,"h's ,,hank
    ,fake ,snakes & ,weird ,wiz>ds

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



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



       ,sponsor$ & ,pres5t$ by3
         ,am]ican ,ac;n ,fund
         = ,bl ,*n & ,adults
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           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 a
divi.n ( ,p5gu9 ,"y ,r1d]s ,gr\p1 #cde
,hudson ,/reet1 ,new ,york1 ,new ,york
#ajjad4

,,isbn #igh-#j-#ddh-#dhbeb-#a

p5gu94com_/"yr1d]s

  ,to my h]o1 ,daniel ,silva,-a fr &
writ] ( grt adv5tures4 ,& to ,/acey1
alw,-,,hw

  ,= ,tyl]1 ,gregory1 & ,alex ,k+ 444
*ildhood & ="e frs,-,,lo

  ,= my wond];l ,nan1 my e>lie/
fan6,-,,sg


             ,"h's ,,hank           #a
    ,fake ,snakes & ,weird ,wiz>ds

              ,,*apt] #a

  8,hank60 my si/]1 ,emily1 yell$1 z
%e ran up to me & gra2$ my >m4 8,y h
to come meet ,g+]4 ,%e's ! cute/ snake
,i've "e se540
  8,emily10 ,i sd1 8l;g slimy reptiles
) no eyelids or e>s >e n cute4 ,!y're
creepy40
  8,g+]'s n slimy4 ,h] sk9 is dry4
,come pet h]40
  8,i don't pet snakes1 or any?+ else
t cd eat me :ole = lun*40
------------------------------------#b
  ,\r family 0 sp5d+ ! morn+ at ! ,we/
,5d ,av5ue /reet fair4 ,! :ole block 0
l9$ ) boo?s sell+ "ey?+ f blueb]ry
mu69s to tube socks4 ,l1ve x to ,emily
to f9d ! "o snake boo?4 ,t girl c
sniff \ a reptile bett] ?an my dog1
,*e]io1 c sniff \ a hunk ( pot roa/ "u
! d9+-room table4                   #a
  ,ignor+ ,emily1 ,i h1d$ = a      a#b
boo? t 0 sell+ cool comic books4
,emily /ood "! & /omp$ h] foot4
  8,mom6 ,dad60 %e :9$4 8,? isn't
fair4 ,we j sp5t tw5ty m9utes wait+ =
,hank to ta/e e flavor ( ice cr1m
------------------------------------#c
:5 we knew he 0 go+ to pick
*]ry-vanilla all al;g4 ,n[ ! family %d
d "s?+ ,i want to d40
  8,emily has a gd po9t1 ,hank10 my
mom sd4 8,i ?9k we %d all g say hello
to ,g+] ! snake40
  8,f9e10 ,i mutt]$4 8,b ,i'm n t\*+
h] ) any "p ( my body4 ,i w use my
eyes & t's x40
  ,we walk$ ov] to a l>ge purple sign
t r1d ,,,ralph's reptile %[4,' ,"u !
sign1 "! 0 a table ) "s reptiles
4play$ 9 di6]5t k9ds ( glass tanks4 ,a
giant tortoise 0 sitt+ 9 ! middle
------------------------------------#d
( ! table4 ,& :5 ,i say giant1 ,i m1n
.1giant4 ,t guy's %ell 0 z big z my
ba?room s9k4 ,9 front ( ! table 0
,ralph hmf1 ) a l;g orange1        a#d
yell[1 & black /rip$ snake wrapp$ >.d
8 >m4
  8,"!'s ,g+]60 ,emily scr1m$4
------------------------------------#e
  8,hi1 ,emily10 ,ralph sd4 8,oh1 ,i
see y've br"\ yr family ov] to meet
,g+]40
  8,!y're all s excit$ to get to "k
h]10 ,emily sd1 r1*+ \ to /roke ,g+]'s
l;g back4
  8,make t all b "o ( u10 ,i add$
qkly4 8,i hope ? doesn't hurt yr
feel+s1 ,ralph1 b ,i'm n a big snake
pett]40
  8,well1 !n maybe ,i c 9t]e/ y 9
,clive1 my sn[ leop>d gecko10 ,ralph
sd4 8,or ,boris1 my adorable
blue-tail$ sk9k40
  ,okay1 ,i don't ev5 "k :at a sk9k
is4 ,b x s.ds too close to 8/9k0 = me
to ev5 3sid] pett+ x4
  ,ralph 0 we>+ a tan floppy
------------------------------------#f
hat t look$ l 8 h1d _h sw1t$ 9 x    #c
= at l1/ a hundr$ ye>s4 ,he _h     a#f
on a br[n %irt & %orts1 br[n 3/ruc;n
boots1 & a %irt ) a million pockets &
zipp]s4 ,maybe t's ": he keeps 8
sk9ks4
  8,is t tortoise ev5 alive80 ,i ask$
,ralph4 8,he's n mov+40
  8,y m1n ,spe$y80 ,ralph pett$ !
tortoise's bumpy h1d ) two f+]s4
8,he's probably j ?9k+ ab ! lettuce
l1f he _h = lun*4 ,if y want a ll m
excite;t1 y %d get to "k ,g+]4 ,%e's a
hoot40
------------------------------------#g
  ,ralph mov$ 8 >m s t ,g+]'s face 0 v
close to my nose4 ,maybe x wasn't .1v
close1 b x 0 close 5 = me to jump way
back4
  8,look at ,hank10 ,emily lau<$4
8,afraid ( a ll snake40
  8,i'm n afraid1 exactly10 ,i told
h]4 8,i j don't happ5 to love snakes !
same way y d4 ,maybe ,i'm n an animal
p]son40
  8,y love ,*e]io1 don't y80
  8,( c\rse4 ,b ,*e]io's a dog1    a#g
: m1ns y c play ball ) hm4 ,& take hm
= a walk4 ,la/ "t ,i *eck$1 !y don't
make l1%es = snakes40
------------------------------------#h
  8,snakes >e v sweet 9 _! [n way10
,ralph sd4 8,take ,g+]1 = 9/.e4 ,%e's
a mud snake4 ,%e loves *n4 ,%e's a big
hit at kids' bir?"d "pies40
  8,w[10 ,emily sd4 8,i wi% %e cd come
to m9e4 ,x's com+ up soon4 ,i alr s5t
\ ! 9vita;ns & "ey?+40
  ,ralph r1*$ d[n to ! /ack ( bro*ures
he _h on ! table & h&$ my dad "o4
  8,i br+ my reptile %[ to lots (
kids' bir?"d "pies10 he sd4 8,& ,i'd 2
happy to come to ,emily's40
  8,t's a d1l60 ,emily sd4 8,i'm go+
to call "ey"o ,i've 9vit$ & let !m "k
t
------------------------------------#i
"!'s a new !me to my "py4 ,"eybody
else has a pr9cess dress-up "py4
,nobody has _h snakes 2f40
  8,t's 2c kids don't l att5d+      #e
bir?"d "pies ) cr1tures ^: jaws    a#i
unlock s !y c swall[ ! bir?"d cake
:ole10 ,i sd4
  8,i don't c>e :at y ?9k1 ,hank4 ,x's
my "py40
  8,hold up "!1 ,emily10 my dad sd1
putt+ ! bro*ure 9 8 coat pocket4 8,we
h a lot to 4cuss "h40
  8,& we %d d t on ! way home10 my mom
sd1 tak+ ,emily's h& to l1d h] away f
,ralph4
-----------------------------------#aj
  8,see y soon10 ,emily call$ \ to
,ralph4 8,tell ,g+] ,i'll make a
special "py hat = h]40
  8,we'll h to see ab t10 my dad
:isp]$ to ,ralph4
  8,i "u/&10 ,ralph answ]$4 8,my ph"o
numb] is on ! bro*ure4 ,let me "k z
soon z y decide1 2c
-----------------------------------#aa
,g+] is a v popul> snake40
  ,z we walk$ up #ghth ,/reet to \r
a"p;t1 ,emily didn't /op ja2]+ = a
m9ute4 ,my dad 0 j ! opposite4 ,he 0
quiet4 ,8 eyebr[s 7 all wr9kl$    a#aa
& 8 m\? 0 turn$ d[n 9to a fr[n4
  8,look1 ,emily10 my dad sd :5 we
r1*$ \r build+4 8,i don't want to
4appo9t y1 b we c't h ,ralph's
,reptile ,%[ at yr "py4 ,i gl.ed at !
prices1 & x's too exp5sive = u40
  ,emily /opp$ 9 h] tracks & s did h]
m\?4
-----------------------------------#ab
,%e />$ at my dad l he _h j told h] !
sky 0 fall+4
  8,b1 ,daddy10 %e cri$4 8,i'm only
go+ to turn sev5 once 9 my life40
  8,well1 sweetie10 my mom sd1 8we c /
h a nice "py = y40
  ,emily's eyes fill$ ) te>s4 ,%e
pull$ op5 ! front door & ran "? !
hallway to ! elevator4 ,i saw h] pu%+
! elevator button l %e 0 hamm]+ a nail
) h] ?umb4 ,i felt sorry = ! elevator
button1 & my mom felt sorry = ,emily4
  8,%e wants t "py s badly10 %e :isp]$
to my dad4
                                    #g
  8,i wi% we cd af=d x10 he sd4    #ac
8,b we c't40
  ,we rode up ! elevator 9 sil;e1
except = ! s.d ( ,emily sni6l+4 ,:5 we
got to \r a"p;t1 my dad op5$ ! door1 &
,*e]io came runn+ \ to greet u4 ,ev5 8
wa7+ tail didn't *e] ,emily up4 ,z ,i
pett$ ,*e]io1 ,i rememb]$ h[ ,emily _h
/ood up = me :5 ,i want$ to keep hm1 &
my dad _h sd no4 ,sudd5ly1 ,i felt
"s?+ surpris+ 9 ! pit ( my /oma*1 & x
_h no?+ to d ) want+ a pepp]oni pizza4
  ,:at ,i want$ 0 to help my si/]4
,n[1 h[ weird is t8
-----------------------------------#ad

