Mystery in the Fortune Cookie Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked, stepping up beside him.
    “Look!” Benny pointed through the glass countertop. “The ice cream in that bucket is speckled with every color of the rainbow! And look at the one next to it,” he added, hopping up and down on one foot. “It’s striped just like a tiger!” The others huddled closer to look down at the containers of ice cream.
    “Omigosh!” Violet blinked. “I can’t believe it.”
    Henry shook his head in amazement as he stared at the bucket of colorfully speckled ice cream labeled: RAINBOW EXPLOSION. Beside it was a bucket of orange-and-black striped ice cream called: TIGER’S TWIST. “Way to go, Benny!” Henry smiled at his little brother.
    “See?” Benny said. “The mystery in the fortune cookie wasn’t just a joke.” He put his hand up and each Alden gave him a high five.
    Jessie began to recite the words on Benny’s fortune, and the others soon joined in. “ Where rainbows explode,/ And tigers twist,/ A mystery awaits,/ Just choose from the list. ” They all knew the poem by heart. “But where is the list?” Jessie wondered.
    Violet spotted a list of ice cream flavors on the wall by the door. “That’s got to be it!”
    “It’s the only list around,” agreed Henry. They went over to take a closer look.
    Jessie read off the ice cream flavors. There was everything from Cherries Jubilee to Peach Crumble. When she got to the end of the list, she suddenly clapped her hands. “Look, they have a Mystery Flavor of the Week!”
    “ A mystery awaits,/ Just choose from the list !” repeated Violet in a hushed voice.
    “That’s what I’m going to choose,” Benny decided. “The Mystery Flavor of the Week.”
    The Aldens hurried back to the counter and placed their order — Strawberry Swirl for Jessie, Blueberry Joy for Violet, Peanut Butter Crunch for Henry, and the Mystery Flavor of the Week for Benny.
    Angela looked pleased. “So you’re willing to try my latest invention, are you, Benny?”
    “You invented the mystery flavor?” Benny’s eyes were wide with interest.
    “Of course. All my ice cream is homemade, you know.” Lowering her voice, Angela added, “The mystery flavor this week is Fortune Cookie Delight.”
    The Aldens could hardly believe their ears. “Fortune Cookie Delight?” echoed Benny.
    Angela nodded. “It’s made with caramel ice cream — and there’s a fortune cookie on the very top.” She paused as she pushed back a loose strand of hair. “Do you think it’s a good idea?” She looked hopefully at the Aldens.
    “Is it a real fortune cookie?” Benny wanted to know.
    “You bet!”
    “With a real fortune inside?”
    “For sure.” Angela smiled at the youngest Alden.
    “Then it’s a great idea!” Benny concluded. And the others agreed.
    “Whew!” Angela seemed relieved to hear this. “I’m hoping my latest mystery flavor will do the trick. Drum up business, I mean.”
    “I’m sure it will!” said a cheery voice behind the Aldens. They turned around to see Martin walking over with Dottie by his side.
    Jessie caught Henry’s eye. Martin had sounded so grumpy on the phone just a short time ago. Was it possible that his cheerfulness was just an act?
    “All the local store owners are doing a terrific job,” Martin went on. “Bringing shoppers into town, I mean. And it’s not easy these days.”
    Dottie nodded as she looked around at the empty tables. “That new shopping center on the highway really draws the crowds away from downtown. But we’re all doing our best to bring the customers back. Right, Angela?”
    “That’s for sure,” she said. “Mr. Albert even hired a clown.”
    “Entertainment and a free balloon for the kids.” Martin nodded his head approvingly. “Terrific sales gimmick.”
    “Sales gimmick?” Benny made a face.
    Henry smiled over at his little brother. “A sales gimmick’s an idea for attracting customers, Benny.”
    “That’s exactly right,” agreed Martin. “All the store owners are trying to