Trouble in the Backpack

Joe raced down the street. He was late, again.

Though he lived only a few blocks from school he could never make it on time. It was always a mad dash out the door, down the street, around the corner and into the school building.

Today, was no different, except he was later than normal and the reason would get him into more trouble before the end of the school day than he ever dreamed possible.

“Slow down young man,” Principal Brown said as Joe charged into the school building. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Yes, sir,” Joe answered hanging his head and trying to catch his breath.

“This is becoming a habit for you young man.”

“I’m sorry. I got side tracked on my way to school,” he tried to explain.

“What side tracked you?”

The complete answer will not be revealed quickly, but will keep the reader coming back for 12 chapters. Read more here . . .

The Storm

Chester crawled up on the coach and cuddled up next to the pillow in the corner. There he fell asleep.

A big fire kept the old farmhouse nice and warm, even on a cold wintry evening such as this one. Snow had been falling for the last six hours, but that was outside. Inside, everything was warm and dry.

George and Rita had finished the chores, inside and out, for the day.

The cold weather made it a good day to do as little work as possible. Only the essential work was done, feed the cattle, check the water in the sheep pen and stay inside.

“This weather is not fit for man or beast,” George said.

Throughout the day, even with the bitter cold breeze, Chester stayed with George. The two where best of friends, wherever George went, Chester went.

But now, with the sun down, the work done and the house closed up, both sat back in their favorite chairs to relax.

George sat back in his favorite recliner. Chester’s favorite was the sofa. He would stretch out across it and take up over half the space. Rita loved ‘em both, but sharing the sofa was always a battle.

Chester felt the whole sofa was his. He’d stretch out and usually, if Rita was already sitting at the other end, he’d stick his feet right in her lap.

“Excuse me!” she would say.

But it did no good. The feet were there and she would have to live with ‘em or move.

However, Chester wouldn’t stay there long. It will take six chapters for George and Rita to find out why. Read more here . . .