Edited by Diana and Kate FogartyThis book is a work of fiction. The events and characters portrayed are real.

Their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely on purpose.

Copyright © 2004 by Diana DainoAll rights reserved.

Book design by Diana DainoCover design by Diana Daino

The text of this book is set in 24 point New Century Schoolbook

The illustrations are rendered in pencil and ink on bristol

Printed in the United States of America

For Athena Fogarty and Carlie Brucia

By Diana Fogarty

Leroy thought he was a rather handsome bird. He had a wise face and beautiful feathers.

Leroy thought he had the best corner in the house. He could hear the birds singing outside. He liked to sing their songs, only much louder. Leroy was a noisy bird.

Pup lived in the other corner. She had no feathers and was the silent type, in a very big way. When Pup spoke, she said a big WOOF!

Leroy could make any sound he chose. He said his favorite things over and over.

Every day Leroy hoped to get walnuts with his meal. He ate every last bit of the inside and threw the shells at Pup, who would eat almost anything.

That is, except for walnut shells.

Leroy liked to explore. Today there was something new. A big bowl sat a the edge of the table.He unlocked his cage and slid down the side.Leroy climbed up the kitchen chair and hopped onto the table.He peeked over the edge of the bowl and his eyes got very big.

Walnuts.

He hopped onto the edge of the bowl.

CRASH! The walnuts fell all over the floor.

"What was that?" A voice cried from downstairs. Leroy thought fast, as he always did. "WOOOF WOOOOOOF!" He barked. He went back to his cage quickly and slammed the door behind him.The voice boomed, "PUP! IN YOUR CORNER! NOW! "

Pup was already there.

Leroy sat quietly in his cage.After a little while he decided to explore some more. The big harp on the other side of the room was very tall. Leroy loved to be up as high as he could.

He unlocked his cage again.

So, he did.

Leroy stuck his beak into the wood and clawed his way to the top.Once he was there, he stared at the shiny strings and thought they would be great fun to slide on.

Sproiiiing! Suddenly the strings snapped and sent Leroy flapping to the floor. "What happened to the harp?" The voice cried from downstairs. "WOOOF WOOOOOOF!" Barking, Leroy went back to his cage quickly and locked himself in.The voice screamed, "PUP! IN YOUR CORNER! NOW!"

Pup was already there.

Leroy was quiet in his cage. After a little while he decided to explore some more. The vine on the ceiling was higher than Leroy had ever been before.He stretched his neck and reached with his beak as far as he could.

Leroy swung onto the vine.

The vine snapped! Leroy fell to the floor, trapped under the basket!

“Squawk! Squawk! Squawk! Screeeeeeeeech!”Pup came over and carefully lifted the basket.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!

GET IN YOUR CAGE!

"LEROY!

AND STAY THERE!"

Leroy flew right back to his cage. He sat very quietly, not moving a feather. It was nice of Pup to save him from that plant. Pup was in her corner, chewing on a big, brand new bone.

Maybe he’d let Pup switch corners with him…

…maybe not.

That night Leroy happened to get walnuts with his meal. He scraped every last bit from the inside of each shell…

…and gave it all to Pup.