The Adventures of A.G. Bear - Cat Tales, Book 9

Amanda Grey and her family, and her three best friends, (A.G. Bear, Isadora LeChat and Mrs. Duck) were on their way to visit Amanda's Grandma. Amanda's parents had decided to drive. They decided they would make it a leisurely journey, stopping anyplace along the way that might interest them.

Early this morning, which was the fourth day of their trip, Mrs. Duck had decided she wanted to keep a souvenier of their trip, so she tucked one of the motel's towels and one of their ashtrays into her little suitcase.

We can’t take things that aren’t ours, explained A.G. Bear to Mrs. Duck. It’s not good manners, and it’s against the Golden Rule. You wouldn’t want somebody to take YOUR towel, would you?

Mortified, Mrs. Duck shook her head.

Sometimes, even smart ducks do foolish things, she had said, sadly.

Just then there had been a loud knock on the door to Miss Amanda’s parents room. Security! announced a booming voice.

It’s the towel police! cried A.G. Bear. They’ve come to arrest Mrs. Duck!

As Miss Amanda’s Daddy motored down the highway, Isadora Le Chat, in the backseat of the car, leaned over and whispered softly in Mrs. Duck’s ear.

It sure is a good thing all that Security Guard wanted to do was tell us one of our tires was a little low, she said.

Mrs. Duck, who had been badly frightened by the whole ordeal, nodded in silent agreement. I certainly learned a good lesson! Mrs. Duck whispered back.

All of a sudden there was a huge BANG! and the car started to shake and swerve. RUMBLE, RUMBLE, WHOMP, WHOMP, WHOMP! went the tire they thought they had carefully checked before leaving that morning.

Miss Amanda’s Daddy quickly downshifted and carefully steered the car off to the side of the road, where it slowly rolled to a stop.

Since they were parked well away from the flow of traffic, Miss Amanda’s Daddy could safely open his car door. He climbed out, walked a few steps and then bent over to look at the very flat tire.

A.G. Bear rolled down his window and leaned out to watch for a moment. Then he ducked back inside.

I didn’t know that Miss Amanda’s Daddy could speak French! he said in amazement. At least, I think that was French, he considered dubiously.

Curious, Isadora Le Chat stuck her head out the window. Well, it’s not French! she said with certainty, as she sat back down. Maybe it’s German? she ventured.

Miss Amanda, thoroughly intrigued by the language discussion, stuck HER head out of the window and SHE listened intently.

A moment later, Amanda sat back down and then turned to Mrs. Duck, innocently inquiring what the word Dagnabitfurnblatz! meant.

Gasp! went Mrs. Duck, and quickly covered Miss Amanda’s mouth.

Too late! In the front seat, Miss Amanda’s Mommy, who had just started to take a sip of her coffee, had overheard.

Gasp! went Miss Amanda’s Mommy, and accidentally inhaled her coffee instead of swallowing! Miss Amanda’s Mommy coughed and sputtered, while everybody patted her on the back.

Then Miss Amanda’s Mommy climbed out of the car and firmly suggested to Miss Amanda’s Daddy, that using THAT kind of language around Miss Amanda and her friends, was definitely NOT a good idea.

A.G. Bear turned to Mrs. Duck. Using words like that, is not good manners, right? he asked.

NOT good manners! she stated emphatically.

Eyes wide, Miss Amanda simply shook her head in agreement.

Together, Miss Amanda’s Mommy and Daddy took the spare tire out of the back luggage compartment and quickly changed the tire. They were back on the road in no time, stopping only briefly to install a new tire and put the spare back where it belonged.

As they drove on, Isadora turned to Mrs. Duck. You know, you never told us where we were going today, she reminded her. This morning, you just said that it was going to be quite exciting.

Mrs. Duck suddenly fluffed her feathers and sat up straight, all excited again. Why, that’s right! she said. I almost forgot! We’re going to the...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Cynthia Gurin lives in South Florida with her husband Bob, a quartet of cats, two dogs, a remarkably wise duck, and a teddy bear or two. She has achieved recognition in both the Miami Herald and The Wall Street Journal for innovative marketing techniques. She considers the Personal Ad, through which she met her husband, to be her most rewarding literary endeavor. She holds a senior corporate position in the real world. Send Mail to Cynthia Gurin

This author has other tales online at Bedtime-Story. See the Author/Illustrator Directory

CAT SOUP

We're invited for lunch,
Miss Amanda and me..
First alphabet soup,
then cookies and tea.
There's bowls full of letters
like A, B, and C,
This bowl must be mine
'cause it spells C-A-T

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Jeff Meyers is a talented writer and a talented illustrator. Jeff makes his home in Ohio. He enjoys writing fiction for all ages and has been drawing and painting all his life. His artwork includes cartoons, illustrations, computer graphics, and still life drawings. When he's not working at his computer, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. Jeff has wonderful examples of both his artistic as well as his writing talent on display throughout Bedtime-Story. Check the Author/Illustrator directory for a complete listing of Jeff Meyers work. Contact Jeff at Jeff@thejeffworks.com or visit his new website: The JEFFWORKS for Creative solutions to your communication needs.