1. The Smoke Scare
By Geri Murray

2. "Get up, Jess. Time to get up, Ben," Mom said as she gave Jess a poke
"Get up, Jess. Time to get up, Ben," Mom said as she gave Jess a poke. “Your bus will get here in a bit."

3. Jess got up in a flash, but Ben woke up slow
Jess got up in a flash, but Ben woke up slow. "Ben, don't mope," Dad said as Ben poked his toast.
Then Ben dropped his toast. "Oh, no," he groaned. "Here, Lad." Lad roamed in and licked the jam off the toast.

4. "I feel bad," Ben groaned. "I just want to stay home."
"I think you are fine. Put on your coat and catch the bus,” said Dad.
“I think my coat is in the boat,” said Ben.
"Put on my coat, and get your coat from the boat," Dad said.

5. Ben went down to the dock
Ben went down to the dock. His nose was red, and he had a pain in his throat. Ben sat on the dock and petted Scat. "I feel sick, Scat. I will just get in the boat and take a nap."

6. Ben got in the boat. He put on his coat and pulled Dad's coat on top of it. The boat rocked Ben to sleep.

7. Then Ben woke. A light rain had soaked both coats
Then Ben woke. A light rain had soaked both coats. Ben sneezed and choked. He left the boat and went home.

8. When Ben got home, he smelled smoke
When Ben got home, he smelled smoke. He did not have a phone to get help, and no one was home.

9. Ben ran to the back. “Oh, no. Fire. ” Ben yelled
Ben ran to the back. “Oh, no! Fire!” Ben yelled. “And Lad has the whole roast!” The grill was on its side, and fire rose from the coals on the bricks.

10. Then Ben saw the tank of gas near the coals. “Hey, that gas might blow
Then Ben saw the tank of gas near the coals. “Hey, that gas might blow!" Ben hosed the coals and tied Lad to a tree.

11. When Mom came home, Ben told her the whole tale
When Mom came home, Ben told her the whole tale. "I'm sad that you are sick, Ben,” said Mom, “but you may have saved Lad and our home," she said. Then she held Ben close.

12. Genie Collection © 2006