,"h's ,,hank
       ,h[ to ,hug an ,elephant

      ,h5ry ,w9kl] @& ,l9 ,oliv]
    ,,,illu/rat$ by scott g>rett,'



            ,9 #a ,volume
     ,brl ,pages t#a-t#b & #a-#fc
        ,pr9t ,pages #a-a#abd



       ,sponsor$ & ,pres5t$ by3
         ,am]ican ,ac;n ,fund
         = ,bl ,*n & ,adults
        #ahjj ,johnson ,/reet
      ,baltimore1 ,m>yl& #babcj
           www4ac;nfund4org



   ,produc$ at ,na;nal ,brl ,press
             www4nbp4org           t#a
  ,text copy"r ^c #bjae by ,h5ry
,w9kl] & ,l9 ,oliv] ,produc;ns1 ,9c4
  ,illu/ra;ns copy"r ^c #bjae by
,scott ,g>rett4

  ,publi%$ by ,grosset @& ,dunlap1 an
impr9t ( ,p5gu9 ,r&om ,h\se ;,,llc1
#cde ,hudson ,/reet1 ,new ,york1 ,new
,york #ajjad4

,,isbn #igh-#j-#ddh-#dhfef-#g

p5gu94com_/"yr1d]s

  ,= ,frank ,d9es1 a man :o def9es
fr%ip4 ,& to ,/acey1 alw,-,,hw

  ,= ,paula & ,m>k ,maxman1 & !
elephants we saw tgr,-,,lo

  ,= ! ,furm/ons1 ,m>k1 ,mi*elle1
,betty1 ,daisy & ,r5,-,,sg



             ,"h's ,,hank           #a
       ,h[ to ,hug an ,elephant

              ,,*apt] #a

  8,we're (f to ! zoo10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd
z ! doors ( ! yell[ s*ool bus clos$4
  ,"ey"o *e]$4 ,\r :ole class _h be5
look+ =w>d to ? field trip all week4
,my be/ frs1 ,frankie & ,a%ley1 7
sitt+ 9 ! s1t 9 front ( me4 ,i _h !
bad luck to h gott5 ,nick ,mc,kelty z
my "pn]4 ,t m1nt ,i _h to sit next to
hm on ! bus4 ,& t m1nt ,i _h v ll s1t4
,nick ! ,tick's ?ick
------------------------------------#b
body took up mo/ ( x4 ,i don't m1n to
gross y \1 b my "r butt *eek 0 rid+ 9
! air4
  8,:at d y mo/ want to see at ! zoo80
,ms4 ,fl[]s ask$ z %e walk$ up & d[n !
aisle collect+ \r lun*es4 ,"o ( !
p>5ts1 ,ms4 ,%imozato1 held ! big
yell[ 3ta9] ": \r lun*es wd 2 kept
until x 0 "t to eat4                #a
  8,a giant squid10 ,luke          a#b
,:itman sd1 h&+ h] 8 br[n bag ) a
salami gr1se m>k cov]+ ! bottom4
  8,we're go+ to ! zoo1 ,luke1 n !
aqu>ium10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s answ]$4 ,h]
voice s.d$ l %e 0 hold+ h] nose1 ev5
------------------------------------#c
?\< %e wasn't4 ,t happ5s a lot >.d
,luke4 8,:at ab y1 ,hank80
  8,i want to see a gira6e t;gue10 ,i
sd4 8,i he> !y're purple & cov]$ 9
hair40
  8,s >e y1 ,zipp] ,fang10 ,nick sd4
,he ?rew 8 >ms up 9 ! air & bur/ \
lau<+ at 8 usual n-funny joke4 ,t "o
move;t put my nose "r next to 8 >mpit1
: is n a place any nose wants to be4
,x smell$ l rott5 e7s on toa/4
------------------------------------#d
  8,gira6e t;gues >e d>k 9 color to
protect !m f gett+ sunburn$10 ,ms4
,fl[]s sd4 8,_! t;gues >e \ a lot :5
!y're pick+ l1ves (f trees40
  ,t set (f a lot ( 3v]sa;n ab
weird-b-true animal facts4 ,x seem$ l
"ey"o on ! bus knew "o4 ,x 0 a     a#d
fun way to sp5d ! bus ride4
  8,spid]s h ei<t legs & =ty-ei<t
knees10 ,katie ,sp]l+ sd4
  8,kang>oos _c walk backw>d10
,frankie *im$ in4
  8,tig]s h /rip$ sk91 n j /rip$ fur10
,ryan ,%imozato
------------------------------------#e
sd4 ,8 mom smil$ pr\dly1 z if %e _h sd
x h]f4
  8,elephants >e ! only animals t c't
jump10 ,a%ley sd4 8,t's 2c !y c wei<
up to fifte5 ?\s& p.ds4 ,h>d to get t
(f ! gr.d40
  8,i love !m1 anyway10 ,i sd to
,a%ley4 8,i've wat*$ lots ( %[s ab !m
on televi.n4 ,i hope we get to see "o
td40
  8,well1 ,hank1 ,i ?9k y're go+ to
get yr wi%10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd4 8,"! is
an elephant 5closure at ! zoo40
  8,c we g "! f/80 ,i be7$4
  8,we h a t\r guide :o has ! :ole
morn+ plann$ = u10                  #c
,ms4 ,fl[]s sd4 8,x's important t   #f
we all /ay tgr4 ,rememb] \r mo/
important rule,-no w&]+ away4 ,& t
goes especially = y1 ,hank40
  ,%e didn't ev5 h to say :y4 ,i knew
:at %e m1nt4 ,i get lo/ a lot4 ,maybe
x's 2c ,i / c't tell my left f my "r4
,la/ week1 ,ms4 ,fl[]s gave me !
att5d.e %eet to take to ! (fice4 ,%e
sd to walk to ! 5d ( ! hall & turn "r1
!n g to ! wat] f.ta9 & turn left4 ,i
?"\ ,i foll[$ h] direc;ns p]fectly4 ,t
is1 until ,i pull$ ! door op5 & walk$
"r 9to ! girls' ba?room4 ,lucky = me1
x 0 empty4
------------------------------------#g
  8,! zoo is v l>ge10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s
expla9$ z we pull$ 9to ! p>k+ lot4 8,y
>e ea* responsible to alw "k ": yr
"pn] is40
            "333333333333
  ,af we 5t]$ ! zoo1 we met \r t\r
guide1 ,g9a1 :o told u \r f/ /op 0
,gorilla ,_w4 ,:ile %e 0 tell+ u all
ab :at we 7 go+ to see1 ,i notic$
,nick w&]+ away4 ,he 0 h1d+ = a    a#g
c>t t sold toy zoo animals4 ,s9ce he 0
my "pn]1 x 0 my responsibil;y to tell
hm to /ay ) ! gr\p4 ,8 back 0 to me1 s
,i cdn't see :at he 0 do+4 ,i snuck
ov] to hm & :isp]$ 9 8 e>1
------------------------------------#h
s ,ms4 ,fl[]s cdn't he>4
  8,y're n suppos$ to 2 "h10 ,i sd4
  ,sudd5ly1 he :eel$ >.d & fla%$ :at
look$ l a rat 9 front ( my face4 ,2f
,i cd d any?+1 he dropp$ x d[n ! front
( my %irt4 ,x felt cold & /icky4
------------------------------------#i
  8,a>r<60 ,i scr1m$1 2f ,i cd /op
myf4 ,i pull$ my %irt \ ( my pants1 &
! /icky ?+ fell \ ! bottom ( my %irt
to ! gr.d4 ,i look$ d[n & saw x 0 j a
ru2] rat4 ,i turn$ >.d to tell
,mc,kelty h[ annoy+ t was1 b he _h alr
snuck back to ! gr\p4 ,s ,i /ood "!
al"o1 ) "ey"o 9 ! class lau<+ at me4
,"ey"o b ,ms4 ,fl[]s4 ,%e did n look
happy4
  8,hank10 %e sd4 8,:at 0 ! la/     #e
?+ ,i sd to y on ! bus8 ,no w&]+   a#i
away40
-----------------------------------#aj
  8,b ,ms4 ,fl[]s1 ,i 0 j try+ to 2
responsible40
  8,well1 y didn't su3e$1 ,hank4 ,n[
pl1se apologize to ,g9a = 9t]rupt+ h]
9troduc;n to ,gorilla ,_w40
  ,i apologiz$1 b x wasn't fair4 ,x 0
,mc,kelty :o _h w&]$ away4 ,i _h only
g"o af hm to help4 ,we />t$ d[n ! pa?
t l$ to ! gorillas4
-----------------------------------#aa
  8,i'm go+ to h a fun "d ) y1
,zipp]butt10 ,mc,kelty sd4 8,y're my
favorite k9d ( "pn]4 ,y make ! animals
9 ? zoo seem sm>t40
  ,i look$ at ,frankie & ,a%ley1 :o 7
at ! front ( ! l9e ask+ ,g9a lots (
"qs4 ,!y seem$ r1lly happy4 ,!n ,i
look$ at ,nick ,mc,kelty next to me1
:o snick]$ j 2f he tripp$ me4
  8,wat* yr /ep10 ! big creep sd4
  ,only "o ?"\ 0 runn+ "? my m9d3
.7,:y did ,i get /uck ) ? guy8.'
              ,,*apt] #b       #ab-#ac

