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The End

"What a lovely story!" Mrs Pidgeon said "And it gives us a chance do some science research We will look up 'Laysan Albatross' in the encyclopedia Thank you, Gooney Bird You may take your seat now, and we'll turn to our arith in the air

"Yes, Beanie?" Mrs Pidgeon asked "What's wrong?"

"I want to hear about the dias, and the palace!"

"That's a different story," Gooney Bird said She alking back to her desk

"Tell it! Tell it!" the children called

Barry Tuckerman jumped up and stood beside his desk "I want to hear how Gooney Bird ca carpet," Gooney Bird said "But that's a different story, too" She adjusted her pink tutu and sat down

"Tell it! Tell it!" the children called

Mrs Pidgeon laughed "I' about the prince and the palace and the dia carpet, too"

Gooney Bird had already opened her arithmetic book She looked up in surprise "No," she said "I wasn't joking I tell only absolutely true stories"

"Well," said Mrs Pidgeon, "will you tell us another tomorrow?"

"Of course," Gooney Bird said

3

On Friday, Gooney Bird earing Capri pants, a satin tank top, and a long string of pearls Her red hair isted into one long braid, which was decorated with plastic flowers There were flip-flops on her feet

"You look beautiful," Keiko said to Gooney Bird in an ad whisper

"Yes, I know," Gooney Bird replied "Thank you, Keiko" She walked to the front of the classrooeon told her it was time

Malcol "I will never put anything in my nose" one hundred times on a piece of lined paper The nurse had told him to do that She said it would keep his hands busy

"How coo stand in front of the class?" Malcolm asked

"Shhhhh," everybody, except Felicia Ann, said to Malcolm "Listen"

"Today," Gooney Bird said, "I have a very exciting story to tell you Injourney, a eon, seated at her desk, had begun correcting soraders," she said "Hear the different things that Gooney Bird is putting into her story? That is what good storytellers do"

Gooney Bird listened patiently to the teacher Then she stood up straight and did so exercises Finally she took a deep breath and looked at the class "I ain," she said at last "The title of the story for today will be 'How Gooney Bird Ca Carpet'"

"Just like Aladdin," Barry Tuckerman said in a loud whisper

"Barry, pay attention, please," Gooney Bird said "I like to have absolutely all eyes on me" Then, when the class became silent--all except Felicia Ann, who had been silent all along--and alan

How Gooney Bird Ca Carpet

Once upon a time, just last irl, Gooney Bird, and move away from the place where they had always lived

They had always lived in China But now Mr Greene had a new job, and his new job was in Watertower

"That's here!" Chelsea said aloud "I live in Watertower!"

Gooney Bird stopped talking She arranged her pearl necklace so that it was draped over one shoulder

"Me too!" Tricia said

"We all live in Watertower!" Ben pointed out "That's e go to the Watertower Eleeon warned

"Mrs Pidgeon," Gooney Bird said politely, "let me take care of this

"Children," she said in a firm voice, "I cannot tell a story if I am constantly interrupted There will be time for questions and co It's very distracting for me if you call out"

"Sorry," Tricia said

"Sorry," Chelsea said

"Sorry," Ben added

The class waited Gooney Bird looked at thean again

They had always lived in China But now Mr Greene had a new job, and his new job was in Watertower

So they packed carefully It took many days First Mr Greene had to pack forty-three sets of false teeth Then Mrs Greene had to pack her dancing shoes and her bathing suits And Gooney Bird had to pack all of her belongings, which included a money collection

Finally their furniture was loaded onto avan drove away from China and started its journey to Watertower

Gooney Bird stopped Every child in the classroo her arm

"I'll have an intermission now, for questions," Gooney Bird said "Chelsea? Yours first"

"Why did Mr Greene have forty-three pairs of false teeth?" Chelsea asked

"The false teeth are not part of this story," Gooney Bird said "Malcolm?"

Malcol in my nose" paper His eyes were very wide "Tell about the money collection!" he said

"That's another story," Gooney Bird said "Beanie?"