Ch1-Smile

Eve of the Emperor Penguin

CHAPTER ONE Smile. Jack was raking leaves on a chilly November afternoon. Geese honked overhead. "Smile," said Annie. Annie was pointing her camera at him. "No pictures now," he said. "Come on," said Annie. "Smile!" Jack gave her a goofy smile.

"A real one," said Annie. "I'm taking pictures for our family project at school." Jack crossed his eyes and made his smile even goofier. "Okay. Be that way," said Annie. "I'm going into the woods." "Good," said Jack. "Go." "Maybe the tree house is back," said Annie. "You always say that when you want me to stop what I'm doing and do something with you," said Jack. "Maybe Teddy and Kathleen are waiting for us," said Annie. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Jack.

"Maybe today's the day they want us to look for a fourth secret of happiness for Merlin," said Annie. "Maybe they're going to send us to a super-cool place." "Good. Hope they do. Have fun," said Jack. "I want to finish raking these leaves before dark." He glanced up at the late-afternoon sky—just in time to see a bright streak of light pass over the Frog Creek woods. "Whoa!" Jack turned to Annie with a smile. "Did you see that?" "Hold that smile!" said Annie as she took Jack's picture. "Thanks! Perfect." "But did you see that?" Jack asked. "The light going over the woods?" "Ha-ha," said Annie.

"No, I'm serious! It was a bright light! Wait a second!" Jack put down his rake and dashed into the house. "Mom! Dad!" he shouted. "Annie and I are going for a walk, okay?" "Okay," called their dad, "but be home before dark!" "And wear your scarves and hats!" called their mom. "We will!" Jack grabbed their scarves, their hats, and his backpack from the hall closet and ran back outside. "Let's go!" he said to Annie. Annie put her camera in her jacket pocket and took off running with Jack. They ran up the sidewalk, crossed the street, and headed into the shadowy Frog Creek woods. They crunched over

a carpet of fallen leaves until they came to the tallest tree. The magic tree house was there! Kathleen and Teddy were looking out the window. The two young enchanters were both wearing dark cloaks. "Hi! Hi!" Annie shouted. "We were about to come looking for you!" said Kathleen. "How did you know we were here?" "I saw the light!" said Jack. "Climb up!" said Teddy. Jack and Annie hurried up the rope ladder. When they climbed inside the tree house, they hugged Teddy and Kathleen.