2 AN ALARMING GIFT

CHAPTER 2 AN ALARMING GIFT Alexander followed the smell of sizzling steak to his backyard. His dad was standing near the grill. "Hi, AI!" he said, waving a spatula. "Welcome to our last cookout of the summer!" Alexander took a seat at the picnic table. They ace steak-and-cheese sandwiches as the sun went down.

"And now," said his dad, "here's a little back- to-school surprise!" He gave Alexander a gift. "Thanks, dad!" said Alexander. He ripped off' the wrapping paper. "An alarm clock," said Alexander. "Uh, just what I needed." "I know!" said his dad, smiling. "You're always running late, so I thought—" His dad paused. "What's that? Over by the woods?" A tiny green spark flashed at the edge of the yard. A moment later, some more sparks began zigzagging through the air. "Well, rinse my molars!" Alexander's dad said. "Lightning bugs! It's awfully late in the year for them!" He got up and headed toward the house. "I'll be right back, AI!"

Alexander watched the glowing bugs drift across his backyard. There were now hundreds of them. He felt like an astronaut in a galaxy of tiny green stars. Alexander's dad came back out, carrying an empty jar. "Let's catch some lightning bugs!" he said. Alexander looked at the jar. "Will they be okay in there?" he asked. "Sure!" said his dad. "I poked holes in the lid. They'll be fine!" Alexander and his dad ran around the yard, snatching lighting bugs. Before long, the jar was glowing like a lantern.

"Perfect," said Alexander's dad. "Now, off to bed! I'll come tuck you in after I clean up." Alexander carried the glowing jar into his bedroom. He put on his pajamas, brushed his teeth and plopped into bed. A minute later, Alexander's dad came in, carrying the new alarm clock. "You left this outside!" he said. He put the clock on the nightstand and pressed a few buttons. "There. Your alarm is set for 6:30 A.M. That should give us plenty of time for a nice, fresh start." Alexander's dad turned out the light and closed the door. The bugs glowed green, but a little dimmer than before.

Alexander tapped on the jar. "Poor little guys," he said. He got out of bed and opened his window. Then he unscrewed the lid on the jar. "You're free," he whispered. "Now shoo!" The lightning bugs flew out of the jar. But they didn't leave his room. One landed on his alarm clock, olowino extra bright. "Good night, bugs," said Alexander, climbing back into bed. He watched the twinkling bugs swirl around his ceiling until he fell asleep.