5T]$ ! CORRI-
DOR 2Y4 ,X 0 ! CORRIDOR T L$ 6MY AUNT'S
ROOM1 ! CORRIDOR T _H ALW L$ 6SAFETY4
  ,9SIDE ! DOORWAY1 ,I F.D MYF 9 ! COZY
FAMILI>;Y ( MY AUNT'S ROOM4 ,! FIRE
BURN$ B"RLY 9 ! FIREPLACE J Z X ALW DID4
,! DRIFT+ BALLS ( WIT*ES' LI<T      #AEH
CA/ _! -=T+ GL[ J Z !Y ALW DID4 ,B /1
"S?+ DIDN'T FEEL "R4
  ,I WALK$ 6! FIREPLACE1 MY H&S HELD TO-
W>D ! FIRE 6W>M ! *ILL F MY F+]S4 ,!N
SU45LY1 "EY?+ 0 DI6]5T4 ,! ROOM _H
*ANG$4 ,NO L;G] 9 MY AUNT'S SAFE1 9VIT+
ROOM1 ,I N[ /OOD 0! FIREPLACE 9 ,VANNA-
BE'S COTTAGE4 ,B"R1 %9Y OBJECTS LAY ON !
TA#1 DRAW+ ME 6!M4 ,! AIR >.D ME WAV]$ Z
,I MOV$ ACR ! FLOOR4 ,R1*+ ! TA#1 ,I F.D
KNIVES MADE ( B"RLY POLI%$ METAL4 ,!
:ISP] ( FABRIC CAME F 2H ME4 ,I TURN$
QKLY4
  ,VANNABE /OOD 9 ! DOORWAY1 H] H1VY
SKIRTS SWAY+1 A WIDE-BLAD$ KNIFE 9 H]
H&4 8,I WON'T KEEP Y L;G10 %E SD4 8,I
ONLY WANT YR T;GUE & YR TOES4 ,Y "K Y'D
D ANY?+ 6HELP A FR4 ,?9K ( ME Z YR FR &
LET ME H !M4 ,X'S J A SMALL FAVOR4
,T;GUE & TOES1 T'S ALL ,I WANT40 ,! :IS-
P]+ CAME AG Z ,VANNABE DREW CLOS]4 8,IF
Y HOLD /1 ? WON'T HURT TOO M*40
  ,I WOKE )A />T4 ,MY HE>T RAC$ & MY H&S
FELT CLAMMY4 ,I FELT 4ORI5T$ & LO/4 ,MY
NE/ 2N ! L1VES 0 D>K & 3F9+4        #AEI
,PANIC-/RICK51 ,I PU%$ ! L1VES ASIDE &
SCRAM#D 96! OP54 ,I GL.ED >.D1 TRY+ 6GET
MY BE>+S4 ,! BACK ( MY NECK PRICKL$ !
WAY X _H :5 ! EYEBALLS WAT*$ ME4 ,VANNA-
BE 0 "H6 ,B :5 ,I LOOK$ UP1 X WASN'T !
WIT* :O 0 SWOOP+ D[N ON ME1 B AN [L1 XS
B1K OP5 9 ANTICIP,N6 ,TOO SC>$ 6CALL \1
TOO F"R5$ 6MOVE1 ,I PRESS$ MYF AG/ !
GR.D1 3V9C$ T ,I 0 AB 6DIE4 ,SU45LY1 A
L>GE1 S9U\S BODY :IPP$ 2T U4 ,HISS+1 !
SNAKE LUNG$1 B>ELY MISS+ ! />TL$ [L Z X
PULL$ UP ONLY 9*ES F ME4 ,XS W+S B1T+
FRANTIC,Y1 ! [L FLUTT]$ AWAY 9 4TRESS1 /
ALIVE4
  8,>E Y ALL "R80 HISS$ ,FANG1 KEEP+ 8
EYES ON ! DE"P+ [L4
  8,YES10 ,I BR1!D )A ?ROAT TOO DRY F
FE> 6SAY M4
  8,G BACK 6SLEEP10 :ISP]$ ,FANG4 8,I W
KEEP GU>D4 ,Y H NO?+ M 6FE> ? NI<T40
  ,I SURPRIS$ MYF 02LIEV+ HM4 ,IF ,FANG
_H WANT$ 6EAT ME1 HE WDN'T H WAIT$ ?
L;G4 ,=! F/ "T 9 "DS ,I 2GAN 6FEEL SE-
CURE4 ,BURR[+ "U ! L1VES AG1 ,I ?"\ (
WAK+ ,EADRIC1 ( TELL+ HM H[ CLOSE   #AFJ
,I _H -E 62+ AN [L'S MIDNI<T SNACK4 ,B !
M ,I ?"\ AB X1 ! FEW] R1SONS ,I CD F9D =
WAK+ HM1 S ,I LET HM SLEEP UNDISTURB$4
..,I'LL TELL HM 9 ! .MORN+1 ,I ?"\4
..,"!'S NO NE$ 6TELL HM .N[4
  ,EADRIC 0 / ASLEEP :5 ,I WOKE ! NEXT
MORN+4 ,I REMEMB]$ MY 9T5;N 6TELL HM AB
! [L1 B 9 ! LI<T ( "D ,I 2GAN 6D\BT T X
_H RE,Y HAPP5$4 ,AF EAT+ A DOZ5 SALTY
MOSQUITOES1 ,I W5T LOOK+ =A NICE JUICY
BEETLE4 ,:5 ,I RETURN$1 ,I F.D ,EADRIC &
,LI'L 9 ! MID/ (A H1T$ 4CUS.N4
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y WAKE ME80 DEM&$ ,EADRIC4
8,I TOLD Y ,I WD TAKE ! SECOND WAT*40
  8,Y TOLD ME Y W]5'T GO+ 6SLEEP AT ALL6
,I CD HE> Y SNOR+ ALL NI<T L;G10 ,LI'L
SD4
  8,DON'T EXA7]ATE6 ,FROGS DON'T SNORE6
,MAYBE YR HE>+ ISN'T Z GD Z ,I ?"\ X
WAS40
  8,MAYBE N ALL FROGS SNORE1 B Y D4 ,I
F.D MYF A HIDEY-HOLE 9 ! TRUNK ( T TREE
& ,I CD HE> Y EV5 F "!6 ,X'S A GD ?+
NO?+ HAPP5$ LA/ NI<T4 ,IF ,I CD HE> YR
SNOR+1 O!R CR1TURES CD H Z WELL4    #AFA
,WE'RE LUCKY NO PR$ATORS CAME 6SEE :AT 0
MAK+ T AW;L RACKET40
  8,GD MORN+1 ,LI'L1 ,EADRIC10 ,I SD1
NO4+ 6MY FRS4 8,IS "EY?+ ALL "R80
  8,J F9E & D&Y10 SD ,LI'L1 YAWN+ BROAD-
LY4 8,IF Y'RE R1DY1 WE %D 2 (F40
  8,I'LL TELL ,FANG10 ,I SD4 8,HE'S >.D
"H "S":40
  8,DON'T BO!R10 SD ,LI'L4 8,I ALR TOLD
HM4 ,J FOLL[ ? DE] TRAIL UP ! HILL & OV]
! O!R SIDE4 ,Y'LL 2 A# 6SEE ! CA/LE ONCE
Y R1* ! ROAD4 ,I'M GO+ 6F9D MYF A NEW
HIDEY-HOLE AT ! $GE (! =E/ S ,I C TAKE A
NAP4 ,I'LL SEE Y :5 Y GET "!4 ,YR VOICES
W WAKE ME UP4 ,I H EXCELL5T HE>+1 REMEM-
B]80 ,SPR1D+ H] W+S WIDE1 %E GL>$ AT
,EADRIC4 8,& ,EADRIC1 NEXT "T ,I W WAKE
Y UP1 :E!R Y WANT ME 6OR N40
  ,LI'L TOOK (F1 L1V+ ME 6ADJU/ ! VIAL
ON ,EADRIC'S BACK4 ,I UNTI$ ! KNOT &
/RAI<T5$ ! TWI/$ TW9E4 8,:AT HAPP5$ BACK
"! 2T Y & ,LI'L8 ,%E SEEM$ PRETTY UP-
SET40
  8,:AT C ,I SAY8 ,%E'S A BAT ) AN
ATTITUDE PRO#M4 ,I AM FEEL+ \ (     #AFB
SORTS1 ?\<4 ,I _H A T]RI# NI<TM>E LA/
NI<T40
  8,:AT HAPP5$ 9 YR NI<TM>E80
  8,AN [L ALM GOT Y4 ,?ANK GD;S X 0 J A
DR1M1 ,EMMA4 ,I'D N"E =GIVE MYF IF ANY?+
"E HAPP5$ 6Y40
  ,EADRIC LOOK$ S S9C]E T ,I ALM FELT
SORRY = HM1 EXCEPT 8 MISTAKE _H PUT A
LIFE ON ! L9E1 &! LIFE _H BE5 M9E4 ,I
PULL$ ! TW9E TI<T]1 !N TRI$ 6TIE A BETT]
KNOT4 8,X WASN'T A DR1M1 ,EADRIC4 ,"!
