1. The Night the Chinchillas Escaped
By: Jamison Freeman

2. Clunk. Clunk. was the noise my cage door made, as my owner shut it
Clunk! Clunk! was the noise my cage door made, as my owner shut it. I didn’t think there was a crack in the door that Yogi and I could fit through, but we were about to find out. I went downstairs and got Yogi. “Yogi when the owners are gone we will escape tonight!”

3. “They left,” I yelled to Yogi. “Come on
“They left,” I yelled to Yogi. “Come on!” “That’s a long jump,” mumbled Yogi. “Come on!” Don’t be a baby.” I replied. “Fine.” “We have to escape,” I yelled. “Time to get out of here.” We squeezed through the crack in the door and jumped out of the cage. “Wait!” said Yogi. “Lets play hide and seek.’’ “Okay,’’ I said. Yogi began to count.

4. I ran and hid under the book return. Yogi spotted me
I ran and hid under the book return. Yogi spotted me. He snuck up behind me and said, “Peek-a-boo, I found you!’’ “Yogi, you scared me!” “Let’s play something else.”

5. “Let’s play tag. ” said Yogi. “Sure. ” I said. “This time you are it
“Let’s play tag.” said Yogi. “Sure.” I said. “This time you are it.” “I tagged him and ran as fast as I possibly could. “Bet you can’t catch me!” I said.

6. I dodged and dodged until we were both tired and ready for a nap
I dodged and dodged until we were both tired and ready for a nap. “Let’s find the best place to nap.” said Yogi. We looked around the media center and found a globe on a shelf behind a chair. It looked dark and quiet, so we both climbed up and curled up behind the globe and fell fast asleep.

7. It felt like we slept for ever
It felt like we slept for ever. Then all of a sudden something grabbed me. I squeaked! Yogi ran! The lady was back and she was after us! She grabbed me and put me back in our cage. Yogi ran all over the media center, but she finally caught him and placed him back in the cage too. It was the best night of our lives.

8. Background Information: This story is based on a true story
Background Information: This story is based on a true story. One day I didn’t close our chinchilla’s cage completely and they got out after we left school. When we came in the next morning we had to search all of the media center for them. I wondered what they did all night and decided to write this story.

9. Chinchillas
Chinchillas sleep most of the day. In the evening they come out to feed on dry grass, berries, and tree bark. Their stiff long whiskers help them feel their way in the dark.
Chinchillas are not quite nocturnal. They are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk.
Chinchillas can live up to 20 years in captivity.
In the 1920s chinchillas were endangered because they were over hunted for their fur.
Chinchilla fur is often used to make coats.

10. Sources
Chinchilla. (2019). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from  shen.galileo.usg.edu/levels/middle/article/chinchilla/273640
Chinchilla. (2018). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1; Retrieved from shen.galileo.usg.edu/login?url= px?direct=true&db=funk&AN=ch123200&site=eds-live