The Revenge of Dr Von Burpinburger by John Heffernan Page A

dropped in the history of bird battles.
    Luke gave a squawk, the doctor looked up – and scored a whopping dollop of pigeon poop fair in the face. But worse, when he opened his mouth to protest, a second blob sent him into a splutter of bird-bomb burps.
    Dr von Burpinburger stumbled backwards and loosened his grip on Einstein. The mouse struggled free just enough to bite that horrid hand. The doctor screamed and threw his arms in the air.

    Einstein was tossed high into the sky just as Luke swooped beneath him. The mouse made a perfect landing on the pigeon’s back.

    He whispered something to Luke. The pigeon cooed out loud, and at once all the birds began diving on the villains.
    By the time those two rogues reached the taxi they were pecked to pieces and completely coated in bird poo.
    â€˜Step on it!’ Dr von Burpinburger screamed at the driver as he fell into the car.
    The whole of Templeton Grammar chased after that taxi. Through the school gate and down the road they ran, booing and hissing. Mr Growlworthy shook his fist at the scoundrels, while Miss Graymouth rattled her umbrella at them.
    The birds pursued the taxi all the way out of the city.

TO THE MOON AND BACK
    â€˜What made you come to the school anyway?’
    Eric was at home, sitting with his parents on the rooftop terrace. The sun was low in the sky.
    â€˜Well, we both felt bad about leaving you this morning,’ his mother explained. ‘You were worried about Einstein, but we didn’t take any notice. We weren’t very understanding.’
    â€˜To be honest, we haven’t been too understanding for a while,’ Eric’s father added. ‘The business seems to take up all our time. We’ll try to be better from now on.’
    Eric liked the sound of that. In fact, he loved the sound of that.
    â€˜And then we started thinking over what you said about Einstein being film star material,’ Mrs Wimpleby continued. ‘Suddenly we both realised that it made a lot of sense.’
    â€˜That’s when we panicked,’ Mr Wimpleby said. ‘It hit us like a bolt of lightning! What if thatmovie director really was stealing Einstein while we were just sitting about the office? So we came as fast as we could.’
    â€˜I’m so glad you arrived when you did. You held up the crooks until the birds came.’
    â€˜And wasn’t that amazing?’ Eric’s father laughed. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it. The birds sure had it in for those men.’
    Mrs Wimpleby laughed too. ‘But the best bit was when Einstein fell onto that pigeon’s back. He looked as if he was flying the bird himself. I can see why the movie man wanted him. He really is star material.’
    Eric stood and walked to the edge of the terrace. He stared out across the city. His parents joined him.
    â€˜Are you worried?’ his mother asked.
    â€˜Just a little,’ Eric replied.
    The last time they’d seen Einstein he was on Luke’s back, chasing the taxi out of town. Eric felt sure the mouse would be fine, and that he’d appear eventually, safe and sound. But he couldn’t really relax until that happened.
    Who knows? Eric thought. Maybe he fell off. Maybe Luke’s lost.
    Mr Wimpleby put his arm around Eric. ‘You were right about Einstein. He isn’t just a mouse. Like you said, he’s a whole heap more.’
    Eric nodded. ‘He sure is, Dad. He’s brilliant.’
    Eric’s parents both laughed again.
    â€˜I mean it. He’s not just an actor. He’s a genius. A real genius!’
    Mr Wimpleby shook his head. ‘Movie star material, sure,’ he said. ‘But genius? That’s a bit rich, son. Next you’ll be telling us he can talk.’
    â€˜HE CAN!’ Eric cried, but his parents were laughing too hard to hear him.
    â€˜Come on,’ Eric’s mother said to his father eventually. ‘Give me a hand to make some dinner. All this