“Oh, no! Everything’s going wrong today. Gimpel’s gone. Tuki’s acting weird. I don’t think even Jolly Solly can help”
Mr. Ingleton knew that a Jewish holiday was coming up. It was called Lag B’omer. This day, he felt, would be the perfect time. There would be many happy children around the animal center. Well, he would soon wipe the smiles off their faces. Ha!
He wound a scarf around his face, leaving only his eyes and nose uncovered. He put a battered hat on his head. He grabbed an old walking stick. Then he practiced walking bent over. He now looked like a very old man.
When he entered the animal center, it was very busy. Nobody paid any attention to him. He saw that Manny and Tuki were the most popular attractions, as usual. Excited kids were crowded around their cages. Manny took out a plastic comb he’d taken from Izzy one day. He pretended to style his hair. Then Tuki sang “This Old Man” at the top of his voice.
Suddenly, the parrot stopped. He flapped his wings. He looked upset.
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