  ,gorilla ,_w 0 r1lly cool4 ,we walk$
al;g a pa? next to ! ra9 =e/ ! zoo _h
built to h\se ab tw5ty gorillas4 ,:5
we /opp$1 ,g9a told u all ab !m4 ,x 0
h>d to li/5 to :at %e 0 say+1 2c ,i 0
wait+ to see ! gorillas sw+ f tree to
tree4 ,!y j sat on ! gr.d pick+ bugs \
( "o ano!r's hair4
  ,i rais$ my h&4
-----------------------------------#ad
  8,:5 >e !y go+ to sw+ f ! bran*es80
,i ask$ ,g9a4
  8,z soon z y %[ !m h[1 ,zipp]h1d10
,mc,kelty mumbl$4
  8,actually1 t's an excell5t "q10
,g9a sd4
  ,i smil$ 9side myf4 .7,take t1
,mc,kelty6.'
  8,gorillas sp5d mo/ ( _! "t on !
gr.d10 ,g9a expla9$4 8,!y climb trees
only to f9d fruit40
  8,i'd climb a tree = a p1*10 ,i sd1
8b def9itely n = a plum4 ,!y're s   #g
s\r !y make my lips puck]40       a#ad
  ,"ey"o 9 ! class lau<$1 9clud+ ,ms4
,fl[]s & ,ms4 ,%imozato4
-----------------------------------#ae
  ,we /ay$ 9 ,gorilla ,_w = half an
h\r1 b x seem$ l a mon? to me4 ,ev5
?\< gorillas >e v 9t]e/+1 ,i cdn't
wait to get to ! elephants4 ,2ss1 "!'s
only s l;g y c wat* l>ge apes pick
bugs (f "o ano!r )\t />t+ to it* yrf4
  ,\r next /op 0 ! snack b>4 ,ms4
,fl[]s ord]$ tw5ty-"o froz5 lemonades
) ! m"oy \r p>5ts _h s5t4
-----------------------------------#af
  8,froz5 lemonades >e /upid10 ,nick
compla9$4 8,!y wr9kle yr t;gue40
  8,!n y don't h to get "o10 ,ms4
,%imozato sd4
  8,gd4 ,i'll h a d\ble ord] ( *eese
g>lic fries 9/1d40
  ,t's j :at ,mc,kelty ne$$,-z if 8
br1? didn't smell bad 5 alr4
  8,i'm sorry1 ,nick10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd4
8,we're all gett+ ! same ?+4 ,x's
froz5 lemonade or no?+40
  8,f9e1 :ile ^! guys >e freez+   a#af
_! t;gues (f1 ,i'm go+ to ! ba?room40
  8,t's odd10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s
-----------------------------------#ag
sd4 8,i don't ?9k ,i he>d y ask
p]mis.n40
  8,i did10 he li$4 8,i j did x
sil5tly40
  8,all "r1 ,nick4 ,y h p]mis.n to g
to ! re/room1 b yr "pn] has to g ) y4
,& don't 2 l;g40
  ,boy1 did ,i feel sorry = 8 "pn]4
,!n ,i r1liz$ x 0 me4
  8,wait a m9ute4 ,does t m1n ,i don't
get froz5 lemonade80 ,i ask$4
  8,( c\rse y w1 ,hank10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s
answ]$4 8,we'll h yrs wait+ :5 y get
back40
  ,g9a gave u direc;ns to ! ba?room4
,x wasn't f> away1
-----------------------------------#ah
b "! 7 s"eal left & "r turns we _h to
make4 ,? 0 ! "o & only "t ,i 0 "e
happy to 2 ) ,nick ! ,tick4 ,he may 2
a j]k1 b he's a j]k :o's bett] at   #i
direc;ns ?an ,i am4               a#ah
  ,on ! way 9to ! ba?room1 we pass$ a
dad c>ry+ a baby 9 a backpack4 ,t ll
kid 0 lucky 444 he cd j ride >.d on 8
dad's back & pee 9 8 diap]s any"t he
want$4 ,i /opp$ to give hm a hi< five1
b ,mc,kelty yank$ me away4
  8,babies >e gross10 he sn>l$ at me4
8,2ss1 ,i want to get back to t froz5
lemonade4 ,i'm s ?ir/y ,i mi<t dr9k
yrs1 too40
-----------------------------------#ai
  ,:5 ! baby he>d ,mc,kelty's grumpy
voice1 he bur/ \ cry+4
  8,t's ! "r call1 ll guy10 ,i :isp]$
to hm4
  ,9side1 ! ba?room wasn't cr[d$4 ,9
fact1 we 7 ! only "os 9 "!4 ,z usual1
,mc,kelty ?"\ he 0 ! boss ( me4
  8,i'll take ? /all10 he sd4 8,y g to
! "o on ! 5d40
  8,:y80
-----------------------------------#bj
  8,2c ,i ne$ to 2 al"o4 ,& don't ev5
ask :y40
  ,t 0 f9e ) me4 ,any plan t      a#bj
puts space 2t me & ,mc,kelty is a gd
plan4
  ,:5 ,i came \ ( ! /all1 ,i wa%$ my
h&s & wait$ = hm at ! s9k4 ,i wait$ &
wait$4 ,at la/1 ,i call$ \4
  8,hey1 ,mc,kelty4 ,y /ay 9 "! any
l;g] & y're go+ to h to pay r5t40
  ,"! 0 no answ]4
  ,i walk$ ov] to ! /all1 b5t d[n1 &
look$ to see if ,i cd see 8 %oes4 ,"!
0 no?+ "!4 ,) "o f+]1 ,i pu%$ op5 !
door4 ,n only 0 x unlock$1 ! /all 0
empty4
-----------------------------------#ba
  ,nick ! ,tick _h /ruck ag4 ,he _h
dit*$ me4
  ,i />t$ to panic a ll1 b !n ,i told
myf t ,i cd h&le ?4 ,i wd f9d my way
back all by myf4 ,i j ne$$ to give !
situa;n ! old ,hank ,zipz] attitude4
  ,i took a deep br1? & walk$ \ ( !
ba?room4 ,i look$ 9 bo? direc;ns4 ,i
_h absolutely no idea ": ,i was4
                                   #aa
              ,,*apt] #c       #bb-#bc

