3 Toy Trouble

3 Toy Trouble "Violet and Leon, you made it!" Brittany said happily as she opened the door. The words BIRTHDAY GIRL glittered on her shirt. She wore her black hair in a long braid. "Sorry about the mix-up," Violet said. "It's okay. We're about to open presents!" Brittany replied. She led Violet and Leon to the living room. Orange balloons and streamers hung everywhere. Orange was Brittany's favorite color.

All of Brittany's closest friends had come to the party. Leon sat next to his friend Evan on the floor. Violet put her gift on a pile of presents and found a seat next to Lila and Anna. Violet gently tapped her hoodie pocket, and felt Sprite safely curled up inside. Brittany sat in a chair near her presents. Her little sister, Ruby, clapped her hands. "Open your presents! Open your presents!" she chanted.

Brittany picked up a box wrapped in pink paper. "That's from me," Anna said. Brittany opened the present. She took out a purple music box. On top stood a tiny ballerina. "Oh, it's so pretty!" Brittany said. She turned the gold key on the side of the box. Everyone waited to hear what tune it would play. Mooooooo! was the noise that came out of the box. Moooooo! Ruby giggled, but Anna blushed. "It's supposed to play 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." Brittany tried to smile. "That's okay. I, uh, I like cows."

"Open mine next," Leon said. He handed Brittany his gift bag. Brittany pulled out a box with a round furry creature inside. The toy had big wiggly eyes. "It's a Fuzzy Pet," Leon explained. "I know!" Brittany said, tearing open the box. "They're so cute! They talk to you and everything." Brittany took out the Fuzzy Pet and pressed the button on its belly. "Hi, I'm your Fuzzy Pet," said the toy. Brittany smiled. But then—

"Scramble the bananas in the pencil patch!" the pet said. Everyone gasped. "What did you say?" Brittany asked. She pressed the button again. "Rumble with the mustard!" the Fuzzy Pet squawked. Brittany stared at the toy. Leon scratched his head. "Brittany, this is weird!" he said. "There must be something wrong with that Fuzzy Pet."

"It's all right," Brittany said. But she didn't sound like she meant it. Violet was worried. Something strange was going on. She could feel it. Brittany opened the rest of her presents. She got a sticker set. But none of the stickers were sticky! She got a stuffed tiger. But it had a tiger's head and a duck's body!