Chapter 8 Small Wonders

Chapter 8 Small Wonders Arthur crouched on top of the bookshelf in the corner of the room he and Stanley shared. "Ready?" he asked. "Ready," said Stanley. "Remember, don't—" Arthur leaped from the bookshelf and belly-flopped onto the bed. He bounced up into the air... waved his arms and legs... and crashed right into Stanley, flattening him to the ground.

Mr. Lambchop appeared in the doorway. "Arthur," he asked, "don't you think your brother is flat enough already?" Arthur got up off Stanley. "Stanley's training me!" he said excitedly. "That was not what I told you to do," said Stanley. "Was too!" said Arthur. "Was not!" "Was too!" "Was not!"

"I understand." Mr. Lambchop nodded wisely. "You are opposing forces in balance." "Boys!" called Mrs. Lambchop. "Your friend Carlos is here!" Carlos bounded into the room. "Stanley, you are back!" he said. "How was China?" "Amazing," Stanley replied. "I got torn by a giant panda bear." "No!" Carlos's eyes bulged. Arthur gestured to the bulletin board, where Stanley had hung the photograph that Yang had taken at the zoo. Carlos took one look and let out a long whistle.

"Stanley was just training me to be a Flying Wonder," announced Arthur. "Oh," said Carlos. "I can come back later." Stanley looked at him curiously. "You need only two people to play Flying Chinese Wonders," Carlos explained with a frown. "I do not want to be a third wheel." Stanley smiled. "You don't understand," he said gently. He positioned Arthur on one side of the room, and Carlos on the other. "Sometimes, for balance," he continued, climbing atop the bed, "a third wheel is just what you need."

And with that, Stanley Lambchop shot into the air.