John Costanza - Do Not Speak to Strangers

Copyright 2017 by Inspired Studios Inc. All rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-0-7396-0018-4

The day was almost over for the students in the little
purple schoolhouse. Mrs. Bloom was giving her end of the
day lesson. All the students listened politely, except Barney.
He was reading and enjoying the book How Bees Make
Honey and he didnt hear a word she said.

On the chalkboard, in big letters, was written

DO NOT SPEAK TO STRANGERS

Mrs. Bloom kept pointing to the words as she spoke. Today
I want to talk to you about people you may meet who may
be mean to you. They may want you to do things you dont
want to do. They may try to hurt you. They may give you
bad things to eat. They may take you places you dont want
to go.

Pay attention to these special words. On the board
she wrote LOOKS, TEASING, SOUNDS NICE .

What do you think these words mean?

Fox said, If people or things dont LOOK right, just
right, we should stay away.

Correct, Fox.

Skunk said, TEASING is what bad people do to make
you go with them. They want you to take ice cream, or
candy. But you should only take things from people you
know.

Rabbit raised his hand and said, Sometimes people
say things that sound like fun or like something you

would like to do. Sounds nice, you may say to

yourself at first.

But remember, unless your

parents give you
permission, never do
what a stranger asks.

Then the class had a nice talk.
They read all the words on the
board again. They told about times
strangers talked to them.

They all had a lot to think about...
all but Barney.

Barney was still reading his book. He hadnt
heard a thing. The bell rang, school was over
and Barney was still reading.

Rickie Fox tapped him and said, Cmon
Barney, lets go home and play.

They were hurrying down the path
when a voice, friendly but strange
called,

Where are you boys running off to?

They saw he was no one they
knew.

Barney started to answer him, but Rickie
pulled him away.

Mrs. Bloom said,

DO NOT SPEAK TO STRANGERS NO
MATTER HOW NICE THEY SEEM.

Since they were in a hurry
to get home and play, they
took the shortcut through
the meadow.

They passed a cute cottage with
a yellow picket fence. There was
a fresh-baked pie cooling on the
window.

The lady of the house invited
them to share her delicious
pie.

Barney really wanted to,
but this time he stopped
and waited to see what
Rickie Fox would do.

Didnt you hear anything our teacher said?

Well, I guess I was paying more attention to my
book.

Barney, Ill tell you what she said, and you better
listen. DONT TAKE FOOD FROM STRANGERS ,
even fresh baked pie. Dont let strangers tempt
you!

Barney was feeling dumb. He was going to remember
the rules. He was sorry he didnt listen in class.

Suddenly, another stranger approached them and
said, Boys, am I glad I ran into you. I must warn
you.

There are ferocious crocodiles up from the
swamps and prowling the meadow. You better
let me walk you home.

Since Barney had read that
crocodiles dont live around
here, and Fox had listened
to Mrs. Bloom, they didnt
trust the stranger. They ran
as fast as they could.

When they came to a safe place they stopped to
rest. A tiny chipmunk was storing acorns. Barney
thought he was cute and started to say hello to
him.

Rickie quickly said, Do
you know him?

I dont think so, answered
Barney.