  .7,/ay calm1 ,hank/]1.' ,i sd to myf
z ,i felt ! panic />t 9 my toes & %oot
\ ! top ( my h1d4 ,my neck felt l x 0
on fire4 ,i bl9k$ h>d & look$ >.d4 ,i
ask$ myf1 .7,hank1 does any?+ look
famili>8.' ,& ,i c h"o/ly say1 ! answ]
0 ,,no4
  ,": 0 my h1d :5 ,i 0 walk+ to !
ba?room8 ,i guess x _h tak5 a trip to
,saturn1 : is my favorite planet 2c (
! r+s4
-----------------------------------#bd
,b ,saturn 0 sure n help+ me n[4
  ,& !n1 ,i saw a big map ( ! zoo po/$
9 a glass case4 ,problem solv$4 ,i wd
j *eck ! map4 ,except = ! small
problem t ,i c't r1d maps4 ,b ,i
wasn't go+ to let t ll detail get me
d[n4
  ,i walk$ 3fid5tly ov] to ! map &
/udi$ x v c>e;lly4 ,"! 7 blue trails1
gre5 trails1 yell[ "os1 & r$ "os4 ,all
,i _h to d 0 f9d ! "o ) ! snack b> on
x4 ,) my f+]1 ,i trac$ ea*        a#bd
trail to ! 5d4 ,& !n panic gra2$ me by
! neck ag :5 ,i r1liz$ t ea* "o (
-----------------------------------#be
! trails _h a snack b> on x4
  ,i ask y1 :y d "! h to 2 s _m snack
b>s at "o zoo8 ,h[ _m snacks does a
p]son ne$8
  ,i /ood "! & took a deep br1?4 ,my
mom alw says t tak+ a deep br1? w let
yr bra9 "w bett]4 ,& sure 5\<1 a grt
?"\ jump$ 9to my m9d4 ,maybe ,i c't
r1d a map4 ,& maybe ,i don't "k left f
"r4 ,b ,i c sp1k ,5gli%1 & s cd "ey"o
else 9 ! zoo4 ,all ,i _h to d 0 f9d an
adult & ask !m to take me to ! snack
b> close/ to ! gorillas4
  ,t 0 "o grt idea1 if
-----------------------------------#bf
,i d say s myf4 ,i actually r1*$ my h&
ov] my %\ld] & patt$ myf on ! back4
  ,i look$ >.d = a frly face1 & decid$
to ask a frly-look+ c\ple :o bo? _h
cam]as >.d _! necks4
  8,excuse me10 ,i sd1 us+ my      #ac
be/ mann]s4 8,d y ?9k y cd %[     a#bf
me ! way to ! gorillas80
  ,!y look$ at ea* o!r & %ru7$4
  8.7,je ne p>le pas anglais.'10 sd !
man4
  8,huh80 ,i sd4
-----------------------------------#bg
  ,he rep1t$ "s?+ t s.d$ ev5 m =eign4
,h[ cd x be8 ,( all ! visitors to !
zoo1 ,i pick$ ! two :o don't sp1k a ^w
( ,5gli%4
  8.1,gracias1 anyway10 ,i sd4 ,i
didn't ?9k !y 7 sp1k+ ,spani%1 b ,i
?"\ ,i'd ?r[ t \ "! to impress !m4
  ,!y %ru7$ ag & walk$ away4 ,i /ood
"!1 try+ to figure \ :at to d next4 ,!
only idea t came to me 0 t ,i mi<t n"e
l1ve ! zoo4 ,& ,i wasn't exactly
?rill$ ab sp5d+ ! ni<t ) a bun* ( ro>+
lions close by4
  ,i felt a h& on my %\ld]
-----------------------------------#bh
& spun >.d1 hop+ x 0 ,ms4 ,fl[]s4 ,x
wasn't4 ,x 0 a woman we>+ a br[n uni=m
) a .7,wild ,ab ,g+]br1d.' ;,t-%irt4
  8,i l g+]br1d1 too10 ,i sd to   a#bh
h]1 8b ,i h to say ,i'm n wild ab x40
  8,i don't "u/&10 %e sd4 8,:y >e we
talk+ ab g+]br1d80
  8,2c t's :at x says on yr %irt,-
.7,wild ,ab ,g+]br1d.'40
  ,%e look$ d[n at h] %irt1 !n back at
me1 !n bur/ \ lau<+4
  8,x says .7,wild ,ab ,gira6es.'10 %e
sd4 8,n g+]br1d40
-----------------------------------#bi
  8,at l1/ ,i 0 close10 ,i sd4 8,!y
bo? />t ) a ;,g4 ,i'm n m* ( a r1d]40
  8,i wasn't at yr age1 ei10 %e sd1 /
smil+4 8,b x didn't /op me f do+ "s?+
,i love4 ,i'm ,nora ,bicks10 %e w5t
on4 8,i "w "h at ! zoo ) ! gira6es & !
elephants4 ,y seem to 2 lo/40
  8,i'm only half lo/10 ,i sd4 8,!
half t c't f9d ! snack b> ": my class
is wait+40
-----------------------------------#cj
  8,is x ! "o ne> ! gorillas8 ,) ! grt
froz5 lemonades80
  8,t's exactly ! "o60             #ae
  8,i c take y "!4 ,i j h to      a#cj
make a qk /op at ! elephant 5closure &
!n *eck on ,elsie40
  8,oh1 is ,elsie yr mom80
  8,actually1 ,elsie .1is my mom's "n4
,t's :y ,i "nd \r newe/ elephant af
h]4 ,elephant ,elsie j >riv$ at ! zoo
ye/]"d4 ,we're keep+ h] sep>at$ f !
o!rs until we "k %e's com=table "h at
h] new home4 ,come on4 ,we'll say hi1
& ,i'll get y back to yr class40
-----------------------------------#ca
  ,z we foll[$ ! yell[ l9e al;g ! pa?1
,i cdn't 2lieve t ,i 0 actually go+ to
see a r1l live elephant up close4 ,i
cdn't /op smil+4
  8,if ,i _h a ;,t-%irt10 ,i told
,nora1 8m9e wd say .7,wild ,ab
,elephants.'4 ,i ?9k !y're v sm>t40
  8,!y >e10 %e sd4 8,t's "o ( ! r1sons
:y x makes me s angry :5 !y're
mi/r1t$4 ,elsie 0 9 a circus ": %e
wasn't tak5 c>e ( prop]ly4 ,we rescu$
h]40
  ,by !n1 we _h r1*$ ! elephant
5closure4 ,9 ! 4t.e1 ,i cd see    a#ca
?ree v big elephants /&+ >.d a
-----------------------------------#cb
pool ( wat]1 spray+ _! backs ) _!
trunks4 ,next to !m1 9 a sep>ate
f;ed-(f >ea1 0 ano!r elephant t 0 ru2+
h] body ag/ a tree trunk4
-----------------------------------#cc
  8,"!'s my ,elsie10 ,nora sd4 8,looks
l %e's got an it*y back40
  8,maybe ,i cd l5d h] my bamboo back
scrat*] t ,i b"\ 9 ,*9at[n10 ,i (f]$4
8,x r1lly "ws4 ,( c\rse1 h] back is a
lot bi7] ?an m9e40
  8,y wait "h10 ,nora sd4 8,i'm go+ to
run 9side & refre% h] wat]4 ,!n ,i'll
take y to ! snack b>4 ,x's j up ! r$
trail4 ,y c see x f "h40
  8,oh1 t's okay10 ,i sd to ,nora4 8,i
c get "! f "h4 ,x's easy4 ,i'll j
foll[ ! r$ l9e40
  8,y sure80
  8,totally sure40
-----------------------------------#cd
  8,okay1 ,mr4 ,wild ,ab           #ag
,elephants10 %e sd4 8,nice        a#cd
talk+ to y40
  ,i wat*$ ,nora unlock ! gate & walk
9to ! 5closure4 ,elsie trumpet$ :5 %e
came in4 ,nora talk$ s(tly to h] z %e
pick$ up ! hose & fill$ up ,elsie's
gigantic wat] bucket4 ,!n ,nora op5$ !
gate & w5t 9to ! 5closure ": ! o!r
elephants 7 / spray+ ea* o!r4
  ,i tri$ to l1ve1 ,i r1lly did4 ,i
ev5 turn$ >.d & walk$ ov] to ! r$
trail4 ,b ,i cdn't d x4 ,i 0 s close
to a r1l live elephant,-"o t 0
probably l"oly & sc>$ 9 h]
-----------------------------------#ce
new home4 ,poor ,elsie4 ,maybe %e ne$$
a visitor4 ,& maybe ,i 0 t visitor4
  ,2f ,i cd /op myf1 ,i w5t to !
unlock$ gate & pu%$ x op54
  ,9 a few /eps1 ,i 0 face-to-face ) !
l>ge/ animal ,i h "e se54




              ,,*apt] #d           #cf
        ,,,! f/ five ?+s i saw
       9 ! elephant 5closure,'
          ,,,by hank zipz],'

#a4 ,elephant poop ! size ( a h\se4
#b4 ,m elephant poop4
-----------------------------------#cg
#c4 ,:oops1 "h comes ano!r "o4
#d4 ,i bett] get \ ( ! way or y won't
  2 able to see me4
#e4 ,sorry "!'s no numb] five1 b :5 an
  elephant's got to g1 x's got to g6
-------------------------------#ch-#ci

              ,,*apt] #e

  ,i j /ood "! />+ 9to ,elsie's big
br[n eyes1 : 7 ab a mile abv my h1d4
,%e />$ "r back at me4 ,nei ( u mov$ a
muscle4 ,:5 ,i h a />e-d[n ) my si/]1
,emily1 %e bur/s \ lau<+ 9 ab two
seconds1 s ,i alw w94 ,b ,elsie didn't
ev5 bat an eyela%4
  ,i wasn't sure :e!r \r />e-d[n   #ai
0 a gd ?+ or a bad ?+4 ,x 0       a#ci
def9itely gd t %e wasn't *>g+
-----------------------------------#dj
at me ) h] giant tusks4 ,b maybe %e 0
?9k+ ab do+ x1 : wd def9itely 2 bad4
  8,hi1 ,elsie10 ,i :isp]$4 8,my "n is
,hank4 ,well1 r1lly x's ,h5ry1 b "ey"o
calls me ,hank1 s y c1 too40
  ,sudd5ly1 h] e>s />t$ to flap4 ,9
fact1 !y flapp$ s h>d t ,i cd feel !
air bru% acr my face4 ,i jump$ back a
few feet4 ,i hop$ ? 0 h] way ( say+1
8,nice to meet y1 too40 ,b x 0
possible ? 0 h] way ( say+1 8,? is my
space1 buddy4 ,n[ b1t x40
  ,sudd5ly1 ,i he>d foot/eps crun*+ on
! l1ves ( ! 5closure4 ,i 0 pretty sure
x 0
-----------------------------------#da
,nora1 com+ back f visit+ ! o!r
elephants4
  ,i knew ! "r ?+ to d 0 to tell ,nora
,i 0 "!4 ,b "s"ts ! "r ?+ to d isn't
alw ! mo/ fun ?+ to d4 ,)\t ?9k+1 ,i
duck$ 9to ! cave t 0 "p ( ,elsie's
5closure4 ,i hid 2h a rock &      a#da
peek$ \4 ,nora _h /opp$ & 0 pett+
,elsie's trunk4
  8,h[ y do+1 girl80 %e sd s(tly4
  ,at ! s.d ( ,nora's voice1 ,elsie
/>t$ flapp+ h] e>s ag4
-----------------------------------#db
  8,i "k y're happy :5 yr e>s flap10
,nora sd4 8,i'm glad y're feel+ bett]4
,t circus y 7 ) didn't take gd c>e (
y1 b we w40
  ,i 0 s curi\s ab :at happ5$ to
,elsie at t circus1 b ,i 0 hid+ s ,i
cdn't ask4
  8,d y want a tr1t80
  ,%e r1*$ 9to h] pocket & pull$ \ an
5tire e> ( corn4 ,elsie lift$ h] trunk
& g5tly took ! corn f ,nora4 ,!n %e
popp$ ! :ole ?+ 9 h] m\?4 ,ev5 f ": ,i
was1 ,i cd he> h] tee? gr9d+4
  ,i cd tell ,elsie lov$ t tr1t1 2c h]
e>s />t+ flapp+ l crazy4 ,i smil$1
-----------------------------------#dc
?9k+ ab :5 ,i h a black & :ite cookie1
: is .1my favorite tr1t4 ,my e>s   #ba
>e too small to flap1 b ,i sure   a#dc
hop >.d a lot4
  8,"!'s m ": t came f10 ,nora told
,elsie4 8,y 2 a gd girl n[40
  ,i wat*$ z ,nora walk$ acr !
5closure to ! hi< metal f;e4 ,%e op5$
! gate1 & )\t look+ back1 lock$ x 2h
h]4
  .1,w[1 ,i ?"\4 .7,? is grt4 ,n[ x's
j me & ,elsie6.'
  ,! next ?"\ ,i _h was1 .7,w[4 ,? is
n s grt4 ,i'm lock$ 9 "h ) fifte5 ?\s&
p.ds ( elephant6.'
-----------------------------------#dd
  ,:5 ,nora 0 \ ( si<t1 ,i crept \ f
2h ! rock4 ,i ?"\ ,i 0 2+ quiet1 b
,elsie's big e>s obvi\sly "w$ v well4
,%e :ipp$ >.d1 swi%+ h] tail back &
=?4 ,:5 %e saw me1 %e rais$ h] giant
trunk & let \ a l\d trumpet+ s.d4
  ,i /ood completely /1 z if ,i _h
turn$ 9to a clay /atue4 ,elsie took a
/ep t[>d me4 ,!n ano!r /ep4 ,my he>t
/>t$ to b1t r1lly fa/1 & :5 ,i say
fa/1 ,i m1n l a spe$+ race c>4 ,:at 0
,elsie go+ to d to me8 ,pu% me8    #de
,sit on me8 ,cru% me8
  .7,br1!1 ,hank4 ,don't panic4 ,x's
only ! l>ge/ l& mammal on ,e>?4 ,y c
?9k ( "s?+4 ,look >.d & use yr bra94.'
  ,my eyes d>t$ >.d ! 5closure1 hop+
to f9d an e> ( corn t ,i cd give
,elsie4 ,t wd at l1/ 4tract h] = a
m9ute4 ,!n1 ,i spott$ a du/y so3]
ball4 .7,maybe ,elsie plays so3]1.' ,i
?"\4 ,& maybe %e 0 9 ! mood = a game4
,y n"e "k4
  8,elsie10 ,i sd1 9 my calme/ voice4
,! "o ,i use :5 ,i'm try+ to expla9 to
my dad :y
-----------------------------------#df
my report c>d is alw s bad4 8,i'm go+
to walk ov] to t so3] ball1 & y're go+
to /ay "r "!4 ,okay80
  ,elsie lift$ h] trunk & let \ ano!r
l\d trumpet4
  8,i'm go+ to take t z a yes10 ,i sd4
8,& "h ,i g40
  ,my bra9 told my feet to move4 ,at
f/1 !y didn't4 ,b !n !y did4       #bc
,n"e tak+ my eyes (f ,elsie1 ,i   a#df
/>t+ creep+ t[>d ! ball4
  8,s ,elsie1 want to he> a joke80 ,i
ask$4 8,jokes alw make me feel happy4
,"h x is4 ,:at's ! be/ "t to g to !
d5ti/8 ,give up8 .1,too?-hurty40
-----------------------------------#dg
  ,elsie didn't move a muscle4 ,i
guess %e didn't get ! joke4 ,t made
s5se4 ,i m1n1 elephants don't sp5d a
lot ( "t 9 ! d5ti/'s *air4
  ,elsie wat*$ c>e;lly z ,i took ! la/
few /eps t[>d ! ball4
  8,i'm go+ to pass ! ball to y1 v
g5tly10 ,i expla9$4 8,& !n y pass !
ball back to me1 v1 v1 v g5tly4 ,we
humans call t play+ so3]40
  ,keep+ my eyes glu$ to h] eyes1 ,i
kick$ ! ball 9 h] direc;n4 ,:5 x /opp$
at h] feet1 %e tilt$ h] big h1d & j
/>$ at x4
  .7,hank1 y dummy6 ,( c\rse
-----------------------------------#dh
%e's j />+ at x4 ,elephants don't play
so3]4.'
  ,sudd5ly1 ,elsie lift$ h] big   a#dh
r.d foot & kick$ ! ball4 ,i m1n1 %e
kick$ x "r back to me4
  8,no6 ,y didn't60 ,i sd1 trapp+ !
ball "u my foot4 8,t 0 a p]fect pass40
  ,i us$ ! side ( my foot to pass x
back to h]4 ,%e look$ d[n at ! ball
ag1 took aim1 & s5t x fly+ back to me4
  ,i cdn't 2lieve x4
-----------------------------------#di
,i 0 play+ so3] ) an elephant4 ,i
cdn't wait to tell ,frankie & ,a%ley4
,i mi<t 2 ! only kid 9 ,new ,york ,c;y
:o _h "e d"o t4 ,9 fact1 ,i mi<t 2 !
only kid on ! planet4
  8,"h y g1 girl10 ,i sd4 8,"h comes !
,zipz] spe$ball40
  ,i kick$ a /r;g %ot 9 h] direc;n &
wat*$ x roll qkly acr ! dirt4 ,elsie
pull$ h] foot back & 9/1d ( /opp+ !
ball1 let loose a spe$ball ( h] [n4
,h] huge foot made solid 3tact ) !
so3] ball4 ,x took (f l a rocket %ip1
) ! du/ fly+ (f x l smoke4
  ,& x 0 com+ /rai<t at my h1d4    #be
              ,,*apt] #f       #ej-#ea

