2022-2023学年神奇树屋《MTH11LionsatLunchtime》

LionsatLunchtime

MagicTreeHouse,#11

MaryPopeOsborne

ChapterOne

BeforeLunch

JackandAnniewerewalkinghomefromthegrocerystore.Jack'spackwasheavy.Itheldabigjarofpeanutbutterandaloafofbread.

"Areyougoingtohaveapeanutbutterandjellysandwich?"saidAnnie."Orapeanutbutterandhoneysandwich?"

Jackstartedtoanswer,butstopped."Oh,man,"hewhispered.

"Whatisit?"saidAnnie.

"Lookatthat!"saidJack.

HepointedtotheedgeoftheFrogCreekwoods.Intheshadowsstoodasmall,delicateanimal.Itlookedlikeatinydeer.

"It'ssign,"whisperedAnnie."Rememberwhenwesawtherabbit?HewasasignoftheWildWest."

Thedearlikecreatureleapedintothewoods.

JackandAnniedidn'tstoptothink.Theyfollowedfastastheycould.Jack'sheavypackthumpedagainsthisbackasheran.

Finallytheystoppedandlookedaround.

"Wheredidshego?"hesaid.

"Idon'tseeher,"saidAnnie.

"Ohwow."saidAnnie.Shepointedup

Therewasthemagictreehouse.Itwasshinninginthenoonsun,atthetopoftheinthewoods.Itsropeladderswayedintheshadowsbelow.

"Where'sMorgan?"saidAnnie.

MorganleFaywasn'twavingatthemfromthewindow.Shewasn'tevenatthewindow.

"Idon'tknow.Let'sgoup,"saidJack.

Theyclimbedtheladderandwentintothetreehouse.

Sunlightstreamedthroughthewindow.Itlitastackofbooksandtwoscrollsinthecorner.TheancientscrollsheldtheanswerstoriddlesJackandAnniehadsolvedearlier.

Jacktookoffhisheavypack.

"DidMorganleaveusathirdriddle?"saidAnnie.

"Lookingforsomeone?"saidasoftvoice.

JackandAnniewhirledaround.

"Morgan!"saidAnnie.

MorganleFayhadappearedoutofnowhere.Shelookedancientandlovelyinthebrightlight.

"DoyoustillwanttobecomeMasterLibrarians?"sheaskedJackandAnnie."Soyoucanhelpmeinmywork?"

"Yes!"theysaidtogether.

"Wonderful,"Morgansaid.Thenshereachedintoherrobeandpulledoutascroll.

"You'vesolvedtworiddlessofar,"shesaid."Hereisyourthird."ShehandedthescrolltoAnnie."Andforyourresearch--"

ShepulledabookoutfromherrobeandhandedittoJack.Thebook'scoversaid

THEPLAINSOFAFRICA.

"Africa?"saidJack."Oh,man,I'vealwayswantedtogothere."

Heopenedthebook.HeandAnniestaredatapicture.

Itshowedhordesofzebras,tallgiraffes,biganimalswithhorns,andtiny,deerlikecreatures.

"Hey,that'stheanimalthatledushere!"saidAnnie.

"AThomson'sgazelle,Ibelieve,"Morgansaid.

"Wherearethelions?"saidJack.

"You'llfindout,"saidMorgan.

"Um...maybeweneedtoplanthistrip,"saidJack.

Morgansmiled."No.Goahead.Makeyourwishnow."

Anniepointedatthepicture."Iwishwecouldgothere,"shesaid.

"Becareful,"saidMorgan."Justkeepaneyeout."

"Forwhat?"saidJack.

"Thelions,ofcourse,"shesaid.

"Wait!"saidJack.

Toolate.

Thewindhadstartedtoblow.Thetreehousehadstartedtospin.Jacksqueezedhiseyesshut.Thetreehousespunfasterandfaster.Theneverythingwasstill.Absolutelystill.

ChapterTwo

Jump,Beasts!Jump!

Brightlightfloodedthetreehouseagain.Arustlingsoundcamefromoutsidethewindow.

Anniepeekedoutandlaughed."Hey,there,"shesaid

Jacklookedout,too.Agiraffewaseatingleavesoffthetree.Ithadasweet,goofyface.

JackpeeredattheworldbeyondthegiraffeHecouldn'tbelievehiseyes.

