1. Pig on the Loose By Geri Murray

2. Tim and Jan were glad to hear the news. “Dad and I will be going on a cruise in June,” said Mom. “Aunt Sue will stay with you.” Ben said, “We had lots of fun with Aunt Sue last June. This year, we have a new pet – Slim!” “Aunt Sue is sure to like Slim,” Jan said. “She will think he is so cute.” “Aunt Sue will be here soon,” Mom said. “We’ll see her Tuesday, at noon.” “Cool!” said Tim.

3. Aunt Sue was cool. She played tricks on Tim and Jan. One time she made blue soup! The kids tried to think of a trick to play on Aunt Sue this time. “Let’s glue some fake food on a plate and give it to her,” said Jan. “Let’s tell her we have a new dog, and bring Slim in on a leash,” said Tim. “Now, Tim and Jan. Stop all the silly plans. Aunt Sue likes to play with you, but you must not be rude,” said Mom. “Get out the new sheets and make a bed for Aunt Sue.”

4. “You two are trying to fool me,” said Sue. “A pink pup? Let’s go see this cool new pet.” The kids ran to the pen with Aunt Sue. “Well, where is the pup?” she asked. Slim was nowhere in sight. “Pig on the loose!” Tim cried. Slim’s gate had a loose screw for a long time. Tim knew it had to be fixed. But now it was too late. Aunt Sue came Tuesday at noon. She had quite a few bags and boxes, and some strange food. After the hugs and kisses, the kids told her the news. “Aunt Sue, we have a cool new pet. It is a pink pup named Slim.”

5. “I hope he stays away from Mrs. Pew,” Jan cried. Mrs. Pew was mad at Slim. Slim ate the peas in her patch. Slim stomped on her greens. Mrs. Pew told Tim, “If I catch that pig in my plants, I’ll put him in a ham stew!” Tim and Jan ran to find Slim. Aunt Sue came, too. They ran to Mrs. Pew’s patch, but Slim was not loose in the peas. They hunted in the spots where Slim liked to roam. Still, no Slim. “What will we do?” Jan cried.

6. Back home, Dad was set to go. “I will check on a few things for Sue, then we can go,” he told his wife. Dad did not know Slim was on the loose. Dad went down the steps to get some tools. “Slim! What’s with you? How did you get loose in here? You have a bad bruise. ” Dad mused.

7. Dad helped Slim to the pen. He fixed the screw. Just then Tim and Jan flew in the pen. They hugged and petted him. “Dad, I knew about the loose screw, but I did not fix Slim’s gate, so Slim got loose. I feel bad for Slim. He is so bruised,” Tim said. Dad knew Tim felt bad. “Slim needs you to watch over him. Can you do this while we are on the cruise?” “I won’t let Slim out of my sight,” said Tim. “Do you plan to sleep with Slim, too?” asked Aunt Sue. “I will if I have to,” Tim sighed.

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