The Flat Stanley Collection - Weeblyclass2ab.weebly.com/uploads/8/1/6/5/8165075/stanley.pdf · The policemen realized that was a good rule and said they would try to remember it

THEFLATSTANLEYCOLLECTION

ByJeffBrownPicturesbyMackyPamintuan

FLATSTANLEYHisOriginalAdventure!

byJeffBrownPicturesbyMackyPamintuan

DEDICATION

ForJ.C.andTony—J.B.

CONTENTS

Cover

TitlePage

Dedication

1.TheBigBulletinBoard

2.BeingFlat

3.StanleytheKite

4.TheMuseumThieves

5.Arthur ’sGoodIdea

AMorningSurprise

AbouttheAuthor

OtherWorks

Copyright

AboutthePublisher

1

TheBigBulletinBoard

Breakfastwasready.“Iwillgowaketheboys,”Mrs.Lambchopsaidtoherhusband,GeorgeLambchop.Justthentheir

youngerson,Arthur,calledfromthebedroomhesharedwithhisbrother,Stanley.“Hey!Comeandlook!Hey!”Mr.andMrs.Lambchopwerebothverymuchinfavorofpolitenessandcarefulspeech.“Hayis

forhorses,Arthur,notpeople,”Mr.Lambchopsaidastheyenteredthebedroom.“Trytorememberthat.”

“Excuseme,”Arthursaid.“Butlook!”He pointed to Stanley’s bed.Across it lay the enormous bulletin board thatMr.Lambchop had

given the boys aChristmas ago so that they could pin up pictures andmessages andmaps. It hadfallen,duringthenight,ontopofStanley.

ButStanleywasnothurt.Infact,hewouldstillhavebeensleepingifhehadnotbeenwokenbyhisbrother ’sshout.

“What’sgoingonhere?”hecalledoutcheerfullyfrombeneaththeenormousboard.Mr.andMrs.Lambchophurriedtoliftitfromthebed.“Heavens!”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Gosh!”saidArthur.“Stanley’sflat!”

“Asapancake,”saidMr.Lambchop.“DarndestthingI’veeverseen.”

“Let’sallhavebreakfast,”Mrs.Lambchopsaid.“ThenStanleyandIwillgoseeDr.Danandhearwhathehastosay.”

Inhisoffice,Dr.DanexaminedStanleyallover.“Howdoyoufeel?”heasked.“Doesithurtverymuch?”“IfeltsortofticklyforawhileafterIgotup,”StanleyLambchopsaid,“butIfeelfinenow.”“Well,that’smostlyhowitiswiththesecases,”saidDr.Dan.“We’ll just have to keep an eye on this young fellow,” he said when he had finished the

examination. “Sometimes we doctors, despite all our years of training and experience, can onlymarvelathowlittlewereallyknow.”

Mrs.LambchopsaidshethoughtStanley’sclotheswouldhavetobealteredbythetailornow,soDr.DantoldhisnursetotakeStanley’smeasurements.

Mrs.Lambchopwrotethemdown.Stanleywasfourfeettall,aboutafootwide,andhalfaninchthick.

2

BeingFlat

WhenStanleygotusedtobeingflat,heenjoyedit.Hecouldgoinandoutofrooms,evenwhenthedoorwasclosed,justbylyingdownandslidingthroughthecrackatthebottom.

Mr.andMrs.Lambchopsaiditwassilly,buttheywerequiteproudofhim.Arthurgotjealousandtriedtoslideunderadoor,buthejustbangedhishead.

Beingflatcouldalsobehelpful,Stanleyfound.Hewas takingawalkwithMrs.Lambchoponeafternoonwhenher favorite ring fell fromher

finger.The ring rolled across the sidewalk anddownbetween thebarsof agrating that covered adeep,darkshaft.Mrs.Lambchopbegantocry.

“Ihaveanidea,”Stanleysaid.Hetookthelacesoutofhisshoesandanextrapairoutofhispocketandtiedthemalltogetherto

makeonelonglace.Thenhetiedoneendofthattothebackofhisbeltandgavetheotherendtohismother.

