The Flintstones by Francine Hughes

Author:Francine Hughes [Hughes, Francine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Barney!” said Fred.

Fred was always glad to see the ice-cream man. But now, the timing couldn’t have been better. He forgot his pride. He forgot to be stubborn. He only remembered Barney was his friend. “Am I glad to see you!”

“You know him?” one man asked Barney.

“Yeah,” said Barney. “He used to be my best friend. And I guess in a way, I’m responsible for this whole mess.”

That’s all the mob had to hear. They grabbed Barney, too. .

“Did you come here to save me?” Fred asked above their shouts.

“Save you? I saw a crowd. I figured I could sell a few sno-cones.”

Fred’s heart sank. Barney hadn’t forgiven him after all. “Look, Barney,” he said. “I know you’re a little mad at me right now.” He looked nervously at the crowd. “But you’re the best friend a guy ever had. And me? I’m nothing but a big jerk.”

Barney sighed. How could he stay mad after a speech like that? Fred and Barney went to hug. But by now, their hands were tied. They could only shake pinkies.

“Let’s get them!” said someone in the crowd.

This is it, thought Fred. He squeezed his eyes

shut. He didn’t want to watch. Suddenly, he heard the squeal of tires, and someone shouting.

“Wait! Stop! Fred’s innocent!” It was Wilma and Betty!

The mob parted to let them through. Wilma showed everyone the Dictabird. “Go ahead,” she told the bird. “Tell them the whole story.” The Dictabird closed his mouth tight.

“Please,” said Wilma.

Finally the bird said, “All right. But I would like an apology first.”

“Okay, I’m sorry,” said Barney.

“Not you. Him.” The Dictabird nodded his head at Fred. “You treated me badly, Mr. Flintstone. And you hurt my feelings. Even a bird has feelings.”

Well... Fred guessed he could have been a little nicer. A little more sensitive.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

“Thank you, sir,” the Dictabird said. He ruffled his feathers importantly. “Now gather around, everyone. And I’ll tell you a tale....”

A little while later, Fred and Wilma and Barney and Betty were on their way back to the Flintstones’. Everything’s going to be fine, thought Fred. Wilma was not mad anymore. He and Barney were friends again. People knew the truth about the money.

Fred drove faster. He couldn’t wait to see Pebbles. She’d run to the door like she always did, whenever he came home.

But when he opened the door, Pebbles didn’t come running. No one did. The house was in shambles. Furniture was turned over. Drawers were opened. Clothes were strewn everywhere.

“What happened?” said Barney. Wilma and Betty were right behind him.

“Pebbles!” cried Wilma.

“Bamm-Bamm!” Betty shouted.

They hurried to the nursery.

Then Fred saw Dino and Pearl. They were lying on the floor—tied up and gagged! Fred rushed over to Pearl. And he stepped right over her to untie Dino.

Wilma and Betty came running back into the room. “Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm are gone!” Wilma shouted.

“This was in the crib,” said Betty, handing a note slab to Fred. He read it aloud.

“If you want to see your kids again, bring the Dictabird to the quarry at dawn.

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