Mystery Mutt by Beverly Lewis Page B

“Nobody’s perfect.”
    â€œI think you’re pretty close,” she whispered.
    Mom reached over and gave her a big hug. “What’s this about the fruit of the Spirit?” Mom asked.
    â€œIt’s something the Cul-de-sac Kids are doing.”
    â€œReally?” Mom seemed pleased.
    Stacy felt proud. “It was my idea.”
    â€œTell me more,” Mom said.
    â€œYou know about making resolutions, right?” she asked. “Especially around the New Year?”
    Mom nodded. “Lots of people do this time of year. But not everyone sticks to goals. That’s the hard part.”
    â€œAll my friends have picked a fruit,” Stacy explained. “Straight from the Bible.”
    â€œAnd what sort of fruit might that be?” Mom was grinning. She already knew. Stacy was sure of it.
    â€œThings like goodness and love . . . peace and joy.” She washed her hands and setthe table for two. “I’m picking love,” she said.
    â€œWhat a wonderful choice,” Mom said.
    â€œI’m gonna try to love everyone I know. With God’s help.” She headed for the living room. She wanted to check on her little dog, Sunday Funnies.
    She found him curled up near the comics page of the newspaper. “What’s with you and the funnies?” she asked. “I always know where to find you, don’t I?”
    Sunday Funnies barked playfully.
    Stacy picked him up. Gently, she carried him into the kitchen. “Time for your supper, puppy dog,” she said.
    Sunday Funnies made excited sounds.
    â€œHave patience,” she told him.
    â€œOne of the fruits of the Spirit,” Mom added.
    â€œThat’s right!” Stacy said. “So . . . some patience, please.”
    She poured dog food into his dish.Then she stepped aside. “Now have some joy, too,” she said.
    Mom was laughing.
    Sunday Funnies was chowing down.
    Stacy was eager for spaghetti!

FOUR
    â€œGood morning, sleepyhead,” said Mom. She shook Stacy’s shoulder very lightly. “Are you going to sleep all day?”
    Stacy stretched and yawned. “It’s Christmas break, and I’m still tired.”
    â€œOK,” Mom said. “I’ll let Sunday Funnies out for you.”
    â€œAre you leaving for work already?” Stacy asked.
    Mom looked at the clock on Stacy’s desk. “I’ll go in ten minutes,” she said.
    Stacy sat up. “I guess I slept too late.”
    â€œThat’s all right, honey. You’ll be gettingup early again soon. Next week when school starts,” Mom said with a tender smile.
    Stacy swung her legs over the side. “I’m awake now. So I might as well get up.”
    Mom sat quietly, still smiling.
    Stacy yawned again. “I think I’ll go visit Jason today.”
    â€œHow’s he doing?” Mom asked.
    â€œWanna know the truth? He’s a pain,” Stacy complained.
    Mom frowned. “Time to spread some love around. It sounds like Jason Birchall could use a good dose,” she remarked.
    Usually, Stacy would be thinking: Icksville! About showing love to Jason, that is.
    Jason was one weird kid. He wasn’t easy to love.
    Most kids liked Jason, though. He was full of fun. And mischief, too.
    Even Pinktoes, Jason’s pet spider,liked him. So did Croaker, his bullfrog. Jason wanted to add even more pets to his zoo.
    But love? That was a very difficult subject.
    Stacy sighed. She understood her mother. Love was the first fruit of the Spirit. And loving Jason could be tricky at times. But she could do it. God would help her!
    â€œYou’re right, Mom,” she agreed. “I’ll go easy on Jason.”
    â€œThat’s my girl,” Mom said.

    Stacy found Jason outside, sweeping snow off his steps.
    â€œHey, Jason!” she called to him.
    He looked up. But when he saw her, he looked back down.
    â€œAre you busy?” she asked, hurrying across the