“Lowerme,”hesaid,“andIwilllookforthering.”

“Thankyou,Stanley,”Mrs.Lambchop said.She loweredhimbetween thebars andmovedhimcarefullyupanddownandfromsidetoside,sothathecouldsearchthewholeflooroftheshaft.

TwopolicemencamebyandstaredatMrs.Lambchopasshestoodholdingthelonglacethatrandownthroughthegrating.Shepretendednottonoticethem.

“What’sthematter,lady?”thefirstpolicemanasked.“Isyouryo-yostuck?”“Iamnotplayingwithayo-yo!”Mrs.Lambchopsaidsharply.“Mysonisattheotherendofthis

lace,ifyoumustknow.”“Getthenet,Harry,”saidthesecondpoliceman.“Wehavecaughtacuckoo!”Justthen,downintheshaft,Stanleycriedout,“Hooray!”Mrs.Lambchoppulledhimupandsawthathehadthering.“Goodforyou,Stanley,”shesaid.Thensheturnedangrilytothepolicemen.“Acuckoo,indeed!”shesaid.“Shame!”Thepolicemenapologized.“Wedidn’tget it, lady,” theysaid.“Wehavebeenhasty.Wesee that

now.”“People should think twice beforemaking rude remarks,” saidMrs. Lambchop. “And then not

makethematall.”

Thepolicemenrealizedthatwasagoodruleandsaidtheywouldtrytorememberit.

One day Stanley got a letter from his friend Thomas Anthony Jeffrey, whose family had movedrecentlytoCalifornia.Aschoolvacationwasabouttobegin,andStanleywasinvitedtospenditwiththeJeffreys.

“Oh,boy!”Stanleysaid.“Iwouldlovetogo!”Mr.Lambchopsighed.“Around-triptrainorairplanetickettoCaliforniaisveryexpensive,”he

said.“Iwillhavetothinkofsomecheaperway.”WhenMr.Lambchopcamehomefromtheofficethatevening,hebroughtwithhimanenormous

brown-paperenvelope.

“Nowthen,Stanley,”hesaid.“Trythisforsize.”TheenvelopefitStanleyverywell.Therewasevenroomleftover,Mrs.Lambchopdiscovered,

foranegg-saladsandwichmadewiththinbread,andatoothbrushcasefilledwithmilk.Theyhadtoputagreatmanystampsontheenvelopetopayforbothairmailandinsurance,butit

wasstillmuchlessexpensivethanatrainorairplanetickettoCalifornia.The next dayMr. andMrs. Lambchop slid Stanley into his envelope, alongwith the egg-salad

sandwich and the toothbrush case full of milk, and mailed him from the box on the corner. Theenvelopehadtobefoldedtofitthroughtheslot,butStanleywasalimberboy,andinsidetheboxhestraightenedrightupagain.

Mrs.LambchopwasnervousbecauseStanleyhadneverbeenawayfromhomealonebefore.Sherappedonthebox.

“Canyouhearme,dear?”shecalled.“Areyouallright?”Stanley’svoicecamequiteclearly.“I’mfine.CanIeatmysandwichnow?”“Wait an hour. And try not to get overheated, dear,” Mrs. Lambchop said. Then she and Mr.

Lambchopcriedout,“Good-bye,good-bye!”andwenthome.Stanley had a fine time in California.When the visit was over, the Jeffreys returned him in a

beautifulwhiteenvelopetheyhadmadethemselves.Ithadred-and-bluemarkingstoshowthatitwasairmail, and Thomas Jeffrey had lettered it “Valuable” and “Fragile” and “This EndUp” on bothsides.

BackhomeStanley toldhis family that hehadbeenhandled so carefullyhenever felt a singlebump.Mr.Lambchopsaiditprovedthatjetplaneswerewonderful,andsowasthePostalService,andthatthiswasagreatageinwhichtolive.

Stanleythoughtsotoo.