  ,! so3] ball 0 com+ at me s fa/ t x
didn't ev5 look l a ball4 ,x look$ l
^? pictures ( meteors ,i've se5 hurtl+
t[>d ,e>?,-except at t mo;t1 .2,i 0
,e>?4 ,i _h no "t to ?9k4 ,luckily1 my
reflexes took ov]1 & ,i dove 9to !
dirt4 ,:5 ,i lift$ my h1d1 ,i saw !
ball cra% 9to ! f;e 2h me4 ,x l&$ s
h>d1 x actually made ! *a9-l9k f;e
rattle4
  8,y got "o hot foot "!1
-----------------------------------#eb
,elsie10 ,i told h]4 8,y %d 3sid] go+
pro40
  ,z ,i /ood up & />t$ to bru% myf (f1
,i he>d "s"o call+ my "n4 ,i've he>d t
same voice "e s9ce ,i 0 two ye>s old4
  8,hank60 ,frankie call$4 8,yo1
,hank6 ,": >e y80
  8,if y c he> u1 give u a sign10
,a%ley yell$4
  8,i'm 9 "h1 guys10 ,i answ]$4
  8,hank10 ano!r voice call$4 8,? is
,ms4 ,%imozato4 ,": exactly >e    a#eb
y8 ,we're all s worri$40
  8,i'm 9 ! elephant 5closure4 ,)
,elsie40
  ,"! 0 a l;g sil;e4 ,!n
-----------------------------------#ec
,ms4 ,%imozato sd1 8,y m1n y're 9side
"!80
  8,z in1 actually 9side80 ,frankie
call$ \4
  8,z in1 next to an elephant80 ,a%ley
add$4
  8,h] "n is ,elsie10 ,i call$ \4
8,come >.d ! corn] to ! gate & ,i'll
9troduce y40
  ,i look$ ov] at ,elsie :o 0 %ift+ h]
wei<t f "o foot to ! o!r4
  8,y're go+ to meet my be/ frs10 ,i
expla9$ to h]4 8,& ,ms4 ,%imozato4 ,h]
son ,ryan is 9 my class40
  ,elsie didn't seem too 9t]e/$4 ,%e
r1*$ \ ) h] trunk & suck$ up "s dirt f
-----------------------------------#ed
! gr.d1 !n spray$ x all ov] h] back4
  8,don't 2 n]v\s10 ,i sd4         #bg
8,y're go+ to l !m z m* z y l     a#ed
me40
  ,two seconds lat]1 ,frankie1 ,a%ley1
& ,ms4 ,%imozato appe>$ at ! f;e4 ,:5
!y saw me 9side1 /&+ next to ,elsie1
,ms4 ,%imozato let \ a %riek4
-----------------------------------#ee
  8,hank1 get \ ( "! "r ? second10 %e
sd4
  8,:at's ! ru%80 ,i sd4 8,x's safe 9
"h40
  8,hank10 ,a%ley sd4 8,in case y
hav5't notic$1 "!'s a giant elephant
/&+ "r next to y40
  8,don't worry4 ,elsie & ,i >e frs4
,well1 maybe n frs1 b t1mmates40
  8,mrs4 ,fl[]s s5t u to br+ y back
immly10 ,ms4 ,%imozato sd4
  8,y bett] li/5 ? "t1 ,zip10 ,frankie
sd4 8,y're 9 big tr\ble40
  8,:5 y didn't come back ) ,mc,kelty1
,ms4 ,fl[]s got
-----------------------------------#ef
worri$10 ,a%ley w5t on4 8,%e call$ !
(fice & got a bun* ( /aff memb]s to
help look = y4 ,i talk$ h] 9to    a#ef
lett+ ,frankie & me g on a se>* if we
promis$ to /ick ) ,ms4 ,%imozato &
come back "r away40
  8,i c't get \ ( "h10 ,i told !m4 8,!
f;e is too hi<1 & ! gate is lock$40
  8,s y're /uck 9 "! ="e80 ,a%ley
ask$4
  8,a zookeep] "nd ,nora has ! key10
,i expla9$4 8,%e's we>+ a ;,t-%irt t
says .7,wild ,ab ,gira6es.'4 ,if y f9d
h]1 %e'll help40
  8,we're on x10 ,frankie sd4
-----------------------------------#eg
  8,hank1 y /ay "r "!10 ,ms4 ,%imozato
told me4
  8,z if ,i h any *oice10 ,i mutt]$4
  8,come on1 *n10 ,i he>d ,ms4
,%imozato sd4 8,? is an em]g5cy4 ,we h
to hurry40
  ,! ?ree ( !m ran (f d[n ! pa? & ,i
turn$ >.d to see :at ,elsie 0 up to4
,%e _h w&]$ ov] to h] cave1 ": s"eal
l>ge bales ( hay 7 /ack$ up ag/ !
wall4 ,%e lift$ ! top "o ) h]      #bi
trunk & c>ri$ x ov] to ! middle   a#eg
( h] 5closure4
  8,y m/ 2 hungry10 ,i sd to h]4 8,t's
a lot ( hay = lun*4 ,talk+ ab lun*1
,i'm hungry1
-----------------------------------#eh
too4 ,i wi% ,i lik$ hay1 b ,i'm m ( a
hot dog guy myf40
  ,elsie w5t ov] to ! /ack1 lift$
ano!r huge bale ( hay1 & br"\ x back
to ! middle ( h] space4 ,!n %e pick$ x
up z hi< z %e cd & slamm$ x ag/ ! f/
"o4 ,i ?9k %e 0 try+ to br1k !m up s
%e cd />t eat+ ! hay4 ,boy1 0 %e /r;g4
-----------------------------------#ei
  8,i bet yr trunk cd lift me10 ,i sd
to ,elsie4 8,i wei< a lot less ?an ^?
bales40
  .7,wait a m9ute1 ,hank ,zipp]
bra91.' ,i ?"\4 .7,y may h a h>d "t 9
s*ool1 b "s"ts t bra9 ( yrs comes up )
a brilliant idea4 ,& ? is "o ( ^?
"ts4.'
  8,elsie10 ,i 2gan4 8,i ne$ yr help40
  ,%e /opp$ eat+ h] hay & />$ at me4
  8,t's gd10 ,i sd4 8,n[ wat*     a#ei
me4 ,i'm go+ to expla9 :at ,i ne$ y to
d4 ,y're go+ to pret5d t ,i'm a bale (
hay1 & lift me up & ov] ! f;e ) yr
trunk4
-----------------------------------#fj
,d y ?9k y c d t80
  ,elsie j kept />+ at me4 ,? wasn't
"w+4
  ,i took a deep br1? & />t$ ag4
  8,,y10 ,i sd1 po9t+ at h] ) bo? ( my
po9t] f+]s4
  8,,me10 ,i sd1 po9t+ at myf4
  8,,trunk10 ,i sd1 r1*+ \ & patt+ h]
trunk4
  8,,up10 ,i sd1 po9t+ to ! sky4
  8,,ov]10 ,i sd1 po9t+ to ! f;e4
  ,elsie j look$ at me )\t mov+4
  8,give me a sign if y "u/& any?+ ,i
j sd10
-----------------------------------#fa
,i be7$ h]4 8,pl1se1 ,elsie40
  ,elsie %ift$ h] wei<t z if %e 0
gett+ r1dy to d "s?+4 ,i held my br1?4
,!n a riv] ( yell[ wat] 2gan       #ca
p\r+ f h] body mak+ a puddle on   a#fa
! gr.d t grew 9to a lake t grew 9to an
oc1n4
  ,i c tell y ?4 ,t wasn't ! sign ,i 0
wait+ =6
-------------------------------#fb-#fc

