Fran Manushkin - The Big Lie

One day after recess, Miss Winkle told the class, Jake has lost his toy airplane. Has anybody found it?

Katie Woo shook her head no. So did her friends Pedro and JoJo and everyone else.

My father gave me the airplane yesterday, said Jake.

It was a birthday present, he said.

Maybe your plane flew away, said someone else.

That is not funny, said Miss Winkle.

JoJo told Jake, I saw you playing with your plane at recess. Its so neat! I hope you find it.

Miss Winkle asked again, Does anyone know where Jakes airplane is?

I dont, Katie told Jake. But she was lying.

Earlier that day during recess, Katie saw Jake running around with his airplane.

I want to do that! Katie told herself. I wish that plane belonged to me.

When recess was almost over, three fire trucks sped by.

While everyone was watching them and waving to the firefighters, Katie grabbed Jakes plane. She put it into her pocket.

Now Jakes plane was inside Katies desk.

I cant wait to play with it when I go home, Katie thought.

During art class, Katie said, Maybe a kangaroo hopped over and put the airplane in her pouch.

I dont think so, said Miss Winkle. There are no kangaroos around here.

During spelling, Katie said, Maybe the garbage man came and took Jakes plane.

No way! JoJo said. She shook her head. I didnt see any garbage trucks.

Jake kept staring at the empty box that his airplane came in. The birthday ribbon was still on the box.

Jake looked like he was going to cry.

Katie didnt feel happy either.

When nobody was looking, she took something out of her desk and put it into her pocket.

Katie walked to the window and began using the pencil sharpener.

All of a sudden, Katie yelled, I see Jakes plane. Its by the window! It must have flown in during recess.

Katie handed Jake the plane. She whispered, That was a lie, Jake. I took your plane, and I am very sorry!

At first, Jake was angry at Katie. Then he said, I am glad you gave it back. I feel a lot better now.

I do too! Katie said.

And that was the truth.

With this fun project you can make your own guinea pig out of an old sock and some dryer lint! Sounds crazy, right? But your pet will be so cute. I promise!

an old, short sock

stuffing, like cotton balls or fiberfill

a needle

thread

craft glue

dryer lint (Ask a grown-up where to find this soft, fuzzy stuff. It comes out of your clothes dryer!)

googly eyes

dark marker

Fill your sock with stuffing. This will be your guinea pigs body, so make it as fat as you would like.

Tuck the top of the sock in, and then ask a grown-up to sew the hole shut with a needle and thread.