The Chicken Squad
Chapter 1
Help!! Help!”
A squirrel came barreling into the chicken coop. He was out of breath and in a panic. “There is something big and scary in the yard!” gasped the squirrel. “Its after me!”
“Describe it for me,” said Sugar. She pulled her notepad out of the old shoe.
“Its big and scary!!” said the squirrel. “Its BIG and its SCARY!!”
“Big and scary is not going to cut it,” said Sugar. “Lots of things are big and scary, kid. My mom is big and scary. Try again.”
“Its ENORMOUS and FRIGHTENING,” said Squirrel.
Sugar put her pencil down. “Better. Keep going.”
“Its HUGE and TERRIFYING!” cried the squirrel.
“Much better, Tail,” said Sugar. She checked her notes.
Big and Scary!
Enormous and Frightening!
Huge and Terrifying!
“Maybe I can help,” said Dirt. She took out her sketchpad. “What shape was it?” asked Dirt.
“It was . . . big,” answered the squirrel.
“Big is not a shape,” sighed Sugar. She put her notebook down. “Youve got a good vocabulary, kid. But your poor shape knowledge means I cant respect you. You should go now.”
“Hold on, Sugar,” said Dirt. “Lets figure this out. Lets start from the beginning.”
“Its ENORMOUS!” snapped the squirrel. He was starting to get grumpy.
“I thought you said it was big,” said Sugar.
“Maybe I can give it a try,” said Dirt. “Is it bigger than a house?”
“Well, no,” said the squirrel.
“Is it bigger than the chicken coop?” asked Dirt.
“Well, no,” answered the squirrel.
“Is it bigger than you?” asked Dirt.
“I am a brave squirrel!! Of course its bigger than me!” said the squirrel. “Why would I be afraid of something if it wasnt bigger than me?”
“Lots of people are afraid of things that are smaller than they are,” said Dirt.
“Well, not me,” said the squirrel. “Im only afraid of one thing and its BIG and SCARY, and it came out of nowhere, and its out there waiting for me!”
“I think we need J. J. on this case,” said Sugar. “He knows the yard like the back of his paw. Im going to run over there and ask him to join us.”
“Not the dog!” yelled the squirrel. “Not the DOG! NOT THE DOG!”
“Whats your beef with the dog, Tail?” asked Sugar.
“Hes big and scary!” answered the squirrel.
Sugar had a hunch.
“Fine, Im just going to run outside and grab a shovel,” she announced. “Ill be right back.”
“Not the shovel!” said Tail. “Not the SHOVEL! NOT THE SHOVEL!”
“Whats your beef with the shovel?” asked Sugar.
“Its big and scary!” said the squirrel.
“I give up, Tail,” said Sugar. “Sounds to me like youre afraid of everything in the yard. Now get out of here and call me when you have a real problem.” Sugar made a last note on her pad.
Big and Scary!
Enormous and Frightening!
Huge and Terrifying!
Never mind!
Just then a dark figure appeared in the doorway and cast a shadow over Dirt, Sugar, and Tail.
“Everything okay in here?” asked a deep, gruff voice. Tails eyes went wide, his face went pale, and he hit the floor.