RE,Y 0 AN [L & X RE,Y DID ALM GET ME4 ,&
,LI'L 0 "R4 ,Y D SNORE6 ,IF X _HN'T BE5
= ,FANG1 ,I'D 2 FILL+ "S [L'S /OMA* "R
N[60









                ,TWELVE             #AFC

  ,EADRIC & ,I HURRI$ N[2 WE CD SEE !
CA/LE F ! TOP (! HILL & 7 EAG] 6R1* X4
,F>ML& LAY ON BO? SIDES (! CA/LE ROAD
ALM Z F> Z ! GATES4 ,2H ! CA/LE LAY !
SWAMP4
  ,WE _H />T$ D[N ! HILL & 7 PASS+ "O (!
ANCI5T OAKS :5 WE HE>D ! ANGRY BUZZ+ (
FLIES4 ,AL? WE _H BO? EAT5 2F />T+ \ T
MORN+1 ,EADRIC 0 DET]M9$ 69VE/IGATE4 ,I
FOLL[$ HM1 HOP+ T ,I CD P]SUADE HM 6-E
AWAY4 ,WE F.D ! FLIES AL;G )A FEW SCRAPS
( FUR &A SCATT]+ ( GRISLY B"OS--ALL T 0
LEFT ( "S UN=TUNATE =E/ CR1TURE4 ,!
FLIES CLU/]$ ON ! REMA9S1 _! BLACK BOD-
IES GLI/5+ BLUE & GRE5 9 ! SUNLI<T4
  8,PL1SE DON'T /OP N[10 ,I SD 6,EADRIC4
8,WE'VE ALM R1*$ ! ROAD60
  ,EADRIC SMACK$ 8 LIPS1 OBVI\SLY M 9T]-
E/$ 9 CAT*+ FLIES ?AN 9 ANY?+ ,I MI<T H
6SAY4 8,I'LL ONLY 2 A MO;T4 ,:Y DON'T Y
H "S1 TOO8 ,"! >E PL5TY = BO? ( U60
  8,NO1 ?ANK Y10 ,I SD4 8,I'M N HUNGRY40
,! ?"\ ( EAT+ FLIES T _H J CRAWL$ ON
C>RION TURN$ MY /OMA*4              #AFD
  ,UNA# 6WAT*1 ,I H1D$ T[>D ! ROAD1 HOP+
T ,EADRIC WD SOON CAT* UP4 ,I _H CLIMB$
HALFWAY OV] A BROK5 BRAN* :5 "S?+ PLUCK$
ME F ! GR.D & FLIPP$ ME OV] ONTO MY
BACK1 SQUEEZ+ ! BR1? \ ( ME4 ,SCR1M+ 0
IMPOSSI#1 = ,I DIDN'T H 5 AIR 9 MY LUNGS
6D M ?AN GRUNT1 B ,I KICK$ & ?RA%$ AB1
FRANTIC,Y TRY+ 6FREE MYF4 ,SU45LY1 ,I 0
FLIPP$ OV] AG & F.D MYF FACE-TO-FACE )
,FANG4 .,EADRIC .0 ."R6 ,I ?"\4 ..,H[ CD
,I H "E TRU/$ A .SNAKE8
  ,CAU<T 9 ! SCALY COILS1 ,I 0 SURE T ,I
0 LOOK+ AT D1? XF :5 ,I NOTIC$ T ! SNAKE
0 NO L;G] LOOK+ AT ME4 ,XS EYES 7 FIX$
ON "S?+ 2H ME1 "S?+ T HISS$ & MADE ! D1D
L1VES RU/LE ) XS PASS+4 ,! PRESSURE ON
MY BODY GREW UNBE>A# Z ! COILS TI<T5$4
,!N1 9 AN 9/ANT1 ,I 0 TOSS$ ASIDE L RUB-
BI%4 ,I FLEW "? ! AIR & WD H KEPT ON GO+
IF ,I _HN'T HIT A TREE1 SLID D[N !
TRUNK1 & L&$ ON MY BACK ) MY LEGS /ICK+
UP 9 ! AIR4 ,"PI,Y /UNN$1 ,I TURN$ MY
H1D & LOOK$ BACK ! WAY ,I'D -E4 ,M* 6MY
SURPRISE ,I R1LIZ$ T "! 7 TWO ,FANGS1 OR
AT L1/ TWO SNAKES T LOOK$ L         #AFE
,FANG1 COIL$ TGR 9 A SIL5T BATTLE4 ,I
TRI$ 6SCOOT BACKW>D1 HOP+ T NEI "O WD
NOTICE ME4 ,WRI?+1 ! SNAKES TWI/$ >.D
UNTIL !Y 7 FAC+ EA* O!R4
  8,:Y1 ,FANG1 SWEETIE1 IS T Y80 SD A
FEM99E VOICE4 ,I NOTIC$ =! F/ "T T !
SNAKE T SPOKE 0 SMALL] ?AN ! O!R1 H]
BODY SLIMM]1 H] M>K+S SLI<TLY DI6]5T4
  8,CL>ISSE80 SD ! L>G] SNAKE 9 A VOICE
T ,I RECOGNIZ$ Z ,FANG'S4
  8,": H Y BE51 LOV] BOY8 ,Y'VE BE5 G"O
AN AW;LLY L;G "T40
  8,I 0 CAPTUR$ & IMPRISON$ 0A WIT*4 ,WE
H ONLY J ESCAP$40
  8,WE80
  8,Y ATTACK$ "O ( MY -PANIONS4 ,EMMA10
,FANG SD1 RAIS+ 8 H1D 6LOOK AT ME1 8? IS
,CL>ISSE40
  8,PL1S$ 6MEET Y1 ,EMMA10 SD ! SLIMM]
SNAKE1 DELICATELY FLICK+ H] T;GUE 9 MY
DIREC;N4 8,N[1 ,FANG1 D Y SUPPOSE Y CD
LET ME G8 ,I H A LL UNF9I%$ BUSI;S 6AT-
T5D TO40
  8,Z L;G Z X DOESN'T 9CLUDE EAT+ "O (
MY FRS40                            #AFF
  8,ANY FR ( YRS IS A FR ( M9E1 & Y "K
,I N"E EAT FRS40
  8,( C\RSE1 ,CL>ISSE4 ,MY MISTAKE40 ,!
