proud of himself until Barry walked by.
"I found a five-leaf clover once," said Barry.

Simon got an A on his homework.
He was proud of himself until Barry talked to him.
"I get A+'s all the time," said Barry.

Simon learned how to ride a bike.
He was proud of himself until Barry stopped by.
"I can ride my bike backwards," said Barry.

Simon got his first allowance ever from his parents.
He was proud of himself until Barry saw him.
"I get so much allowance that I give my dad an allowance now," said Barry.

Simon got the lead in his school play.
He was proud of himself until Barry found out.
"They wrote a play about me once, called "Barry is Amazing," said Barry.
"They're working on a sequel now," he added.

On his birthday, Simon's parents threw him a wonderful party.
He was proud of his party until he realized Barry was there.
"My party had twice as many people and five times as much cake!" said Barry.

By then, Simon was sick and tired of Barry ruining his moods. Also,
he was sure that five times as much cake would be way too much for
any party.

Simon's parents came outside and brought him a huge present. It was
a dog with big floppy ears inside of a cage, and it was the best
present he had ever gotten!

Barry opened his mouth to speak, but Simon interrupted.

"I don't care if you've had a better present, or if you own a bigger
dog, or if you have the greatest pet ever. This is my dog, and I
wouldn't trade him for anything," said Simon.

Simon played with his dog outside on his lawn.
He was proud of all the tricks that his dog could do, especially
when Barry walked by.

XXVI

THE BOULDERS AND THE BEAVERS

Jenny the Beaver was late for her job. She gets wood for the dam
from a tree or a log.
But today she was late and her boss was not happy.

"Before we begin,
tell us where you have been!"
said her boss, very meanly, while wearing a grin.

I was feeding the fish that swim here in this pond.

"Beavers build dams, that is what Beavers do.
The only one worrying about fish is you.

And the beavers worked hard for the rest of the day.

The next day young Jenny was late once again. And when she arrived,
she heard it right then:

"Before we begin,
tell us where have you been?"
said her boss, very meanly, while wearing a grin.

I was bringing the wolves some new leaves for their bed.

"Beavers build dams, that is what beavers do.
The only one worrying about wolves, is you.

And the