Hesawahugegrassyplain,awideriver,andtonsofbirdsandanimals--morethanhehadeverimaginedinoneplace.

GiraffesandzebraswereonthesideoftheriverwhereJackandAnniewere.Thomson'sgazellesandthebighornedanimalswereontheotherside.

"Wherearethelions?"saidJack.

"Idon'tknow."saidAnnie."Doyouthinkit'salwaysthiscrowded?"

"Let'sfindout."saidJack.

HepickedupthebookonAfricaandlookedatthepictureoftheanimals.Hereadaloud:

Everyyes,inlatespring,thousandsofzebrasandgazellesandmillionsofwildebeests(will-duh-beests)migratefromthedryplainsofTanzaniatoKenya.

"What's'migrate'mean?"saidAnnie.

Jackpushedhisglassesintoplace."Itmeanstheygosomeplaceelseforpartoftheyear--likebirdsgoingsouthforthewinter."

"Oh,right,"saidAnnie.

Jackturnedthepagetoreadmore.

BeforetheyaresafeinKenya,theanimalsmustfirstcrosstheMaraRiver.

Zebrasgofirst,thenthewildebeests.

Thetinygazellesswimlast.

"Ohh,"saidAnnieinasadvoice.

"What'swrong?"saidJack.

"Poorbeasts."Shelookedoutthewindow."Theyseemafraid."

Onthefarsideoftheriver,thehornedanimalswerestandingattheedgeofthesteepbankoftheriver.Theystareddownnervouslyattherushingwater.

"Jump,beasts!Jump!"Annieshouted.

"Don'tbesilly.Theycan'thearyou,"saidJack.

Hestudiedtheboardplain."Iwonderwherethelionsare,"hesaid.

"Idon'tknow.ButIhavetogo,"saidAnnie.

"Gowhere?"saidJack.

"Totherivertohelpthem,"shesaid.

"Helpwho?"saidJack.

"Thosewildbeastsontheotherside!"saidAnnie."Ihavetohelpthemmigrate."

'AnniehandedJackthescrollandstartedoutofhtetreehouse.

"Waitasecond!"saidJack."Wehaven'tevenreadMorgan'sriddleyet!"

Anniestoppedontheladder.

"Readitnow,"shesaid.

Jackunrolledtheancientscrollandreadaloud:

Iamthecolorofgoldandassweetascanbe.Butbewareofthedangerthat'sallaroundme.WhatamI?

Anniestarteddownagain.

"Annie!"

"We'lllookfortheanswerinaminute,"saidAnnie.

"Whatareyoudoing?"Jackcalled.

Buttherewasnostoppingher.Jackwatchedasshehoppedofftheladder.Thenshestartedtowalkthroughthetallgrass,betweenthezebrasandgiraffes.

"Idon'tbelieveher."hesaidtohimself.HequicklyputtheAfricabookintohispack.

Hestarteddowntheladder.

Whenhesteppedontotheground,helookedaroundcarefully.

Thegiraffeswereeatingthetreeleaves.

Thezebrasweregrazinginthegrass.

Tonsofbirdsflappedoverhead.

Thisisokay,hethought.Hejusthadonelittlequestion:

Wherearethelions?

ChapterThree

Disaster

"Comeon,Jack!"Anniecalled.Shewasalmosttotheriver.

"Justaminute!"heshouted.Hewantedtostudythegiraffesandzebras.

HepulledouttheAfricabookandfoundapictureofgiraffes.Heread:

Thegiraffeisthetallestanimalintheworld.Itslegsalonecanbesixfeettall,anditshoovescanbeasbigasdinnerplates.Thegiraffehasaverypowerfulkick,whichmakesitdangeroustoattack.Forthisreason,lionstendtoavoidgiraffes.

Jackpulledouthisnotebookandwrote:

NotesonAfrica:

Lionsavoidgiraffes

Heturnedthepageandreadmore:

Zebrasliveinfamilygroups.Asnotwozebrashaveexactlythesamepatternofstripes,everybabyzebramustlearnitsownmother'spattern.

Jackstudiedthezebras,tryingtoseetheirdifferentpatterns.Butinthehazyafternoonlight,allthestripesmadehimdizzy.