              ,,*apt] #g

  ,elsie look$ d[n at ! puddle1 !n
rais$ h] trunk & let \ a happy
trumpet4
  8,i "u/&10 ,i sd to h]4 8,if ,i 7 y1
,i'd feel m* bett]1 too40
  ,elsie turn$ back to h] lun*1 pull+
a giant clump ( hay (f ! bale & %ov+ x
9to h] m\? ) h] trunk4 ,i knew t if ,i
want$ to get h] att5;n1 x 0 go+ to h
to 9volve hay4 ,"h's a tip = y3 ,y
-----------------------------------#fd
don't mess ) an elephant :5 %e's
hungry4
  ,i walk$ ov] to ,elsie's lun* spot &
gra2$ a fi/;l ( hay4 ,no1 ,i wasn't
go+ to eat x4 ,l ,i sd1 ,i'm m ( a hot
dog guy4 ,i held ! hay \ =        a#fd
,elsie to sniff4 ,! tip ( h] l;g trunk
nuzzl$ my h&,-x actually felt l f+]s
tickl+ my palm4 ,y'd 2 amaz$ h[ g5tle
s* a huge animal c be4 ,%e took ! hay
&1 curl+ h] trunk t[>d h] m\?1 popp$ !
:ole h&;l 9 at once4 ,i li/5$ :ile %e
*ew$4 ,!n %e burp$4
  8,well ( c\rse t's go+ to happ510 ,i
sd4 8,y put too
-----------------------------------#fe
m* 9 yr m\? at "o "t4 ,! same ?+
happ5s to me :5 ,i'm %>+ a pickle ) my
gr&"f1 ,papa ,pete4 ,i love pickles s
m*1 ,i %ove ! :ole ?+ 9 my m\? at
once4 ,!n x's ,burp ,c;y40
  ,elsie 0 m 9t]e/$ 9 ! hay ?an 9 my
/ory4 ,i pick$ up ano!r fi/;l & %e
r1*$ \ = x ) h] trunk4 ,? "t1 ,i took
a few /eps backw>d1 & %e foll[$ me4 ,i
took a few m /eps t[>d ! f;e t surr.d$
h] 5closure4 ,%e foll[$ me ag4 ,i kept
rep1t+ ? until we 7 alm t\*+ ! f;e4
  8,t's a gd girl10 ,i sd to
                                   #cc
,elsie4 8,n[ comes ! h>d "p4 ,b    #ff
,i "k y c d x4 ,my mom alw says ,8if y
c imag9e x1 y c make x happ54,0 ,(
c\rse1 ,i don't "k if t applies to
elephants1 b ,i'm go+ to 2 positive "h
& say t x does40
  ,i held ! hay 9 front ( me1 & ,elsie
/ret*$ \ h] l;g trunk4 ,9/1d ( giv+ h]
! hay1 ,i took hold ( h] trunk ) my
h&s4 ,!n %e did ! mo/ amaz+ ?+4 ,%e
curl$ up h] trunk s t x 0 9 ! %ape ( a
hook,-! p]fect place = me to put my
feet4 ,i /epp$ onto h] trunk1 wrapp$
my >ms >.d x1 & held on ti<t4
-----------------------------------#fg
  8,n[ lift me up & put me d[n on !
o!r side ( ! f;e10 ,i told h]4 8,:5
,i'm on ! o!r side1 y'll get yr hay40
  ,z ,elsie lift$ me hi< 9to ! air1 x
felt l ,i 0 9 an elevator ) no walls4
,tru/ me1 y don't r1lize h[ tall an
elephant is until y're rid+ on xs
trunk4 ,i look$ d[n at ! gr.d4 ,t 0 a
bad idea4 ,x

0 way d[n "!4 ,s 9/1d1 ,i look$    #fh
/rai<t ah1d ( me & tri$ to pret5d t
:at 0 happ5+ wasn't happ5+4
  8,holy mac>oni1 ,zip10 ,i he>d
,frankie's voice call4
  8,oh my gd;s1 :at is go+ on80 ,ms4
,%imozato %\t$4
  8,elsie & ,i >e "w+ on a plan40
  8,:at"e x is1 x looks extremely
dang]\s10 %e %\t$4
  8,x sure does10 ,a%ley agre$4
8,hank1 >e y okay up "!80
  8,a ll dizzy4 ,i'm glad ,i didn't
f9i% my scrambl$ e7s at br1kfa/1 ?\<4
,did y guys f9d ,nora80
-----------------------------------#fi
  8,we f.d "s"o :o knew ": %e 0 & w5t
to get h]4 ,we ru%$ back "h to make
sure y're okay10 ,a%ley sd4
  8,zip60 ,frankie call$4 8,c ,i j
po9t \ y're on an elephant trunk80
  ,i tri$ to s.d calm1 l rid+ an
elephant's trunk 0 "s?+ ,i did e "d4
8,elsie is j giv+ me a ll lift60
  8,a ll lift60 ,ms4 ,%imozato     #ce
cri$4 8,y're sc>+ me1 ,hank60     a#fi
-----------------------------------#gj
  8,2lieve me1 y're n ! only "o10 ,i
answ]$4
  8,get d[n "h "r n[60 ,ms4 ,%imozato
comm&$4
  8,y he>d hm1 ,elsie10 ,i sd 9to h]
big e>4 8,d[n1 girl4 ,put me d[n on !
o!r side ( ! f;e40
  ,elsie /ood v / = a m9ute1 !n h] big
eyes turn$ to look me "r 9 ! eye4
  8,y c d ?10 ,i told h]4 8,"o /ep
=w>d & l[] me d[n to my frs40
  ,elsie took a baby /ep =w>d4 ,let me
rem9d y t a baby /ep = h] is l a giant
l1p = u4 ,!n %e />t$ to l[] h] trunk4
,sev5? floor4 ,six?
-----------------------------------#ga
floor4 ,fif? floor4 ,soon1 ,i 0 close
5 to ! gr.d to slide d[n h] trunk l a
firefi<t] com+ d[n a fireh\se pole4 ,z
my feet t\*$ ! gr.d1 ,i put my h&s 9 !
air & %\t$1 8,we did x6 ,?ank y1
,elsie60

  ,to my surprise1 ,i he>d :at     #gb
s.d$ l p clapp+4 ,i look$ >.d1 & = !
f/ "t1 notic$ t a gr\p ( p _h ga!r$4
,!y 7 all po9t+ at me4 ,a few 7 ev5
tak+ pictures4
  8,t's q a %[1 kid10 a man 9 a
,yankees baseball cap call$ \4
  8,d y d t e "d at noon80 a woman
hold+ a baby %\t$4
  8,i r1lly didn't d any?+ b hold on10
,i sd to "ey"o4 8,elsie did ! h>d "p1
didn't y1 girl80 ,elsie rais$ h] trunk
up to ! sky & trumpet$ l\dly4
-----------------------------------#gc
  8,t's "r10 ,i sd to h]4 8,y %d 2
pr\d ( yrf40
  ,elsie trumpet$ ag4
  8,oh1 ,i get x10 ,i sd4 8,y want yr
hay4 ,okay1 "h x is40
  ,i held ! hay \ 9 my h& & ,elsie's
big trunk swoop$ d[n & pick$ x all up4
,!n ! trunk & ! hay 4appe>$ ov] ! f;e4
  8,hey "ey"o1 ,i've got ! key10 ,nora
call$1 runn+ d[n ! pa? t[>d u4 8,:at's
! big em]g5cy80                    #cg
  8,hank 0 9side t 5closure ) !   a#gc
elephant10 ,ms4 ,%imozato told h]4 8,x
0 s f"r5+40
  ,nora turn$ to me4 ,%e look$ %ock$4
-----------------------------------#gd
  8,y snuck 9 "!80 %e ask$4 8,i hope y
"k t's v dang]\s60
  8,n if y "k ,elsie l ,i d10 ,i
answ]$4 8,%e's my fr4 ,did y "k t %e's
a grt so3] play]8
  8,%e's an elephant4 ,elephants don't
play so3]40
  ,luckily1 ,i didn't h to say a ^w4
,elsie came to my rescue :5 a so3]
ball came fly+ "? ! air4 ,usually ,i'm
n v gd at cat*+ a ball1 b ? "o 0 kick$
up & ov] ! f;e1 "r to me4 ,i r1*$ \ &
gra2$ x4
  ,! p :o 7 ga!r$ let \ a huge *e]4
-----------------------------------#ge
  8,t's amaz+10 ! man ) ! ,yankees cap
yell$4
  8,i want h] on my t1m10 a kid call$
\4
  ,nora turn$ to ! elephant 5closure4
,elsie 0 /&+ at ! f;e1 wait+ =    a#ge
me to kick ! ball back to h]4 ,i "k x
seems weird1 b ,i'd swe> t elephant 0
smil+4
-------------------------------#gf-#gg

