Pet Psychic (Krystal Ball)
Page 4
“Much better,” I answered. “Something wonderful happened last night!”
Before I could tell her, there was a tapping at the window. My mother pulled back the curtain and saw a sparrow pecking at the glass.
“Janet!” I shouted. “Open the window, Mom!”
As soon as the sill lifted, Janet flittered inside and perched atop the kitchen counter.
“Good morning, Krystal!” she chirped.
“Good morning to you,” I replied.
Mom and Dad watched me speak with a sparrow that had flown into our apartment.
“Um, did I miss something?” Mom asked Dad.
“Yes, dear,” he said. “I’ll explain later.”
“We have news about your friend’s dog,” Janet said. “We found her!”
“Splendid! Absolutely marvelous!” I shouted.
Overjoyed, I danced around the kitchen, kicking up my heels and twirling my arms.
“Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” I said again, petting her soft head with my finger.
“We must hurry,” she informed me. “There isn’t a moment to lose!”
I translated for my parents. As we rushed out the door, my parents and I heard screaming coming from upstairs.
“That sounds like Mrs. Katsikis,” said Mom.
She was right. Billy’s mom was hollering at the top of her lungs and stomping her feet but we didn’t know why.
Suddenly, Billy came running down the stairs. Scurrying behind him were Pia and Pip.
“Howdy, folks!” Billy said.
“Oh, my stars!” I cried. “What happened?”
“Well, your furry friends here got the wrong apartment. As soon as my mom saw them, she freaked out. It was ah-mazing!” Billy laughed.
“She called us ‘rats,’” Pip scowled.
“Well, you didn’t have to jump on her head,” Pia stated.
“Time is of the essence,” Janet reminded us, and we followed her out of the building.
* * *
Moments later, Mom, Dad, Billy, Janet, Pip, Pia, and I hurried down 30th Avenue. A lot of the people heading to work and school were certainly puzzled by the peculiar parade.
“This way,” said Janet. “We’re almost there.”
After a couple of blocks, we turned onto Steinway Street. Ahead of us was the Adopt-a-Tropp Animal Shelter. The shelter was named after the owners, Adam and Sue Ellen Tropp.
Suddenly, another sparrow fluttered toward us.
“There you are!” shouted Jack. “It’s about time. I’m molting here!”
As we neared the store, I saw a familiar brown beagle with white spots standing with her front paws against the display window.
“XENA!” I cried.
“I’ll call Claire’s mother right now,” said Mom.
Billy and I sprinted and hugged Xena. She licked our faces and wagged her tail.
“Krystal!” she barked. “You finally made it!”
“Oh, Xena, I’m so glad you’re safe!” I said.
“Guess what!” Xena said. “I found who I was looking for!”
Then she put her paws back on the display window. Looking out at us from inside a cage was the mirror image of Xena. Only this beagle had white fur with brown spots.
She barked again. “I want you to meet my brother!”
“Your brother?!” I exclaimed in shock.
Billy pressed his face against the glass. “Whoa. Now that you mention it, I see the family resemblance!”
The other beagle wagged his tail and pressed his snout against Billy’s nose.
“I think he likes me!” Billy said.
I couldn’t believe it. Everything made sense now. The two dogs from the tarot card, my new powers, everything. I was meant to help Xena reunite with her brother.
The realization overwhelmed me. Being a pet psychic actually worked!
“What are we waiting for?” Billy asked. He tugged on the store’s front door, but it was locked.
“The shelter doesn’t open until 8 o’clock. It’s only 7:45,” Dad said.
At that moment, the Voyance family pulled up in their car. Claire ran out, squealing with joy.
Xena leaped out of my hands and ran to her owner.
“How did you find her?” Claire cried.
I looked over at the crew of critters and said, “With a little help from my friends.”
“Any time, love!” Pip said. “Our work here is done. Off we go!”
“Until next time,” added Janet. “Good-bye!”
With that, my new friends scampered away.
Claire hugged me and apologized for getting mad. I said it was okay and that I would have felt the same way. Then I told her about Xena’s brother.
“No way,” Claire said. “Mom, Dad, Xena has a brother!”
We were all crowded around the window when a couple came up behind us.
“Can we help you?” said the man. “I’m Adam, and this is Sue Ellen. We’re the Tropps.”
Mom and Dad explained to them why we were all there. They were extra careful to leave out the part about my special gift.
While the Tropps unlocked the door, Mr. Voyance spoke quietly to Claire.
I couldn’t help but overhear.
“Honey, I’d love to adopt Xena’s brother and make him part of our family. But you know that our building has a one-pet maximum,” he said.
Claire looked down at the ground. “I know,” she said softly.
I wanted to help, but we couldn’t get a dog either because of my dad’s allergies. This happy day was starting to turn into a sad day.
Suddenly, we heard loud laughter and giggling coming from inside the store.
Claire and I ran over, and what did we see?
Billy was on the floor, and Xena’s brother was on top of him. The dog was licking his face and wagging his tail.
“He likes him, Krystal,” Xena told me. “He really likes him.”
Then it hit me: a clear vision of the future.
Before I could say a word, Billy read my mind.
“I would like to adopt this dog!” Billy announced. “I mean, I’ll have to double check with my parents, but how could they say no? I’m their number one son!”
