Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2 VAMPYRA FLIPPED AND FLITTERED AND fluttered along the riverbank. She was ahead of Wolfy. She was far ahead of their paper boats. And she was very far ahead of Franky. She was sure she was going to earn her Flying Merit Badge… as long as she could keep her wings going long enough. But right now, she needed a rest. "Whew, flying sure is tiring," she said. "So is swimming," someone croaked from the edge of the river. "Laguna!" said Vampyra. She landed and changed back into a vampire. Laguna lived in the swamp with her mom, dad, and sixteen younger swamplings. But

today, she was not in the swamp. She was in the river. Laguna pulled herself onto the riverbank and sprawled out in the wet grass. She stretched her webbed toes and spread her webbed fingers. Her gills heaved in and out. She seemed very tired. Even more tired than Vampyra. "What are you doing in the river, Laguna?" Vampyra asked. "Swimming lessons," Laguna groaned. Wolfy and Franky finally caught up with them. They were out of breath too.

"I think I'm going to hurl a hair ball," Wolfy said. "I think I swallowed a fish," said Laguna. Laguna's mom popped up above the surface of the river. She swam in circles on her back. She was an excellent swimmer. "Hello, kids," she said. "Hi, Mrs. Lagoon," they all answered. "Laguna is going to take her swimming test today," said Mrs. Lagoon. "But first, she has a bit of practice to do." "Mommmmm," said Laguna. "I can't swim to the other side." "Sure you can," said Mrs. Lagoon. "It just takes practice, and for you to believe in yourself." "You can totally do it," Vampyra said. "I have a great idea," said Mrs. Lagoon. "Maybe Vampyra, Franky, and Wolfy will take lessons with you!"

"No way!" said Wolfy. "My fur will be a stinky, wet mess." Franky shuffled his feet. "Um… my bolts might get rusted." "I'd rather fly," Vampyra said with a grin. "See, Mom?" said Laguna. "Even the Junior Monster Scouts are scared of swimming." "Well, I wouldn't say we are scared," mumbled Wolfy. "I would," said Franky. Mrs. Lagoon floated on her back and blew a long jet of water up into the air. "There is nothing to be scared of," she said. "Besides… isn't swimming one of the Junior Monster Scout merit badges?" Franky flipped through his scout handbook. Sure enough, swimming was a Junior Monster Scout merit badge. "Come on, kids," said Mrs. Lagoon. "I'll help you all learn how to swim. You'll get

your merit badges, and Laguna won't feel so scared with her friends alongside her." Laguna sat up and clapped her webbed fingers. "Oh, will you?" she asked. "Will you? Will you? Will you? Puhleeaaazzze!" Wolfy looked at Vampyra. Vampyra looked at Franky. Franky stared at his scout handbook. "I suppose?" he said nervously. Meanwhile, back in the village, the umbrella contest was well underway. There were bright umbrellas and striped umbrellas, umbrellas with swirls and spirals and flowers and polka dots. Tall umbrellas and short umbrellas, round umbrellas and square umbrellas. "Oh, this is absolutely splendiferous!" said the mayor. "Truly wonderific! Everyone, get

in line. The parade is about to begin!" "Quack, quack, quack!" said the ducks. They were very excited for the parade and even more excited to help judge the umbrella contest. "Yes, yes, of course," the mayor said to the ducks. "You can join our parade as well!" The ducks fluffed their feathers and waddled into line. "Quack, quack, quack!" (That means Thank you and We are very pleased to accept your invitation. As you can see, these were very polite ducks.) "Okay, Peter," said the mayor. "Lead the way!" Peter picked up his flute and led the parade through the town. Rain boots squelched and splashed in puddles. Ducks quacked. And everyone—everyone—was singing in the rain.