Ch7-Follow Me

Chapter seven follow me. Stand back, wolfie, shouted at the leopard. I have a sword, and i'm not afraid to use it. Oh, brother, whispered, jack, there was no way. Wolverines, tiny sword could ward off the huge leopard, but if jack and annie rushed in to rescue wolfie, the leopard might leap up and attack him.

Annie nudged Jack's arm. She pointed at the pocket of his coat. She held up her hands, pretending to play a flute. Jack had forgotten all about their magic flute! He remembered Teddy's words: Playing this flute will deliver you from danger. But what can the flute do? Jack wondered. How can it help us? He reached into his pocket and pulled out the flute anyway. "You play—just blow over the mouthpiece," whispered Annie. "I'll make up a song. Remember, whatever I sing will come true." Jack nodded and held up the magic flute. It glistened in the light of the moon. Jack wasn't sure he was holding it right, but he hoped it

wouldn't matter. He closed his eyes and blew gently across the mouthpiece. Music streamed from the silver instrument! The pure sound wafted through the air like a feather on the wind. The melody was simple, yet beautiful. Annie started singing, making up a song: Leopard, hey, leopard, Listen to our sound. The leopard turned its head and looked at Jack and Annie. It pricked up its spotted ears. Follow me, follow me, Follow me and the clown.

Clown? thought Jack. Is that me? He didn't love Annie's choice of words, but he didn't have time to worry about it. The leopard rose to its feet and began walking toward Jack and Annie. Jack was so scared that he almost turned and ran away. But he didn't dare. He knew that as soon as he stopped playing the flute, the magic would end. Annie tugged on Jack's sleeve, and they started walking slowly down the path, back toward the palace. The leopard padded silently after them as Annie kept singing: Wolfie, hey, Wolfie, Jump down, jump down

Follow me, follow me, Follow me and the clown. Without a word, Wolfie bravely hopped down from the tree. He followed the leopard, Jack, and Annie. They all walked down the path between the trees. Jack had no idea where they were going. He only knew that he should keep playing, Annie should keep singing, and they should all keep moving. Jack heard branches breaking. He heard grunting and snorting. The giant bear lumbered out from behind some trees. But Jack kept playing, and Annie kept singing:

Bear, hey, bear, No need to frown. Follow me, follow me, Follow me and the clown. The bear followed Jack, Annie, the leopard, and Wolfie down the path. The moonlight grew brighter and brighter. The magic music was making the night as bright as day! Next the hyena's laugh rippled through the air. WHOOP-WHOOP! The hyena slunk out from behind a tree trunk. Jack kept playing, and Annie kept singing: Hyena, hey, hyena, We're glad you've been found.