兒童英語讀物《神奇樹屋》 第十一冊 Lions at Lunchtime 01 Before Lunch

Jack and Annie were walking home from thegrocery store. Jack's pack was heavy. It held a big jarof peanut butter and a loaf of bread.

"Are you going to have a peanut butter and jellysandwich?" said Annie. "Or a peanut butter andhoney sandwich?"Jack started to answer, but stopped. "Oh, man," hewhispered.

"What is it?" said Annie.

"Look at that!" said Jack.

He pointed to the edge of the Frog Creek woods. Inthe shadows stood a small, delicate animal. It lookedlike a tiny deer.

"It's sign," whispered Annie. "Remember when wesaw the rabbit? He was a sign of the Wild West."The dear like creature leaped into the woods.

Jack and Annie didn't stop to think. They followedfast as they could. Jack's heavy pack thumped againsthis back as he ran.

Finally they stopped and looked around.

"Where did she go?" he said.

"I don't see her," said Annie.

"Oh wow,". said Annie. She pointed upThere was the. magic tree house. It was shinning inthe noon sun, at the top of the in the woods. Its ropeladder swayed in the shadows below.

"Where's Morgan?" said Annie.

Morgan le Fay wasn't waving at them from thewindow. She wasn't even at the window.

"I don't know. Let's go up," said Jack.

They climbed the ladder and went into the treehouse.

Sunlight streamed through the window. It lit astack of books and two scrolls in the corner. Theancient scrolls held the answers to riddles Jack andAnnie had solved earlier.

Jack took off his heavy pack.

"Did Morgan leave us a third riddle?" said Annie.

"Looking for someone?" said a soft voice.

Jack and Annie whirled around.

"Morgan!" said Annie.

Morgan le Fay had appeared out of nowhere. Shelooked ancient and lovely in the bright light.

"Do you still want to become Master Librarians?"she asked Jack and Annie. "So you can help me in mywork?""Yes!" they said together.

"Wonderful," Morgan said. Then she reached intoher robe and pulled out a scroll.

"You've solved two riddles so far," she said. "Here isyour third." She handed the scroll to Annie. "And foryour research--"She pulled a book out from her robe and handed itto Jack. The book's cover saidTHE PLAINS OF AFRICA.

"Africa?" said Jack. "Oh, man, I've always wanted togo there."He opened the book. He and Annie stared at apicture.

It showed hordes of zebras, tall giraffes, big animalswith horns, and tiny, deer like creatures.

"Hey, that's the animal that led us here!" saidAnnie.

"A Thomson's gazelle, I believe," Morgan said.

"Where are the lions?" said Jack.

"You'll find out," said Morgan.

"Um.. .maybe we need to plan this trip," said Jack.

Morgan smiled. "No. Go ahead. Make your wishnow."Annie pointed at the picture. "I wish we could gothere," she said.

"Be careful," said Morgan. "Just keep an eye out.""For what?" said Jack.

"The lions, of course," she said.

"Wait!" said Jack.

Too late.

The wind had started to blow. The tree house hadstarted to spin. Jack squeezed his eyes shut. The treehouse spun faster and faster. Then everything wasstill. Absolutely still.