Franklin's Thanksgiving (2 page)

At home, Franklin's mother looked at the berry pies cooling on the windowsill.

She had an idea.

She walked over to Bear's house and invited the whole family for Thanksgiving.

“It will be a wonderful surprise for everyone,” she explained.

In the garden, Franklin's father waved to Mr. Mole.

“Are you going to your sister's for Thanksgiving?” he asked.

“Not this year,” replied Mr. Mole. “With my broken ankle, I can't go far.”

Franklin's father had an idea. He invited Mr. Mole for dinner.

“It will be a wonderful surprise for everyone,” he explained.

After school, Franklin went home with Moose.

That's when he had another idea.

It was the Moose family's first Thanksgiving in Woodland. Franklin invited them for dinner.

“It's all right with my parents,” he explained. “They want company.”

“We'd be delighted,” replied Mrs. Moose.

Franklin smiled. His surprise was getting bigger and bigger.

On Thanksgiving morning, Franklin got up early to help with dinner. He stirred soup and shucked corn. Then he set the table for nine.

Franklin's father counted the place settings. He shook his head and reset the table for five.

Franklin's mother looked at the table. She was puzzled, but she added three more place settings.

And everyone took turns peeking out the window, watching for the surprise guests.

Mr. Owl and his mother were the first to arrive.

“Surprise!” Franklin shouted to his parents.

“This
is
a surprise!” they exclaimed.

Then Franklin saw the Bear family and Mr. Mole.

Now everyone was surprised.

All the guests crowded inside, holding platters and bowls heaped high with food.

Franklin and his parents laughed and tried to explain what had happened.

“Well, we sure have plenty to eat,” declared Franklin's mother. “We just don't have plenty of room.”

Franklin knew they had a big problem.

The Moose family hadn't arrived yet.

Franklin looked around. There wasn't one bit of room inside. But outside …

Suddenly, Franklin knew what to do.

Moose and his family arrived as all the others came out the door. Everyone carried food and dishes, tables and chairs.

“What's going on?” asked Moose.

“We're eating our Thanksgiving dinner in the field,” answered Bear.

“Just like the early settlers,” said Franklin.