1. Jake’s Joke by Geri Murray

2. The day came for Nate to go home
The day came for Nate to go home. Nate grabbed his tote bag and poked in the bag for Jake, his pet snake. Jake lived in a cage in the tote.

3. Nate froze. "Oh, no. There is a hole poked in the screen. Jake is lost

4. "I have to take Jake home," Nate cried.
Jan said, "No way. That’s a joke, right?” But it was no joke.
"I have to take Jake home," Nate cried.
"We have to go," said Dad. "Nate has to catch his plane."

5. Tim poked in a mole hole. “No snake in the hole,” he said.

6. "I think he is here," she cried. "No, it's a rope." Nate sighed.
Jan hunted near the flag pole.
"I think he is here," she cried.
"No, it's a rope." Nate sighed.

7. Nate checked the slope. "Jake might be under that big stone," he said
Nate checked the slope. "Jake might be under that big stone," he said. “Nope, no snake under the stone.”

8. "Nate, we have to go,” said Mr. Jones
"Nate, we have to go,” said Mr. Jones. “When we find Jake, we will take care of him. He will be fine.”

9. Dad drove, and Tim and Jan rode with Nate. Nate did not speak to them
Dad drove, and Tim and Jan rode with Nate. Nate did not speak to them. He did not want to go home alone. It was a sad ride to the plane.

10. When they got to the gate, Nate put his bag on the belt
When they got to the gate, Nate put his bag on the belt. At the x-ray screen, a man sat and stared at the stuff in Nate's bag. Nate could see his skates, the cage, and a rope.

11. "Wait, I don't have a rope in my tote," said Nate
"Wait, I don't have a rope in my tote," said Nate. He grabbed the bag and dumped out his stuff. There in Nate's robe was the strange rope. It was Jake!
"Thank you, thank you!" Nate cried. "Just when I gave up hope! Jake, you played a joke."

12. Dad smiled. "Let’s get you to the plane, Nate
Dad smiled. "Let’s get you to the plane, Nate. We’re sad to see you go, but we’re glad Jake can go home with you."

13. Jan hugged Nate at the gate. "It was fun to have you with us, Nate
Jan hugged Nate at the gate. "It was fun to have you with us, Nate. I hope you will miss us." Nate blushed.

14. "I’m going to miss your jokes, Nate," said Tim.
Nate felt sad. "I hate to go. I had such a fun time. You made me feel at home. You are my best pals."

15. Nate got on the plane. "Next stop is home," Nate said to Jake
Nate got on the plane. "Next stop is home," Nate said to Jake. "I hope Jess and Ben miss me. But Slim will not get my cake!"

16. Genie Collection
© 2007