3

StanleytheKite

Mr.LambchophadalwayslikedtotaketheboysoutwithhimonSundayafternoons,toamuseumorroller-skating in the park, but itwas difficultwhen theywere crossing streets ormoving about incrowds.StanleyandArthurwouldoftenbe jostled fromhis sideandMr.Lambchopworriedaboutspeedingtaxisorthathurryingpeoplemightaccidentallyknockthemdown.

ItwaseasierafterStanleygotflat.Mr.LambchopdiscoveredthathecouldrollStanleyupwithouthurtinghimatall.Hewouldtiea

pieceof stringaroundStanley tokeephim fromunrollingandmakea little loop in the string forhimself.Itwasassimpleascarryingaparcel,andhecouldholdontoArthurwiththeotherhand.

Stanleydidnotmindbeingcarriedbecausehehadnevermuchlikedtowalk.Arthurdidn’tliketowalkeither,buthehadto.Itmadehimmad.

One Sunday afternoon, in the street, they met Ralph Jones, an old college friend of Mr.Lambchop’s.

“Well,George,Iseeyouhaveboughtsomewallpaper,”Mr.Jonessaid.“Goingtodecorateyourhouse,Isuppose?”

“Wallpaper?”saidMr.Lambchop.“Oh,no.ThisismysonStanley.”HeundidthestringandStanleyunrolled.“Howdoyoudo?”Stanleysaid.“Nicetomeetyou,youngfeller,”themansaid.“George,”hesaidtoMr.Lambchop,“thatboyis

flat.”

“Smart,too,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Stanleyisthirdfromthetopinhisclassatschool.”“Phooey!”saidArthur.“Thisismyyoungerson,Arthur,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Andhewillapologizeforhisrudeness.”Arthurcouldonlyblushandapologize.Mr.LambchoprolledStanleyupagainandtheysetoutforhome.Itrainedquitehardwhilethey

were on the way. Stanley, of course, hardly got wet at all, just around the edges, but Arthur gotsoaked.

LatethatnightMr.andMrs.Lambchopheardanoiseoutinthelivingroom.TheyfoundArthurlying on the floor near the bookcase. He had piled a great many volumes of the EncyclopaediaBritannicaontopofhimself.

“Putsomemoreonme,”Arthursaidwhenhesawthem.“Don’tjuststandthere.Helpme.”

Mr.andMrs.Lambchopsenthimbacktobed,butthenextmorningtheyspoketoStanley.“Arthurcan’thelpbeingjealous,”theysaid.“Benicetohim.You’rehisbigbrother,afterall.”

ThenextSunday,StanleyandArthurwenttotheparkbythemselves.Thedaywassunny,butwindytoo,andmanyolderboyswereflyingbeautiful,enormouskiteswithlongtails,madeinallthecolorsoftherainbow.

Arthursighed.“Someday,”hesaid,“Iwillhaveabigkite,andIwillwinakite-flyingcontestandbefamouslikeeveryoneelse.NobodyknowswhoIamthesedays.”

Stanley remembered what his parents had said. He went to a boy whose kite was broken andborrowedalargespoolofstring.

“Youcanflyme,Arthur,”hesaid.“Comeon.”He attached the string to himself and gaveArthur the spool to hold.He ran lightly across the

grass,sidewaystogetupspeed,andthenheturnedtomeetthebreeze.Up,up,up…UP!wentStanley,beingakite.Heknewjusthowtomanageonthegustsofwind.Hefacedfullintothewindifhewantedtorise,

andletittakehimfrombehindwhenhewantedspeed.Hehadonlytoturnhisthinedgetothewind,carefully,alittleatatime,sothatitdidnotholdhim,andthenhewouldslipgracefullydowntowardtheearthagain.

Arthurletoutall thestring,andStanleysoaredhighabovethetrees,abeautifulsightinhisredshirtandbluetrousersagainstthepalebluesky.

Everyoneintheparkstoodstilltowatch.Stanleyswoopedrightandthenleftinlong,matchedswoops.Heheldhisarmsbyhissidesand

zoomedatthegroundlikearocketandcurvedupagaintowardthesun.Heside-slippedandcircled,andmadefigureeightsandcrossesandastar.

