The Case of the Jumping Frogs by Donald J. Sobol

Author:Donald J. Sobol [Sobol, Donald J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780307783530
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2003-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

The Case of the Jumping Frogs

Buddy Mayfair, better known as Ribbet, was the only fifth grader anyone knew who ran a college for frogs.

“It’s frog-catching season,” he announced, hopping into the Brown Detective Agency.

During frog-hunting season, Ribbet warmed up by hopping a lot.

“The science club is hunting frogs at South Park at two o’clock today,” he said. “Stinky Redmond and Alma Higgens aren’t coming. Want to take their places?”

Encyclopedia and Sally didn’t have to be asked twice. They had never been on a frog hunt.

“I’m glad Stinky and Alma aren’t coming,” Sally said. “They’re always a problem.”

A high steel fence surrounded the campgrounds at South Park. Standing by one of the two gates was a park ranger. Beside him were the other campers and Mr. Sands, the science teacher. Mr. Sands was in charge of the outing.

He welcomed the detectives, who were the last children to arrive. “We’ll be the only group in the campgrounds today. Come inside.”

The ranger locked the gate behind them. He climbed into a small pickup truck and drove off.

“There are two gates, and both are locked when everyone is inside the campgrounds,” Ribbet said. “It’s for the campers’ safety. Mr. Sands has a key—”

He broke off. A rumbling had grown into a full roar. A huge tractor was coming straight toward the gate.

The driver unlocked the gate, drove in, and then locked the gate behind him.

“I’m cutting a firebreak,” he told the children. “Sorry about the noise the disks make.”

Behind the tractor was a row of twelve steel cutting disks. At both ends of the row were wheels with thick tires. The wheels could be lowered, thus lifting the disks off the ground when not in use.

With a friendly wave to the children, he slowly drove on. The disks churned roots, shrubs, and stumps, leaving a fireproof trail.

Unlocking the far gate, he drove through and locked it again.

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