Words to look out for
assume verb
To assume something is to think it is true or likely without being sure of it.
enquire verb
To enquire about something is to ask for information about it.
ideal adjective per fect, or exactly what you want inspect verb
To inspect something or someone is to look carefully at them, especially to check them.
original adjective
Something that is original is new, and not a copy or an imitation.
resilient adjective
Someone or something that is resilient is able to deal with dif f iculties and to recover from them.
suppose verb
To suppose something is to think that it is likely or true.
thoughtful adjective
thinking a lot
Chapter 3
Mega Merle and Hurricane followed the trail of muddy paw prints. The trail led them to a compost heap.
Hurricane snif fed. “Ugh, it smells like old socks!” she said. “The Gerbilator must be hiding nearby.”
“Get down!” yelled Mega Merle. The heroes crouched down just in time. A bright-orange object whizzed over their heads. It was half a carrot!
Mega Merle peered up to see where the carrot had come from.
“Gerbilinos!” he shouted.
Three gerbilinos sat on the compost heap throwing bits of food at them. Mega Merle caught a piece of orange peel in his paw.
“This is ideal,” he thought. “I can use it as a shield!”
“We need to f ind cover!” Hurricane cried, dodging a bit of turnip that f lew through the air.
“Over there,” said Mega Merle, pointing at a pile of plant pots.
The heroes ran to shelter. Mega Merle gripped his orange peel shield tight above his head, as apple cores and eggshells rained down on them.
“That was close,” said Hurricane, crouching behind a large plant pot.
“We have to get past them if we’re going to f ind the Gerbilator,” said Mega Merle. He was thoughtful for a moment. “We need a distraction!”
“Leave that to me,” said Hurricane. “I’ve been practising my loudest bark.’
“Perfect!” said Mega Merle, putting his paws in his ears.
If someone is thoughtful, they are thinking a lot about something.
Hurricane tilted her head back and … WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
The noise made the gerbilinos jump and they fell down the compost heap.
Mega Merle made a run for it. As he headed round the back of the compost heap, he came to an obstacle course.
“I bet the Gerbilator built these obstacles to slow me down,” he said, “but nothing can stop Mega Merle!”
This is like playing Mega Missions, but for real !