The huge tiger limped closer and closer to Jack andAnnie.
Jack clapped his hands.
"We come in peace!" he shouted.
But the tiger didn't turn away. His eyes blazed. Hislip curled.
Arf! Arf! Teddy barked fiercely at Annie. "Teddysays run and hide!" said Annie.
She grabbed Jack's hand and pulled him over to thebank.
"Wait--what about Teddy?" he cried.
"Don't worry!" Annie said.
16She pulled Jack down behind the black rock.
"What about Teddy?" Jack asked again.
"He's okay--he told me!" said Annie. Jack heardTeddy's barks turn to fierce growls.
ARF! ARF! GRRR! GRRRR!
The growls grew louder and louder.
"That doesn't sound like Teddy," said Jack. Thensuddenly, there was silence. A strange silence.
"Teddy?" Annie asked. Now she sounded worried.
Annie raised her head. She and Jack both peeredover the rock.
Teddy stood tall and brave in the grass. The tigerwas limping away. He disappeared between the trees.
All the forest seemed to hold its breath-- untilAnnie broke the silence.
"Teddy, you're a wonder dog!" she said.
The langurs clapped and jumped up and down.
Arf! Arf! Teddy was just like a small scruffy dogagain. He wagged his tail and ran to Annie and Jack.
Annie scooped him into her arms. "You saved us!"she said.
"How did you drive away that tiger?" asked Jack,rubbing Teddy's head. "Did you turn into a wilddog?"Teddy just panted and licked them both.
Jack pushed his glasses into place and looked backat the forest.
"Well, I guess we won't be getting a thank-you giftfrom that tiger," he said.
Annie laughed.
"I guess not," she said. "I wonder where our gift is.""And I wonder where the tree house is," said Jack.
Kah and Ko chattered at Jack. Then they boundeddown the bank, waving their arms.
"They want us to follow them again," said Annie.
"Come on.
She and Jack grabbed their things off the rock. Theyhurried down the stream after the langurs.
The water shimmered in the early light. Silver fishleaped into the air.
Teddy bounded ahead with Kah arid Ko. Soon theydisappeared around a bend.
Jack and Annie followed them.
17When they went around the bend, they saw a mansitting cross-legged on a rock. The langurs sat close tohim.
The man's eyes were closed.
He had long white hair and a long white beard. Hisskin was brown.
He looked very peaceful. |