SNAKES RELAX$ _! COILS & SLID A"P1 AL?
!Y DIDN'T G F>4
  8,>E Y HOME 6/AY1 ,FANG1 OR J PASS+
"?8 ,! *N >E Q SIZA# N[1 & ,I "K !Y WD
LOVE 6SEE _! DA4Y40
  8,I H AN OBLIG,N ,I M/ FULFILL1 B ,I %
RETURN 9 A FEW "DS40
  8,GD60 SD ,CL>ISSE4 8,X'S ALM T "T (
YE> AG4 ,N[1 Y MAKE SURE Y -E LOOK ME UP
Z SOON Z Y GET BACK60
  8,RE/ ASSUR$1 ,CL>ISSE1 ,I 9T5D 6D J
T40
  8,Y TAKE C>E N[1 ,FANG4 ,I'LL 2 SEE+ Y
LAT]40 ,%E RU2$ H] H1D AG/ ,FANG'S 9 A
GE/URE S T5D] T ,I FELT EMB>RASS$ 6BE
WAT*+4 ,SWIVEL+ H] H1D 6LOOK AT ME1 %E
FLICK$ H] T;GUE 9 MY DIREC;N ONCE M4
8,X'S BE5 NICE MEET+ Y1 ,EMMA4 ,GD LUCK
) :AT"E X IS Y TWO >E DO+60
  ,FANG WAT*$ ,CL>ISSE SLI!R (F1 8 EYES
GLAZ+ OV] Z H] TAIL 4APPE>$ 9 ! L1F
MOLD4                               #AFG
  8,WAS T YR WIFE80 ,I ASK$1 W9C+ AT !
PA9 ( BRUIS$ RIBS4
  ,HE BL9K$ & SL[LY TURN$ 6ME Z IF HE 7
-+ \ (A TR.E4 8,UNLIKE HUMANS1 SNAKES D
N M>RY40
  8,YR GIRLFR1 !N4 ,YR MATE1 MAYBE40
  8,P]H "O ( ^? T]MS WD APPLY40
  8,%E'S V PRETTY10 ,I SD4 8,=A SNAKE40
  8,ACTU,Y1 %E IS 3SID]$ Q LOVELY40
  8,HEY1 Y TWO10 CALL$ A VOICE1 & ,EAD-
RIC APPE>$ F 2H A TREE4 8,I ?"\ Y WD H
R1*$ ! ROAD 0N[4 ,Y %D H /AY$ & TRI$ !
FLIES4 ,!Y 7 DELICI\S40
  8,MAYBE ,I %D H10 ,I SD1 83SID]+ :AT !
ALT]NATIVE TURN$ \ 6BE40

  ,X 0 ALR MIDMORN+ 0! "T WE LEFT ! %ADE
(! =E/4 ,LI'L 0 WAIT+ = U J Z %E'D SD %E
WD1 HANG+ UPSIDE D[N F ! BRAN* (A PE>
TREE L AN OV]RIPE PIECE ( FRUIT4 ,I CD
SEE ! CA/LE AG F ": ,I /OOD1 ! UNMISTAK-
A# T[]S RIS+ ABV ! C.TRYSIDE4 ,) \R DES-
T9,N SEEM+ S CLOSE1 ,I 0 DET]M9$ 6R1* X
2F D>K1 AL? X WD PROBABLY 2 A V L;G WAY
6HOP4                               #AFH
  8,Y'LL 2 L1V+ N[1 WON'T Y80 ,EADRIC
ASK$ ,FANG4
  ,! SNAKE %OOK 8 H1D "E S SLI<TLY4 8,N
YET4 ,I % G ) Y Z F> Z ! CA/LE4 ,:5 Y H
R1*$ X SAFELY1 ,I % RETURN "H 6RECLAIM
MY T]RITORY & MAKE MY HOME40
  8,H Y "E BE5 6! CA/LE 2F80 ,I ASK$1
PR\D ( MY [N HOME & EAG] 6HE> "S ^WS (
PRAISE4
  8,NO1 AL? ,I "K ( "S :O H4 ,Y _H BE/ 2
C>E;L :5 Y GET "!4 ,I HE> ! CA/LE IS A V
DANG]\S PLACE40
  8,DANG]\S60 ,I SD 9DIGNANTLY4 8,X'S N
DANG]\S AT ALL6 ,I'VE LIV$ "! ALL MY
LIFE & ,I'VE N"E SE5 ANY?+ DANG]\S60
  8,( C\RSE N1 = Y 7 "! Z A HUMAN &A
PR9CESS40
  8,!N Y 2LIEV$ ME :5 ,I TOLD "EY"O AT !
COTTAGE T ,I'M AN 5*ANT$ PR9CESS & T
,EADRIC IS A PR9CE8 ,Y ALL LAU<$1 S ,I
?"\ Y D\BT$ ME40
  8,I D N "K AB ! O!RS1 B ,I DID N BE-
LIEVE Y UNTIL Y R1D ! SPELL4 ,I D N "K (
ANY O!R FROGS :O C R1D40
  8,I 2LIEV$ H] :5 %E .SD %E CD     #AFI
R1D10 ,LI'L SD4 8,I'VE N"E MET A CR1TURE
:O EV5 CLAIM$ T 2F6 ,HEY1 "EYBODY1 SEE
OV] "!40 ,%E %AD$ H] EYES ) "O W+ &
PO9T$ )! O!R4 8,! ROAD CURVES PA/ ^?
F>MS & 5DS AT ! CA/LE GATE4 ,Y'RE ALM
HOME1 ,EMMA40
  8,?ANK GD;S6 ,& WE'LL 2 HUMANS AG Z
SOON Z WE F9D MY AUNT60 ,I HOPP$ ONTO !
ROAD1 EAG] 6L1VE4 8,I'LL L1D N[4 ,I "K
MY WAY F "H40
  ,I 0 S EXCIT$ T ,I CDN'T HOP ! WAY ,I
NORM,Y DID4 ,9/1D1 ,I JUMP$1 L1P$1 &
B\NC$ D[N ! ROAD L A *'S TOY4 ,MY EX-
CITE;T M/ H BE5 3TAGI\S1 2C ,EADRIC TRI$
6MAT* 8 HOPS 6M9E :ILE ,FANG SLI!R$ FA/]