              ,,*apt] #b
        ,,,five ways i cd help
        emily 5joy h] bir?"d,'
          ,,,by hank zipz],'

#a4 ,i cd buy h] a black-&-:ite
  cookie4 "<,except x's my favorite
  cookie 9 ! _w1 & ,i'd probably eat x
  2f ,i got home4">
#b4 ,i cd buy h] a dill pickle4   a#ad
  "<,i'd probably eat t 2f ,i got
  home1 too4">
#c4 ,i cd (f] to cl1n ! cage ( h]
  iguana1 ,ka!r9e4 "<,nooooooooooo1 ,i
  c't4 ,j ! ?"\ ( liz>d dropp+s makes
  me want to wa% my h&s = tw5ty-two
  h\rs4">
-----------------------------------#ae
#d4 ,i cd dress up z a snake & pret5d
  to 2 ,g+]4 "<,except my t;gue isn't
  l;g 5\<4 ,al1 x's n =k$,-at l1/ x
  wasn't ! la/ "t ,i look$4">
#e4 ,i cd magically produce a snake \
  ( ?9 air4 "<,hey 444 n[ "!'s an
  idea4 ,i'll h to talk to ,frankie ab
  ?at4">"9

"333333
"9 ,frankie is an 9cr$ible magician4
  ,once he alm pull$ a nickel \ ( my
  nose1 b ,i sneez$ & blew x \ 2f he
  cd get to x4

                                    #i
              ,,*apt] #c       #af-#ag

  ,z soon z we got 9to \r a"p;t1
,emily ran to h] room & slamm$ ! door4
,i foll[$ h] & /ood pati5tly \tside (
x1 knock+ until my knuckles hurt4 ,%e
n"e sd 8,come in0 or 8,g away40
  8,emily60 ,i call$4 8,op5 ! door4 ,i
h a grt idea ab yr "py40
  8,oh r1lly8 ,& :at is yr grt idea1 z
if y cd h "o80
-----------------------------------#ah
  8,op5 ! door & ,i'll tell y40
  ,i he>d h] walk+ acr ! c>pet1 !n !
door op5$ a crack4
  8,:at80 %e sd4
  8,well10 ,i 2gan4 8,y want a snake
at yr "py1 "r80
  8,duh40
  8,s all y h to d is produce "o \ (
?9 air4 ,problem solv$40
  ,i smil$ my be/ ,hank ,zipz] smile1
giv+ h] a t\* ( ! old ,zipz] attitude4
,x didn't "w4 ,%e didn't buy x = "o
m9ute4
  8,hank10 %e sd4 8,t is !        a#ah
crazie/ ?+ y've "e sd4
-----------------------------------#ai
,snakes don't appe> \ ( ?9 air4 ,n[
/op bu7+ me40
  ,%e />t$ to close ! door1 b 2f %e
cd1 ,i /uck my foot 9 ! doorway to
block x4 ,i knew ,i _h to come up ) a
plan %e'd 2lieve4
-----------------------------------#bj
,un=tunately1 ,i didn't h "o4 ,b to my
surprise1 :5 ,i op5$ my m\?1 ? is :at
came \4
  8,snakes d appe> \ ( ?9 air10 ,i sd4
8,if y "k ! "r p4 ,& ,i d40
  8,:o80 %e ask$4
  ,i op5$ my m\? ag1 & ? "t1 an ev5
bi7] surprise 0 wait+ on my t;gue4
  8,! ,we/side ,wiz>d10 ,i sd4 8,don't
tell me y've n"e he>d ( hm4 ,8
specialty is pull+ snakes \ ( ?9 air &
twirl+ !m abv 8 h1d4 ,!y get a ll
dizzy1 b !y love x 2c x makes kids
happy40
  ,emily look$ at me               #aa
suspici\sly4                      a#bj
-----------------------------------#ba
  8,& h[ d y "k ? ,we/side ,wiz>d80 %e
ask$4 8,i've n"e he>d ( hm40
  8,emily1 y may h =gott51 b ,i'm 9 !
second grade4
-----------------------------------#bb
,we second-grad]s "k all k9ds ( ?+s y
ll f/-grad]s don't40
  8,y don't "k h[ to subtract1 & ,i
d10 ,emily po9t$ \4
  8,okay1 f9e10 ,i told h]4 8,y c talk
ab ma? all y want4 ,i'll j call !
wiz>d & tell hm y're n 9t]e/$ 9 hav+
hm come to yr "py40
  8,no1 no4 ,don't d t1 ,hank4 ,d y
?9k he'd r1lly come8 ,! "py's only a
week away40
  ,i gave h] t ,zipz] smile ag4
  8,he w if ,i ask hm10 ,i sd )
3fid;e4 ,let me j say
-----------------------------------#bc
"r "h1 ,i h no idea ": t 3fid;e 0 com+
f4 ,i _h n"e he>d ( ! ,we/side ,wiz>d4
,x 0 j "s?+ t fell \ ( my m\?4
  ,i notic$ t ,emily 0 smil+4     a#bc
,& x 0 ! same excit$ smile %e'd _h at
,ralph's boo? at ! /reet fair4
  8,hank6 ,y >e ! be/ big bro!r 9 !
_w40
  ,%e r1*$ \ & gave me a giant hug4
,"r 9 ! middle ( x1 we bo? r1liz$ t ?
0 weird4 ,f/ ( all1 we don't hug4 ,&
second ( all1 %e gra2$ me s sudd5ly t
h] braids slapp$ me 9 ! face4
-----------------------------------#bd
,! hug /opp$ alm z soon z x />t$1 : 0
j f9e ) me4
  ,emily ru%$ pa/ me & ran 9to ! liv+
room4
  8,": >e y go+80 ,i %\t$4
  8,to call all ! frs ,i
-----------------------------------#be
9vit$ & tell !m ab ! ,we/side ,wiz>d4
,? is go+ to 2 ! be/ bir?"d "py !y've
"e be5 to40
  ,on ! "o h&1 x 0 gd to see ,emily s
excit$4
  ,on ! o!r h&1 ,i _h gott5 myf 9to a
giant pickle4 ,actually1 make t    #ac
a :ole j> ( pickles4 ,:o 0 ?      a#be
,we/side ,wiz>d ,i _h j made up8 ,& ":
0 ,i go+ to f9d hm8 ,& ev5 if ,i did
f9d hm1 h[ 0 he go+ to pull a snake \
( ?9 air8
  .7,^? >e gd "qs1.' ,i sd to myf4
  ,n[ all ,i ne$$ 7 "s gd answ]s4
-------------------------------#bf-#bg