NobodyhaseverflownthewayStanleyLambchopflewthatday.Probablynooneeverwillagain.After awhile,of course,peoplegrew tiredofwatching, andArthurgot tiredof runningabout

withtheemptyspool.Stanleywentrighton,though,showingoff.Threeboyscameup toArthur and invitedhim to join them for ahotdogand somesodapop.

Arthurleftthespoolwedgedintheforkofatree.Hedidnotnotice,whilehewaseatingthehotdog,thatthewindwasblowingthestringandtanglingitaboutthetree.

Thestringgotshorterandshorter,butStanleydidnotrealizehowlowhewasuntilleavesbrushedhisfeet,andthenitwastoolate.Hegotstuckinthebranches.FifteenminutespassedbeforeArthurandtheotherboysheardhiscriesandclimbeduptosethimfree.

Stanley would not speak to his brother that evening, and at bedtime, even though Arthur hadapologized,hewasstillcross.

Alone with Mr. Lambchop in the living room, Mrs. Lambchop sighed and shook her head.“You’re at the office all day, having fun,” she said. “Youdon’t realizewhat I go throughwith theboys.They’reverydifficult.”

“Kidsarelikethat,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Phases.Bepatient,dear.”

4

TheMuseumThieves

Mr.andMrs.O.JayDartlivedintheapartmentabovetheLambchops.Mr.Dartwasanimportantman,thedirectoroftheFamousMuseumofArtdowntowninthecity.

StanleyLambchophadnoticedintheelevatorthatMr.Dart,whowasordinarilyacheerfulman,hadbecomequitegloomy,buthehadnoideawhatthereasonwas.AndthenatbreakfastonemorningheheardMr.andMrs.LambchoptalkingaboutMr.Dart.

“Isee,”saidMr.Lambchop,readingthepaperoverhiscoffeecup,“thatstillanotherpaintinghasbeenstolenfromtheFamousMuseum.Itsayshere thatMr.O.JayDart, thedirector, isathiswits’end.”

“Oh,dear!Arethepolicenohelp?”Mrs.Lambchopasked.“It seemsnot,”saidMr.Lambchop.“Listen towhat theChiefofPolice told thenewspaper. ‘We

suspectagangofsneakthieves.Thesearetheworstkind.Theyworkbysneakery,whichmakesthemverydifficult tocatch.However,mymenandIwillkeeptrying.Meanwhile,IhopepeoplewillbuyticketsforthePolicemen’sBallandnotparktheircarswheresignssaydon’t.’”

ThenextmorningStanleyLambchopheardMr.Darttalkingtohiswifeintheelevator.“Thesesneakthievesworkatnight,”Mr.Dartsaid.“Itisveryhardforourguardstostayawake

when they have been on duty all day.And the FamousMuseum is so big, we cannot guard everypictureatthesametime.Ifearitishopeless,hopeless,hopeless!”

Suddenly,asifanelectriclightbulbhadlitupintheairabovehishead,givingoutlittleshootinglinesofexcitement,StanleyLambchophadanidea.HetoldittoMr.Dart.

“Stanley,”Mr.Dartsaid,“ifyourmotherwillgiveherpermission,Iwillputyouandyourplantoworkthisverynight!”

Mrs.Lambchopgaveherpermission.“Butyouwillhavetotakealongnapthisafternoon,”shesaid.“Iwon’thaveyouuptillallhoursunlessyoudo.”

Thatevening,afteralongnap,StanleywentwithMr.DarttotheFamousMuseum.Mr.Darttookhiminto themainhall,where thebiggestandmost importantpaintingswerehung.Hepointed toahugepaintingthatshowedabeardedman,wearingafloppyvelvethat,playingaviolinforaladywholayonacouch.Therewasahalf-man,half-horsepersonstandingbehindthem,andthreefatchildrenwithwingswereflyingaroundabove.That,Mr.Dartexplained,wasthemostexpensivepaintingintheworld!