?AN WE _H "E SE5 HM MOVE 2F4 ,EV5 ,LI'L
0 CAU<T UP 9 ! EXCITE;T1 FLY+ LOOPS 9 !
SKY ABV U UNTIL H] W+S 2GAN 6TIRE4
,PANT+ AT ! UNA3U/OM$ EX];N1 %E SETTL$ 9
AN OLD APPLE TREE 0! SIDE (! ROAD &
WAIT$ = U 6CAT* UP4
  ,X WASN'T L;G 2F ,EADRIC 4COV]$ ! ANT-
HILLS4 ,HE AMUS$ HMF = AN H\R OR S 0TAK+
SAMPLES F EA* "O HE F.D1 B /OPP$ AF TA/+
A R$ ANT4 8,!Y H TOO M* BITE10 HE   #AGJ
TOLD ME1 8 M\? TWI/$ 9 PA94
  ,! ROAD 0 W>M & DRY 2N \R FEET4 ,DU/
SWIRL$ >.D U Z WE HOPP$1 COAT+ \R SK9 &
MAK+ U C\<4 ,! AIR GREW HOTT] Z ! "D W5T
ON1 & ,EADRIC & ,I SOON SU6]$ ! E6ECTS (
! DRY+ SUN4 ,AF A :ILE1 FEEL+ P9*$ & )-
]$1 WE SL[$ 6A HALFHE>T$ WALK4
  8,I H 6SIT D[N10 ,I F9,Y TOLD MY FRS4
8,I FEEL FA9T40
  8,FROGS >5'T M1NT 6BE \ ( WAT] = S
L;G10 PANT$ ,EADRIC4 8,WE NE$ 6F9D A
/R1M OR A LAKE4 ,EV5 A PU4LE W D40
  8,I % ASK ,LI'L 6LOOK >.D10 SD ,FANG1
:O N"E LEFT \R SIDE = L;G4
  ,I KNEW T TALK+ 6,FANG MADE ,LI'L N]V-
\S1 B %E FLEW 6U :5 HE CALL$ 6H] & L&$ A
GD 4T.E F HM1 LI/5+ 6HIS REQUE/4 ,AF
LOOK+ ,EADRIC & ME OV] & SEE+ ! TRU? (
,FANG'S ^WS1 %E NO4$ & TOOK (F4 ,I WAT*$
H] CIRCLE & -E BACK A %ORT "T LAT]4
  8,I F.D A POND AT ! BOTTOM (! HILL10
%E SD1 L&+ 2S ME4 ,%E FR[N$ :5 %E SAW
,EADRIC SPRAWL$ ON ! DIRT ROAD4 8,:AT'S
WR;G ) HM80
  8,HE'S PASS$ \10 ,I TOLD H]1 8&   #AGA
,I DON'T FEEL WELL1 EI40
  8,WE NE$ YR HELP1 ,LI'L10 SD ,FANG4
8,I _C C>RY HM1 S X IS UP 6Y40
  8,ME80 SQU1K$ ! BAT4 8,I'VE N"E LIFT$
ANY?+ T BIG 2F60
  8,Y LIFT$ ! BOOKS 9 ,VANNABE'S COTTAGE
:5 Y BR"\ !M 6ME10 ,I SD4
  8,X'S M L ,I DROPP$ !M4 ,OH1 ALL "R4
,I'LL TRY 6C>RY HM10 SD ,LI'L1 8B ,I
DON'T ?9K ,I C = L;G4 ,HE'S A BIG BOY1
ISN'T HE80
  8,EMMA1 >E Y WELL 5 6WALK80 ASK$
,FANG4
  ,I TRI$ 6/&1 B MY LEGS BUCKL$ "U ME4
  8,"H10 SD ,FANG4 8,CLIMB ONTO MY BACK4
,I C TAKE Y "! IF Y C HOLD ON40
  8,U<60 ,LI'L GRUNT$1 /RU7L+ 6LIFT
,EADRIC4 8,I'M GO+ 6GET A H]NIA6 ,? FROG
NE$S 6/>T EAT+ FAT-FREE 9SECTS60
  ,J 2Y ! NEXT RISE1 ! GR.D SLOP$ AWAY F
! ROAD4 ,A POND LAY AT ! BOTTOM1 A WEL-
-E SI<T = "EY"O4 ,LI'L HALF C>RI$1 HALF
DRA7$ ,EADRIC UP ! HILL4 ,:5 %E R1*$ !
TOP1 %E LO/ H] GRIP & 8 LIMP BODY SLID
D[N ! O!R SIDE4                     #AGB
  8,LOOK \ 2L60 %\T$ ,LI'L4 ,%E TOOK 6!
AIR & FLEW AF HM1 B HE HIT A BUMP & 2GAN
6TUM# H1D OV] HEELS OV] VIAL ( DRAGON'S
BR1?4 ,F9,Y1 ,EADRIC PLOPP$ 96! WAT] &
,LI'L FLEW (F 9 SE>* (A %ADY TREE1 H]
JOB D"O4
  ,! POND 0 ALL WE CD H HOP$ =4 ,X 0
CLOSE4 ,X 0 COOL4 ,X 0 WET4 ,I CLUNG TO
,FANG'S BACK ALL ! WAY D[N ! HILL1 AL?
,I FELT W1K & NAUSE\S & _H A H>D "T 3C5-
TRAT+4 ,:5 HE R1*$ ! BOTTOM1 ,FANG WRIG-
GL$ 96! %ALL[ WAT] L;G 5 = ME 6SLIDE (F4
,HE /AY$ 0! $GE 6MAKE SURE T ,I 0 ALL
"R1 B Z SOON Z ,I 2GAN 6MOVE >.D HE
SLI!R$ BACK UP ! HILL & ONTO A L>GE FLAT
ROCK OV]LOOK+ ! POND4
  ,I LAY 9 ! %ALL[S UNTIL ,I />T$ 6FEEL
L MYF AG4 ,:5 ,I 0 A# TO1 ,I SWAM T[>D
,EADRIC1 :O / LAY SPRAWL$ 9 ! WAT] ": HE
_H L&$ :5 HE FELL4 ,I 0 3C]N$ AB HM3 8
FACE LOOK$ PA/Y & 8 SK9 0 TOO W>M4 ,HE
MUTT]$ :5 ,I LAID MY H& ON 8 =EH1D1 B 8
EYES REMA9$ CLOS$4 ,TAK+ 8 H& 9 M9E1 ,I
WAIT$ UNTIL HE TWIT*$ & OP5$ 8 EYES 2F
,I TURN$ & PLUNG$ 96T DEP?S (!      #AGC
POND4 ,EADRIC SOON FOLL[$ ME1 8 FEE#
/ROKES 2COM+ P[];L SCISSOR KICKS Z HE
REGA9$ 8 /R5G?4
  ,! WAT] FELT WOND];L6 ,WE SOM]SAULT$ &
DOVE1 WE FLOAT$ & TWIRL$1 & ALL ! :ILE
\R SK9 LET WAT] 96\R P>*$ FLE%4 ,I ?"\ (
! "D ,I _H LE>N$ 6SWIM &( H[ M* ELSE ,I
_H LE>N$ S9CE !N4
  ,I 0 5JOY+ ! WAT] &! BREEZE T RU6L$ !
SURFACE (! POND :5 SU45LY "S?+ GRA2$ MY
FOOT & PULL$ ME "U4 ,KICK+ H>D1 ,I %OOK
,EADRIC'S H& LOOSE & POPP$ 6! SURFACE L
A CORK4 ,I 0 / LAU<+ :5 ,EADRIC FOLL[$
ME UP1 8 FACE APPE>+ ONLY 9*ES F M9E4
  8,Y "K "S?+80 HE SD1 GR9N+4 8,Y'RE A
M* BETT] SWIMM] ?AN Y US$ 6BE4 ,X WON'T
2 L;G 2F Y'RE ALM Z GD Z ,I AM40
  8,IS T S8 ,& H[ D Y ?9K ,I'M DO+ 9 MY
O!R FRO7Y SKILLS80
  8,YR HOPP+ IS GD1 B Y / NE$ 6"W ON
CAT*+ 9SECTS40
  8,RE,Y8 ,WELL1 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I'LL "E 2
A# 6EAT Z WELL Z Y C40
  ,EADRIC SMIL$ SMUGLY4 ,I PATT$ HM ON !