              ,,*apt] #d

  ,:5 ,i get myf 9to tr\ble1 "! >e
only two ways \1 & _! "ns >e ,frankie
,t[ns5d & ,a%ley ,w;g4 ,i c't tell y
h[ _m "ts my two be/ frs h sav$ me f
4a/]4 ,l ! "t ,i spill$ glue1 & my
f+]s got s /uck tgr1 ,i cdn't ev5 pick
up a p5cil4 ,i ?"\ ,i 0 go+ to h to
take my spell+ te/ hold+ ! p5cil 9 my
m\?1 until ,frankie & ,a%ley pull$
-----------------------------------#bh
me to ! s9k 9 ! back ( ! room4 ,i
didn't "k t soak+ yr h&s 9 w>m wat] wd
melt ! glue away4 ,too bad !y cdn't
take my spell+ te/ = me1 2c z x turn$
\1 ,i flunk$ x4                   a#bh
  ,s z ,emily call$ h] frs1 my only
?"\ 0 to call ,frankie & ,a%ley4
  8,em]g5cy meet+ 9 ! clubh\se10 ,i sd
9to ! ph"o4 8,n[40
  ,five m9utes lat]1 ! ?ree ( u 7 9 !
base;t /orage room we call \r
clubh\se4 ,i />t$ to tell !m :at
happ5$1 talk+ a mile a m9ute4
-----------------------------------#bi
  8,wait a m9ute1 ,zip10 ,frankie
9t]rupt$4 8,y told yr si/] .1:at80
  8,& y sd y knew .1:o80 ,a%ley *im$
in4
  8,y he>d me10 ,i told !m1 try+ to
appe> l ,i knew :at ,i 0 do+4 8,:at's
! big d1l80
  8,! big d1l10 ,frankie sd1 8is
t,-"o,-"! is no s* p]son z ! ,we/side
,wiz>d40
  8,& two10 ,a%ley add$1 8ev5 if he
did exi/1 he cdn't pull a snake \ ( ?9
air4 ,no "o c40
  8,b "! actually is a ,we/side
,wiz>d10 ,i expla9$4 8,y're        #ae
look+ at hm40                     a#bi
-----------------------------------#cj
  ,i held my >ms \ & b[$4 ,frankie
%ook 8 h1d4
  8,uh-oh10 ,frankie sd4 8,"h comes "o
( ,hank's totally crazy plans40
  8,y "k h[ to pull sc>ves \ ( a top
hat1 "r80 ,i 2gan4 8,y c t1* me t
trick4 ,!n all we h to d is tie a
snake to ! 5d ( ! sc>ves4 ,ba-boom1
x's magic40
  8,": >e we suppos$ to
-----------------------------------#ca
get ? snake80 ,a%ley ask$4 8,in !
snake aisle at ! n9ety-n9e-c5t /ore80
  8,grt idea1 ,a%we5a60 ,i sd4 8,!y
actually h ru2] snakes "!4 ,we'll g &
pick "o t looks r1lly r1l1 l ) a =k$
t;gue & "ey?+40
  8,well1 ev5 if we d f9d a r1l-look+
snake10 ,a%ley sd1 8y / h to figure \
a way to look l a wiz>d4 ,y're n
exactly a ,h>ry ,pott] lookalike40
  8,y c help me make a co/ume10 ,i sd
to h]4 8,y're gd at t40
  ,i cd see t ? idea 9t]e/$       a#ca
,a%ley4 ,%e pu%$ h] glasses back on h]
nose &
-----------------------------------#cb
twirl$ h] ponytail4 ,%e does t :5 %e's
?9k+4
  8,well1 y'd ne$ a grt co/ume s
,emily doesn't recognize y10 %e sd4
8,a wiz>d hat & robe1 a big l;g be>d1
& maybe "s sunglasses t cov] up mo/ (
yr face40
  8,& ,i c *ange my voice s t x s.ds
all deep & old & wiz>dy40 ,i 0 />t+ to
love ? idea4 ,i swit*$ 9to my be/
wiz>d voice4 8,2hold1 ) a wave ( my
>ms1 ,i w ca/ a p[];l spell on y10 ,i
gr[l$4
  8,y s.d l a frog ) a cold10 ,frankie
sd4
  8,okay1 maybe my wiz>d voice isn't
grt n[1 b ,i c "w on
-----------------------------------#cc
x4 ,i'll /udy old ,mizbam ! ,mi<ty
c>toons40
  ,sudd5ly1 ,frankie's eyes lit    #ag
up4                               a#cc
  8,my big bro!r ,otis w5t to 8
six?-grade ,hall[e5 p>ade z ,mizbam !
,mi<ty10 he sd4 8,i'll bet my mom
pack$ 8 co/ume away 9 "o ( ^! boxes4
,x wd 2 p]fect = y60
  ,we jump$ up & />t$ r1d+ ! labels (
all ! c>dbo>d boxes t l9$ ! %elves ( !
/orage room4 ,summ] clo!s4 ,/u6$
animals4 ,pots & pans4 ,so3] trophies4
,f9ally1 we came to "o label$ ,,otis4
,we pull$ x d[n & took (f ! top4
,frankie se>*$ ! box1 sort+ "? "s baby
pictures ( ,otis4
-----------------------------------#cd
,!n he pick$ up "o & bur/ \ lau<+4
  8,don't tell ,otis10 he h[l$1 8b "h
he is ly+ on a furry rug1 ) 8 nak$
butt /ick+ up 9 ! air40
  ,a%ley & ,i crack$ up4
  8,oh1 "h's :at we're look+ =10
,frankie sd1 r1*+ way d[n to ! bottom
( ! c>ton4 ,he pull$ \ a po9t$ hat & a
black robe ) %9y silv] />s4 ,"! 0 ev5
a l;g :ite be>d made \ ( cotton balls
glu$ tgr4                         a#cd
  8,x's p]fect10 ,a%ley sd4 8,try x
on1 ,hank40
  ,i slipp$ ! robe ov] my h1d4 ,otis
is tall1 s ! robe 0 v
-----------------------------------#ce
l;g on me4 ,! >ms alm t\*$ ! gr.d4 ,:5
,i slipp$ ! be>d >.d my e>s1 ! 5d ( x
w5t d[n to my belly button4
  8,looks gd10 ,frankie sd1 8b ,i / "k
x's y40
  8,we ne$ d>k glasses10 ,a%ley
su7e/$1 8to cov] ! re/ ( yr face40
  ,%e look$ ov] ! boxes & f.d "o
label$ ,,,mrs4 f9k's vaca;n items4,'
,9side1 %e f.d a l>ge polka-dot ba?+
suit1 lots ( fl[]$ sun hats1 & a
hot-p9k pair ( sunglasses cov]$ )
rh9e/"os4
  8,oh no1 ,i'm n we>+ ^?10 ,i sd4
-----------------------------------#cf
  8,well1 y c hope ,emily doesn't
recognize y10 ,a%ley sd ) a %rug4 8,b
,i ?9k %e w1 2c ,i c40
  8,okay1 y w940 ,i took ! p9k     #ai
sunglasses f ,a%ley & put !m      a#cf
on4
-----------------------------------#cg
  ,!y "w$4 ,) ! hat & ! robe & ! be>d
& ! glasses1 y'd n"e "k x 0 me4
  ,z ,i /rutt$ >.d ! clubh\se 9 my new
co/ume1 ,i felt l my plan 0 (f to a gd
/>t4
  8,n[ all y h to d is le>n ! magic
trick10 ,frankie sd4 8,no problem40
  ,t 0 easy = hm to say4 ,frankie
le>ns "ey?+ r1lly fa/4 ,b = me1 le>n+
new ?+s is h>d4 ,i m1n r1lly h>d4
  .7,don't let yrf ?9k ab t n[1
,hank1.' ,i told myf4
  ,b ,i notic$ t myf 0 too n]v\s to
answ]4
-------------------------------#ch-#ci

              ,,*apt] #e

  ,we got />t$ "r away4 ,frankie took
! elevator up to 8 a"p;t to get !
magic trick4 ,:ile he 0 g"o1 ,a%ley
su7e/$ ,i practice walk+ >.d & talk+ )
my co/ume on4 ,i 0 pretty gd ab   a#ci
n tripp+ on ! robe1 b ! be>d 0 ano!r
/ory4 ,e "t ,i mov$ my lips1 ! be>d
slipp$ (f my face & l&$ on ! gr.d4 ,x
look$ l a flu6y :ite bunny
-----------------------------------#dj
ra2it fell asleep on my %oes4
  8,? be>d isn't "w+10 ,i told ,a%ley4
8,ei x's too big or my face is too
small40
  8,i don't ?9k yr face is go+ to gr[
2f ! "py10 ,a%ley answ]$4 8,s we'll h
to come up ) ano!r way to keep ! be>d
on40
  ,%e look$ >.d ! /orage room & notic$
a roll ( cle> pack+ tape sitt+ on "o (
! %elves4
  8,j ! ?+10 %e sd4
  ,%e took ! roll ( tape & tore (f two
small pieces4 ,!n ,i held v / :ile %e
tap$ ! be>d to bo? sides ( ! p9k
sunglasses4
-----------------------------------#da
  8,n[ yr be>d won't fall d[n un.s y
take ! sunglasses (f10 ,a%ley      #ba
sd4                               a#da
  ,by !n1 ,frankie _h return$ ) !
magic trick4 ,to me1 x j look$ l an
empty black velvet bag4
  8,oh1 b f1/ yr eyes on ?10 ,frankie
sd1 turn+ ! bag 9side \4 8,:at d y
see80
  8,an empty bag40
  ,frankie turn$ ! bag "r-side \1 s x
0 back to normal4 ,!n
-----------------------------------#db
) a big smile1 he r1*$ 9 & pull$ \ a
l;g *a9 ( color$ sc>ves4
  8.1,z5gawii60 he sd4 8,x's magic40
  8,h['d y d t80 ,i ask$4
  8,v well40 ,frankie lau<$4 8,t's :at
u magicians alw say :5 "s"o asks h[ we
d a trick40
  8,come on1 ,frankie4 ,y h to tell
me10 ,i sd4 8,h[ else am ,i go+ to
le>n80
  8,okay1 b y h to promise
-----------------------------------#dc
n to tell4 ,x's ! ,magicians' ,code4
,we don't %>e \r secrets40
  8,i promise40                   a#dc
  8,me too10 ,a%ley sd4
  ,frankie l[]$ 8 voice to a :isp]4
8,! sc>ves >e 9 a hidd5 com"p;t 9side
! l9+ ( ! bag4 ,:5 y r1* 9side1 y h to
op5 ! ,velcro pocket to get to !
sc>ves1 )\t any"o see+ :at y're do+4
,x takes practice4 ,y're go+ to h to
sp5d a lot ( "t on ? trick1 ,hank/]40
  8,okay10 ,i agre$4 8,b f/ let's get
! snake1 & tie x to ! 5d ( ! sc>ves4
-----------------------------------#dd
,"!'s no po9t 9 practic+ )\t x4 ,i "k
"r ": !y >e at ! n9ety-n9e-c5t /ore
444 9 2t ! cann$ >ti*okes & ! ,ll
,tugboat too?bru%es40
  8,!n :at >e we wait+ =80 ,a%ley
ask$4
  ,we took ! elevator up to ! t5?
floor & bur/ 9to my a"p;t4 ,my dad 0
sitt+ 9 8 l1!r *air1 do+ a cross^w
puzzle4
  8,dad60 ,i sd4 8,we ne$ to make an
em]g5cy trip to ! n9ety-n9e-c5t /ore4
,c y pl1se take u80                #bc
  ,my dad didn't look up4 ,he 0   a#dd
3c5trat+4
-----------------------------------#de
  8,:at's a sev5-lr ^w = ? clue3 ,8,y
don't want to bite ? 9 public4,00
  8,a cross+ gu>d10 ,i answ]$4
  ,n[ my dad look$ up4 8,h[ did y come
up ) t1 ,hank80
  ,i smil$ pr\dly4 8,my bra9 is on
fire1 ,dad40
  ,my si/]1 ,emily1 walk$ 9to ! liv+
room1 putt+ h] nose ": x didn't 2l;g1
z usual4
  8,f/ ( all10 %e sd4 8,8,cross+
gu>d,0 has ?irte5 lrs4 ,& second (
all1 ! answ] is ,8toenail4,00
  ,my dad gave h] a big smile4
  8,?ank y1 h"oy10 he sd4 ,!n he put
d[n 8 puzzle & sd1 8,we're go+ to !
n9ety-
-----------------------------------#df
n9e-c5t /ore4 ,:y don't y jo9 u80
  8,noooooooooooo60 ,frankie & ,a%ley
& ,i cri$ all at once4
  ,my dad gave u t look1 ! "o t says
.7we're do+ ? my way4.'           a#df
  8,dad1 ,emily c't come10 ,i tri$ to
expla94 8,we h secret busi;s to d t
only ! ?ree ( u c "k ab40
  8,don't 2 ridicul\s1 ,hank10 my dad
sd4 8,we don't h secrets 9 ? family4
,emily1 get yr jacket40
  ,boy1 0 my dad "e wr;g ab n hav+
secrets4 ,we _h "o ! size ( ,jupit]4
-----------------------------------#dg
  8,hank10 ,frankie :isp]$ z we put on
\r jackets4 8,we c't buy ! snake )
,emily "!40
  8,don't worry ab x1 ,frankie10 ,i sd
) my mo/ 3fid5t ,zipz] attitude4 8,i h
"ey?+ "u 3trol4 ,a%ley w walk ,emily
to ! o!r side ( ! /ore1 & ,i'll pay =
! snake4 ,i got my wallet "r "h40
  ,i patt$ my pocket4 ,x 0 empty4
  8,okay1 s ,i don't h my wallet "r
"h10 ,i sd4
  ,i guess ! old ,zipz] attitude /
ne$$ a ll "w4 ,i sure hop$ ,i cd fix x
by ! "t we got to ! /ore4
                                   #be
              ,,*apt] #f       #dh-#di

