Jack and Annie crouched in the tall grass. Therewas a big lion, three lionesses, and a bunch of cubs.
"I think they're sleeping," whispered Annie.
"Yeah," said Jack. "But for how long?"He pulled the Africa book from his pack and openedit. He found a picture of lions sleeping under a tree.
He read in a whispery voice:
After a pride of lions has eaten, they rest for a fewhours. The other-"What did they have for lunch?" Annie broke in.
"Don't ask," said Jack. He kept reading:
Sensing that the lions are not hunting at themoment, the other animals graze nearby.
"If they can graze, then we're safe," said Annie. Shestarted to stand.
"Wait!" Jack pulled her down. "Not so fast."He peered around. The words in the book seemedtrue: the zebras and giraffes didn't seem to bebothered by the lions at all.
"They might be safe. But I'm not sure about us,"said Jack. "We need a plan.""What if we wait till they leave?" said Annie.
"That could take hours," said Jack. "Plus they mightbe hungry again by then.""Oh, right," said Annie.
"So here's the plan--we tiptoe," said Jack. "Tiptoe?""Yeah?""That's your whole plan?" said Annie.
"Yeah, tiptoe to the rope ladder," said Jack. "Veryquietly.""Good plan," Annie teased.
"Just do it," said Jack. He stood up slowly. Anniestood with him.
They began tiptoeing through the grass veryslowly.
The lion flicked his tail.
Jack and Annie froze.
When his tail was still again, they moved again.
Suddenly, high-pitched laughter split the air.
Jack and Annie stopped.
The hyenas were back! They were standing off tothe side, watching Jack and Annie.
Jack and Annie made silent monster faces andshook their fists. But the hyenas only laughed somemore.
The big lion stirred lazily. He opened his goldeneyes.
Jack felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. But hedidn't move an inch.
The lion lifted his head and yawned. His giant teethgleamed in the sunlight. The lion turned his head ashe looked around sleepily. Jack held his breath as thelion's gaze rested on him. The lion sat straight up. Hispiercing yellow eyes met Jack's.
Jack's heart raced. His mind raced. He rememberedsomething he'd read--lions avoid giraffes.
Jack looked around. There was a giraffe walkingtoward the tree that the magic tree house was in.
Suddenly, he had a new plan.
"Get under that giraffe," he whispered.
"Now you're the one who's nuts," Annie whisperedback.
But Jack grabbed her hand. He pulled her over tothe giraffe and underneath it.
The giraffe's legs were so long, Jack and Anniecould stand up under it. Jack's head barely brushedthe giraffe's golden belly.
The tall creature froze for a few seconds. Then shemoved slowly toward the tree.
Jack and Annie walked in the same rhythm as thegiraffe.
They got closer and closer to the tree house--andcloser and closer to the pride of lions.
The big lion had stood up. He watched themmoving under the giraffe.
When the rope ladder was just a few feet away,Jack and Annie dashed out from under the giraffe tothe rope ladder.
Annie scrambled up first.
Jack followed right behind her.
As they climbed, the lion growled and leaped at theladder.
The hyenas laughed.
Jack climbed faster than he'd ever climbed. Heleaped after Annie into the tree house.
Annie had already unrolled the scroll. The riddlewas gone. In its place was one shimmering word:
HONEYJack grabbed the Pennsylvania book. He opened itand found the picture of the Frog Creek woods.
"I wish we could go there!" he said.
Just then, the giraffe stuck her head through thewindow.
"Bye, honey!" said Annie, and she kissed the giraffeon the nose.
The wind started to blow.
The tree house started to spin.
It spun faster and faster.
Then everything was still.
Absolutely still. |