he stairs and it fell down, hitting every single step on
the way. The noise was loud enough to wake Philip up. He chased the
ruler all through the house.

The ruler ran through the dining room, and Philip followed after. It
ran through the kitchen and then straight out the front door. Philip
caught it right before it reached the sidewalk.

"Gotcha!" he said. And just like that, the ruler stopped trying to
run away. Philip put it on the ground and it happily walked right
back up to his room. Philip finally understood why the ruler was
running way--it was playing a game! It just wanted to have some fun.

After that, Philip found a way to keep his toys entertained without
having them run away. His parents never yelled at him for losing
things anymore. But occasionally they would see him playing board
games against a ruler...

XXIV

PRESCOTT HAWTHORNE

Prescott Hawthorne talks to birds.
Amidst their chirping he hears words.
They tap his window all day long,
To sit and joke or crow a song.

His cat Melinda watches, waiting,
All the while, contemplating.
She would like some feathered snacks,
And when he leaves, the cat attacks!

She shuts the window, birds inside.
They fly in panic, some collide.
Melinda chases everyone.
They're all scared, but she has fun.

The brave woodpecker bites her ears.
Prescott hears the roaring cheers.
He races back and starts to holler,
"Stop it Mel," and grabs her collar.

She hides a crow between her claws,
Too tight to hear the "caw cah caw's".
The hummingbird, who saw it happen,
Flies to Prescott, wings a flappin'.

"She's got my friend, please help him out."
They knew he would, they had no doubt.
"Okay Mel, I'll make a deal.
Let him go, you'll get a meal."

Prescott waits, Melinda chooses,
Shakes her head and still refuses.
"Fine," he says, "I'm sorry Mel,
but if you don't, I swear I'll tell."

"I'll go tell mom you ate her pie.
I'll go tell dad you chewed his tie.
All the other cats will know
your secrets till you let him go."

The birds gave Prescott loud applause
As Mel released him from her claws.
The crow said, "How did you do that?
You talk to birds, but she's a cat?"

"All the creatures large or small,
I can understand them all."

"Sometimes they just ask for food,
And other times they'll be quite rude.
But always as I pass them by,
They tell me how they want to fly!"

XXV

SIMON AND BARRY

Simon found a four-leaf clover.
He was