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Book design by Jaye Medalia we PEARSON SS pvicitar Ai stuoioOutside, the waves were moving in the moonlight shadows. I pushed my feet along the floor. Soon Tiko and I were moving back and forth, like the waves. Tiko rested his head in my lap and closed his eyes. The night filled with soft sounds. The waves lapped gently against the dock. The old swing squeaked softly. Tiko breathed quietly.Papa came onto the porch. He was carry- ing two steaming mugs of hot choco- late. He placed them on the table to cool and sat beside us. Tiko raised his head and barked Hello. “Good boy,” Papa said as he ran his fingers along Tiko’s soft fur. Across the lake, the thunder grumbled louder. Lightning streaks threaded the night sky. Papa passed me my mug. The porch swing was silent as we sipped our hot chocolate together.Soon the thunder came. It rumbled through the night sky like a distant train. Tiko and Jimmy jumped up. “What’s happening?” Jimmy asked. “We’re waiting for the storm,” Mommy told him. “Storms come in their own time,” Papa said. “We must have patience.” “T hear the wind,” Jimmy said. “The wind is crying.”The thunder train was rolling closer now. The lightning lines came quicker. “The night smells like rain,” Jimmy said. “The storm is coming,” Papa said. Jimmy found his blanket and wrapped himself. Tiko whimpered by my feet. “Come Tiko,” Mommy said. “Jump up while the thunder is napping.” Tiko brushed my feet and hurried onto Mommy’s lap.Stent Tiny branches yawned and snapped. Waves churned and slapped against the old dock. “Listen,” Papa said. “The storm is music. Rustling, «ae . Pers whirling, clapping music. “The waves are like a drum,” I said. “The wind sounds like a whistle,” Jimmy said. Tiko whined in Mommy’s arms.MU rosso Cres cyner stews Cy aR t eR arc) stirred the waves and moaned through the ew old maple tree. Heavy raindrops began to “fall. Thunder stomped. Lightning flashed across the sky—once, twice, three Prenton y in me ae “It’s time to go inside,” Mommy said. Mommy lifted Jimmy. Papa and I followed Mommy and Jimmy inside the house. We closed the door against the storm.“Wait!” Papa said. “The storm is changing.” Everybody listened. The wind was whispering. The waves slowed. The thunder and lightning were waiting. “The storm is making up its mind,” Papa said.“Watch Tiko,” Papa said. “Dogs can feel what a storm will do next.” Tiko raised his ears and listened to the night. He twitched his tail in anticipation. Everybody waited.After a while, Tiko barked a happy bark. “Tiko thinks the storm is going away,” Mommy said. “Can we go outside?” Jimmy asked.“Maybe,” Papa said. “If the storm turns.” Everybody waited again. Lightning flashed. The flash was very far away.The rain was stopping. Mommy opened the kitchen door. One by one we tiptoed into the night. Tiko and Mommy went first. Then Jimmy and I went together. Jimmy held my hand. Papa came last and closed the door behind us.A bird was resting on the dock. Tiko saw the bird and stood very still. “Please don’t chase the bird, Tiko,” I said. Tiko whined softly, but he stayed by my side. “Good dog, Tiko,” I said.MUR two Con mok ne B Co Cony Marre a ee Tiko waited until the bird was in the air. S BUS Berta cee te Mera AC oR as “The bird is going away,” Jimmy said sadly. laa beste rtel ne moony and the wind’s} whistle.” Jimmy sounded disappointed. “Look Jimmy! The moon is riding a cloud.” PO elon Mi Coe Cong tists % .igh above us, a cloud was ai = Se moonlight peeked ott + ta jimmy smiled and waved goodbye Sd en RT “ “Please come back,” he calle a me : iy i : ie a ot aeoi C » “Time for bed,” Mommy called. z Mommy carried Jimmy. . Papa carried me.Tiko and I got under the covers. Papa sat on my pink chair. “The storm was like a visitor,” Papa said. “Yes, Papa. The storm was like a visitor who knocked and didn’t come in.”When Papa was gone I thought Pitas Eb aree a aS hey, oS wind ati a Pentel esc kt tay nt ed purbosley Comesneted ‘ Tiko’s whine, and the way the raindrops tapped across the waves. “Tt’s like Se be had said. ie > 4 BU arose Smee ts now. — The moon was shining bright Eyer tee s “Goodnight, Tiko,” I said. BRT oe toe Behe oe CB CNM) Coe Se ( Beste° a ‘ Across the hall, Mommy was singing Jimmy to sleep. = * Iclosed my eyes and listened. Before long I was sleeping too.Tiko the dog barks. A thunderstorm is coming. Rain taps on the roof, thunder shakes the air, and streaks of lightning Sober) eM beWgetes Bag BD et their porch a pave satyteo ohd acrreraerts .S —~ eS “ ; i ' BS etn Cag sie. cea