  8,a%ley10 ,i :isp]$ z soon z we
walk$ 9to ! n9ety-n9e-c5t /ore1 8yr
job is to take ,emily ov] "!1 to !
>t-supply sec;n4 ,t way1 ,frankie & ,i
c pick \ ! snake )\t h] see+ u40
  8,h[ am ,i suppos$ to d t80 ,a%ley
ask$4 8,y "k ,emily4 ,%e's go+ to want
to g to ! snake sec;n40
  8,tell h] t y he>d "!'s a new
reptile /ick]
-----------------------------------#ej
book10 ,i su7e/$4 8,!n g look = x4 ,&
take yr "t40
  8,"r-o1 ,capta9 ,hank4 ,i'm on x10
,a%ley sd1 giv+ me a salute4
  ,i wat*$ h] g up to ,emily & :isp]
"s?+ 9 h] e>4 ,emily nodd$ happily1 &
! two ( !m set (f = ! o!r side ( !
/ore4
  ,my dad _h alr f.d ! cross^w puzzle
book sec;n1 & /uck 8 nose 9to "o ( !
4play books4
  8,dad10 ,i sd4 8,frankie & ,i w 2 9
aisle ?ree if y ne$ u40           a#ej
  ,he 0 s 9volv$ 9 a puzzle t all he
did 0 grunt4
  ,we ran up & d[n ! aisles1 look+ = !
ru2]-
-----------------------------------#ea
snake b94 ,x turn$ \ x 0 actually 9
aisle ?ree1 2t ! cann$ >ti*okes & !
tugboat too?bru%es1 j l ,i rememb]$4
,we bo? dug 9to ! b91 sort+ "? fat
snakes1 %ort "os1 gre5 "os 444 until
we came acr a black & orange & yell[
/rip$ "o4
-----------------------------------#eb
  8,g+]60 ,i sd4 8,hey1 nice to see y
ag40
  8,don't tell me y & ? snake h _h
pizza tgr10 ,frankie sd1 %oot+ me a
look4
  8,( c\rse n4 ,"ey"o "ks ru2] snakes
c't dige/ *eese40
  ,frankie bur/ \ lau<+4 ,s did ,i4
,un=tunately1 we 7 a ll too l\d &
attract$ ! att5;n ( a c]ta9
alm-sev5-ye>-old si/] ( m9e4 ,\    #bg
( ! corn] ( my eye1 ,i saw        a#eb
,emily hurry+ ov] to \r aisle1 )
,a%ley foll[+ close 2h4
  8,i'll 4tract h]10 ,i :isp]$ to
,frankie4 8,y g buy ,g+]4 ,i'll pay y
back lat]40
-----------------------------------#ec
  ,) t1 ,i spun >.d & rac$ d[n ! aisle
t[>d ,emily4
  8,i want to see :at's s funny60 %e
dem&$4
  ,i put myf "r 9 front ( h] & tri$ to
puff up my *e/ s %e cdn't see >.d me4
,my *e/ doesn't puff up all t m*1 s
9/1d1 ,i />t$ talk+ z fa/ z ,i cd4
-----------------------------------#ed
  8,oh my go%10 ,i sd1 po9t+ to an
5tire %elf fill$ ) baby %oes4 8,look
at ^?4 ,>5't !y ! cute/ ll ?+s y've "e
se580
  ,emily turn$ >.d & look$ at ! 4play
( baby %oes4 ,a%ley "u/ood :at ,i 0
do+ & jump$ "r in4
  8,oh1 ,emily1 ^? baby %oes wd look s
p]fect on yr iguana10 %e sd4 8,(
c\rse1 y'd h to buy two pairs40   a#ed
  8,no problem10 ,i sd4 8,i've sav$ "s
all[.e m"oy4 ,i'd l to get "s?+ =
,ka!r9e40
  8,d y h a f"e1 ,hank80 ,emily ask$4
8,i've n"e he>d
-----------------------------------#ee
y say any?+ nice ab ,ka!r9e 9 my 5tire
life40
  8,well1 x's "t ,i did10 ,i sd4 8,%e
is "o lovely liz>d40
  ,i took ,emily by ! h& & dra7$ h]
ov] to ! baby %oes4 ,i gl.ed at
,frankie & saw t he 0 h1d+ to ! ca%
regi/]1 b he wasn't "! yet4 ,i _h to
/all = a ll :ile l;g]4 ,s ,i r1*$ \ &
pick$ up two pairs ( p9k baby sn1k]s t
_h ra9b[-color$ ponies on !m4 ,i
slipp$ ea* %oe onto "o ( my f+]s &
mov$ !m up & d[n l !y 7 danc+4
  8,hi1 ,emily10 ,i sd 9 a hi< squ1ky
voice4 8,x's me1 ,ka!r9e4
-----------------------------------#ef
,i'm a happy ll iguana 2c ,i'm danc+ 9
^! baby sn1k]s4 ,!y're s s(t1 my   #bi
claws feel l !y're walk+ on       a#ef
pill[s40
  ,emily squ9t$ at me l ,i _h lo/ my
m9d4 ,i cd see t ,i 0 los+ h] att5;n1
s ,i _h to /ep up my p]=m.e4 ,i />t$
to twirl >.d1 s++ a made-up s;g4
  8,i'm a dizzy ll liz>d1 wat* me
twirl10 ,i sang1 flapp+ my >ms4 ,i m/
h flapp$ a ll too h>d1 2c ,i lo/ my
bal.e1 & my 5tire body cra%$ 9to !
/ack ( baby %oes4 ,! next ?+ ,i knew1
! :ole 4play came tumbl+ d[n >.d me4
,x 0 ra9+ t9y sn1k]s4
-------------------------------#eg-#eh
  8,hank60 ,emily scr1m$4 8,look :at y
did60
  ,all ! %opp]s >.d me /opp$ & />$4
,"o ( !m _h a /roll] ) tw9s 9 x4 ,bo?
babies />t$ to cry4 ,!n a ll boy came
runn+ ov] to ! pile ( %oes & dove 9to
!m4 ,:5 he came up = air1 a pair (
baby blue runn+ %oes 0 hang+ (f 8 e>4
,ano!r kid po9t$ & lau<$1 & !n pick$
up a %oe & ?rew x 9 ! air1 j = fun4 ,x
l&$ "r on my h1d4
  ,sudd5ly1 "! 0 a crackl+        a#eh
noise on ! l\dsp1k]4
  8,cl1n up on aisle ?ree10 a man's
voice sd4
-----------------------------------#ei
  ,& 2f ,i knew x1 two "w]s ) brooms 7
at my side1 sweep+ ! %oes 9to a pile4
,my dad _h >riv$1 too1 /&+ ov] me ) 8
h&s on 8 hips4
  8,hank1 :y is x t tr\ble foll[s y
:]"e y g80 he sd4 8,i c't l1ve y al"o
= two m9utes40
  8,actually1 ,mr4 ;,z10 ,a%ley sd1
8,i ?9k we 7 al"o = at l1/ ?ree
m9utes1 : is a new record = ,hank40
  8,a%ley1 ,i appreciate yr attempt at
humor1 b ? is n ! "t10 my dad answ]$4
8,look at ? mess ,hank has cr1t$40
-----------------------------------#fj
  ,emily %ook h] h1d4
  8,i'm s sorry ab my bro!r10 %e sd to
"o ( ! "w]s4
  ,i look$ up to ! front ( ! /ore &
saw ,frankie4 ,he 0 hold+ a br[n pap]
bag abv 8 h1d4                     #ca
  8,frankie's got x10 ,a%ley      a#fj
:isp]$ 9 my e>4
  ,i turn$ to ! "w]s :o 7 cl1n+ up !
mess4
  8,c ,i help y80 ,i ask$4
-----------------------------------#fa
  8,t's okay1 kid4 ,we got x4 ,a3id5ts
happ540
  8,i'm s sorry10 ,i sd4 8,?anks =
"u/&+40 ,!n turn+ to ,emily & my dad1
,i add$1 8,okay1 let's g40
  8,b :at ab ,ka!r9e's sn1k]s80 ,emily
sd4
  ,i gave h] a look l h] bra9s _h
dropp$ onto ! floor 9 ! pile ( %oes4
  8,ka!r9e80 ,i sd4 8,:y wd %e ne$
sn1k]s80
  ,z ,i ran d[n ! aisle to meet
,frankie1 ,i hi<-fiv$ myf4 ,! plan
didn't come (f exactly z ,i _h imag9$
x1 b ! snake 0 9 ! bag4 ,n[ all ,i _h
to d 0 le>n h[ to pull x \4