              ,,*apt] #h

  ,nora cdn't 2lieve h] eyes4
  8,did ,i j see :at ,i ?9k ,i saw80
%e ask$4
  ,frankie1 ,a%ley1 & ,i all nodd$ at
! same "t1 z if we _h plann$ x4
  8,y've se5 h] kick ! ball l t 2f80
,nora ask$ me4
  8,sure10 ,i sd4 8,elsie & ,i h be5
play+ a lot ( so3] ? morn+40
  ,nora gave me a funny look4
  8,i'd l to see ? ) my [n
-----------------------------------#gh
eyes10 ,nora sd4 8,2c s9ce ,elsie has
be5 ) u1 %e hasn't seem$ at all
play;l4 ,9 fact1 q ! opposite40
  8,!n j wat* ?10 ,i sd to h]4 ,i put
! so3] ball on ! gr.d4             #ci
  8,okay1 girl10 ,i call$ \ to    a#gh
,elsie4 8,"h x comes4 ,keep yr eye on
! ball40
  ,elsie flapp$ h] e>s1 : 0 a gd sign
2c x m1nt %e 0 excit$4 ,i took aim &
kick$ ! ball h>d1 :ile lift+ my foot4
,! ball sail$ ov] ! f;e & "r to
,elsie4 ,z ! ball roll$ t[>d h]1 %e
put \ h] gigantic foot & j l t1 kick$
x back to me4
-----------------------------------#gi
  ,"! 0 a gasp f ! p 9 ! cr[d4
  8,amaz+10 ,i he>d ,nora :isp]4
  ,we pass$ ! ball back & =? ag4 ,:5 !
ball 0 on my side ( ! f;e1 ,elsie
lift$ h] trunk & %e trumpet$ l\dly1 z
if to say 8,%e %oots1 %e scores60
  ,nora actually />t$ to lau< \ l\d4
  8,i don't "k :at y sd to t
elephant10 %e sd to me1 8b %e sure is
act+ l a di6]5t animal40
  8,i ?9k ,elsie's r1dy to make new
frs10 ,i told ,nora4
  8,we h to 2 c>e;l putt+

,elsie 9 ) ! o!rs10 %e sd4         #hj
8,9troduc+ a new elephant 9to a gr\p c
2 risky4 ,we h to 2 sure !y all get
al;g40
  8,b if y put ,elsie 9 ) ! o!r
elephants1 !y cd />t _! [n so3] t1m4
,maybe ,i'll help y ?9k ( a "n4 ,my
so3] t1m 0 ! ,%>ks1 b t wd 2 a weird
"n = elephants4 ,h[ ab,-0
  ,ms4 ,%imozato put h] h& up to /op
me4
-----------------------------------#ha
  8,i hate to block yr cr1tiv;y1
,hank10 %e sd1 8b ,i ?9k y %d l1ve !
deci.ns ab ? elephant up to !
zookeep]s4 ,i ne$ to get y back to yr
class "r away4 ,i "k ,ms4 ,fl[]s is v
worri$4 ,i wd call h] to let h] "k
y're okay1 b ,i left my ph"o at !
snack b>40
  8,i'll let y g10 ,nora sd4 8,>e y
sure y "k ! way80
  ,ms4 ,%imozato nodd$ & ?ank$ ,nora =
h] help4 ,!n %e l$ u up ! pa? t[>d !
snack b>4                          #da
  8,i hope ,ms4 ,fl[]s hasn't     a#ha
call$ my p>5ts10 ,i sd z we walk$4
8,i'll 2 gr.d$
-----------------------------------#hb
until ,i'm old 5 to %ave40
  8,i've got to h& x to y1 ,zip10
,frankie sd ) a lau<4 8,no matt] h[ m*
tr\ble y're in1 y're alw funny40
  ,we hurri$ up ! r$ pa?1 pa/ ! lions
& ! zebras4
  8,oh look10 ,i sd1 po9t+ to an
especially b1uti;l zebra t 0 /&+ by !
f;e4 8,c we j /op & try to c.t 8
/ripes80
  8,? is no "t = /ripe c.t+10 ,ms4
,%imozato sd4
  8,okay1 b ,i / ?9k x 0 a gd
su7es;n10 ,i answ]$4
  8,i don't ?9k y "u/& h[ m* tr\ble
y're in1 ,hank10 ,a%ley :isp]$4
-----------------------------------#hc
  8,did y "k t no two sets ( zebra
/ripes >e exactly alike80 ,i w5t on4
  8,v 9t]e/+1 ,zip10 ,frankie sd4
  8,5\< talk+1 kids10 ,ms4 ,%imozato
sd4 8,we've got to hurry40        a#hc
  ,up ah1d1 at ! 5d ( ! r$ trail1 ,i
saw ! snack b>4 ,\r :ole class 0 sitt+
at ! tables1 look+ bor$4 ,ms4 ,fl[]s 0
on h] ph"o1 pac+ back & =?4 ,nick
,mc,kelty 0 ! f/ to notice u approa*+4
  8,well1 x's ab "t1 ,zipp] ,tee?10 he
yell$ \4 8,\r 5tire trip has be5 ru9$
2c ( y40
-----------------------------------#hd
  ,ms4 ,fl[]s look$ up f h] ph"o &
immly ran t[>d u4
-----------------------------------#he
  8,oh1 ?ank gd;s10 %e call$ \4 8,i've
be5 s worri$4 ,hank1 >e y okay80
  8,he's f9e10 ,ms4 ,%imozato sd4 8,he
0 hav+ an unusual 5c.t] ) an
elephant40
  8,wait until ,i tell y ab x10 ,i sd4
  8,no1 ,hank6 ,n[ is n ! "t40 ,ms4
,fl[]s s.d$ r1lly angry4 8,i'm too
upset4 ,:at 0 ! f/ rule we 4cuss$ ab
\r field trip80
  8,um 444 don't fe$ ! animals80 ,i
guess$4                            #dc
  8,y see1 ? is an example ( h[   a#he
y don't pay att5;n10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s
scold$4 8,! mo/ important rule we
4cuss$ 0
-----------------------------------#hf
no w&]+ away4 ,we specifically w5t ov]
h[ "ey"o /ays tgr1 un.s y >e ) yr
walk+ buddy40
  ,i look$ ov] at ,nick1 :o 0 5joy+
wat*+ me get 9 all ? tr\ble4
  8,my "pn]1 ^: "n ,i won't say \ l\d
b 2g9s ) an ;,n & 5ds ) an .1elty1 ran
(f & left me 9 ! ba?room40
  8,i did n6,0 ,mc,kelty yell$4 8,y 7
j too /upid to f9d me40
  8,t's 5\<1 ,nick10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s
answ]$4 8,we don't call p "ns4 ,i w
h&le ?40 ,!n turn+ to me1 %e
-----------------------------------#hg
sd1 8,hank1 :y didn't y return immly80
  8,t 0 my plan10 ,i sd tru?;lly4 8,b
:5 ,i came \ ( ! ba?room1 ,i 0 lo/4 ,&
!n ,i saw ,elsie & %e seem$ l"oly1 s
,i decid$ to /ay ) h] a:ile40
  8,y1h10 ,mc,kelty %\t$4 8,& 2c ( t1
y're ! only "o :o got to see !    a#hg
elephants4 ,! re/ ( u _h to sit "h />+
at \r froz5 lemonade cups40
  ,i ?"\ ab :at he sd = a m9ute1 & z
m* z ,i didn't want to admit x1 ,nick
,mc,kelty 0 "r4
  8,i'm sorry10 ,i sd to "ey"o4
-----------------------------------#hh
8,i didn't m1n to ru9 ! class trip4 ,i
guess ,i j wasn't ?9k+40
  8,no?+ new ab t10 ,mc,kelty grumbl$4
  ,frankie put 8 h& on my %\ld]4
-----------------------------------#hi
  8,we "k y didn't m1n to mess ?+s
up10 he :isp]$4
  8,hank1 ,i hope y "u/& t "! w 2
3sequ;es = :at y did10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd4
  ,"h's "o ?+ ,i h le>n$ ab adults4
,:5 !y say1 8,"! w 2 3sequ;es10 :at !y
r1lly m1n is t y're go+ to get puni%$4
  ,i look$ at ,ms4 ,fl[]s :o 0 /&+ "!
) h] >ms fold$ 9 front ( h]4 ,i gave
h] a ll smile1 b %e did n smile back4
  ,i knew :at t m1nt4
  ,tr\ble ) a capital ;,t4         #de
              ,,*apt] #i           #ij
           ,,,five possible
      83sequ;es0 t mi<t happ5,'
          ,,,by hank zipz],'

#a4 ,i w h to %ovel up poop f ! monkey
  habitat )\t ! help ( a nose clip4
#b4 ,i w h to sit next to ,nick
  ,mc,kelty's >mpits on all ! class
  trips4 ,boy1 ,i am r1lly go+ to ne$
  t nose clip4
-----------------------------------#ia
#c4 ,i w get ! l;ge/ "t-\ 9 ! hi/ory (
  ! _w4 ,x w la/ s l;g t x w actually
  g 9to ! .7,gu9;s ,book ( ,_w
  ,records.'4
#d4 ,i w h to write a ?ree-p>agraph
  report on my exp]i;e at ! zoo4 ,?ree
  :ole p>agraphs6 ,i'd r %ovel monkey
  poop6
#e4 ,i alr =got numb] five4 ,s sorry1
  b t's life 9 ! ,zipz] bra94



