Chapter 1

THE DEAD SEA SQUIRRELS Merle of Nazareth From the co-creator of VeggieTales Mike Nawrocki Illustrated by Luke Seguin-Magee

CHAPTER 1 "The captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign," a woman's voice announced over the flight loudspeaker. "Yes!" Merle whispered to Pearl, who was snuggled into the window seat with him. "This belt is so constricting." He unclicked the seat belt that had been stretched over both squirrels and stretched out his legs with a sigh. "Please keep your seat belts fastened at all times when seated," the woman's voice continued. "Oh, for Pete's sake," Merle complained. "Which is it? Off or on?!"

"SHHHHH! I told you to not speak," hushed the man in the suit and sunglasses. Merle and Pearl now knew their squirrelnapper by his actual name: Ruben. The evening before, the squirrels had been tricked by his ingenious drone scheme, and they had all but airmailed themselves right into his clutches. In the hours that followed, they were whisked to the airport, fitted into oversize emotional support dog vests (which, even though they were designed for Chihuahuas, were way too roomy for squirrels), and loaded onto an international flight. "Sir, did you say you'd like the steak?" a flight attendant asked as she rolled up with the food cart. Merle nodded his head vigorously. "Oh, look at you!" the flight attendant gushed at him. "Aren't you adorable?" She turned to Ruben. "It's like your little support squirrel knows what I'm saying. He probably wants another bag of nuts!" She giggled. Merle shook his head with equal vigor and held out his paws for a steak, earning an elbow to the side from Pearl and a look of disbelief from the flight attendant. "Thank you, miss." Ruben grabbed the steak tin and set it on his seat table. "Could I also get another one for my little friends? They are such a support to me."

"I'm sure they are..." the flight attendant said, still looking shocked. She handed Ruben another steak meal. "Be sure they stay buckled while seated." She gave them an uncomfortable smile and slunk away. "When you get a chance, can you ask her for a cheese tray? Gorgonzola would be tremendous with this steak," Merle whispered to Ruben, holding up the business class flight menu. "SHHHHH!" Ruben shushed grumpily as Pearl buckled herself and Merle up again.