              ,,*apt] #g           #fb
    ,,,f\r ?+s t happ5$ :5 frankie
    tri$ to t1* me ! magic trick,'
          ,,,by hank zipz],'

#a4 ,i lo/ ! velvet bag4 "<,x's h>d to
  pull "s?+ \ ( a bag :5 ! bag xf has
  4appe>$4">
#b4 ,i lo/ ! *a9 ( sc>ves4 "<,i didn't
  actually lose !m1 b ,i us$ ! blue "o
  z a h&k]*ief :5 ,i sneez$4 ,i gave x
  to my mom to wa%1 b ,i ?9k ! wa%+
  ma*9e ate x4">
#c4 ,i a3id5tally spit \ my bu2le gum
-----------------------------------#fc
  & x got cau<t 9 my wiz>d be>d4
  "<,a%ley _h to cut x \1 & n[ "!'s a
  hole ! size ( a silv]-doll> pancake
  9 my be>d4">
#d4 ,i />t$ to feel l gett+ an ,a 9
  ma? wd 2 easi] ?an le>n+ ? trick4
  "<,& me gett+ an ,a 9 ma? is ab z
  likely z a %>k le>n+ to ice-skate4">

  ,by ! way1 9 case y hav5't       #cc
figur$ ? \ alr1 le>n+ ! magic     a#fc
trick 0 n go+ well4
-------------------------------#fd-#fe

              ,,*apt] #h

  8,hank10 ,frankie sd to me4 8,? is !
fifty-fif? "t ,i've %[n y ? trick4 ,y
h to focus if y're "e go+ to le>n x40
  ,we 7 9 ! clubh\se1 & ,i _h be5 "w+
) ,frankie af s*ool = f\r "ds4 ,i 0
pr\d ( myf j = hav+ f.d ! velvet bag &
! sc>ves4 ,i _h /u6$ !m 9to my
backpack4 ,b n[1 e "t ,i tri$ to pull
! snake \ ( ! bag1 "s?+ w5t wr;g4
-----------------------------------#ff
  8,i'm r1lly try+1 ,frankie1 z h>d z
,i c4 ,i'm n mess+ up on purpose4 ,i
"k ,i h to le>n ? trick1 b ,i don't
?9k ,i c40
  8,"t is runn+ \10 ,a%ley sd4 8,x's
alr ,?urs"d1 & ,emily's "py is on
,satur"d40
  8,i'll n"e 2 able to d x by !n10 ,i
sd ) a big si<4 8,y're ! magician1
,frankie4 ,:y don't y d x80       a#ff
  8,hank1 y c d ?4 ,i 2lieve 9 y4 ,if
y give up n[1 y'll r1lly feel bad40
  8,b if y get x10 ,a%ley add$1 8y're
go+ to feel gd ="e4 ,y'll n"e =get :at
y did = ,emily40
  8,b ? is />t+ to r1lly
-----------------------------------#fg
fr1k me \10 ,i sd4 8,all ,emily talks
ab is h[ _m p h sd yes to h] "py4 ,la/
ni<t at d9n]1 %e sd "! 7 sev5te5
=-sures & ano!r t5 maybes4 ,n "o p]son
sd no40
  8,okay10 ,frankie sd1 tak+ a deep
br1?4 8,!n let's /op wa/+ "t4 ,y're
go+ to le>n ?40
  ,i roll$ up my wiz>d-robe sleeves &
put on ! sunglasses ) ! be>d atta*$4
,i took a mo;t to scrat* my nose1 2c !
cotton balls tickl$ my no/rils4
  8,hank/]10 ,frankie sd4 8,y h to
2come ! ,we/side ,wiz>d4 ,& wiz>ds
don't scrat*40
  8,well1 ? "o does40
                                   #ce
  8,f9e10 ,frankie sd4 8,j g on    #fh
) ! trick40
  8,okay10 ,i 2gan4 8,f/1 ,i lift my
h& 9 ! air4 ,!n ,i drop x 9to ! velvet
bag until ,i f9d ! secret pocket ) !
,velcro /rip4 ,!n1 ,i say ! magic ^w4
,:at is x ag1 ,frankie8 ,grapefruit80
  8,no1 .1z5gawii4 ,x doesn't ev5 s.d
l grapefruit40
  8.1,z5gawii60 ,i rep1t$ 9 my be/
wiz>dy voice4
  ,i ?"\ ,i felt ! sc>ves tuck$ 9to !
secret pocket4 ,s f>1 s gd4 ,b :5 ,i
pull$ on ! sc>ves1 ! :ole bag flew acr
! room & l&$ smack 9 ! middle ( ,mrs4
,f9k's laundry basket4
-----------------------------------#fi
  8,t's x60 ,i yell$1 pull+ (f my be>d
& po9ty wiz>d hat4 8,i c't d ?6 ,i
give up60
  8,b1 ,hank,-0 ,a%ley 2gan4
  8,no .1b .1,hanks10 ,i told h]4
8,i'm s fru/rat$ ,i cd scr1m4 ,9 fact1
,i ?9k ,i w4
.1,aaaaa>rrrrrrrrrrr77777777gg60 ,i
%\t$ s l\d ,i ?"\ my tonsils 7    a#fi
go+ to fly \ ( my m\?4
  8,hank1 ? isn't help+10 ,frankie sd1
cov]+ 8 e>s4
-----------------------------------#gj
8,if y keep ? up1 !y're go+ to ?r[ u \
( "h4 ,!n y'll h no place to
practice40
  8,i'm d"o practic+10 ,i dcld4 8,d"o1
d"o1 & d"o4 ,oh1 by ! way1 h ,i sd !
^w .1d"o80
  8,:at ab ,emily & h] "py80 ,a%ley
ask$4 8,y promis$ h] a snake4 ,>e y j
go+ to g back on yr promise80
  8,i'm go+ to solve ? ano!r way10 ,i
sd4 8,! "r way40
  ,2f !y cd ask me ano!r "q1 ,i hurri$
\ ( ! clubh\se & h1d$ = ! elevator4
,frankie & ,a%ley foll[$ me up to my
a"p;t4 ,:5 ,i got 9side1 ,i pick$ up !
ph"o & call$ ,papa ,pete4
-----------------------------------#ga
  8,hankie10 he answ]$4 8,:at >e y up
to1 my boy80
  8,oh1 ab f\r foot ?ree10 ,i      #cg
told hm4 ,he ro>$ ) lau<t]4 ,t    a#ga
0 \r special joke4
  8,papa ,pete1 c y help me80 ,i ask$
hm4 8,i ne$ y to come & pick me up4 ,i
h to visit a fr4 ,i h a favor to ask
hm1 & ,i don't want my mom & dad to
"k40
  8,y're n 9 any tr\ble1 >e y80 ,papa
,pete ask$4
-----------------------------------#gb
  8,no m ?an usual10 ,i sd4
  ,papa ,pete is grt 2c he doesn't
bo!r y ) too _m "qs1 l mo/ gr[n-ups d4
,he j tries to help4
  8,i'll 2 "! soon10 he sd4
  ,z ,i hung up ! ph"o1 ,frankie &
,a%ley 7 />+ at me4
  8,i'm n foll[+ ?10 ,frankie sd4
8,:at fr8 ,:at favor80
  8,his "n is ,ralph10 ,i expla9$4
8,he's ,g+]'s [n]4 ,i'm go+ to ask hm
if he & ,g+] c come to ,emily's "py40
  8,b didn't yr dad say x 0 too
exp5sive80 ,a%ley ask$4
  8,t's ": ! favor "p comes in4 ,i'm
go+ to ask if he c d x = two      a#gb
doll>s &
-----------------------------------#gc
sixty-?ree c5ts4 ,t's h[ m* ,i h sav$
9 my secret safe40
  8,d y ?9k ,ralph w come = t80
,frankie ask$4 8,x's n v m* m"oy1
snake-wise40
  8,i don't "k1 ,frankie10 ,i sd4 8,b
l y j sd1 ,i c't let ,emily d[n1 s x's
wor? a try4 ,>e y guys com+80
  8,oh1 ,i wdn't miss ?10 ,a%ley sd4
  8,y're go+ to see ,hank ,8!
,hurricane,0 ,zipz] 9 ac;n10 ,i sd4
,at t v mo;t1 ,i 0 positive ,i cd
3v9ce ,ralph to come to ,emily's "py4
  ,b a few m9utes lat]1 :5 !
,hurricane di$ d[n1 ,i wasn't s sure
anymore4
-------------------------------#gd-#ge

