Mascot Madness! Read Online Free PDF Page B

on, Newton,’ she said. ‘You can do it.’
    Newton walked tentatively towards the podium and stood in front of it. Then he put his right foot onto the second-place block and climbed up. He stood there, knees shaking. ‘I think I’m getting a nosebleed. It’s the altitude.’
    â€˜Nonsense, boy—keep climbing,’ said Mr Grunt.
    Newton put his left foot onto the first-place block. ‘I don’t want to do this, sir,’ he whimpered. ‘I can’t—’
    â€˜You will!’ said Mr Grunt. ‘Right now!’
    Newton took another step and stood shakily on the highest block.
    â€˜How do you feel?’ asked Mr Grunt.
    â€˜Dizzy,’ said Newton.
    â€˜No wonder,’ said Mr Grunt. ‘Winning is a heady experience, isn’t it? Savour it. Own it. Enjoy it!’
    Newton swayed unsteadily.
    Jenny leaned across to me. ‘I think Mr Grunt is a bully,’ she whispered.
    At that moment a big yellow banana came dancing across the field towards us.
    Mr Grunt turned away from the winners’ podium and goggled at it. ‘What the heck is that?’ he said.

18
Let’s go bananas!

    â€˜Looks like Mr Brainfright has come to cheer us on,’ I said to Jenny.
    â€˜I feel better already,’ she replied, smiling brightly.
    Mr Brainfright finished his entrance with a spectacular series of mid-air somersaults and ended up on the ground in the splits.
    Mr Grunt just stood.
    And stared.
    I’d never seen him so lost for words.
    Mr Brainfright then jumped to his feet and began a cheerleading chant. ‘B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Let’s go bananas!’ He moved around us, encouraging us to join him. We remembered the fun of yesterday and immediately chimed in.
    â€˜B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Let’s go bananas!’ we chanted. ‘B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Let’s go bananas!’
    It took Mr Grunt a few minutes to fullyunderstand what was going on.
    And when he did, he wasn’t happy.
    In fact, it looked like he really was going to go bananas. ‘Stop this nonsense right now!’ he yelled at us. Then he turned to Mr Brainfright. ‘What’s the meaning of this interruption to my lesson?’
    Mr Brainfright took the banana head off. ‘It’s not an interruption,’ he said. ‘I’m the new Northwest Southeast Central School mascot. I’m here to bring the team good luck and inspire them to greatness.’
    â€˜You’ll inspire me to kick you from here to the changing rooms if you don’t clear off!’ snarled Mr Grunt.
    â€˜Be reasonable, Mr Grunt,’ said Mr Brainfright. ‘I’ve been training all week for this.’
    â€˜And I’ve been training all my life for this,’ said Mr Grunt, striding over to Mr Brainfright and getting ready to make good on his threat.
    Jenny jumped between them. ‘No!’ she cried. ‘Leave him alone, Mr Grunt. We need him.’
    â€˜We need a giant banana?’ said Mr Grunt. ‘Don’t be stupid!’
    â€˜It’s not stupid!’ said Mr Brainfright. ‘All sporting teams have a mascot. The Northwest football team has a grizzly bear. The Northwest hockey team has an eagle. And the Northwest All Stars basketball team has a giant chicken.’
    At the mention of the Northwest All Stars, Mr Grunt softened and nodded. ‘Hmm,’ he said, stroking his chin. ‘That’s true . . .’
    â€˜Even Northwest West Academy have a mascot,’ said Gretel. ‘Mr Constrictor’s dog, Chomp.’
    â€˜All right, all right,’ said Mr Grunt. ‘But a giant banana is simply ridiculous.’
    â€˜Nothing strikes fear into your opponent’s heart more than a giant banana,’ said Mr Brainfright. ‘Besides, it’s certainly no more ridiculous than a giant chicken!’
    Mr Grunt turned on him. ‘I won’t stand for anybody saying anything against the Northwest All Stars! They are one of the