Sophie the Hero Read Free

firefighter shook her head. “No, I have not,” she said. “And yes! That is very heroic. Isn’t it, Jim?”
    Sophie felt her cheeks and ears — and even her insides — get warm and pinkish.
    The firefighter with whiskers nodded. “Sure is,” he said. “And it brings up a good point, too. Never run into the street. Not for anything. Ever.”
    Then there was a little cough, and Mindy raised her hand. Her face always looked pinchy to Sophie, but it looked extra-pinchy then.
    “I have a question in two parts,” Mindy said.
    “Okay,” said the firefighter with whiskers. “Go ahead.”
    “One,” Mindy began, “have you ever rescued five kittens from a burning building like Scarlett the cat? And two: Do you agree that she is one of the biggest heroes ever?”
    The firefighters shook their heads. “No, we haven’t.” Then they nodded. “And yes … she sure is.”
    Mindy turned to Sophie. She looked extra, super sassy. But Sophie crossed her arms and raised her chin and looked right back.
    Meanwhile, Ms. Moffly stood up and shook the firefighters’ hands.
    “This has been a wonderful visit,” she told them. “We can’t thank you enough. But I know you have to get back to the firehouse. And we have to get to gym.” She looked around the room. “Class, please thank Firefighters Burruss and Jones for coming, won’t you? And thank them for being our heroes every day.”
    The firefighters waved.
    “Bye! Thank you!” the class said.
    “Yes! Thank you!” Sophie yelled.
    In fact, she yelled so loud even Toby stared.
    But Sophie did not care. About Toby. Or Mindy. Or anything. The firefighters had spoken. She felt like Sophie the Hero again!
    But Sophie realized something else. If she was going to stay a hero, she needed to be like the firefighters. She needed to be a hero every day.
    And I will!
thought Sophie.
    Let the hero work begin!

S ophie was on the lookout all the way to gym. She did not want to miss any chance to be a hero.
    “Tell me if you see anyone who needs saving,” she whispered to Kate.
    “Okay,” said Kate. She looked down the line of kids following Ms. Moffly. “Uh … saving how?” she whispered back.
    Sophie shrugged. She did not know. She really wished there were a busy street to cross. Or a den full of thieves to pass. Why did schools have to be so safe? Especially the gym! There wasn’t a thing to trip over, and all the walls were padded.
    As they entered the gym, Kate grabbed Sophie’s arm. “Save me!” she panted.
    “What? What is it?” asked Sophie, excited.
    Kate leaned her head back and rolled her eyes up. “From this smell!” she said. Then she lifted her head and grinned. “Get it?” She held her nose. “This place smells like moldy meatballs!”
    Sophie always thought the gym smelled more like sour sweat socks. But she basically agreed. Still, she tried not to laugh. Being a hero was serious business!
    Once they all sat down on the bleachers, the gym teacher, Mr. Hurley, made an announcement.
    “Today we’re going outside!” he hollered. (Hollering was how he talked.)
    Sophie pumped her fist. Hooray!
    After all, anything could happen outside! There could be a tornado. Or a wildfire. Or a tiger escaped from the zoo!
    Who cared if there was no zoo in Sophie’s town? Or anywhere close? The farther a tiger had to come, the better. Then they would have to writeabout it in the newspaper. And that was always good for a hero!
    Once they were outside, Mr. Hurley split the class into two teams. Today they were playing kickball, and today that was just fine with Sophie.
    Usually, Sophie did not like kickball much. Mostly because she played the same middle position — center field — every time. And that made it a very boring game for Sophie. The ball always seemed to go to the left or the right.
    But today that would give Sophie lots of time to be on the lookout for people who needed saving!
    Sophie waved to Kate, who was on the other team. Then she took her place