             ,,*apt] #aj       #ib-#ic

  ,! gd news was1 ,i didn't h to %ovel
up monkey poop4
  ,! bad news was1 ,i actually got all
( ! o!r puni%;ts1 plus "s ,i _h n"e
?"\ (4
  ,f/ ( all1 ,i _h to sit next to
,nick ,mc,kelty on ! bus ride back to
s*ool4 ,8 >mpits 7 especially /9ky af
sp5d+ ! "d at ! zoo4 ,my poor nose got
s tir$ f try+ to block ! smell t ,i 0
go+ to h to put x to b$ e>ly4
-----------------------------------#id
  ,second1 :5 ,ms4 ,fl[]s told my
p>5ts :at ,i _h d"o1 ,i got gr.d$4 ,my
dad sd = ! next two weeks1 ,i cd eat1
br1!1 & g to s*ool4 ,& t 0 x4
  ,?ird1 all ( my scre5 "t 0 tak5 away
= two weeks4 ,t m1nt no comput]1 no
video games1 & ,i cdn't ev5 use my
mom's ph"o to play a ma? game %e _h
d[nload$ = me4 ,:5 ,i tri$ to tell my
dad t ma? 0 gd = me1 he sd1 8,use a
p5cil & pap] 9/1d40 ,!n he put a   #dg
:ole %eet ( subtrac;n problems    a#id
9 front ( me4 ,0 he kidd+8 ,i cdn't
ev5 d !m 2h me4
-----------------------------------#ie
  ,! h>de/ "p ( ! puni%;t 0 writ+ !
?ree-p>agraph report on my exp]i;e at
! zoo4 ,= me1 writ+ ev5 "o s5t;e is
h>d4 ,writ+ a p>agraph is v1 v h>d4
,writ+ ?ree p>agraphs is z close to
impossible z a p]son c get4
  ,af d9n] t ni<t1 my dad set me up at
! desk 9 my room4 ,he gave me /rict
9/ruc;ns4
-----------------------------------#if
  8,don't come \ ( yr room until y've
writt5 ! ?ree p>agraphs10 he sd4
  8,b ,dad10 ,i answ]$4 8,? isn't
fair4 ,my bra9 is alr cr1m *eese f "w+
on ^? subtrac;n problems4 ,2ss1 ,i'm n
a gd p>agraph writ]40
  8,y %d h ?"\ ( t 2f y w&]$ away1
,hank4 ,n[ get to "w4 ,i want y 9 b$ )
! li<ts \ at ei<t-?irty4 ,& rememb]1
don't get up f yr desk until y f9i% !
assign;t40
  ,z soon z my dad left ! room1   a#if
! f/ ?+ ,i did 0 get up f my desk4 ,i
_h to4
-----------------------------------#ig
,my left leg 0 b\nc+ up & d[n l x _h a
motor 9 x4 ,or maybe x 0 my "r leg4 ,i
h a h>d "t "k+ my left f my "r4 ,b no
matt] :at leg x was1 ,i _h to take x =
a walk >.d my room4
  ,i m1nt to g "r back to my desk1 b
,i made a ll /op at my dress] & op5$ !
draw]4 ,! next ?+ ,i knew1 ,i 0 look+
"? my collec;n ( baseball c>ds4 ,i
don't "k h[ !y got \ ( ord]1 b ! ,mets
7 all mix$ tgr ) ! ,yankees4 ,i knew
^? c>ds wdn't 2 happy until ,i sep>at$
!m1 2c ^? two t1ms don't get al;g at
all4
-----------------------------------#ih
  ,i took ! c>ds \ ( my draw] & put !m
d[n on ! c>pet4 ,i 0 busy sort+ !m 9to
two piles :5 ! door op5$ & my mom /uck
h] h1d in4
  8,t doesn't look l writ+ to me10 %e
sd1 com+ 9 & clos+ ! door 2h h]4   #di
  8,y alw say ,i h to get         a#ih
organiz$10 ,i answ]$4 8,well1 look4
,i'm organiz+40
-----------------------------------#ii
  8,? is n go+ to help y get yr report
d"o10 %e po9t$ \4 8,y %d 2 organiz+ yr
?"\s1 n yr baseball c>ds40
  ,t 0 easy = h] to say4 ,:5 ,i tell
my bra9 to organize my ?"\s1 x doesn't
li/54 ,x j ?9ks ab :at"e x wants to
?9k ab4 ,& at t mo;t1 x 0 ?9k+ ab
baseball c>ds4
  8,hank10 my mom sd4 8,? assign;t
%dn't 2 h>d = y4 ,y "k a lot ab
elephants4 ,y've wat*$ s _m %[s ab !m
on televi.n4 ,j comb9e :at y alr "k )
:at y
----------------------------------#ajj
rememb] ab yr field trip4 ,y'll 2 d"o
9 no "t40
  ,my mom help$ me cl1n up ! baseball
c>ds & put !m back 9 ! draw]4
  8,! ,yankees & ! ,mets >e go+ to h
to le>n to get al;g on _! [n10 ,i told
h]4
  ,%e lau<$1 b !n put h] h& on   a#ajj
my %\ld] l %e does :5 %e gets s]i\s4
  8,get to "w1 h"oy4 ,once yr report
is d"o1 y'll feel s m* bett]40
  ,%e left & ,i sat d[n at my desk1 =
r1l ? "t4 ,i 0 det]m9$ to write my
?ree p>agraphs4 ,i pick$ up "o ( !
p5cils & wrote my "n at !
----------------------------------#aja
top ( ! pap]4 ,w[1 t 0 a gd />t4
  ,!n ,i ?"\ ( a title3 8,h[ to ,hug
an ,elephant40 ,i r1lly lik$ t4 ,i
only _h "o problem4 ,i cdn't spell
.1elephant4 ,actually1 ,i _h two
problems 2c ,i pu%$ s h>d on ! p5cil1
,i snapp$ ! po9t "r (f4 ,x took me
tw5ty m9utes to f9d my
----------------------------------#ajb
p5cil %>p5]1 : ,i f9ally f.d hidd5 "u
my ru2] b& collec;n4 ,once ,i 0 all
set up ) my %>p5$ p5cil1 ! r1lly h>d
"p />t$4 ,! ?"\s 7 all "! 9 my m9d1
wait+ to come \4 ,i j cdn't pu% !m "?
my p5cil4 ,i'd write "o ^w1 !n ]ase x4
,i ]as$ ov] t spot s m*1 ,i ]as$   #ea
a hole "r "? ! pap]4 ,i ?"\ x    a#ajb
mi<t help if ,i sd ! f/ two s5t;es \
l\d4
  8,elsie is an elephant t has j mov$
to ! zoo10 ,i sd to my empty room4
8,%e wei<s fifte5 ?\s& p.ds40
  ,my e>s lov$ ^? s5t;es6
----------------------------------#ajc
,:y cdn't ,i j get ! ^ws onto ! pap] 9
front ( me8
  ,i held ! p5cil & tri$ to write ! f/
^w4 ,x didn't look "r to me1 probably
2c ,i spell$ ,elsie .1;;,l-z-y4 ,!n my
m9d took (f on xs [n4 ,i cdn't foll[
"o ?"\4 ,! facts ( ! televi.n %[ got
all mix$ up ) my visit to ! zoo4 ,no?+
made s5se4 ,my ?"\s 7 \ ( ord]1 j l my
baseball c>ds4
  ,i don't "k h[ l;g ,i sat "! try+ to
write ! f/ s5t;e4 ,x felt l tw5ty
ye>s1 b ,i'm sure x 0 less4 ,i 0 glad
:5 my dad came 9 & told me x 0
ei<t-?irty4
----------------------------------#ajd
,i've n"e want$ to g to b$ s m* 9 my
:ole life4                       a#ajd
  8,did y d a gd job80 my dad ask$ z
,i put ! page ) only ! title & my "n
on x 9to my backpack4
  8,dad1 ,i did ! be/ job ,i cd40
  ,x wasn't r1lly a lie4 ,i _h tri$4
,& tri$4 ,& tri$4
  8,i hope y le>n$ yr lesson10 0 all
he sd4 8,n[ g to b$40
  ,i put on my pajamas & walk$ d[n !
hall to ! ba?room4 ,z ,i bru%$ my
tee?1 ,i />$ at myf 9 ! mirror4 ,i
tri$ to imag9e h[ ,i 0 go+ to expla9
to
----------------------------------#aje
,ms4 ,fl[]s t all ,i _h = h] 0 an
empty page ) a hole 9 x4 ,b ! only ?+
,i saw 0 a worri$ kid ) a m\?;l (
too?pa/e & n ev5 "o p>agraph to turn
in4
-----------------------------#ajf-#ajg

             ,,*apt] #aa

  ,x took me a l;g "t to walk to   #ec
s*ool ! next morn+4 ,x 0 !       a#ajg
same 4t.e z alw,-a half block to !
corn] & ano!r half block to ,,ps #hg4
,b ,i 0 walk+ z sl[ly z ,i cd 2c ,i
knew :at 0 wait+ = me :5 ,i got "!4
  8,y're walk+ z sl[ z a snail ?
morn+10 ,frankie notic$4
  8,actually10 my si/]1 ,emily1 *im$
in4 8,snails don't walk4
----------------------------------#ajh
,walk+ m1ns y h legs4 ,snails glide on
surfaces40
  8,f9e10 ,frankie sd4 8,!n ,hank is
glid+ v sl[ly on ! sidewalk surface40
  ,frankie's mom1 :o 0 tak+ u to
s*ool1 agre$4
  8,usually y're b\nc+ all >.d1
,hank10 %e sd4 8,l ye/]"d1 :5 y
app>5tly didn't /ay ) yr class dur+ !
field trip40
  8,y "k ab t1 too80 ,i ask$4
  8,sure10 %e sd4 8,we 4cuss$ yr
elephant adv5ture ov] \r m1tloaf &
ma%$ potatoes la/ ni<t40
  8,my family 4cuss$ x ov]
*ocolate pudd+10 ,a%ley sd4       #aji
  ,0 ! :ole _w talk+ ab my mi/ake8 ,i
guess !y w]e4 ,& ! wor/ "p was1 s 0
,pr9cipal ,love4 ,i f.d t \ ! m9ute ,i
>riv$ at s*ool4
  ,he 0 /&+ on ! front /eps 9 8 weird
,velcro sn1k]s1 greet+ all ! /ud5ts4
,z soon z he saw me1 he came m>*+ ov]4
,i cd he> 8 sn1k]s squ1k+ on ! pave;t4
,i didn't l ! s.d ( t4
----------------------------------#aaj
  8,well1 "y man1 t 0 q a sc>e y gave
"ey"o ye/]"d40
  ,i notic$ t ! mole on 8 *eek1 :
looks l ! ,/atue ( ,lib]ty1 seem$ to 2
%ak+ xs h1d at me4 ,0 8 mole angry1
too8
  8,ms4 ,fl[]s sd t "p ( yr puni%;t 0
to write a report on yr trip to !
zoo10 he w5t on4 8,i'll 2 "! = yr
pres5ta;n40
  8,y m1n y're com+ to my class80
  8,yes1 9de$40
  8,& actually sitt+ d[n to li/5 to
me80                               #ee
  8,yes1 9de$1 ag40              a#aaj
----------------------------------#aaa
  8,w[10 ,i sd4 8,t's go+ to 2 s 444
um 444 x's go+ to 2 s 444 ,i j c't ?9k
( ! ^w "r n[40
  8,"! >e _m ^ws to describe my
visit10 ,pr9cipal ,love sd4 8,?rill+4
,/imulat+4 ,deli<t;l40
  ,i didn't tell hm1 b1 actually1 ! ^w
,i _h 9 m9d 0 .1sc>y4 ,r1lly sc>y4
-----------------------------#aab-#aac

