Shadows of Caesar's Creek Read Free Page A

whole bunch of them”
    â€œI don’t see anything, mon” moaned Ziggy. Suddenly he jumped up and cried, “I see a frog It’s green and fat and I bet I can catch it” Just as he lunged for the frog, Noni caught him by the tail of his purple coat.
    â€œNot so fast, Ziggy” she warned. “What are you going to do if you catch it?”
    â€œUh, I’ll put it in a jar—or a cage—or, I don’t know, just keep it, mon”
    â€œAnd then what?” Noni asked gently.
    â€œI’ll feed it” Ziggy replied.
    â€œWhat do frogs eat?” Noni continued.
    â€œWorms, I guess—and bugs Hundreds of them” Ziggy said firmly.
    â€œAnd you’re going to catch hundreds of bugs and worms for your frog every day?” The other kids were beginning to smile.
    â€œHundreds?”
    â€œFrogs get very hungry,” Noni explained with a grin.
    â€œWell, maybe I’ll just let this little frog catch his own dinner tonight, mon,” admitted Ziggy. “But I could have caught him if I wanted to” Everyone laughed as the frog jumped with a huge splash into the water just at that moment.
    â€œOkay, everyone,” called Noni, “grab your gear and let’s head for the campsite. We’ve got a long walk, then we have to set up our tents.” The campers all groaned, but they gathered their packs and bags and followed Noni down a path into the woods.
    â€œHow far is it?” asked Rashawn after only a few minutes. “It seems so different from when we’re at home and walking around the neighborhood.”
    â€œJust a couple of miles,” replied Noni cheerfully. “Don’t worry about the distance—just look around you as we walk and check out
my
neighborhood”
    The woods were much cooler and darker than the bright, sunny pond they had just left. Above them the sky was sometimes completely hidden by dark green leaves. Crunchy pine needles and old, fallen leaves covered the path they followed.

    Jerome took off his sunglasses and tucked them into his backpack. He, Rico, and Rashawn all worehiking boots. But Ziggy wore his bright green tennis shoes. The soles were soft, and along with the sounds of the birds and the crickets Ziggy’s “OUCH, MON” echoed through the forest.
    Liza was the only one who really seemed to enjoy the hike. She kept up with Noni and breathed deeply the fresh outdoor air. Brandy seemed to enjoy it too, but she was looking at the woods and birds for ideas, not for exercise. She gobbled jelly beans as they walked, dropping a few every now and then. Tiana stayed either just in front of or just behind Rashawn, but he pretended to ignore her.
    Noni walked slowly, pointing out the names oftrees as they followed—oak, maple, birch, elm, and more. She showed them owl and deer droppings and told them how they could tell the difference and what they could learn about an animal from their droppings.
    â€œYuck” squealed Tiana. “That’s disgusting”
    â€œEverything’s gotta poop, mon” Ziggy explained cheerfully. “What’s the big deal?”
    â€œYou’re gross, Ziggy” Brandy accused. He just laughed, ran off the path, and bumped into a tree. His long purple coat had gotten too warm, so he tied it around his waist by the sleeves. He spotted a leafy green plant next to him, so he broke off a piece and offered it to Brandy.
    â€œHere” he teased. He bowed like he had seen men do in movies and offered her the plant as if it were a beautiful bouquet. “Write something beautiful about my green gift”
    Noni turned around and yelled, “Ziggy Throw that down It’s poison ivy”
    Ziggy tossed the plant into the trees and screamed. “I touched it I’m gonna die, mon” He fell to theground, rolled on his back, and kicked his arms and legs.
    Noni laughed and shook her head. “Is he always like this?” she asked the