The Smoke ScareBy Geri Murray

“Get up, Jess. Time to get up, Ben,” Mom said. “Your fun days in the sun are over. Your bus will get here in a little while.”

Jess got up in a flash, but not Ben. He was slow.

“Ben, don’t mope, “Dad said as Ben poked at his toast.

Then Ben dropped his toast. “Oh, no” he groaned. “Lad! Here, Lad.”

Lad roamed in and licked the jam off the toast.

“I don’t mean to mope. I feel bad,” Ben groaned. “I just want to stay home.” “You’re just tired. The bus is on the road. Put on your coat and go,” said Dad. “I think my coat is in the boat,” said Ben.

“Take my old coat, and go get your coat from the boat,” Dad said.

Ben roamed down to the dock. He felt sick. His nose was red. He had a pain in his throat. When Ben got to the dock, he sat and petted Scat.

“I think I’m sick, Scat. I will just get in the boat and have a little nap. Mom and Dad will think I left on the bus.”

Ben got in the boat. He put on his coat and put Dad’s over it. The boat rocked Ben to sleep.

Ben woke late. He did not know how long he had slept. A light rain had soaked both coats. Ben sneezed and choked.

“I hope Mom is home,” he said.

Ben left the boat and went home. Mom was not home, but Ben had a key. Ben sniffed the air.

“I smell smoke. Oh, no!” said Ben. “If there is a fire, I can’t go in! But I have to go in to call on the phone for help.”

Ben went in, but he did not smell smoke in his home.

“I don’t see a fire, but I did smell smoke.”

Ben went back outside. “Now I see the fire.”

The grill was on its side. The coals were on the bricks, and Lad had the meat. He was eating a whole roast.

“No, Lad, No. That’s bad. Mom will be so mad at you!”

Lad wagged his tail and licked the bricks. Ben hosed the coals and tied Lad to the tree. Then Ben saw the tank of gas by the coals.

“You are a lucky dog, Lad.”

Just then Mom came home. She saw the mess and Ben told her the whole tale.

“I’m sad that you are sick, Ben, but you may have saved our dog and our home.” Mom hugged Ben and held him close. Then they went in. Mom got Ben dry clothes and a big robe.

“You are a real hero,” said Mom.

Genie Collection© 2006