Heblinkedtoclearhishead,thenreadmore;

Zebrasarethefirsttocrosstheriverbecausetheyeatthecoarsestgrass.Afterthey'vethinneddownthetoplayer,thewildebeestsarriveandeatthenextlayer.Theypreparethegrassforthegazelles,whocomelast.

Wow,thoughtJack.Eachanimaldependsontheonethatgoesbefore.

Hewrote:

Animalsallconnected.

JackheardAnnieshoutingfromtheriverbank."Jump,beasts!Jump!Youcandoit!Don'tbeafraid!Comeon!"

Helookedup.Annieherselfwasjumpingasshecalledtothewildebeests.

Jacksighed.I'dbetterstopherbeforethere'strouble,hethought.

HeputawaytheAfricabookandhisnotebook.Thenhejoggedtowardtheriver.Hispackwasheavyandlumpy,bumpingagainsthisback.He'dforgottentotakeoutthejarofpeanutbutterandtheloafofbread.

Jackdecidedtoleavethematthetreehouse.Heturnedtogoback.

Butjustthen,Annie'sshoutingstopped.Jacklookedattheriver.

Shehadvanished."Annie?"hecalled.Noanswer.

Wherewasshe?

"Annie!"Jackshouted.

Shehadcompletelydisappeared."Oh,man,"saidJack.

Theirtriphadbarelybegun,andalreadydisasterhadstruck!

Heforgotaboutthestuffinhispack.Hejustranasfastashecould.

Hewovehiswaybetweenthegrazingzebrasandgiraffesasheracedtotheriver.

"Help!"calledAnnie.

ChapterFour

MudBath

Jacklookedovertheedgeoftheriverbank

Anniehadfalleninfoapoolofmudnearthewater.Thethickblackmudwasuptoherchest.

"ISlipped"shesaid."Itfeelslikequicksand."

Jackthrewdownhispackandgotonhisknees.

"Becareful,"saidAnnie."Don'tslip,too."

Jackpointedtoatangleofoldtreerootsstickingoutofthebank."Grabthose!"hesaid.

Anniereachedfortheroots."Toofar,"shesaid,breathinghard."I'msinking."

Shewassinking.Themudwasuptoherneck.

"Holdon!"Jacklookedaroundwildly.Hesawafallentreebranchnearthebank.

Heracedtoit,pickeditup,andcarrieditbacktoAnnie.Onlyherheadandarmsstuckoutofthemudnow.

Jackheldoutthebranch.Anniegrabbedit.

"Holdtight,"saidJack."I'lldragyouovertotheroots!"

Liestartedpullingonthebranch.

"I'mstillsinking!"Anniewailed.Themudwasuptoherchin.

"Comeon!"saidJack."Youcandoit!Iknowyoucan!Try!Try!"

Justthen,Jackheardasplash!Helookedup.

Ontheothersideofthewideriver,awildebeesthadjumpedintothewater.Anotherjumped...thenanother.TheywereheadedrighttowardJackandAnnie.

"Holdontight!"saidJack.Hepulledonthestickagain.

Anniemovedatinybit.

"Hey,Jack,onthemoonitfeltlikeIweighedtenpounds,"saidAnnie."AndinthismuditfeelslikeIweighaton."

"Concentrate,Annie,"saidJack,tryingnottoslipdownthebank.

"Iam."

Theleadwildebeestswerehalfwayacross,swimmingtowardthem.Manymorewildebeestswerejumpingintothewater.

"It'snowornever!"saidJack.Hetookadeepbreath.Hepulledreallyhard.

Justthen,ashadowpassedoverthem.Jacklookedup.

"Uh-oh,"hesaid.

Ahugevulturecircledoverhead.

"Itthinksyou'reneartheend,"saidJack.

"Oh,getoutofhere!"Annieshoutedatthevulture."I'mfine!"

Inaburstoffury,sheletgoofthebranch.Shelungedfortheroots.Shegrabbedthem!

"Yes!"criedJack."Pull!Pull!"

Slowly,Anniepulledherselfout.Shewascoveredwiththeblackmudfromheadtotoe.

Jackhelpedherontothebank,gettingmudalloverhimself.

"See!"Annieshookherfistatthevulture."I'mfine!Nowbeatit!"

Butthegiant,uglybirdstillcircled.

"Comeon.Let'sgetawayfromhim,"saidJack.Hepushedhisglassesintoplace.