%\LD]1 !N DID A FLIP 9 ! WAT] &     #AGD
SWAM AWAY 2F HE CD SEE MY [N SMILE4























                ,?IRTE5             #AGE

  ,) ,LI'L L1D+ ! WAY & ,FANG GU>D+ U F
2H1 WE 7 SOON BACK ON ! ROAD 6! CA/LE4
,MUMBL+ H] APOLOGIES1 ,LI'L FLEW 6! F/
TREE %E CD F9D4 ,:5 WE R1*$ ! TREE1
,FANG PO9T$ \ H] D>K] %APE AMID/ ! L1FY
%ADE4 8,LI'L10 HE HISS$ L\DLY1 8WE >E
"H40
  8,G ON )\T ME10 CALL$ BACK A TIR$
VOICE4 8,I'LL CAT* UP LAT]4 ,I NE$ TO
SLEEP A LL L;G]40
  8,WE'LL MEET Y AT ! CA/LE10 ,I %\T$4
8,LOOK = U 0! DRAWBRIDGE40
  ,LI'L DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,)A SLEEPY SI<1
%E'D ALR DOZ$ (F AG4
  8,I HOPE %E HE>D ME10 ,I SD 6,FANG &
,EADRIC Z WE 3T9U$ D[N ! ROAD4
  8,%E IS A BAT10 SD ,FANG4 8,I AM SURE
%E HE>D Y4 ,H["E1 BATS TRADI;N,Y SLEEP
DUR+ "DLI<T H\RS & WE H ASK$ M* ( H] TD4
,%E IS AL M TIMID ?AN ,I EXPECT$ N[ T %E
IS \ ( H] ELE;T1 & ,I FE> T %E W 2 EASI-
LY F"R5$ = "S "T 6-E4 ,I 2LIEVE H] BOSSY
MANN] 0 A COV] = H] 9SECURITIES40
  ,LATE T AFN1 A F>M WAGON L1V+ !   #AGF
CA/LE GR.DS RUM#D D[N ! ROAD4 ,FANG MOV$
(F 96! GRASS :ILE ,EADRIC & ,I PATI5TLY
WAIT$ =! WAGON 6PASS4 ,I 0 %IELD+ MY
EYES F ! CL\D ( DU/ :5 A "Y BOY WALK+ 2S
! WAGON SPOTT$ U4 8,LOOK1 ,"F10 HE
CALL$4 8,FROGS6 ,I'M GO+ 6CAT* !M60
  8,N[1 ,RO2IE10 SD ! F>M]1 8:Y DON'T Y
L1VE !M ": !Y >E8 ,Y TAKE !M HOME &
!Y'LL DIE L ! LA/ "OS40
  8,B ,I WANT 6PLAY ) !M10 ! BOY 9SI/$4
  ,EADRIC & ,I _H HE>D ! * & _H NO 9T5;N
( LETT+ HM CAT* U4 ,I HU/L$ ,EADRIC (F !
SIDE (! ROAD1 FOLL[+ ,FANG 96! TALL
GRASS4 ,! BOY1 :O _H SE5 U G1 RAN OV] )A
/ICK 9 8 H&4 8,I "K Y'RE 9 "!10 HE SD1
SQUATT+ ON 8 HEELS4 8,-E \ "H ": ,I C
SEE Y40 ,! L;G /ICK JA2$ ! GRASS1 N>R[LY
MISS+ U4
  ,EADRIC1 TRY+ 6F"R5 ! BOY AWAY 0MAK+
HMF LOOK BIG & 9TIMIDAT+1 /RAI<T5$ 8
LEGS & >MS & PUT ON 8 FI]CE/ EXPRES.N4
,S9CE 8 LEGS 7 L;G] ?AN 8 >MS1 8 BACK 5D
/UCK UP HI<] 9 ! AIR1 =C+ HM 6TILT 8 H1D
BACK 6LOOK AT ! BOY4 ,)! VIAL ( DRAGON'S
BR1? / /RAPP$ 6HM1 ,EADRIC LOOK$    #AGG
L A BIZ>RE MULTICOLOR$ HUN*BACK1 & ,I WD
H LAU<$ IF ,I _HN'T BE5 S F"R5$4 ,2C HE
0 9 FRONT ( ,FANG1 ,EADRIC CDN'T SEE !
SNAKE RAISE 8 H1D ABV ! GRASS & GL>E AT
! BOY "? SLITT$ EYES4 ,FANG HISS$ S(TLY
&! BOY NE>LY FELL OV] 8 [N FEET TRY+ TO
GET BACK 6HIS "F'S WAGON4
  8,DID Y SEE T80 SD ,EADRIC PR\DLY4 8,I
SC>$ HM (F6 ,HE'LL ?9K TWICE 2F -+ AF A
FROG AG1 WON'T HE60
  8,I'M SURE Y'RE "R10 ,I SD4 8,ESPECI,Y
"O :O TRAVELS )A SNAKE4 ,NEXT "T HE MI<T
EV5 /AY 9 ! WAGON40
  ,)! F>M WAGON &! BOY G"O1 WE RETURN$
6! ROAD4 ,! ROSY GL[ (! SUNSET \TL9$ !
CA/LE & MADE X SEEM ALL ! M 9VIT+4 ,H[-
"E1 WE _H G"O ONLY A %ORT 4T.E :5 WE
FELT ! VIBR,N ( APPROA*+ VEHICLES4
,SOON1 TWO M F>M WAGONS &A T9K]'S C>T
PASS$ BY4 ,PETI;N]S F ! VILLAGE :O _H
/AY$ LATE AT C\RT FOLL[$ 9 A C>RIAGE4 ,)
S M* TRA6IC ON ! ROAD1 WE DECID$ T X 0
NO L;G] SAFE & MOV$ (F 96! FIELDS4
  ,TRAVEL+ ACR ! UNEV5 GR.D 0 SL[] ?AN X
_H BE5 ON ! H>D-PACK$ DIRT1 &       #AGH
NI<T FELL 2F WE R1*$ ! CA/LE4 ,! DRAW-
BRIDGE 0 ALR UP4 ,X WDN'T 2 L[]$ AG UN-
TIL MORN+4
  ,WE 7 S1T$ 9 ! DU/ AT ! 5D (! ROAD :5
,LI'L FLEW D[N 6L& 2S U4 8,"! Y >E60 %E
SD4 8,I'VE BE5 LOOK+ ALL OV] = Y6 ,I
DON'T L X \ "H4 ,X'S TOO OP5 & "!'S TOO
M* GO+ ON4 ,I ?9K ,I SAW A HAWK1 AL?
,I'M N R1L SURE4 ,S ": >E WE GO+ N[1
,EMMA8 ,D Y H ANY GD HIDEY-HOLES 9 T
CA/LE ( YRS80
  8,I'M SURE Y'LL F9D PL5TY ( PLACES TO
HIDE10 ,I ASSUR$ H]1 8B :Y DON'T Y G SEE
IF Y C F9D MY AUNT F/8 ,T'S H] T[]1 !
TALL "O ON ! LEFT4 ,%E SD %E WD 2 AWAY =
A FEW "DS1 B %E %D 2 BACK 0N[40
  8,:AT AB Y8 ,>E Y GO+ /RAI<T "!80
  8,WE H 6GET 9SIDE ! CA/LE10 ,I EX-
PLA9$1 8&! DRAWBRIDGE IS UP40
  8,:Y'S T A PRO#M80 ,LI'L ASK$4 8,Y'RE
FROGS4 ,Y C SWIM ACR ! MOAT4 ,I'LL G UP
6! T[] & TAKE A PEEK 9SIDE4 ,N[1 Y'RE
SURE YR AUNT WON'T M9D80
  8,%E WON'T M9D AT ALL4 ,G ON AH1D4
,WE'LL 2 "! Z SOON Z WE C40 ,I      #AGI
WAT*$ ,LI'L 2COME A D>K SPECK Z %E FLEW
OV] ! MOAT4 ,:5 ,I CD NO L;G] SEE H] 9 !
