Stink and the Freaky Frog Freakout (Book #8) (8 page)

“Ick!” squealed Judy, making a face.

“Bluck!” said Sophie, sticking out her tongue.

“Grosssss!” squealed Webster, holding his tummy.

From behind his goggles, Stink’s eyes bugged out of his head. He looked a little green. He clutched his stomach.

“Are you going to be sick?” Judy asked.

“
I’m
going to be sick!” said Webster.

“He looks like he’s going to croak,” said Sophie.

Stink burped. He pushed back his goggles. “Crickets taste like . . . popcorn!” He grinned ear to ear, smiling wider than a Pacman frog.

*   *   *

On Monday, Stink had frogs on the brain all through Social Studies and Math and Art. He had frogs on the brain through lunch and recess. He had frogs on the brain till the bell rang.

At last it was time for after-school swim lessons!

In the car on the way to swim practice, Stink tested his frog ability. He stuck out his long tongue and —
slurp!
— touched the tip of his nose.

“Still got it,” said Stink.

On his way to the pool, Stink leapfrogged over Sophie in the grass. He leapfrogged over Webster. He even leapfrogged over Sophie
and
Webster.

At the pool, Stink put on his swim trunks. Stink put on his flippers. Stink put on his goggles. He hopped into the pool without sticking a single toe in first.

“Good for you, Stink!” Cammy called out. She was helping another Polliwog to float.

Stink practiced holding his breath. Stink splashed a little water on his face. He blew bubbles with his mouth. He blew bubbles with his nose. He blew bubbles with his nose and mouth at the same time!

With his head above water, Stink floated on a pool noodle, like a frog on a lily pad.

Cammy swam over to him. “Okay, let’s see what you got, Stink Moody.”

Stink looked at the spot on his arm where he’d been licked by a mutant ninja frog. He pictured King Otto the Third in his mind’s eye. He called on his newfound frog power.

And then, it happened.

Stink took in a big breath. Stink puffed out his cheeks. Stink squeezed his eyes shut and thought froggy thoughts.

I am the frog. I own the night. I am one with the water.

In the blink of a frog’s eye, Stink put his face in the water. He held one-two-three fingers in the air. Stink held his breath, underwater, for three whole seconds! He even opened his eyes.

“Stink! You did it! Good for you,” said Cammy. “Eiffel Tower!” Cammy held her hands in the air, and they double high-fived.

“Stink Frog lives!” shouted Stink, pumping his fist in the air and smiling like a superhero.

“Let’s see you cross the shallow end, Stink. Without your pool noodle this time.”

Stink froggy-kicked his way across the shallow end, dunking his face in the water, and coming up for air. The lane marker stretched across the pool, wiggling like a giant worm. Reflections shimmered in the water like silvery coins. Shadows of pool flags waved at Stink when he reached the other end.

“Wow. I’ve never seen you swim like that,” said Cammy. “You must be part frog or something.”

“Just call me Stink Frog,” said Stink. “It’s my gift and my curse.”

“Your what?”

“Nothing. Never mind. Just something Peter Parker said.”

“So, do you want to play a game of London Bridge today?”

“Nope.”

“O-kay. How about Poison? Pop Goes the Weasel? Beware the Dogfish?”

“But you don’t even have to put your head underwater for those games. Those games are for Polliwogs.”

Cammy looked out over all her Polliwogs splashing in the shallow end. “You know what, Stink? I like to think there just might be a little frog in each of us.”

Stink nodded.

“What do you say we show these Polliwogs how it’s done? How about if I toss a quarter in the shallow end, and you dive for it?”

“Can I hold my nose?” Stink asked.

“Sure.”

“And wear my goggles?”

“Of course.”

“Do I get to keep the quarter?” Stink asked.

“Well, this
is
a big day for you. Maybe just this once.” Cammy tossed the quarter and Stink dove for it. Once. Twice.

“Hey guys,” Stink called out to Webster and Sophie, Judy and Riley Rottenberger. “Check me out!”

With everybody watching, Cammy tossed the quarter again. Stink dove underwater. In no time, he popped up, sputtering and spluttering, but he was holding the shiny coin.

Stink’s friends clapped. His sister cheered. Other Sharks and Dolphins and Polliwogs cheered, too.

Wait just a Millard Fillmore minute! This quarter was a dollar! A shiny Millard Fillmore presidential one-dollar coin!

“Ribbet!” said Stink.

Good-bye, Polliwog. Hello, frog!

is the author of the popular Judy Moody and Stink series. She says, “Once, while I was visiting a class, the kids chanted, ‘Stink! Stink! Stink!’ as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a series all his own.” Megan McDonald lives in California.

is the illustrator of all the Judy Moody and Stink books. He says, “Stink reminds me of myself growing up: dealing with a sister prone to teasing and bossing around — and having to get creative in order to stand tall beside her.” Peter H. Reynolds lives in Massachusetts.