              ,,*apt] #i

  ,we took ! bus to ,ralph's a"p;t4 ,x
0 d[nt[n on #aith ,/reet1 abv a    #ci
4c.t suitcase /ore4 ,we _h to     a#ge
walk up ?ree fli<ts ( /airs1 sl[] ?an
usual 2c ,papa ,pete _h to re/ on ea*
l&+4 ,:5 we got to ,ralph's door1 !
bell didn't "w1 s we knock$4 ,& wait$4
,& wait$4
  8,maybe he's n home10 ,a%ley sd4
  8,oh1 he's "!10 ,i answ]$4
-----------------------------------#gf
8,i call$ ah1d & told hm we 7 com+40
  8,h['d y get 8 numb]80
  8,f 8 bro*ure 9 ,emily's room4 ,%e
sleeps ) x "u h] pill[40
  8,gd plann+1 ,hankie10 ,papa ,pete
sd4 8,i l ! way y're ?9k+ ah1d40
  ,sudd5ly1 ! door flew op5 & "! 0
,ralph4 ,g+] 0 wrapp$ >.d 8 >m1 &
,boris ! blue-tail$ sk9k1 0 relax+ on
8 %\ld]4 ,g+] %ot h] t;gue \ at u1 :
made ,frankie & ,a%ley take a giant
/ep backw>d4 ,ralph lau<$4
  8,y don't h to 2 afraid1 kids10 he
sd4 8,g+] flicks h]
-----------------------------------#gg
t;gue to help h] smell4 ,x's h[ %e "ks
y're "h40                         a#gg
  8,gd ?+ ,i took a %[] ? morn+10 ,i
sd4 8,i wdn't want to gross ,g+] \40
  ,ralph ?rew 8 h1d back & lau<$
l\dly4 ,we all jo9$ in4
  8,\r fr ,hank is r1lly funny10
,frankie sd4
  8,s ,i see10 ,ralph answ]$4 8,come
on 9 & meet ! re/ ( ! family40
  ,! 9side ( ,ralph's a"p;t 0 l a zoo1
except y didn't h to pay to get in4
,"! 7 glass cages "ey":1 & 9side ea*
cage 0 "s k9d ( reptile4 ,spe$y1 !
giant tortoise1 0 sitt+ on
-----------------------------------#gh
! c\* wat*+ ,,tv4 ,i ?9k x 0 an
9fom]cial ab an ex]cise ma*9e4
  8,is ,spe$y 9t]e/$ 9 "w+ \80 ,i
ask$4 8,i bet x wd 2 h>d to d sit-ups
) t %ell 9 ! way40
  ,ralph lau<$ ag4
  8,y're on a roll1 kid4 ,n[1 :at c ,i
d = y8 ,y sd y ne$$ a favor40
  ,i put on my bi7e/ smile1
                                   #da
& took a deep br1? s all ! ^ws     #gi
wd come \ "r4
  8,ralph10 ,i 2gan4 8,"h is my
problem3 ,my si/]1 z annoy+ z %e is1
has only "o wi% 9 ! :ole wide _w4 ,& t
wi% is = y & ,g+] to come to h] bir?"d
"py4 ,x's ? ,satur"d at noon40
  8,i rememb] talk+ ab ? ) yr family
at ! /reet fair1 b yr p>5ts n"e
call$10 ,ralph sd4
  8,t's :y ,i'm "h4 ,i ?9k a p]sonal
9vita;n is alw be/4 ,don't y ?9k s1
,papa ,pete80
  8,p]sonal is gd10 ,papa ,pete agre$4
  8,ralph10 ,i sd1 8,i'm go+ to
-----------------------------------#hj
give y ?ree r1sons :y y h to come to
,emily's "py4 ,"o3 ,! bir?"d cake w 2
s delici\s x'll make yr socks g up &
d[n4 ,two3 ,y w make an
alm-sev5-ye>-old girl's dr1m come
true4 ,& ?ree3 ,i h "h 9 my pocket two
doll>s & sixty-?ree c5ts 444 & x's all
yrs40
  ,i paus$ & gave hm my be/ upp] & l[]
tee? gr94                         a#hj
-----------------------------------#ha
  ,he 0 quiet = a m9ute4 ,i took t z a
gd sign4 ,i fla%$ ,frankie & ,a%ley a
3fid5t gr94 .7,yup1 ? 0 ,hank 8!
,hurricane0 ,zipz] 9 ac;n1.' ,i ?"\4
.7,hank1 y h d"o a gd job "h4 ,i ?9k
y've sav$ ! "d4.'
  ,ralph walk$ ov] to 8 du/y desk &
pull$ \ a spiral notebook ) a picture
( two snakes on ! cov]4 ,i ?9k !y 7
hu7+1 b )\t >ms4 ,he br"\ ! notebook
ov] to me & op5$ x to a page ) a
cal5d> on x4
  8,hank1 ,i am s sorry10 he sd4 8,b z
y c see on ? cal5d>1 ,i am busy e "d =
-----------------------------------#hb
! next ?ree week5ds4 ,? ,satur"d1 ,g+]
& ,i h an appe>.e at ! ,c5tral ,p>k
,zoo4 ,& !n we're p]=m+ at ,ti6any
,nelson's bir?"d "py on ,p>k ,av5ue40
  8,b1 ,ralph10 ,i sd1 8y "k h[ m* y
love yr reptiles4 ,"! is only "o o!r
p]son on ! planet :o feels ! way y d
ab !m,-my si/]4 ,if y come to h]   #dc
"py1 x w 2 ! be/ bir?"d pres5t    a#hb
,i cd "e give h]4 ,="e40
  ,y're n go+ to 2lieve ?1 b :5 ,i sd
^? ^ws1 ,i actually felt a lump 9 my
?roat1 ! k9d y get
-----------------------------------#hc
2f y cry4 ,i m1nt e ^w ,i 0 say+4
  ,ralph r1*$ \ & put 8 h& on my
%\ld]1 : br"\ ,g+] dang]\sly close to
my nose4
  8,hank10 he sd1 8,i ?9k y're a
wond];l "y man & a grt big bro!r4 ,b
"! is no?+ ,i c d4 ,satur"d is j
completely book$4 ,i'm s sorry40
  ,i felt ano!r h& on my %\ld]4 ,x 0
,papa ,pete4
  8,hank1 y tri$ yr be/10 he sd4 8,b
busi;s is busi;s1 & ,ralph c't d x4 ,s
?ank ! k9d man & let's 2 on \r way4
,we've tak5 up 5 ( 8 "t40
-----------------------------------#hd
  ,i %ook h&s ) ,ralph & tri$ to smile
at ,g+]4 ,i didn't smile at ,boris1 b
he didn't seem to m9d4 ,i guess sk9ks
>e l t4
  ,z we left1 ,i he>d ,a%ley       #he
call \1 8,by ! way1 ,ralph1 ,hank
lives at ,two ,hundr$ ,t5 ,we/
,sev5ty-,ei<? ,/reet1 9 case any?+1
any?+1 any?+ *anges40
  8,t's 2t ,broadway & ,am/]dam10
,frankie add$4
  ,i r1lly appreciat$ t bo? ( my frs 7
/ try+ _! be/1 ev5 :5 "! seem$ to 2 no
hope4 ,z = me1 all ,i 0 ?9k+ 0 t ,i _h
"o m "d to le>n t trick4
  ,"r4 ,"sbody tell t to my bra94
-------------------------------#hf-#hg

