By Jon C. Picciuolo
Illustrated by Roger Vanderlinden
When Sammy walked into the kitchen, his father was reading the Huppville Times. "Our mayor makes me laugh!" said Mister Harris. "He wants to hire an expensive consultant to get rid of all those stray cats. The town council will decide tonight."
To Sammy fewer cats made a great deal of sense. He asked, "Could you drive me to that meeting?"
"I'm glad you're interested in government, son," said his father, looking surprised. "But...why tonight? Is it a homework project?"
"Maybe we can both learn something," replied Sammy.
At seven o'clock the council chamber was crowded. Sammy and his father stood tall for the Pledge of Allegiance. Then they sat on hard folding chairs and heard dull reports about a broken water main and the cost of another traffic light. Finally, the mayor of Huppville announced: "Next we will discuss our urgent need for a feline removal expert."
Mister Harris whispered, "See? What a joke!" Sammy nodded as he leaned forward in his seat.
The mayor declared that a feline expert would cost two thousand dollars. He invited townsfolk to tell their problems with stray cats. One lady fussed about muddy paw prints on clothes clawed from her drying line. Another complained about yowling at night. A man reported that he almost wrecked his car when a stray ran into the road.
"So it is clear," declared the mayor, "that we must end this crisis! The Huppville town council will now vote. All those in favor of hiring a consultant..."
Sammy leaped to his feet. "I can solve your problem for free!"
Mister Harris gasped.
The mayor frowned. "Who are you, lad?"
"My name is Sammy Harris. I can get rid of stray cats. It won't cost the town a penny!"
"Sit down and be quiet," ordered the mayor. "Play somewhere else."
back to Parents and Children Together Online Issue 9
Comments or Questions?
Parents and Children Together Online
The Clearinghouse on Reading, English, and Communication
2805 East 10th Street, Suite 140
Bloomington, IN 47408-2698
reading@indiana.edu
back to Parents and Children Together Online
Copyright Notice: Please note that the contents of Parents and Children Together Online and its associated web pages are copyright 2004 EDINFO Press and are not to be reproduced in any form (including CD-ROM) without the express permission of EDINFO Press.