"Rats,"hesaid.Nowhisglassesweremuddy.

Hetriedtocleanhishandsinthegrass.

"Oh,no!"shoutedAnnie.

Jackturnedtoher.

"Thewildebeestswillgetstuckinthemudhole!"shecried.Shewavedherarmsatthewildebeestsstrugglingtoswimacrosstheriver.

"Nothere,"sheshouted."Nothere!"

Butthefranticswimmerskeptcoming.

ChapterFive

Ha-Ha

"Oh,no!No!No!"ShoutedAnnie.

Sheraceddownthebank,untilshereachedasandy,clearspot.

"Here!Here!"shecalled.

Thewildebeestsfollowedherwiththeirwildeyes.

Jackwatchedindisbeliefastheswimmerschangedtheircourse.Slowly,allthewildebeestsswamtowhereAnniestood.Shewavedtheminlikeatrafficpoliceman

Jackgrabbedhisbackpack.

"Annie,"hecried,"let'sgobeforewegettrampled!"

"Keepitup,"sheshoutedtothewildebeestsasshetookoffafterJack.

Theyranfartheruptheriver,awayfromtheincomingwildebeests.Finally,theystoppedtocatchtheirbreath.Theylookedback.

Everythingseemedfine.Thewildebeestswerescramblingsafelyovertheriverbank.Soontheywouldgrazeonthegrasspreparedbythezebras.

"Goodwork,"JacksaidtoAnnie.

"Thanks,"shesaid."Okay,nowforourriddle..."

"No,firstwe'vegottogetclean,"saidJack."Youlooklikeyou'reinamudsuit."

High-pitchedlaughterrangthroughtheair.Itsoundedmockingandmean.

JackandAnnieturnedaround.Theysawtwospottedbrownanimalsstandinginthetallgrass.

Thecreatureshadbodieslikedogs,butwithslopingbacks.Theylaughedagain.

"Ha-ha,"saidAnnie."Youdon'tlooksogreatyourself."

"Whatarethey?"saidJack.Hetookoutthebook.Hetriednottogetmudonitashelookedforapicture.Whenhefoundit,hereadaloud:

OntheAfricanplains,thehyena(hi-EE-nuh)istherulingpredatorafterthelion.Itmakesasoundsimilartoahigh-pitchedhumanlaugh.

"What's'predator'mean?"saidAnnie.

"Itmeansitcatchesthingsandeatsthem,"saidJack.

"Oh,"saidAnnie."Yuck."

Thetwohyenaslaughedagain.AndtheymovedclosertoJackandAnnie.

Quietly,Jackreadmore:

Thehyenahasareputationforbeingathiefandacoward.

"Let'sseeifthey'recowards,"whisperedAnnie."Let'strytoscarethem."

Thehyenaslaughedandmovedalittlecloser.

"How?"Jackasked.

"Actlikeamonster!"saidAnnie."Now!"

JackandAnniemadeterriblemonsterfaces.Theyputouttheirhandsandrushedatthehyenas.

"ARGGGGHH!"theyshouted.

Thehyenasyelpedandscurriedoff."Scaredy-cats!"Annieshoutedafterthem."Comeon,"saidJack.

AnnieandJacktookoffintheotherdirection.Theyranaroundabendintheriver.

Jackheardthehyenalaughteragain.Itsoundedfaraway.

"Good,"hesaid,"they'regone."

"Hey,maybewecanwashoverthere,"saidAnnie.

Shepointedtotheedgeoftheforest.Therewasasmallpondsurroundedbytallgrass.Zebrasweredrinkingthewater.

"Yeah,"saidJack."Ifit'ssafeenoughforthemtodrink..."

Thezebrasignoredthemastheywalkedtowardthepond.

Whentheyreachedtheedgeofthewater,Jacksethisheavypackdowninthedrygrass.Heglancedaround.NOlionswereinsight.Butthenheheardsomething.

Onthefarsideofthepondsomethingverybigwascomingoutofthetrees.

ChapterSix

SpickandSpan

"Bestill,"saidJack.

JackandAnniestoodfrozenasanelephantsteppedoutoftheshadows.Itwadedintothepondanddippeditstrunkintothewater.

"Oh,wow,"saidAnnie.