GLOOM1 ,I TURN$ & SPOKE 6,FANG4 8,& :AT
AB Y1 ,FANG8 ,>E Y -+ ) U80
  8,NO1 ,I M/ RETURN HOME N[4 ,I H M* "W
6D 6REE/ABLI% MY T]RITORY40
  8,?ANK Y = 2+ "! ALL ^? "TS10 ,I SD1
?R[+ MY >MS >.D HM4 8,Y 7 "R--WE DID NE$
Y40
  8,I "K4 ,& Y >E WELCOME40 ,MY HUG MADE
HM UNCOM=TA#1 = HE QKLY BACK$ AWAY1 EYE+
ME W>ILY4 8,EMMA10 HE SD1 82C ( YR EMO-
;NAL DEMON/R,N1 ,I M/ TELL Y "S?+ T ,I
WD N O!RWISE H 4CLOS$40
  8,Y C TELL ME ANY?+1 ,FANG4 ,IF ANY"O
HAS ! "R1 X'S Y40
  8,I "U/& T HUMANS ^: LIVES H BE5 SAV$
MAY FEEL A C]TA9 ''' A6EC;N = _! RESCU-
]S4 ,IF Y >E FEEL+ S* AN A69;Y = ME1 Y
M/ "K T MY HE>T IS 5GAG$ ELSE":40
  ,IF HE ?"\ T ,I _H A CRU% ON HM ''' ,I
TRI$ N 6LAU<1 & ?"\ (A TRICK ,I'D LE>N$
:5 MY "M CAU<T ME 9 A GI4Y MOOD & ,I
KNEW %E WD 4APPROVE IF ,I LAU<$ \ L\D4
,I _H ONLY 6?9K ( "S?+ SAD1 S* Z    #AHJ
! D1? ( MY F/ PUPPY1 6MAKE MYF LOSE !
DESIRE 6LAU<4 ,I TRI$ X N[ & X "W$1 AL-
L[+ ME 6ALT] MY EXPRES.N 6"O M SUITA# 6A
JILT$ FEMALE4
  8,IS X ,CL>ISSE80 ,I ASK$1 LOOK+ Z
M\RN;L Z ,I CD4
  8,YES10 HE SD1 NO4+ SOLEMNLY4 8,Y >E N
TOO BADLY 4APPO9T$1 >E Y80
  8,I'LL RECOV]1 B X WON'T 2 EASY40
  8,GD LUCK 9 YR 5D1VORS4 ,&! SAME GOES
= Y1 ,EADRIC40
  8,?ANKS1 ,FANG4 ,X 0 ''' AN EXP]I;E
HAV+ Y AL;G40
  ,I WAT*$ ,FANG SLI!R D[N ! ROAD ) MIX$
EMO;NS4 ,HE 0 A SNAKE & ,I _H ALW BE5
T]RIFI$ ( SNAKES4 ,2C ,I 0 N[ A FROG1 HE
%D H BE5 "O ( MY WOR/ 5EMIES1 YET HE _H
PROV5 6BE A FR1 "S"O ,I CD TRU/ :5 ,I 0
9 DANG]4
  8,:AT DID Y M1N :5 Y ?ANK$ ,FANG L T80
,EADRIC DEM&$4 8,HE DIDN'T D ANY?+6 ,&
:O IS ,CL>ISSE80
  8,& .Y A3US$ .ME ( 2+ UNOBS]VANT6 ,N"E
M9D1 ,EADRIC4 ,MAYBE ,I'LL TELL Y AB X
"O "D4 ,LET'S J SAY T HE 0 A M*     #AHA
BETT] -PANION ?AN EI ( U ?"\ HE WD BE40
  8,I GUESS T'S TRUE10 SD ,EADRIC4 8,AT
L1/ HE DIDN'T EAT U40





















                                    #AHB
























                ,F\RTE5             #AHC

  ,FOLL[+ ,EADRIC 6! $GE (! MOAT1 ,I
PE]$ D[N 96! WAT]1 ?9K+ AB H[ (T5 ,I'D
PASS$ 0)\T RE,Y LOOK+ AT X4 ,! MOAT _H
BE5 A FIXTURE1 "P (! CA/LE =TIFIC,NS T
,I KNEW WE NE$$1 B X _H N"E SEEM$ "PIC-
UL>LY IMPORTANT4 ,I'D C]TA9LY N"E 3SID]$
SWIMM+ 9 X 2F4
  ,A BREEZE BLEW PA/1 C>RY+ ! /5* ( DE-
CAY+ G>BAGE4 8,PEW60 ,I SD1 WR9KL+ MY
NOSE4 8,D Y SMELL T8 ,IS T ! WAT]80
  ,EADRIC L[]$ 8 H1D & SNI6$4 8,X SURE
IS40
  ,I /EPP$ BACK F ! $GE1 MY /OMA* *URN+4
,HAV+ GR[N UP NE> ! MOAT1 ,I SUPPOSE
,I'D BE5 US$ 6! SMELL4 ,MAYBE X 0 2C (
MY 5H.ED FROG S5SES1 OR MAYBE ! MOAT _H
GOTT5 /9KI] S9CE ,I'D BE5 G"O1 B = :AT"E
R1SON1 ,I N[ F.D ! /5* OV]:ELM+4 8,I'M N
SWIMM+ 9 ANY?+ T SMELLS T BAD60 ,I SD4
  8,WE DON'T H M* (A *OICE1 D WE80
  8,WE CD WAIT UNTIL MORN+ :5 !Y L[] !
DRAWBRIDGE40
  8,B !N ALL ! WAGONS & FOOT TRA6IC W 2
GO+ IN10 ,EADRIC SD1 %AK+ 8 H1D4    #AHD
8,CROSS+ ! MOAT IS PROBABLY ! BE/ IDEA4
,J KEEP YR M\? CLOS$ & SWIM Z FA/ Z Y
C40
  ,I LOOK$ AT ! MOONLI<T'S REFLEC;N ON !