“That way, Xena and her brother will be together forever,” Claire said.
“Just like us!” I added.
“Of course, this strong and mighty beagle will need a name,” Billy said. “I dub thee . . . HERCULES!”
Claire and I cheered.
Then we got on our knees to pat Hercules and rub his tummy.
“Thank you for finding me,” Hercules said.
“You’re very welcome,” I answered back.
I was no longer surprised to hear an animal talk. I guess I was getting used to my new powers. And you know what? I was enjoying them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hercules,” I said. “Allow me to introduce myself.”
“Oh, you don’t have to,” Hercules replied. “I already know who you are.”
Now that caught me by surprise.
“You’re Krystal Ball, Pet Psychic,” Hercules said. “And wherever you go, adventure is sure to follow.”
I smiled and exclaimed, “Without a doubt!”
Ruby Ann Phillips
Ruby Ann Phillips is the pseudonym of a New York Times best-selling author who lives in the Big Apple, in a neighborhood much like Krystal Ball’s.
Sernur Isik
Sernur Isik lives in magical Istanbul, Turkey. As a child, she loved drawing fairies and unicorns, as well as wonderful, imaginative scenes of her home country. Since graduating from the Fine Arts Faculty-Graphic Design of Ataturk University, Sernur has worked as a professional illustrator and artist for children’s books, mascot designs, and textile brands. She lik
es collecting designer toys, reading books, and traveling the world.
Horoscopes by Krystal Ball!
Astrologists believe a diagram of the position of stars and planets on a person’s birthday fortells the future. This diagram is divided into twelve groups called signs. Find your sign and Krystal’s prediction for your future!
ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 19)
Krystal says: “Have you been bouncing off the walls with energy? Put it to good use and make something for a friend.”
Lucky numbers: 9, 15, 33
Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)
Krystal says: “You are such a nice person to be around, Taurus. Your little acts of kindness bring a smile to everyone’s faces. Keep it up!”
Lucky numbers: 2, 18, 49
Gemini (May 21–Jun 21)
Krystal says: “Learning new things is your cup of tea! Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. You never know what you’ll learn.”
Lucky numbers: 1, 24, 91
Cancer (Jun 22–Jul 22)
Krystal says: “Feeling nervous lately, Cancer? Don’t worry — you are stronger than you know! You are totally ready for whatever comes your way.”
Lucky numbers: 6, 21, 75
Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)
Krystal says: “You’re fearless in all that you do, and you love being the best. Remember to have some fun along the way!”
Lucky numbers: 12, 53, 67
Virgo (Aug 23–Sep 22)
Krystal says: “Virgo, you’ve been feeling a little bored lately. Try playing some trivia and mind games to challenge your already brilliant mind.”
Lucky numbers: 14, 36, 42
Libra (Sep 23–Oct 22)
Krystal says: “You’re a natural people-person, Libra. You can’t go wrong making a new friend!”
Lucky numbers: 4, 27, 83
Scorpio (Oct 23–Nov 21)
Krystal says: “You’ve got tons of passion! Volunteering for something you care about is a way to channel your drive.”
Lucky numbers: 3, 31, 62
Sagittarius (Nov 22–Dec 21)
Krystal says: “Feeling blue? Put on your favorite tunes and dance! You will soon be feeling like your cheerful self again.”
Lucky numbers: 19, 25, 64
Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)
Krystal says: “You’re a hard worker, Capricorn, but don’t be afraid to take a break. Try relaxing with a good book.”
Lucky numbers: 15, 37, 80
Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 18)
Krystal says: “You have been too cooped up recently. Get outside and explore the outdoors!”
Lucky numbers: 7, 38, 95
Pisces (Feb 19–Mar 20)
Krystal says: “You’re good at caring for others, but make sure to make some time for YOU.”
Lucky numbers: 20, 41, 73
Krystal’s Fortune Game!
What you'll need:
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
A square piece of paper
One or more friends!
1. First, fold your square piece of paper diagonally in half to make a triangle. Make sure there is a crease. Then, open it up again.
2. Fold the paper diagonally the opposite way to make a second triangle. When you open the paper up again, there should be two creases in the shape of an X.
3. Next, take one corner of your paper and fold it toward the center. Repeat with each corner of the square. All the corners should meet in the center of the square.
4. Flip over the paper so that the folded side is facedown.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to make a smaller square.
6. Keep the fortune-teller folded side up and write the numbers 1–8 in each of the creased triangles. There should be only one number in each triangle.
7. Open each flap and write a fortune on the inside of each triangle. You should have two fortunes written inside each flap.
8. Close the flaps back up, and flip the fortune-teller over. Now color each of the four squares a different color. Once you’ve colored them in, you’re ready to predict the future!
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Krystal Ball is published by
Picture Window Books,
a Capstone imprint
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstoneyoungreaders.com
Copyright © 2015 by Picture Window Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on the Library of Congress website.
ISBN: 978-1-4795-5875-9 (library hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-4795-5877-3 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-4795-6198-8 (ebook pdf)
ISBN: 978-1-4795-8156-6 (ebook)
Summary: Krystal Ball has a newfound power--she's able to communicate with animals! Will this ability be a gift, or will it lead to plenty of puppy problems? Follow the tale of this fourth-grade fortune-teller to find out.
Designer: Kay Fraser