Jackbreathedasighofrelief.Anelephantwasn'tgoingtochasethemandeatthem.Still,theelephantwashuge.

"Let'ssneakaway,"saidJack.

"ButIwanttowatch,"saidAnnie.

"Fine,"saidJack.HewastiredofAnniegettingsidetracked."I'mgoingtosolvetheriddlebymyself.I'llmeetyoubackatthetreehouse."

Heturnedtogo.Asprayofwaterraineddownonhim.Itcamefrombehind.Heshoutedwithsurpriseandlookedback.

Theelephant'strunkwaspointedstraightatAnnie.

"Cool!"shecried."He'sgivingmeashower!"

Theelephantsprayedheragain...thenagain.Themudslowlyrolledoffherface,herbraids,herT-shirt,hershorts,herlegs,andhersneakers.

"Iguesstheelephantdoesn'tlikedirtykids!"saidAnnie,laughing.Hereyesweresqueezedshut.

Finally,shewascleanandsoakingwet.

"Nowit'syourturn,"shesaidtoJack.

Jacksteppedforwardandshuthiseyestight.Ablastofwaterhithim.Itdidfeellikeashower--astrongshower.

WhenJackwasclean,theelephantletoutagrunt.Thenhestartedtosplashhimselfwithwater.

"Thanks!"saidAnnie.

"Yeah,thanks!"saidJack.

"I'mspick-and-spannow,"saidAnnie.

"Whenthesundriesmeoff,I'llbelikenew."

"Good,"saidJack."Nowwecangetserious.

Hepickeduphisheavypack."Wehavetofigureouttheanswertotheriddle.Sowecanleavethisplacebeforewerunintorealtrouble."

Helookedaroundnervously.Wherearethelions?hewondered.

Asmallbirdflittednearhishead.

"Hi,"Anniesaidtothebird.

Jackturnedbacktoher"Accordingtotheriddle,we'relookingforsomethinggoldandsweet."

"Whatdoyouwant?"Annieaskedthebird.

ThebirdtwitteredandflewaroundJackandAnnie.Itsfeathersweredullgray.Butithadabright,happymanner.

Annie,listentome,notthebird,"saidJack.

Thebirdkeptflutteringaroundthem.

"She'stryingtotellussomething,"saidAnnie.

Jackletoutalongsigh."Youaredrivingmecrazytoday,"hesaid.

"ButIfeellikesheneedsourhelp,"saidAnnie."Maybeherbabiesfelloutofthenest."

"Annie,youcan'tsaveeveryanimalinAfrica,"saidJack.

"Thisbirdisimportant,"saidAnnie."Trustme."

Thebirddartedtowardthetrees.Itlandedonabranchandcockeditsheadatthem.

"Shesaysfollow,"saidAnnie.

Thebirdheadedintotheforest.Anniestartedafterit.

"Don'tgointhere'saidJack."Youmightruninto--"

Therewasnoneedtofinish.ThebirdandAnniehaddisappearedintothetrees.

"--asnakeoralion,"Jacksaidtohimself.

"Comeon!"Anniecalled.

Jackmoaned.Hepulledonhispackandran.Thepeanutbutterjarthumpedagainsthisback.

ChapterSeven

Hi,There

Theforestwascoolerthanthesunnyplains.

Itwasfilledwithshadowsandbirdcalls.

"Whereareyou?"Jackshouted.

"Here!"saidAnnie.

Hefoundherinathickglade.

Brightrayssteamedbetweenthetrees.Greenleavesandvinesswayedinthedappledlight.

Thelittlegraybirdsatinatree,twitteringatthem.

"Yuck,what'sthat?"saidAnnie.Shepointedataroundbrownthinghangingfromalowbranch.Beesbuzzedaroundit.

"Ifthat'shernest,it'saprettyweirdnest,"saidAnnie.

"That'snotanest,"saidJack."It'sabee-hive.Don'tyouseethebees?"

"Yikes,"saidAnnie.Shesteppedbackfromthetree.

Butthelittlebirddartedatthebeehiveandpeckedatit.

"What'sshedoing?"saidAnnie.

Thebirdkeptpeckingatthehive.

"Idon'tknow.Maybeshe'sasnutsasyou,"saidJack.

"Lookherupinthebook,"saidAnnie.

"Seeifitsaysshe'snuts."