             ,,*apt] #aj

  ,t "d & ! next1 ,i sp5t e sp>e m9ute
9 ! clubh\se ) ,frankie & ,a%ley1 go+
ov] ! magic trick ag & ag4 ,f9ally1 on
,fri"d ni<t at exactly #h3#ag p4m41 ,i
got x "r4 ,& n only t1 ,i got x "r
?ree "ts 9 a r[4 ,co/ume on4 ,h& 9to
velvet bag4 ,f9d secret pocket4 ,pull
\ h&k]*ief *a94 ,say .1z5gawii &
produce ru2] snake4 ,wave h&s 9    #de
! air & take a b[4 ,i did x       a#hg
all4
-----------------------------------#hh
  8,see1 ,zip10 ,frankie sd4 8,i told
y t if y kept yr m9d on x1 y cd d x4
,& y did x60
  8,y >e n[ (ficially ! ,we/side
,wiz>d10 ,a%ley add$4 8,"!'s only "o
?+ left to d4 ,h& ov] yr be>d40
  8,excuse me10 ,i sd 9 my wiz>dy
voice4 8,x took me a l;g "t to gr[ ?40
  8,n[ isn't ! "t to 2 cute1 ,hank10
,a%ley sd4 8,i h to fill t hole )
ano!r cotton ball4 ,y're go+ to h
tw5ty-five kids look+ at y tm4 ,t's
fifty eyeballs40
  ,:ile ,a%ley glu$ a cotton ball onto
my be>d1 ,frankie & ,i
-----------------------------------#hi
op5$ a package ( *ocolate-*ip cookies
,i _h br"\ d[n to ! clubh\se ) me4 ,z
,i *ew$ my cookie1 ,i cdn't /op a
smile f spr1d+ acr my face4
  8,dude1 don't smile s wide :5 y're
eat+10 ,frankie sd4 8,i c see *ocolate
*unks /uck to yr tee?40           a#hi
  8,i c't help x1 ,frankie4 ,i j feel
s pr\d = le>n+ "s?+ ,i ?"\ ,i cd n"e
d40
-----------------------------------#ij
  8,y're go+ to 2 grt10 ,a%ley sd4
8,^? ll kids w 2 amaz$4 ,& ,emily is
go+ to 2 s happy1 %e won't "k :at to
say40
  8,oh1 t w n"e happ54 ,%e hasn't
/opp$ talk+ ab x all week40
  ,! la/ ?+ ,a%ley1 ,frankie1 & ,i did
t ni<t 0 c>e;lly pack ! co/ume 9to a
%opp+ bag s ,i cd sn1k x back 9to !
a"p;t )\t ,emily see+ x4 ,we >rang$ to
meet 9 \r clubh\se at a few m9utes 2f
noon ! next morn+4
  ,:5 ,i got back to ! a"p;t1 ,emily &
my mom 7 busy decorat+ ! liv+ room =
-----------------------------------#ia
! "py4 ,my mom 0 bl[+ up balloons1 &
,emily 0 us+ h] color$ m>k]s to draw
pictures ( snakes & liz>ds on !m4 ,%e
wasn't a bad >ti/4 ,"o ( h] draw+s
actually look$ l ,boris !          #dg
blue-tail$ sk9k4                  a#ia
-----------------------------------#ib
  ,)\t ev5 look+ up1 ,emily sd1
8,:at's 9 ! bag1 ,hank80
  ,i swe> t girl has eyes glu$ to !
side ( h] h1d4
  8,no?+10 ,i answ]$1 hurry+ 9to my
room & clos+ ! door4
  ,my mom foll[$ me 9to my room4
  8,hank10 %e sd4 8,i "k :at y're up
to4 ,frankie's mom & ,i h be5 talk+1 &
,i "k t y're plann+ a surprise =
,emily40
  8,y didn't say any?+ to ,emily1 did
y80
  8,( c\rse n4 ,i wdn't spoil yr plan4
,b ,i j
-----------------------------------#ic
want to w>n y3 ,x's n easy to 5t]ta9
tw5ty-five f/-grad]s4 ,i hope y "k :at
y're do+40
  8,don't y worry1 ,mom4 ,! wiz>d is )
u40
  8,well !n1 gd luck to y1 h"oy4 ,oh1
,i m1n1 to .1hm40
  ,z my mom walk$ \ ! door1       a#ic
,emily /uck h] h1d in4
-----------------------------------#id
  8,h y *eck$ ) ! wiz>d lately80 %e
ask$4 8,i c't wait to meet hm4 ,i've
n"e met a r1l wiz>d 2f40
  8,me nei10 ,i sd4
  ,emily look$ surpris$4
  8,wait a m9ute1 ,hank4 ,i ?"\ y sd y
knew hm40
  ,"! x 0 444 my foot 9 my m\?4
,actually1 bo? my feet 7 9 "!4 ,:5 wd
,i le>n to keep my big m\? %ut8
  8,oh 444 y1h 44410 ,i /amm]$4 8,(
c\rse ,i "k hm4 ,i 0 j jok+ ) y1
,emily4 ,a ll bir?"d-"py humor40
  8,well1 ,i don't ?9k x's funny4
-----------------------------------#ie
,i've be5 look+ =w>d to ? all week4
,x's n nice to t1se me ! ni<t 2f ! be/
"d ( my life40
  ,! la/ ?+ ,i saw 0 h] braids :ip "?
! air z %e turn$ >.d & slamm$ ! door
%ut4
  ,emily's ^ws rang 9 my e>s4 ,!   #di
be/ "d ( h] life4 ,w[1 %e         a#ie
wasn't kidd+ >.d ab ? wiz>d ?+4 ,my
/oma* did a flip-flop4 ,z ,i look$ at
! pap] bag ) my wiz>d co/ume %ov$
9side1 ,i r1liz$ t ,i _h bett] come
"?1 or ,i 0 go+ to h "o sad si/] on my
h&s4
-------------------------------#if-#ig

             ,,*apt] #aa

  ,! next "d 0 "py "d4 ,! sun decid$
to come \ b"r & cle>4 ,emily took x z
a sign4
  8,y see10 %e sd at br1kfa/4 8,ev5 !
sun is happy t x's my bir?"d40
  8,i bet ! ,we/side ,wiz>d made ! sun
come \10 ,i sd1 popp+ ! re/ ( my
butt]$ toa/ 9 my m\?4
  8,d y r1lly ?9k s1 ,hank80 %e ask$1
h] eyes wide ) excite;t4
-----------------------------------#ih
8,he m/ h 9cr$ible p[]s40
  8,( c\rse he does40 ,i gulp$4
8,let's j hope he br+s !m all ) hm
td40                              a#ih
  ,i got up & hurri$ 9to my room4 ,i
practic$ ! trick = "o h\r /rai<t4 ,i
got x "r ab half ( ! "t4 ,t 0 bett]
?an gett+ x "r n"o ( ! "t4 ,b n z gd z
gett+ x "r all ( ! "t4 ,at a few
m9utes 2f noon1 ,i took my co/ume &
h1d$ = ! clubh\se4
-----------------------------------#ii
,\r liv+ room 0 alr fill+ up ) kids4
  ,frankie & ,a%ley 7 wait+ = me at !
elevator 9 ! base;t4
  8,x's crazy up "! 9 my liv+ room10
,i told !m4 8,x's sw>m+ ) f/-grad]s4
,!y're l bees 444 b )\t /+]s40
  ,frankie & ,a%ley help$ me 9to my
co/ume4 ,a%ley adju/$ my be>d & add$ m
tape to make sure x held on to !
sunglasses4
  8,okay1 y're r1dy10 ,frankie sd1
*eck+ me up & d[n4
  ,we h1d$ to ! elevator4 ,i 0 pretty
n]v\s4
----------------------------------#ajj
  8,i'm go+ to g \ "! f/ & get     #ea
all ^? wild kids to sit d[n10    a#ajj
,frankie sd calmly4 8,a%ley w wait by
! front door ( yr a"p;t40
  ,i nodd$1 try+ to li/5 c>e;lly4
  ,frankie 3t9u$4 8,:5 %e he>s me say
.7,make "s noise = ! ,we/side
,wiz>d1.' %e'll op5 ! door4 ,t's :5 y
come 9 & "w yr way "? ! cr[d4 ,2 sure
n to /ep on any kids :ile y're at x40
  8,y1h10 ,a%ley agre$1 82c if y d1
!y'll kick y4 ,tru/ me1 ,i "k40
  ,:5 ! elevator doors op5$ on ! t5?
floor1
----------------------------------#aja
,i cd feel my he>t b1t+ fa/ "u my h1vy
wiz>d coat4
  8,i hope ? goes okay10 ,i :isp]$ to
,a%ley4
  8,y did ! trick p]fectly la/ ni<t10
%e rem9d$ me4 8,j d "ey?+ y practic$ &
x w 2 f9e40
  ,frankie w5t 9to ! liv+ room4 ,f !
hall1 ,i cd he> 8 9troduc;n4 ,! kids
applaud$ & *e]$4 ,a%ley op5$ ! door =
me4 ,? 0 x4 ,%["t4
  ,i walk$ 9to ! liv+ room1      a#aja
hold+ my >ms hi< up 9 ! air4
  8,2hold1 all y t9y tots10 ,i call$ \
9 my be/ wiz>d voice4 8,! ,we/side
,wiz>d has >riv$40
----------------------------------#ajb
  ,f ! corn] ( my eye1 ,i cd see ,papa
,pete1 l1n+ ag/ ! wall4 ,he w9k$4 ,i
wond]$ h[ he knew x 0 me4
  ,z ,i walk$ by ! kids1 ,i cd he>
lots ( oohs & ahhs com+ f _! direc;n4
,hey1 ? 0 "w+6 ,at l1/ x 0 until "o ll
boy ) a m\?;l ( jelly b1ns r1*$ up &
tu7$ on my coat4 ,i :irl$ >.d & gave
hm ! />e ( a life"t4
  8,:at is yr "n1 *80 ,i boom$4
  8,eugie ,pasos10 he sd4
  8,well1 ,eugie1 ! wiz>d does n l to
2 t\*$10 ,i gr[l$4 8,nor does 8 coat60
  ,eugie actually look$ k9d (
-----------------------------#ajc-#ajd
sc>$1 & l1n$ back away f me4 ,i 0
feel+ ! wiz>d p[]1 & x felt gd4
  ,:5 ,i r1*$ ! front ( ! cr[d1 ,i
turn$ sl[ly to face !m4            #ec
  8,is "! an ,emily ,zipz]       a#ajd
"h80 ,i half-%\t$4
  ,emily 0 sitt+ cross-le7$ 9 ! front
r[1 hold+ ,*e]io 9 h] lap4 ,he is s* a
l;g wi5] dog t ev5 :5 curl$ up1 8 h9d
legs 7 hang+ ov] on ! rug4
----------------------------------#aje
  ,:5 he saw me1 ,*e]io sni6$ ! air &
let \ a ll :imp]4 ,i look$ away1 hop+
he wdn't recognize me4
  ,emily put ,*e]io d[n & jump$ up to
face me4
  8,"h ,i am1 ,oh ,grt ,wiz>d10 %e sd4
8,did y br+ a snake = me80
  8,:y1 yes ,i did10 ,i call$ \4 8,b
let me w>n y1 folks4 ,y all m/ /ay
s1t$ & rema9 quiet4 ,snakes h v
s5sitive e>s40
  8,no1 !y don't10 ,emily %ot back4
8,!y he> "? _! b"os40
  ,wdn't y "k x1 my "k-x-all si/] *ose
?
----------------------------------#ajf
mo;t to give "eybody a reptile lesson4
  8,y >e correct1 ,bir?"d ,girl10 ,i
sd4 8,n[1 pl1se sit d[n4 ,&      a#ajf
hold yr dog ti<tly4 ,frankie1 w y
pl1se h& me ! magic snake bag8 ,v
c>e;lly60
  ,frankie h&$ me ! bag4 ,i turn$ x
9side \ & %[$ ! kids t x 0 completely
empty4 ,no "o cd see ! ,velcro pocket4
  8,obs]ve t "! is no?+ 9 ? bag b
air10 ,i sd4 ,i pu%$ ! wiz>d coat
sleeves up z hi< z !y cd g4 8,& notice
al t "! is no?+ up my sleeves10 ,i
add$4
----------------------------------#ajg
  8,except = v sk9ny >ms10 ,eugie
,pasos %\t$ \4 ,he %d talk4 ,8 >ms 7 s
sk9ny1 !y look$ l p5cils )\t ]as]s4
  8,sil;e1 pl1se4 ,keep yr eyes focus$
on ! bag & prep>e to 2 amaz$4 ,i w n[
say ! magic ^w4 ,>e y r1dy80
  8,yes60 ,emily yell$4 ,& ! o!r kids
jo9$ in4 8,snake1 snake1 snake10 !y
*ant$4 ,ev5 ,*e]io b>k$ 9 "t to _!
*ant4
  8,sil;e60 ,i %\t$4 ,a hu% fell ov] !
cr[d4 ,i wav$ "o h&                #ee
wildly ov] ! op5+ ( ! bag4 ,9     #ajh
my be/ wiz>d voice1 ,i call$ \
8.1,z5gawii6 .1,z5gawii60 ,i sd x a
second "t j 9 case ! f/ "t didn't "w4
  ,!n ,i r1*$ 9to ! bag & f.d !
,velcro pocket4 ,yes6 ,s f>1 s gd4 ,my
f+]s fumbl$ >.d & f.d ! h&k]*ief *a94
,all ,i ne$$ n[ 0 "o gd tug1 & x wd
come fly+ \ ) ! ru2] snake atta*$4
  8.1,z5gawii60 ,i holl]$ "o m "t1 j =
fun4 ,gra2+ ! 5d ( ! h&k]*ief 2t my
?umb & my po9t] f+]1 ,i yank$4 ,&
unbelievable z x may seem1 ! color;l
----------------------------------#aji
h&k]*iefs came fly+ \ ( ! bag1 dra7+ !
ru2] snake 2h4
  ,i gra2$ ! snake & spun x >.d ov] my
h1d s no "o cd tell x 0 ru2]4 ,& !n ,i
wait$ = ! s.d ( ! applause4
  ,x n"e came4
-----------------------------#aaj-#aaa

