Tugg and Teeny by Patrick Lewis, Christopher Denise Page A

asked.
    â€œNo one can guess what my painting is!”
    â€œI know what it is, Monkeyface,” said Tugg, “and I think it is beautiful. But we should ask Violet her opinion. She is an artist too, remember.”

    Teeny and Tugg had already thanked Violet for her “Best Friends” painting in the Animal Art Show.
    â€œOf course,” said Teeny, “Violet will know right away.”

    â€œPlease look at Teeny’s painting, Violet, and tell us if you recognize it,” said Tugg.
    He winked at Violet. He winked again.
    Violet saw Tugg winking. She saw the hopeful look in Teeny’s eyes.
    She took a long look at the painting that was on Teeny’s easel.
    Then Violet said tearfully, “Monkeyface, how can I ever thank you for this gorgeous portrait of, of… ME! ”

Teeny’s Poem
    Teeny and Tugg were enjoying the afternoon on their front porch.

    â€œI finally finished my poem,” said Teeny, very pleased with herself.
    Tugg put on his reading glasses.

    He read the poem. It did not take long.

    â€œShort and sweet, Monkeyface.”
    â€œYes,” said the monkey. “Good poets get right to the point.”
    â€œLet’s ask Violet what she thinks,” said Tugg. “Warthogs are poetry experts.”
    â€œShe will love my poem,” said Teeny.

    â€œViolet,” asked Tugg, “what do you think of this poem?”
    The warthog burped, and then read the poem.
    â€œWhere is the next page?” she asked.
    Teeny wanted to cry.

    Violet said, “Be thankful that it is not
your
poem, Teeny.”
    â€œBut it IS my poem, Violet!”
    â€œOops,” said Violet.
    â€œHmm,” said Tugg. “Here is an idea.
    Why not spend some time thinking about your poem, Monkeyface?”

    So for three whole days, Teeny thought about her poem.
    She climbed up a tree to gaze at the moon.
    She sat at her desk with her notebook scribbling crossing off scribbling crossing off .

    This was hard work that seemed to take forever.
    On the fourth day, she shouted, “Tuggboat! Now I really
am
finished.”
    Throughout the jungle, the gorilla’s voice boomed.
    â€œAttention, everyone! Come and hear Teeny read her new poem!”

    Teeny was very nervous.
    She read her new poem slowly.
    Bees buzz,
    birds sing
    The jungle fell silent.
    Teeny whispered to Tugg, “I took out the two the ’s. Isn’t it magical?”
    Tugg was about to congratulate his little friend when suddenly…

    The tiger roared, “ Brilliant! ”
    The giraffe cried, “ Fabulous! ”
    â€œCan we hear more? ” begged the baboon.
    Teeny blushed. “I was saving the best part for last.”

    Bees buzz,
    birds sing
    warthogs burp…
    and gorillas glow.
    Every animal started hooting and clapping wildly!
“AUTHOR! AUTHOR!”
    â€œMonkeyface,” said Tugg, “you are on your way to becoming a good writer.”
    â€œThanks to you, Tuggboat,” Teeny said.
    â€œWhat should I write about tomorrow?” asked Teeny.
    â€œWrite about what you know best,” Tugg replied.
    The monkey thought and thought.
    Then she wrote down the title for her new poem, “What It Means To Have a Best Friend.”