Pluto's New Friends

Pluto's New Friends

Brag and Tag Pluto loved to play the Brag and Tag game with the other planets. He wanted to brag about being the smallest planet. He hoped someone would call on him to brag soon. " I am Venus, the second planet from the Sun, " Venus said. “ Tag, Neptune! "

" I am Neptune, an ice giant. I have stormy weather. " Then Neptune yawned. " Game over! " he said, and he began to hum. Pluto was sad that no one had tagged him. But he joined in the humming. It sounded lovely, like bells ringing. Soon everyone but Pluto was asleep. Pluto watched over the others from his distant orbit. Surely he'd be tagged tomorrow. " Good night, planets, " he whispered.

Bullies The next day, Pluto could hardly wait to play the game. " I am Mercury, and I orbit the Sun in eighty-eight days, " Mercury began. " I am the smallest planet. " " Huh?" said Pluto. Then he shouted, " I'm the smallest planet! " " You were the smallest planet, " said Mercury. " I'm the smallest now, and I'm a giant compared to you! " He laughed, and the others joined in.

" We voted, and you're no longer a planet, " said Earth. “ Since when?" " Since the other day, " Mars answered. “ You are too tiny to be a planet, and you have a messy orbit as well. " “ B-b-but, " Pluto said. “ I orbit the Sun, just like the rest of you! "

" Your orbit is full of junk, " Saturn said. " Look at all the rocks and ice chunks! " " Tsk, tsk! Very messy, indeed! " added Venus. " You could even be an asteroid, " laughed Uranus. Then Jupiter spoke up. “ Tough luck, kid. But don't worry. It's a big universe. Go find something else to do. "