MOAT4 ,! O!R BANK SU45LY SEEM$ S F>
AWAY1 S HI< ABV ! WAT]4 8,I DON'T ?9K ,I
C D ?60
  8,SURE Y C60 SD ,EADRIC4 8,Y J NE$ A
POSITIVE ATTITUDE60
  8,F9E6 ,I'M POSITIVE ,I C'T D ?60
  ,EADRIC SI<$4 8,Y'RE "R4 ,Y C'T D X IF
Y DON'T 2LIEVE Y C4 ,B DON'T IMAG9E YRF
FAIL+--IMAG9E YRF DO+ X4 ,PICTURE YRF
SWIMM+ ACR & CLIMB+ UP ! O!R SIDE4 ,I "K
Y C D X IF Y RE,Y WANT TO40
  ,I CLOS$ MY EYES & TRI$ 6PICTURE MYF
SWIMM+ "? COOL1 CLE> WAT]1 SPE$+ 6! OP-
POSITE SIDE (! MOAT & CLIMB+ ! /"OS Z IF
,I'D D"O X E "D ( MY LIFE4 ,UN=TUNATELY1
,I CD / SMELL ! WAT]1 &! ILLU.N 0 H>D TO
MA9TA94 ,X 0 EASI] 6IMAG9E ,EADRIC SWIM-
M+ 2S ME1 HOLD+ 8 NOSE ) "O H& & PA4L+ )
! O!R1 SAY+1 8,PICTURE YRF Z A BUB#1
FLOAT+ ACR ! WAT]10 8 VOICE FAD+ Z HE
4APPE>$ 9 A /9KY GRE5 FOG4          #AHE
  ,I GI7L$4 8,N[1 .T ,I C 2LIEVE60 ,I SD
"U MY BR1? Z ,I SLIPP$ 96! MOAT4
  ,I TRI$ 6BR1! Z LL Z POSSI#1 B X
WASN'T EASY4 ,! COLD1 GR1SY WAT] MADE ME
GASP1 & ,I GA7$ :5 X ALM GOT 9 MY M\?4
,HOLD+ MY H1D Z HI< Z ,I CD1 ,I TRI$ TO
KEEP MY FACE DRY4 ,A L>GE GLOB ( "S?+
S(T & /ICKY BUMP$ 96ME & ,I %U4]$ ) DIS-
GU/4 ..,?ANK GD;S X'S D>K & ,I C'T SEE
:AT T .WAS1 ,I ?"\4
  8,EMMA1 HURRY UP10 SD ,EADRIC4 8,I ?9K
"!'S "S?+ 9 "H ) U40
  8,"! SURE IS10 ,I AGRE$4 8,"!'S ALL
SORTS ( G>BAGE FLOAT+ 9 ? WAT]4 ,? IS
4GU/+60
  8,NO1 ,I M1N "S?+ ALIVE4 ,I J FELT "S-
?+ SWIM PA/ MY FEET40
  ,A SMALL WAVE NUDG$ ME =W>D1 C>RY+ ME
CLOS] 6! SIDE (! MOAT4 8,EADRIC10 ,I
:ISP]$1 SU45LY AFRAID 6TALK \ L\D1 8DID
Y FEEL T8 ,:AT CD H MADE T WAVE80
  8,"S?+ BI7] ?AN A FROG60 ,EADRIC :IS-
P]$ BACK4 8,"H X -ES AG4 ,HURRY1 ,EMMA1
WE'RE ALM "!60
  ,)! DRY GR.D $G+ ! MOAT ONLY      #AHF
FEET AWAY1 ! CA/LE LOOM$ OV] U =BI4+LY4
,AL? ,I _H ALW LOV$ MY HOME1 ,I _H N"E
SE5 X F ! MOAT 2F4 ,N[ ,I WI%$ ,I N"E
_H4 ,I KICK$ Z H>D Z ,I CD1 >R[+ "? !
WAT]1 & ALM BUMP$ 96! FI%4 ,X 0 A SMALL
FI%1 ONLY HALF Z BIG Z ,I WAS1 B X />TL$
ME J ! SAME4 ,XS EYES 7 R$ & WAT]Y &
SWOLL54 ,X LOOK$ Z ?\< A ?IRD EYE _H BE-
GUN 6=M 2T ! F/ TWO1 A %RUNK5 EYE T RAT-
TL$ LOOSELY 9 XS SOCKET4 ,"S?+ BRU%$ AG/
MY FEET1 B :5 ,I LOOK$1 ! FI% 0 / KEEP+
PACE ) ME4 ,EVID5TLY1 ! DE=M$ LL FI%
WASN'T ! ONLY CR1TURE T LIV$ 9 ! MOAT4
  ,:5 ,I F9,Y BUMP$ 96! /"O WALL1 ,I
R1*$ UP & T\*$ X ) MY H&4 ,EADRIC1 :O _H
ALR CLIMB$ \ (! WAT]1 GRASP$ MY WRI/ &
2GAN 6PULL ME UP4
  8,HURRY60 SD ,EADRIC4 8,"!'S "S?+ 9 !
WAT] 2H Y60
  ,I LOOK$ D[N4 ,REFLECT$ 9 ! LI<T (!
RIS+ MOON1 A L>GE SILV]Y BACK >C$ ABV !
WAT]1 H1D+ T[>D ME4 ,T]ROR L5T ME !
/R5G? ,I NE$$4 ,DI7+ MY TOES 96! CRUMBL+
/"O L9+ ! MOAT1 ,I FAIRLY FLEW UP ! SIDE
& FELL 96,EADRIC'S >MS1 KNOCK+ HM   #AHG
(F 8 FEET4 ,"S?+ SLAPP$ ! SURFACE (!
MOAT1 SPLA%+ U )A WAVE ( FETID WAT]4 ,)-
\T LOOK+ BACK1 WE SCRAM#D 6SAFETY Z F> F
! MOAT Z WE CD GET4
  8,N[ :AT80 ,I ASK$1 WIP+ ! MOI/URE F
MY FACE )! BACK ( MY H&4 ,/&+ ON ! N>R[
/"O L$GE1 ,I / FELT EXPOS$ 6:AT"E LIV$ 9
! MOAT4
  8,F9D A WAY IN1 ,I SUPPOSE4 ,"! HAS TO
2 A HOLE OR A MISS+ /"O OR "S?+ WE C USE
6GET 9SIDE4 ,WE J H 6LOOK UNTIL WE F9D
X40
  8,& :AT IF "! ISN'T80
  8,!N WE WAIT UNTIL !Y OP5 ! DOOR 9 !
MORN+4 ,DON'T WORRY1 ,I GREW UP 9 A CAS-
TLE1 TOO1 REMEMB]8 ,LL BOYS EXPLORE "EY-
?+4 ,I F.D HUNDR$S ( *9KS 9 ! WALLS ( MY
P>5TS' CA/LE1 PLACES TOO SMALL =A LL BOY
B C]TA9LY L>GE 5 =A C\PLE ( FROGS4 ,IF
ANY"O C F9D A WAY 96YR CA/LE1 X'S ME40
  ,! MOON 0 HI< OV]H1D :5 WE F9,Y F.D AN
OP5+4 ,AL? X N"E GREW ANY WID]1 X EXT5D$
F> BACK "? ! CA/LE WALL1 =M+ A CRAMP$1
D>K TUNNEL4 ,DRI$ ROD5T DROPP+S & BEETLE
CAS+S LITT]$ ! FLOOR1 TELL+ !       #AHH
TALE ( ^? :O _H PASS$ T WAY 2F4 ,! AIR 0
DANK & SMELL$ M/Y1 B X 0 A WAY 9 & ,I 0
?RILL$ T WE _H F.D X4
  ,! TUNNEL 5D$ ABRUPTLY AT A L>GE OP5
SPACE4 ,I 0 4ORI5T$ UNTIL ,I R1LIZ$ T WE
_H R1*$ ! ,GRT ,HALL1 ! HE>T (! CA/LE &!
MO/ IMPORTANT ROOM4 ,A W>R5 ( CORRIDORS
& LESS] *AMB]S L$ F ! HALL1 MAK+ X ! FO-
CAL PO9T (! 5TIRE BUILD+4 ,! REMA9S (A
FIRE BURN$ 9 ! MASSIVE /"O FIREPLACE1 &
MY "F'S DOGS LAY TWIT*+ 9 _! SLEEP ON !
HE>?1 _! BELLIES FILL$ ) TA# SCRAPES4
  8,? IS WOND];L60 ,I :ISP]$ 96,EADRIC'S
E>DRUM4 8,WE DON'T H F> 6G N[4 ,! /AIRS
L1D+ 6MY AUNT'S ROOMS >E AT ! 5D ( T
CORRIDOR40
  8,:AT AB ! DOGS80
  8,WE'LL H 6BE C>E;L N 6WAKE !M1 T'S
ALL40 ,EADRIC LOOK$ SKEPTICAL1 B ,I 0
9SI/5T4 8,EADRIC10 ,I SD1 8WE H 6G N[4
,X W 2 S BUSY "H 9 ! MORN+ T X W 2 IM-
POSSI# 6PASS "? !N4 ,IF WE DON'T G N[1
WE MI<T Z WELL TURN >.D & G BACK 6!