             ,,*apt] #ab

  ,i kept hop+ t ,ms4 ,fl[]s _h =gott5
ab my ?ree-p>agraph report4 ,%e didn't
m5;n x af %e took att5d.e4 ,%e didn't
m5;n x :5 %e wrote h] quote ( ! "d on
! bo>d4 ,%e didn't m5;n x :5 %e
ann\nc$ t x 0 taco "d 9 ! cafet]ia4 ,i
0 />t+ to feel pretty gd & 0 ev5 ?9k+
h[ m* ,i'd l a taco = lun*4
  ,b !n ,pr9cipal ,love
----------------------------------#aad
walk$ in1 & ,i lo/ my appetite
completely4                      a#aad
  8,pr9cipal ,love has jo9$ u =
,hank's pres5ta;n10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd to
! class4 8,hank1 >e y r1dy80
  ,my m9d scr1m$ no4 ,my m\? sd yes4
  8,f9e10 %e sd4 8,pl1se come up to !
front ( ! class & r1d u yr report40
  ,i op5$ my notebook & took \ ! piece
( l9$ pap] ,i _h "w$ on4 ,nick
,mc,kelty l1n$ acr 8 desk z f> z he cd
)\t flipp+ ov]4 ,ev5 ?\< ,i tri$ to
hide ! pap]1 he got a qk look at x4
  8,hey1 "!'s no?+ writt5 on
----------------------------------#aae
"!10 he %\t$4 8,x's totally empty40
  8,x is n10 ,i sd4 8,see1 "!'s !
title1 .7,h[ to ,hug an ,elephant.'40
  8,oh is t :at x says80 ,mc,kelty
snort$4 8,to me1 x looks l "sbody ?rew
up on yr pap]40
  8,nick1 t's 5\<10 ,ms4 ,fl[]s sd4
8,hank1 c ,i pl1se see yr report80
  ,my he>t />t$ to b1t fa/]4
  8,x's n :at x looks l10 ,i sd z ,i
got close to h] desk4 8,i "k x     #eg
looks empty1 b "!'s a lot (      a#aae
?"\ 2h x40
----------------------------------#aaf
  ,ms4 ,fl[]s held \ h] h&1 & ,i _h no
*oice b to give h] ! pap]4
  8,hank10 %e sd1 look+ at bo? sides4
8,"!'s no?+ b a big hole 9 ! middle (
? page40
  8,i "k4 ,t's ": all ! ?"\s fell "?4
,!y w5t "r d[n t hole & 9to ! c>pet 9
my b$room4 ,b luckily = all ( u1 ,i /
h !m "h 9 my m9d40
  ,2f %e cd answ]1 ,i turn$ to ! class
& />t$ to talk4
  8,ye/]"d ,i _h ! mo/ amaz+ exp]i;e )
,elsie !
----------------------------------#aag
elephant10 ,i 2gan4 8,i le>n$ t ,elsie
c use ! 5d ( h] trunk l f+]s4 ,t's h[
%e picks up ?+s to eat4 ,i al le>n$ t
if an elephant raises h] trunk up 9 !
air :ile %e's trumpet+1 x m1ns %e's
happy to see y4 ,b ! mo/ important ?+
,i le>n$ f ,elsie is t elephants h
feel+s z big z _! bodies40
  8,h['d y le>n t80 ,mc,kelty    a#aag
%\t$ \4 8,did y two d.e or "s?+80
  8,actually1 ,elsie & ,i play$ so3]4
,& x turns \ %e's a natural4 ,%e cd
score a goal f a mile away40
  8,i don't 2lieve y10 he sd4
  8,well1 x's true4 ,y c ask
----------------------------------#aah
,frankie & ,a%ley4 ,!y saw h] d x40
  8,we sure did10 ,frankie sd4
  8,t ,elsie's got a grt goal kick10
,a%ley add$4
  8,elephants >e ! l>ge/ l& animals 9
! _w10 ,i 3t9u$4 8,:5 "o ( _! frs 9 !
h]d dies1 !y feel sad4 ,:5 ,elsie
>riv$ at ! zoo1 %e felt v sad4 ,b af
my visit ) h]1 ,i 2lieve %e %[$ !
zookeep] ano!r side ( h]1 a happy
side40
----------------------------------#aai
  8,s.ds l y help$ h] feel bett]1
,hank10 ,katie ,sp]l+ sd4 8,i ?9k t's
s cool40
  ,a bun* ( ! o!r kids nodd$4
  8,y1h1 ,i ?9k ,i did4 ,s ,i'm    #ei
r1lly sorry t ,i sc>$ "ey"o by   a#aai
gett+ lo/4 ,& t ,i did "s?+ dang]\s by
go+ 9to ! 5closure4 ,i'm al sorry ,i
mess$ up yr visit to ! zoo4 ,b ,i hope
y "u/& t "s?+ wond];l happ5$ )
,elsie40
  8,i h a "q10 ,pr9cipal ,love sd f !
back ( ! room4
  8,okay1 ,pr9cipal ,love4 ,i call on
y40
----------------------------------#abj
  8,yr 2havior prev5t$ yr classmates f
5joy+ ! field trip z m* z y did10 he
sd4 8,h[ d y plan to make t up to !m80
  ,t 0 a gd "q4 ,i _h be5 ?9k+ ab x a
lot4
  8,f/1 let me rep1t to "ey"o h[ sorry
,i am4 ,& second1 ,i h decid$ to
donate "ey?+ 9 my pi7y bank to a ,save
! ,elephants organiza;n4 ,elephants l
,elsie >e 9 dang]1 & ,i want to help
!m40
  8,:y1 ,hank1 :at a wond];l idea10
,ms4 ,fl[]s sd4
  8,i c.t$ my m"oy la/ ni<t1 & ,i'm
pretty sure ,i h tw5ty-sev5      a#abj
doll>s & ?irte5 c5ts4 ,x mi<t 2 fifte5
c5ts1 ,i j
----------------------------------#aba
cdn't keep track4 ,anyway1 ,i'm donat+
! m"oy 9 ! "n ( all ( y 9 ,ms4
,fl[]s's second-grade class40
  ,to my surprise1 "ey"o />t$ to *e]4
  8,i ?9k y %d give ! m"oy to u10
,nick ,mc,kelty blurt$ \4
  ,"ey"o />t$ to boo4 ,t felt amaz+4
,ev5 ?\< ,i _h ru9$ _! field trip1 !y
7
----------------------------------#abb
/ick+ up = me4 ,well1 actually n = me1
b = ,elsie & all ! o!r elephants 9 !
_w4
  8,i'm glad to see t y've le>n$ yr
lesson10 ,pr9cipal ,love sd4 8,& on
top ( t1 y've tau<t u all an important
"o4 ,i'm sure t ,elsie & h] elephant
frs w b5efit f yr k9d;s4 ,well d"o1 "y
man40
  ,my e>s cdn't 2lieve t ,pr9cipal
,love 0 talk+ ab me4               #fa
  ,i /ood "! 9 front ( my        a#abb
class4
  ,& y "k :at8 ,i felt pr\d4 ,my trip
to ! zoo turn$ \ to 2 ! grte/ field
trip "e4
----------------------------------#abc

             ,,*apt] #ac
           ,,,six 9cr$ible
         facts ab elephants,'
          ,,,by hank zipz],'

#a4 ,elephants c live to 2 ov] sev5ty
  ye>s old4 ,w[1 t's ev5 old] ?an
  ,papa ,pete6
#b4 ,an elephant's sk9 is an 9* ?ick4
  ,s is my si/]'s h1d4
#c4 ,elephants purr l cats4 ,x m/ 2
  r1lly h>d :5 !y try to curl up 9 yr
  lap4
----------------------------------#abd
#d4 ,an elephant too? c wei< five p.ds
  & is z big z a brick4 ,i wond] ": !y
  sell too?bru%es t big4
#e4 ,elephants "s"ts 8hug0 by wrapp+
  _! trunks tgr4 ,j ! ?"\ ( t    a#abd
  makes me happy4
#f4 ,elephants >e 9 dang] f p :o want
  to kill !m = _! ivory tusks4 ,if y
  want to help !m z m* z ,i d1 y c
  le>n all ab elephants at websites =
  gr\ps l ! ,_w ,wildlife ,organiza;n
  "<www4_wwildlife4org"> or ,unit$ =
  ,wildlife "<unit$=wildlife4org">4

             @.<,! ,5d@.>













                                   #fc