Page 1
Will and his sister Jessie liked to play outside.
They enjoyed the tire swing, the swimming
pool, and the basketball net. But most of all
they loved the tree fort in the forest
beyond their backyard.
Page 2
Usually they played with their best friends, Sophie and Max.
But today everyone was sad. The forest was going to be
cut down to build a mall.
"I can't believe they're tearing
down our fort," Will said glumly.
"I wish we could save it,"
whispered Sophie.
Page 3
Jessie tied a balloon to the railing and watched it bob in the breeze.
"We could tie a million balloons to the fort until it floats away!"
"We could float it down into our backyard, right Max?" asked Sophie.
Page 4
Max just shook his head and looked down at his bird watching
book. He was too dejected to imagine anything.
Will picked up a cardboard sword and swung it.
"I wish I could be a real knight."
Page 5
Jessie leaned out the window and gazed up at the sky.
A bird chirped in the tree next to her.
"Maybe a giant eagle could land and
fly the fort away on his back."
Page 6
"Or a dragon!" Will added.
Max looked at the bird outside the window.
It was much smaller than an eagle or a dragon.
He'd seen a bird like that somewhere.
Page 7
"What if there could be a huge wave of-of ice cream!"
Sophie exclaimed. "The fort could ride the wave
all the way to our house!" she added.
"What do you think, Max?" Will asked.
Max riffled through his bird
book with great
concentration.
Page 8
Max looked up with a grin. "I don't think we need knights or
balloons or giant eagles. I think this little brown bird will do."
"What do you mean?" asked Sophie.
Max pointed to his book. "See? This bird right
outside our fort is endangered."
Page 9
"How is it in danger?" Jessie asked.
Max smiled. "Endangered means there aren't
many left. Our forest is a protected habitat!"
Jessie leaped up. "If they can't cut down our forest,
they can't destroy our tree fort!"
Page 10
The four friends scrambled down the ladder.
They couldn't wait to tell their parents.
There would be many more afternoons of
mighty dragons and gallant knights after all.
