13 THE END

CHAPTER 13 THE END I raced Terry, determined to stop him from hatching another bunch of eggs that might threaten our treehouse, not to mention our lives. But it wasn't Bill the postman at the door. It was Jill! She was panting as if she'd run the whole way over. "Was that Silky I saw," she said, "flying away

from your treehouse with a giant gorilla?" "Yes," said Terry. I elbowed him hard. "He means no," I said. "Yes, that's right," said Terry. "I mean no." Jill frowned. "I'm sure that was Silky." "But isn't Silky white?" I said. "All those cats were yellow. And they were flying. Does Silky fly? You didn't mention it on your poster." "Well, she doesn't usually," said Jill, "but one of those cats was Silky. I'm sure of it. I'd recognize her anywhere. And you two know something, I can tell. You'd better start talking...and fast."

"I'm sorry," I said, "but it wasn't my fault! It was Terry. He painted Silky yellow and turned her into a canary—well, a catnary, I guess—and then she flew away! I'm really, really sorry." "A catnary?" said Jill slowly. "Terry turned Silky into a catnary?" "Yes, and like I said, I tried to stop him..." "But I'm so glad you didn't!" said Jill. "Huh?" I said. "You don't mind?" "Not at all!" said Jill. "In fact, it's fantastic! I've been really wanting to get a canary but I was worried that Silky would eat it. Having a flying cat is like having the best of both pets! Thank you, Terry!"

"You're welcome," said Terry. "If you'd like any of your other animals converted, you know where to bring them." "Thanks," said Jill. "I'll definitely think about it. Meanwhile, I'd better get home and put out some birdseed for Silky and her new friends." After she left, Terry clapped his hands together. "Well, that all turned out pretty well, don't you think?" "I guess so," I said, "except for one small thing." "What's that?"

"WE STILL HAVEN'T WRITTEN OUR BOOK!" "There's no need to shout, Andy," said Terry. "Just relax. It will all be okay." "In what sense can I possibly relax and how can it all possibly be okay?" I said. "We still have no book and it's due in tomorrow. How are we ever going to think all the stories up in time, let alone write and illustrate them?"

"Easy," said Terry. "We don't have to think anything up. We've just lived through a really interesting day. All we have to do is write it all down, draw some pictures, and we'll have our book!"