Naieva Bookist: Book Four from my Desk Drawer: Scat Kid!

Twelve-year-old Hinder Thornblats reads a sad sign.

LOST. Darling Cat 934 Hasty Marsh. Big Reward

Wow. A Big Reward!

Hinder could buy a pool filled with Twinkies, an Olympic diving board,

and invite over Polly Estoroff and other approximate girlfriends.

Oh yeah, and also a cool glass of milk.

Hinder searches and finds the cat lounging on a fence on

Stagnant Tributary Rd. Even though Hinder is no bigger than
a worn collar, he carries the big beast to the rightful owner.

Hinder knocks on the door and patiently waits for his reward.

Mrs. Mamie Ann Prokell answers,

"Sorry kid, but that's not my cat."

She pats them both on the head and sends them on their way.

It's plain to see that Mrs. Prokell is a liar.

But, Hinder so wanted that reward.

He could go giraffe-back riding with Megan Abdelnour.

Oh yeah, and also a tan safari hat.

Hinder searches and finds the cat napping by his lunch buckets

on Muddy Quagmire Ave.

Even though Hinder is no bigger than a claw clipping,

he carries the large load to the rightful owner.

Hinder knocks on the door and patiently waits for his reward.

Mrs. Prokell answers, "Sorry kid, that's not her either."

She pats the cat on the head and sends them along.

It's obvious that Prokell is a swindler.

But he soo wanted that reward.

He could rule at Aussie Football, give Aisha Strope and
other nearly girlfriends tickets to his match.

Oh yeah, and also some wool knee socks.

Hinder searches and finds the cat nuzzling Johnny Chang
at Underlook Gorge Ave. Even though Hinder is no bigger than a
broken whisker, he carries the weighty wanted to the rightful owner.

Hinder knocks on the door and patiently waits for his reward.

Prokell answers, "Sorry kid that is Mr. Chang's cat."

It's obvious that Prokell is a con-artist.

But, he soooo wanted that reward. He could buy a yacht,
discover an 8th sea and invite along Belinda Shrum and
other prospective girlfriends. Oh yeah and add a brass bell.

Hinder searches and finds the cat on the bookshelves of
the Still Torrent Public Library. Even though Hinder is no
bigger than a finished meow, he carries the fat fur ball
to the rightful owner.

Hinder knocks on the door and patiently waits for his reward.

Prokell gulps, "Sorry Kid, that's the library cat."

It's obvious to everyone that Prokell is a ratfink.

But he sooooo wanted that reward. He could make
Yvette Van Gilder his trophy wife if she stopped liking that
stupid Ryan Welemeeger. Oh yeah, and also a
200-game ribbon even though he may have bowled only an 8.

Hinder searches and finds the cat tied to a table at
Cafe Beanery on Hasty Sludge Blvd. Even though
Hinder is no bigger than a silent purr, he carries the
creepy cat to the rightful owner.

Hinder knocks on the door and patiently waits for his reward.

Prokell weeps, "No, no, no, no, that's Fratmender's Dog!"

It's obvious that Prokell is a charlatan. But he soooooo wanted
that reward. He could rent a planet and skip rocks with
Teressa Kkroneck. Oh yeah, and get some Styrofoam
for that overdue science project.

Hinder searches and finds the statuesque cat on Swift Knoll Ave.

Even though Hinder is no bigger than a day-long hairball, he
carries the heavy hunk to the rightful owner.

Hinder knocks on the door and patiently waits for his reward.

Mrs. Prokell yells, "Scat Kid!
That's a stone statue," and slams the door.

It's obvious that Prokell is not very nice.

But he sooooooo wanted that reward.

He could legally change his name to Scotland Cervone,
take acting lessons, and then escort Aimee Towers
to the Oscars. Oh yeah, and also silk bow-ties.

Just his luck, Hinder sees the rightful cat mewing softly
in the corner of Prokell's garage.

Even though Hinder is no bigger than a crooked tooth,
he carries the little one to the rightful owner.

Mrs. Prokell weeps with joy, "Kid, That's Her!"

She hands him what all kids want - a giant bag of Pennies!

One Thousand Pennies! Well, what can he do with that?

Well, he could buy a ticket to the School's 6th grade
Old-Music Revival and actually ask Trilogy Mulch
to dance with him.
Oh yeah, and he's gonna need a comb.