Rio 2 Read Free Page B

can make us wiggle. Something to make us jiggle. We need something that pops! Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop! You know what pop is backwards? Pop!”
    Nico knew his friend was right. “Next!” he barked, hoping greatness would walk through the door.
    It was the spoonbill. He wiped the drool off himself. “Ew, disgusting. Gentlemen, I’m your—”
    â€œWhoa!” Blu slipped in a puddle of Luiz’s drool and slid into the spoonbill. Crash! Blu and the spoonbill untangled themselves. The spoonbill flew up and landed on the hood of a car, away from the commotion. He looked irritated.
    â€œSorry bro!” Luiz said, indicating the puddle of drool the macaw had slipped in.
    â€œIt’s okay, Luiz,” Blu said. “Good to see you too.”
    Pedro faced his friend. “Listen, Blu, we’re looking for a singer, a dancer . . . the whole package.”
    â€œYeah, and you’re more of a mumbler-shuffler,” Nico told him. “You catch my drift?”
    â€œOh, no, no,” Blu said quickly. “I’m not here to audition. I’ve got news. I am going to the Amazon. Yay . . .”
    Nico looked confused. “Ama—what?”
    Rafael motioned for a break. “Oooh, okay. Uhh, let’s take five.”
    The spoonbill was frustrated. “What?” he shouted, stomping his foot. The hood of the car he was on popped open and slammed him in the face.
    Â 
    Blu and his buddies gathered on the garage rooftop, and he laid out his plan: he and Jewel were taking the kids to the Amazon so they could learn to live like real birds.
    â€œThe Amazon.” Luiz whistled, shaking his head in amazement. “Wow. That’s wild.”
    Blu took a deep breath. “Yeah, yeah. Jewel thinks it’ll be good for us.” Then he paused. “Uhhh, how . . . how wild?”
    â€œReal wild,” Luiz said.
    â€œThey got mosquitoes that suck your blood like Slurpees,” Pedro said, dropping his voice.
    Nico nodded. “Snakes that can swallow you whole.”
    Luiz stared off into space. “Flesh-eating piranhas that eat . . . flesh,” he whispered.
    None of this was making Blu feel good about the decision. “Oh, great. That sounds really nice,” he said sarcastically. He let out a shiver. “I’m not going.”
    Rafael stepped forward, holding out his wings. “Guys, guys, guys,” he said, shushing them. “Blu, you have nothing to worry about. All those stories are highly exaggerated.”
    Blu gave him a dubious look. “You think so?”
    â€œOf course,” Rafael assured him. “If this is important to Jewel, just do it.” He winked. “Happy wife, happy life. Remember that.”
    Happy wife, happy life , Blu repeated to himself, trying to rally his spirits. “Okay, yeah, you’re right,” he said. “You know, a little family vacation . . . might actually be fun,” he went on, trying to convince himself. “Plus, it’s not like it’s forever.”
    Rafael clapped him hard on the back. “That’s the spirit!”
    â€œYeah. Okay, thanks guys,” Blu said, nodding as he spoke. He’d managed to talk himself into it. He tried to put on a brave smile as he flew off. “See you in a couple of weeks!”
    â€œSafe travels, Blu!” Rafael called after him.
    â€œBring me back a souvenir!” Luiz urged as Blu disappeared from view.
    Rafael sighed. “He’s dead.”
    Nico shrugged. “Too bad. Nice guy.”
    Rafael gazed into the horizon where Blu had flown off. Pedro and Nico’s words worried him because he knew there was some truth to them.
    Blu didn’t know the first thing about living in the wild. But Rafael thought there was a way he could help. . . .

Chapter 4

    T he big day had finally arrived—the day Blu and his family would set out for the Amazon. The kids were practically