D in the Alphabet Soup

Summer vacation — a time of fun and relaxation, going to the beach or traveling to see family across the country. It was a time to play under the sun and then the stars because tomorrow meant you could do the same thing again. School was out!

Seven-year-old David McNamara sat on the front steps of his house, chin in hand, kicking a pebble with the tip of his sneaker. His eyes gazed at the Flannery's car as it eased up the narrow street, slowing down in front of his house.

His best friend was hanging out the window in the car's back seat, waving excitedly. "See you in a few weeks, David. Hope you have fun." David waved and sadly watched the car pull away.

He sighed as his thoughts traveled to the beach house. He remembered all the fun they'd had last year and how they'd planned on returning this year, but they hadn't known his dad would get sick.

This year's vacation would be in his backyard with its big oak tree, the garden with weeds to pull, and places to run — but none of that was fun when you were seven and all alone.

It was the first day of vacation, and David was monumentally, unbelievably bored, the bored where even watching paint dry would be exciting. It got worse, which he didn't believe was possible when his mother told him this summer would be a great time to find adventure and travel in books.

BOOKS! That was too much like school. He wondered if his mother believed that books sounded like fun — maybe for sissy girls, but not for boys like him.

The breeze swirled past him, carrying the sound of barking. Like magic, he saw four dogs racing down the street. A tall Great Dane led the pack, followed by a black labrador, a spotted Heinz-57, and a roly-poly bulldog whose belly almost scraped the ground. Together, the pack dashed into the park, barking like the world was their giant playground.

The Great Dane galloped straight through a lawn sprinkler, spraying water in every direction. Mr. Heinz-57 rolled in a muddy flowerbed, tossing mud everywhere while his tail wagged wildly.

The black lab launched into the air and caught a frisbee, landing like a superhero. A young man yelled, and the lab dropped the frisbee at his feet, happy when the man tossed it again. The pudgy bulldog sat in the shade and let his tongue hang out while he caught his breath.

David blinked and sighed. "I wish I were a dog," he muttered. At least they're having fun."

As if the wind heard him, the old book on his lap fluttered open, its pages flipping fast. David jumped and stared at the book, wide-eyed.

The pages stopped on a full-color drawing of a silly wizard with spiky white hair, starry glasses, and two floppy dog ears sticking out from under his crooked hat.

To David's amazement, the wizard winked. The young boy gasped when the wizard spoke. "I was snoozing, but you woke me up. Did I hear you say you wanted to be a dog?"

David couldn't utter a word. He could only stare, and his mouth fell open. Holy mackerel — a wizard was standing on the book, talking to him.

"What's the matter? Has the cat got your tongue?" The wizard chuckled. "That was a joke. Get it! You want to be a dog, but —"

The wizard waved his wand and sparkles shot from its tip. "I get bored when no one wants to read about my adventures." Swishing his cape like a matador, he stepped forward, wobbling from side to side, almost falling off the book.

Grinning, he whispered, "You want to be a dog? I can do it, you know."

David's eyes widened. "Uh, I don't know."

The wizard shrugged. "Okay, it makes no difference to me." He waved his wand once more, twirled around, and began to walk away.

David looked up as the dogs continued to bark and chase each other around the park. He shouted, "Wait! Don't go."

"Well, make up your mind." The wizard tilted his head as he waited for a response.

David glanced toward the park and the dogs before he nodded. The wizard stretched his arms toward the sky, announcing loudly, "Close your eyes because the fun's about to begin."

David hesitated. "Is this — happening?"

The wizard raised his eyebrows. "Wishing and wondering won't get your tail wagging. Close your eyes and make your wish."

David took a breath and closed them.

Ending 1

POOF!

David hit the ground on four legs, grass tickling his paws. His nose twitched. The world smelled incredible — fresh cut grass, wet pavement, roasting hot dogs from someone's backyard.

He looked down and gasped. He had paws! A tail! His tongue lolled out of his mouth like a noodle.

"Hey! Look! We've got a new friend," barked the frisbee-catching lab.

"New pup in the pack!" howled the sprinkler-drenched Great Dane.

Before David could say a word, the dogs surrounded him. "Let's show him how it's done!"

They tore off, and David followed, zooming through puddles, barking at butterflies, and chasing a tabby cat who hissed and vanished under a porch with a wooosh!

David leaped into the air and landed in a pile of leaves, sending them flying. He howled with laughter—except it came out, "A-ROO-ROO!"

He wasn't bored. He was free. He was fast. He was having the best day ever.

Then he heard a voice calling. "David! Dinner!"

The other dogs perked up. "That's your cue, pup," one barked. "Catch you next time!"

David turned, tail wagging, and raced toward his mom's voice. The world spun as he landed with a thump.

He was back on the porch, and his heart thumped in his chest. The pages of the book fluttered. A whisper tickled his ear: "Come back again," said the wizard's voice. "We'll imagine something new tomorrow."

David grinned. "Oh yeah," he said. "I'm coming back for sure. Books can be fun."