"Areyoukidding?"saidJack."Thatnuttybirdisn'tgoingtobeinthisbook."

"Justlook."

JackopenedhisAfricabook.Hekeptturningthepages.Justashethought--therewasnograybirdinthebook.

"Forgetit,"hesaid.

"Keeplooking,"saidAnnie.

Jackturnedonemorepage.Andthereitwas:alittlegraybird,abeehive,andatall,paintedwarriorwithaspear.

"Idon'tbelievethis,"saidJack.Thenhereadaloud:

Thisbirdiscalledahoneyguide.It'sbothafriendandahelpertotheMasai(muh-si)people,anAfricantribeknownfortheirfiercefightingskillsandbravery.

"Hi,honeyguide,"Anniecalledtothebird."Iknewyouwereimportant."

Jackkeptreading:

ThehoneyguideleadsaMasaitribespersontoabeehive.Thebirdwaitsforhimorhertoscatterthebeesandtakethehoney.Thenthebirdfeastsonthehoneycomb.

"That'scool,"saidJack."Theyworktogether,likethezebrasandwildebeestsandgazelles."

"Yeah,"saidAnnie."Andshewantsustobeherhelpers.Wehavetoscatterthebeesandleaveherthehoneycomb."

"Howdowedothat?"saidJack.Helookedbackatthebook.Itdidn'tsayhow.

"Well,maybewecouldwavethoseweedsatthem,"saidAnnie.Shepointedtosomebrightgreenplantsthatlookedlikegiantfans.

Jackputhisbookandbackpackdown.HeandAnniepulleduptheweeds.Theywavedthemnearthetree,andthebeesscattered.

Next,Jackgrabbedthetreebranchandjiggledit.Thehivefelltothegroundandbrokeopen.

Anniestoopedandstuckherfingerintothegoldenhoneycomb.

"Yummy,"shesaidwhenshetastedthehoney."Tryit."

Jackstuckhisfingerinthehoneycomb,too.Helickedoffthegoldenhoney.Itwasthesweetesthoneyhehadevertasted.

"Nowthehoneyguidecangettoherhoneycomb,"saidAnnie.

"Yeah,butshe'dbetterhurry.Beforethebeescomeback,"saidJack.

"It'sweird,"saidAnnie."Honey'ssosweetandgood.Buttogetit,youhavetogopastalotofdangerousbees."

"Oh,man,"whisperedJack."That'sit."

"That'swhat?"askedAnnie.

JacksaidMorgan'sriddle:

I'mthecolorofgoldandassweetascanbe.Butbewareofthedangerthat'sallaroundme.WhatamI?

"Igetit,"Anniewhisper"Honey..."

Honey,"saidJack,noddingandsmiling,"That'sit.We'veansweredMorgan'sriddle.Let'sgohome."

Hestooduptoleave.Hegasped.

Standingintheshadowswasatallmanwithaspearandacurvedswordhangingfromhisbelt.Hisfacewaspaintedinfierce,brightcolors.

Jackknewatoncewhathewas.

AMasaiwarrior.

"Hi,there,"Anniesaidinasmallvoice.

ChapterEight

Yum

ThewarriorstaredbackatJackandAnnie.

"Wewerehelpingoneofyourhoneyguides,"saidAnnie.

Thewarriorwasasstillasastatue.'

"Wedidn'tmeantostealanything,"Jacksaid."Infact,it'sallyours.We'vehadenough."

"Lotsofgoodhoneystillthere,"Anniesaid,smiling.

Thewarriornarrowedhiseyes.

Isheangry?Jackwondered.

"I'msorryweweretrespassing,"saidJack."Wecomeinpeace.Infact,webringgifts."Hepickeduphisbackpackandhelditouttothewarrior.

Thewarriorstilldidn'tmove.

"This?"Jackhelduphisbook.Nothing.

"Uh--"Jackreachedintohispack.Hepulledoutthebigjarofpeanutbutter.

"Peanutbutter!"Hepulledouttheloafofbread."Bread!Hey.Hey!Howaboutapeanutbutterandhoneysandwich?"

"Yum!"Anniesaid,watchingthewarrior.

Thewarriorstaredatthefood.

"We'llshowyou,"saidJack.

AsJackunwrappedthebread,hishandsshook.

Annieopenedthejar.

