26-THE JOKE THAT WORKS EVERY TIME

THE JOKE THAT WORKS EVERY TIME I was passing out slices of pizza when suddenly I heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen. No, I'm not sure if you could call it noise exactly. It was sort of a mixture of music and noise. I noticed that many of the guests were listening, too. I headed for the kitchen to

investigate. I threw open the door and gasped. The strange sounds were coming from my cousin! Yes, Trap was standing over the sink, drumming on the pots with a big spoon. He turned the tap water on and off with his tail as he hopped about to the BEAT. At the same time, Benjamin was banging on the big garbage can with a broomstick and a large fork. Just then, the guests began to crowd into the kitchen. "This is where the real party is!" Trap shouted. One rat grabbed a spoon and began banging on a pot. Another rat began to dance. Soon all of the guests were

laughing and dancing about the kitchen. It was quite a sight. Thea grabbed her camera and began snapping away. The only one who did not seem to be having fun was Count von Ratoff. He stood off to the side watching the others with a gloomy look in his eyes. Trap stared at the sad count. "Just watch this! I'll bet I can lift his spirits. No one can resist my jokes," he boasted. "Especially

The Joke That Works Every Time!" He strolled over to Count von Ratoff. "Have you heard the latest bat joke?" he said. Suddenly, the room became DEADLY QUIET. All of the guests glared at Trap. He whispered into the count's ear. It was so quiet you could hear a whisker drop. I held my breath. The count did not move a muscle for a few seconds. Then his fur began to quiver. A strange gurgling noise rose from his throat. It sounded as if he were gargling. He began to roll on the floor, holding his stomach in his paws. He was having a laughing fit! I let out a sigh of relief. We would live! The guests stared, amazed, then they, too, began to giggle. Trap puffed up his fur. "I told you," he smirked. "It works every time!"