Calling All Birdbrains Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sherman?
    That night, I paced back and forth in my room. Feenman popped his head in. “What’s up, Bernie?
    â€œWhat’s up? What’s up? How can you ask what’s up?” I cried. “The games are tomorrow morning. You know I have to help my partner, The Ecch, win every game. What can I do?”
    Feenman scratched his head. “I saw a movie about a boy who runs away from home and joins a circus.He gets a job shoveling up after the elephants, and—”
    â€œStop right there,” I said. “I’m allergic to big animals.”
    Feenman shrugged. “That’s all I can think of.”
    â€œThanks for your help,” I said.
    I already knew what I had to do. Sneak into Sherman’s room and steal Lucky Lippy back.
    A piece of cake. Sherman’s room was in the back of Nyce House, on the first floor. All I had to do was climb in his window, grab the bird, and run.
    I waited until midnight. Everyone was asleep. I crept down the stairs silently in my stocking feet. Then I pulled on my sneakers and slipped out the front door.
    A cool, clear night. A full moon and hundreds of twinkling stars to lead my way across the silent, empty campus.
    My heart pounded. Not from being scared. From happiness. Soon, all the good luck would be mine again—and just in time for the games!
    I made my way around to the back of the dorm. Hunching low behind a row of bushes, I counted thewindows to Sherman’s room.
    The window was open. I grabbed the window ledge and hoisted myself up. I peered inside to make sure I had the right room.
    Yes. I could see Sherman’s favorite poster on the wall—a poster of a big dollar sign.
    I heaved myself onto the ledge and dropped silently into the room. I took a deep breath and held it, waiting for my eyes to adjust.
    In the yellow moonlight coming through the window, I saw Sherman in his bed, wearing his favorite dollar-sign eye mask. He was sound asleep on his satin pillow, under his zebra-skin blanket.
    I tiptoed around Sherman’s bed. Lippy stood on his perch. His feathers had grown back. He was sound asleep, too. Perfect.
    I carefully lifted the sleeping bird off the perch.
    Holding Lippy in both hands, I turned and crept back to the window. The floorboards creaked under my feet. But Sherman didn’t stir.
    Holding the bird gently, I made it to the window. And started to lower myself outside.
    That’s when Lippy woke up. He lifted his head,opened his beak, and squawked at the top of his lungs:

    Sherman’s eyes bugged open, and he sat straight up with a startled cry. “Bernie! What are you doing in here?”
    â€œI…well…” The Bernie B. brain began to whir. “I…uh…”
    â€œWhat are you doing with my parrot ?” Sherman cried.
    â€œI…brought Lippy a midnight snack,” I said. “You know. For old time’s sake. His favorite prunes. He always loves some pitted prunes at midnight.”
    â€œOUT, Bernie!” Sherman yelled. “And leave my lucky bird alone!”
    â€œNo problem,” I said. I set Lippy down. Then I jumped out the window and took off.
    Behind me, I could hear Lippy squawking away:

    I ran all the way back to my room. Then I picked up a salt shaker and began pouring salt all over myself. Might as well get a head start. I knew I’d be a pretzel by tomorrow afternoon!

Chapter 20
F EATHERS F LY
    â€œHorseback riding is the first competition,” Jennifer Ecch said. “You’re a champion rider, aren’t you, Bernie Babykins?”
    â€œFor sure,” I said. “That horse is awfully tall, isn’t it? Which end do I ride?”
    Jennifer laughed and gave me a slap on the back that sent me stumbling into the horse’s huge butt. “I love your jokes, Honey Chin. Saddle up. Let’s win that trophy.”
    â€œNo problem, Jen. Do you have a ladder or something I could use?”
    She gave me another hard slap that