"Wedon'thaveanythingtospreaditwith,"shesaid.

"Useyourfingers,"saidJack.

"Excuseme,"Anniesaidtothewarrior."Ihavetousemyfingers.Butthey'reprettyclean.Anelephantjust--"

"Justdoit,Annie!"saidJack.

"Okay,okay."

Shespreadthepeanutbutterontoasliceofbreadwithherfingers.Atthesametime,Jackspreadthehoneyfromthebeehiveonanotherslice.

JackandAnnieputtheirpiecesofbreadtogether.

"Ta-da!"saidAnnie,handingthesandwichtothewarrior.

Thewarriortookthesandwich,buthedidn'teatit.Hejustlookedatit.

"Let'smakesandwichesforus,too,"Jacksaid."Sohedoesn'thavetoeatalone."

Theyquicklymadetwomoresandwiches.

"See,likethis,"saidAnnie.Shebitintohersandwich."Mmm…yum."

Jacktookabite,too."Mmm..."hesaid.Itwasreallygood.

Finally,thewarriorbitintohissandwich.Hechewedslowly.

"Thisiscalledapicnic,"saidAnnie.

Theyatetheirsandwichesinsilence.

Whentheyfinished,Jackscrewedthelidbackonthepeanutbutterjar.

"Notbad,huh?"hesaid.

Thewarriorsmiled.Hehadakind,dignifiedsmile.

JackandAnniesmiledbackathim.

Thenthewarriorturnedgracefullyandvanishedintothetrees.

"Oh,man,"saidJack.Partofhimwantedtofollowthesilentwarriorthroughtheshadowyforest.

"Ready?"Annieaskedsoftly.Jacknodded.

Anniestartedtogo.

"Wait,"saidJack.Heputawaythepeanutbutterandbread."We'regoingbacktothetreehouse,right?We'renotgoingtodoanythingsilly,likerescueanythingorchasebirds.Right?"

"Thosethingsaren'tsilly,"saidAnnie."Don'tforgetthatthebirdgaveustheanswertotheriddle."

"Oh.Right,"saidJack.

Helookedatthelittlehoneyguide.Shewasontheground,peckingatthehoneycomb.

"Thanks,"Jacksaidtothebird.

"Haveagoodfeast,"saidAnnie.

Jackputonhispack.ThenheandAnniestartedoutoftheforest.

Whentheypassedthepond,theysawtheelephantstillsplashinginthewater.Heliftedhistrunk.Heseemedtobewavingatthem.

"Seeya!"Annieshouted,wavingback.

Theyroundedthebendintheriver,thenstartedthroughthetallgrass.

Astheywalkedbacktowardthetreehouse,theysawthewildebeestsinthedistance.Therewerestillsomecrossingtheriver.

Theysawafamilyofzebrasgrazingtogether.

Theysawlonegiraffeswalkingfromtreetotree,eatingtheleaves.

Andtheysawabunchoflionssleepingintheshadeofatree--thesametreethatthetreehousewasin.

"Whoops,"saidAnnie.

Jack'sheartgaveajump.

"Sotheretheyare,"hesaid.

ChapterNine

TipToe

JackandAnniecrouchedinthetallgrass.Therewasabiglion,threelionesses,andabunchofcubs.

"Ithinkthey'resleeping,"whisperedAnnie.

"Yeah,"saidJack."Butforhowlong?"

HepulledtheAfricabookfromhispackandopenedit.Hefoundapictureoflionssleepingunderatree.

Hereadinawhisperyvoice:

Afteraprideoflionshaseaten,theyrestforafewhours.Theother--

"Whatdidtheyhaveforlunch?"Anniebrokein.

"Don'task,"saidJack.Hekeptreading:

Sensingthatthelionsarenothuntingatthemoment,theotheranimalsgrazenearby.

"Iftheycangraze,thenwe'resafe,"saidAnnie.Shestartedtostand.

"Wait!"Jackpulledherdown."Notsofast."

Hepeeredaround.Thewordsinthebookseemedtrue:thezebrasandgiraffesdidn'tseemtobebotheredbythelionsatall.

"Theymightbesafe.ButI'mnotsureaboutus,"saidJack."Weneedaplan."

"Whatifwewaittilltheyleave?"saidAnnie.

"Thatcouldtakehours,"saidJack."Plustheymightbehu