SWAMP40
  8,I C'T HELP X--,I DON'T L        #AHI
DOGS4 ,& LOOK AT ! SIZE ( ^? MON/]S6 ,>E
Y SURE !Y'RE ALL ASLEEP80
  8,( C\RSE ,I'M SURE4 ,C'T Y HE> !M
SNOR+8 ,"H1 ,I'LL G F/4 ,J /AY CLOSE & 2
Z QUIET Z Y C40
  ,I HOPP$ ONCE1 B ! SLAP ( MY FEET ON !
/"O FLOOR E*O$ "?\T ! ,GRT ,HALL4 ,I
FROZE & LI/5$ 6! DOGS4 ,_! MOANS1 :IM-
P]S1 SNORES1 & SL[ BR1?+ ASSUR$ ME T !Y
/ SLEPT4 ,"O DOG GR[L$ 9 XS SLEEP :ILE
ANO!R RAN1 XS LEGS TWIT*+1 XS BODY N"E
L1V+ ! FLOOR4 ,MY "F'S BI7E/ H.D1 ,B[S]1
NO L;G] A DUCKL+1 LAY ON 8 BACK ) 8 LEGS
9 ! AIR1 FLAPP+ AWAY Z IF HE 7 TRY+ TO
FLY4 ,I DECID$ T ,GRASS9A M/ H F9,Y F.D
! "R P>*;T 6RE/ORE ,B[S]'S DOG;S4
  ,:5 "! 0 NO *ANGE 9 ! RHY?M ( _! BR1?-
+1 ,I 2GAN 6HOP AG1 /OPP+ E N[ & !N TO
LI/54 ,WE _H R1*$ ! F> WALL & _H ONLY A
LL F>!R 6G :5 ,I HOPP$ 96A PU4LE ( DOG
PEE1 SPLA%+ MYF )! SMELLY FLUID F H1D TO
TOE4 8,OH1 YUCK60 ,I SD1 =GETT+ ! NE$ =
SIL;E4
  ,MY H1D :IPP$ >.D :5 ,I HE>D "O (!
DOGS 2G9 6/IR4 ,X 0 ,B[S]4 ,BLE>-   #AIJ
ILY /UMBL+ 6HIS FEET1 ! BIG H.D LUR*$ 9
\R DIREC;N4
  8,QK1 9 "H60 SD ,EADRIC1 PO9T+ 6A
WOOD5 BUCKET4 ,AL? ! BUCKET 0 FAMILI>1
,I CDN'T REMEMB] :AT X 0 NORM,Y US$ =1 B
) ,B[S] ON 8 WAY WE DIDN'T H "T 6BE
PICKY4
  8,"O1 TWO1 ?REE1 JUMP60 ,I SD & WE BO?
L1P$ OV] ! $GE & 96TEPID WAT]4 8,EAD-
RIC60 ,I :ISP]$ Z X DAWN$ ON ME ": WE
W]E4 8,? IS ! DOGS' WAT]6 ,:AT IF HE'S
-+ 6GET A DR9K80
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL ME80
  8,I J R1LIZ$--0
  8,%H6 ,"H HE -ES60
  ,I %RANK AG/ ! SIDE (! BUCKET Z ,B[-
S]'S GRT H1D CAME 96VIEW4 ..,! DOG IS
HALF .ASLEEP1 ,I ?"\1 ..S MAYBE HE WON'T
.NOTICE4 ,I KNEW ! MO;T T ,B[S] S5S$ U1
= 8 E>S PRICK$ UP4 ,8 RANK BR1? WA%$ OV]
ME Z HE LOOK$ 96! BUCKET4 ,:5 ,I SAW
,EADRIC SWIM 6! BOTTOM1 ,I KNEW T X 0 UP
6ME4
  8,QUACK60 ,I SD1 S.D+ Z M* L A DUCK Z
,I CD4 8,QUACK6 ,QUACK6 ,QUACK60    #AIA
  8,:AT ! '''0 ,B[S] J]K$ 8 H1D BACK 9
SURPRISE4
  8,QUACK6 ,QUACK6 ,QUACK60 ,I SD AG1
BO2+ UP & D[N 9 ! WAT] L A DUCK4
  8,OH1 NO1 ANO!R "O60 :9$ ,B[S] Z HE
BACK$ AWAY4
  ,AL? ,I CD NO L;G] SEE HM1 ,I CD HE> 8
CLAWS SCRA2L+ ON ! /"O FLOOR Z HE SCUR-
RI$ \ (! HALL4 ,EADRIC 0 / "UWAT] :5 ,I
DECID$ T X 0 SAFE 6G4 ,SI<+1 ,I R1*$ D[N
& PULL$ HM 6! SURFACE4 8,! DOG IS G"O10
,I SD4 8,WE C GET \ N[40
  8,I GUESS X 0 TOO D>K = HM 6SEE U "U !
WAT]10 ,EADRIC SD1 BOO/+ HMF ONTO ! RIM
(! BUCKET4
  ,I SLID OV] ! $GE & PLOPP$ ONTO !
FLOOR4 8,OR MAYBE HE'S AFRAID ( DUCKS40
  8,:Y WD Y KEEP DUCKS 9 YR ,GRT ,HALL80
  8,I N"E SD WE DID40
  ,TURN+ 6LOOK 2H U1 ,EADRIC SCRAT*$ 8
H1D ) 8 TOE1 & ,I HE>D HM MUM# S(TLY1
8,B ,I ?"\ Y SD '''0
  ,AF TRY+ S H>D 6BE QUIET 9 ! ,GRT
,HALL1 5T]+ ! CORRIDOR 0 A RELIEF4
8,I'LL RACE Y60 ,I :ISP]$1 EAG]     #AIB
6/RET* MY MUSCLES4
  8,Y DON'T /& A *.E1 SL[ POKE60 ,EADRIC
:ISP]$ BACK4
  ,WE RAC$ ACR ! FLOOR1 EXT5D+ \R LEGS 9
L;G1 B.D+ L1PS4 ,>R[ SLITS 9 ! T[] WALLS
LET 9 ! MOONLI<T1 MAK+ ! /EPS EASY 6SEE4
,WE HOPP$ UP "O PIE-SLICE-%AP$ /EP AF
ANO!R1 RAC+ 6SEE :O WD R1* ! TOP F/4
,EADRIC WON EV5 ?\< HE 0 / WE>+ ! VIAL (
DRAGON'S BR1?1 L&+ ON ! TOP /EP SECONDS
2F ME4
  ,:5 ,I R1*$ ! L&+1 ,I 0 PANT+ & TIR$ B
HAPPI] ?AN ,I'D BE5 9 A L;G "T4 8,Y
WON10 ,I SD1 TRY+ 6CAT* MY BR1?1 8ONLY
2C Y H L;G] LEGS ?AN ,I D40
  8,T'S N X AT ALL10 HE SD1 PANT+ J Z
H1VILY4 8,I WON 2C ,I'M A SUP]IOR HOPP]
& Y >E A SL[POKE40
  8,X DOESN'T MATT]--WE'RE "H N[60 ,I
GR9N$ S H>D MY FACE HURT4 8,) MY AUNT
,GRASS9A'S HELP1 WE'LL 2 HUMANS AG 9 NO
"T60