             ,,*apt] #ab

  ,z ,i twirl$ ! snake abv my h1d1
,*e]io l1p$ (f ,emily's lap &    a#aaa
flew "? ! air t[>d my be>d4 ,gra2+ !
5d ) 8 m\?1 he pull$ on x l a play
toy4 ,i ?9k he ?"\ x 0 ,m\sie1 8 :ite
furry toy t ,i ?r[ acr ! room = hm to
cat*4 ,anyway1 he yank$ on x ) all 8
mi<t4
  8,*e]io1 get d[n10 ,i sd 9 my wiz>d
voice4
  8,h[ d y "k my
----------------------------------#aab
dog's "n80 ,emily call$ \4
  ,oops4
  8,! wiz>d "ks all10 ,i sd1 cov]+ my
mi/ake4
  ,i %d h "kn t ,*e]io wd recogniz$ my
sc5t4 ,he sni6$ ! air1 8 ll br[n nose
"w+ z h>d z x cd4 ,he 0 s glad to see
me1 he jump$ up ev5 hi<]1 gett+ a big
hunk ( my be>d 9 8 m\?4 ,he tu7$ &
gr[l$ at x1 j l we d :5 we wre/le )
,m\sie4
  ,i tri$ desp]ately to hold on to my
be>d4 ,b ,*e]io ?"\ we 7 play+1 &
pull$ ev5 h>d]4 ,) "o mi<ty tug1   #eg
he yank$ ! 5tire be>d (f my      a#aab
face1 pull+ ! sunglasses (f
----------------------------------#aac
al;g ) x4 ,i wat*$ 9 horror z ! be>d &
sunglasses w5t fly+ "? ! air4
  ,i j /ood "! ) my [n face hang+ \4
,all ! ll kids bur/ 9to wild lau<t]4
  ,a%ley took (f af my be>d1 : 0 /
/uck 9 ,*e]io's m\?4 ,frankie1 gd fr t
he is1 tri$ to save ! "d4
  8,z y c see1 kids1 ! wiz>d has
magical p[]s & c *ange 8 face to look
l anybody40
  8,t's n anybody60 ,emily
----------------------------------#aad
scr1m$4 8,x's j my go(ball bro!r1
,hank40
  8,okay10 ,i sd4 8,x is me4 ,b ,i /
made a snake appe>1 didn't ,i8 ,& h[
cool is t6 ,happy bir?"d1 sis40
  8,y call t a snake80 ,emily cri$4
8,i call t a ?+ t y got on sale at !
n9ety-n9e-c5t /ore40
  ,all ! kids 7 h[l+ ) lau<t] n[1 b n
,emily4 ,%e look$ l %e 0 go+ to cry4
  8,hey1 ,emily10 ,eugie call$   a#aad
\4 8,y promis$ u a r1l snake1 n "s
/upid ru2] ?+40
  ,emily /ood up & />t$ to run to h]
b$room4 ,my mom cau<t h] halfway4
----------------------------------#aae
  8,well1 we / h delici\s cake1
"ey"o10 %e sd1 try+ extra h>d to 2
*e];l4 8,emily1 come on4 ,let's li<t !
c&les40
  ,%e put h] >m >.d ,emily & g5tly l$
h] back to ! d9+-room table1 ": ! cake
0 wait+4 ,x 0 %ap$ l a snake1 & :5
,emily saw x1 %e alm bur/ 9to te>s ag4
----------------------------------#aaf
  8,i wi% t 0 r1l10 %e sd4 8,i'd h x
eat ,hank40
  ,j !n1 ! doorbell rang4 ,my dad made
8 way acr ! liv+ room to answ] x :ile
,papa ,pete help$ my mom li<t ! c&les4
  8,2f y bl[ \ ! c&les1 make a wi%1
sweetie10 %e sd4
  8,i wi% ,g+] ! snake 0 "h10 ,emily
sd4
  8,%e is10 a voice rang \4        #ei
,"ey"o's h1d spun >.d at !       a#aaf
same "t & we saw ,ralph 2+ l$ 9to !
d9+ room by my dad4 ,g+] 0 wrapp$ >.d
8 >m1 & ,boris ! sk9k 0 happily rid+
on 8 %\ld]4
----------------------------------#aag
  ,"ey"o 9 ! room let \ a gasp1 !
l\de/ "o com+ f my si/]1 ,emily4
  8,g+]60 %e scr1m$1 da%+ ov] to
,ralph & r1*+ \ to pet ,g+] g5tly on
h] h1d4 8,i c't 2lieve y came4 ,daddy1
?ank y s m*60
----------------------------------#aah
  8,i didn't d any?+10 my dad sd4
  8,nei did ,i10 my mom add$4
  8,me nei10 ,papa ,pete sd4
  8,x 0 yr big bro!r1 ll lady10 ,ralph
sd4 8,he came all ! way to my a"p;t to
9vite me "h td40
  8,b y sd y cdn't make x10 ,i sd to
,ralph4
  8,i left ! o!r "py e>ly s ,i cd pay
,emily a visit10 ,ralph answ]$4
  8,:y80 ,i ask$ hm4 ,i didn't "u/&4
  ,ralph took (f 8 big br[n hat &
turn$ to ,emily4 8,i 0 mi<ty     a#aah
impress$ ) yr bro!r1 ,hank10 he sd to
h]4
----------------------------------#aai
8,he want$ ? to 2 ! be/ bir?"d y "e
_h4 ,:5 ,i 0 yr age 444 hey1 ev5 n[
444 ,i wi% ,i'd _h a bro!r l t4 ,hank
r1lly c>es ab y4 ,& ,i j cdn't say no
to hm40
  ,emily turn$ >.d sl[ly & look$ me "r
9 ! eyes4
  8,y did ? = me80 %e :isp]$4
  ,i j %ru7$4
  8,he did10 ,frankie sd4 8,we 7 "!40
  ,:at happ5$ next 0 truly amaz+ 9 a
creepy k9d ( way4 ,emily ?rew bo? h]
>ms >.d me & squeez$ me s h>d1 my eyes
popp$ \ a ll bit4
----------------------------------#abj
  8,i love y1 ,hank10 %e sd4
  ,i felt l %e 0 wait+ = me to say 8,i
love y0 back4 ,luckily ,i didn't h to
2c j at t mo;t1 ,g+] decid$ to sli!r
(f ,ralph's >m & re/ h] h1d on
,emily's h1d4                      #fa
  8,& ,g+] loves y10 ,ralph      a#abj
sd4 8,i ?9k %e's say+ %e
----------------------------------#aba
wants to d a %[4 ,h[ ab x1 kids80
  ,"ey"o *e]$ & we all w5t 9to ! liv+
room4 ,if ,g+] 0 tir$ f ! o!r "py1 %e
sure didn't %[ x4 ,%e let ea* kid pet
h] & didn't ev5 hiss once4 ,at ! 5d (
! %[1 ,emily got to hold ,g+] & smile
9to h] snakey eyes4 ,i /ood next to
,papa ,pete z he took pictures (
,emily's b1m+ face4 ,!n he turn$ to me
& put a h& on my %\ld]4
  8,%e is "o happy girl10 ,papa ,pete
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