Therewasanemptypictureframeontheoppositewall.Weshallhearmoreaboutthatlateron.Mr.DarttookStanleyintohisofficeandsaid,“Itistimeforyoutoputonadisguise.”“Ialreadythoughtofthat,”StanleyLambchopsaid,“andIbroughtone.Mycowboysuit.Ithasa

redbandannathatIcantieovermyface.Nobodywillrecognizemeinamillionyears.”“No,”Mr.Dartsaid.“YouwillhavetowearthedisguiseIhavechosen.”Fromaclosethetookawhitedresswithabluesash,apairofshinylittlepointedshoes,awide

strawhatwithabluebandthatmatchedthesash,andawigandastick.Thewigwasmadeofblondhair,longanddoneinringlets.Thestickwascurvedatthetopandit,too,hadablueribbononit.

“In this shepherdessdisguise,”Mr.Dart said, “youwill look like apainting thatbelongs in themainhall.Wedonothavecowboypicturesinthemainhall.”

Stanleywassodisgusted,hecouldhardlyspeak.“Iwill look likeagirl, that’swhat Iwill looklike,”hesaid.“IwishIhadneverhadmyidea.”

Buthewasagoodsport,soheputonthedisguise.Backinthemainhall,Mr.DarthelpedStanleyclimbupintotheemptypictureframe.Stanleywas

abletostayinplacebecauseMr.Darthadcleverlyputfoursmallspikesinthewall,oneforeachhandandfoot.

Theframewasaperfectfit.Againstthewall,Stanleylookedjustlikeapicture.“Exceptforonething,”Mr.Dartsaid.“Shepherdessesaresupposedtolookhappy.Theysmileat

theirsheepandatthesky.Youlookfierce,nothappy,Stanley.”Stanleytriedhardtogetafarawaylookinhiseyesandeventosmilealittlebit.Mr.Dartstoodbackafewfeetandstaredathimforamoment.“Well,”hesaid,“itmaynotbeart,

butIknowwhatIlike.”HewentofftomakesurethatcertainotherpartsofStanley’splanweretakencareof,andStanley

wasleftalone.Itwasverydarkinthemainhall.Alittlebitofmoonlightcamethroughthewindows,andStanley

couldjustmakeouttheworld’smostexpensivepaintingontheoppositewall.Hefeltasthoughthebeardedmanwith the violin and the lady on the couch and the half-horse person and the wingedchildrenwereallwaiting,ashewas,forsomethingtohappen.

Timepassedandhegottirederandtireder.Anyonewouldbetiredthislateatnight,especiallyifhehadtostandinapictureframebalancingonlittlespikes.

Maybetheywon’tcome,Stanleythought.Maybethesneakthieveswon’tcomeatall.

Themoonwentbehindacloudandthenthemainhallwaspitch-dark.Itseemedtogetquieter,too,withthedarkness.Therewasabsolutelynosoundatall.Stanleyfeltthehaironthebackofhisneckpricklebeneaththegoldencurlsofthewig.

Cr-eee-eee-k…

Thecreakingsoundcamefromrightoutinthemiddleofthemainhall,andevenasheheard

it,Stanleysaw,inthesameplace,atinyyellowglowoflight!

Thecreakingcameagain,andtheglowgotbigger.Atrapdoorhadopenedinthefloor,and

twomencameupthroughitintothehall!

Stanleyunderstoodeverythingallatonce.Thesemustbethesneakthieves!Theyhadasecret

trapdoorentranceintothemuseumfromoutside.Thatwaswhytheyhadneverbeencaught.And

now,tonight,theywerebacktostealthemostexpensivepaintingintheworld!

Heheldverystillinhispictureframeandlistenedtothesneakthieves.

“This is it,Max,” said the first one. “This is wherewe art robbers pull a sensational job

whilstthecivilizedcommunitysleeps.”

“Right,Luther,”saidtheotherman.“Inallthisgreatcity,thereisnoonetosuspectus.”

Ha,ha!thoughtStanleyLambchop.That’swhatyouthink!

Thesneakthievesputdowntheirlanternandtooktheworld’smostexpensivepaintingoffthe

wall.

“Whatwouldwedotoanyonewhotriedtocaptureus,Max?”thefirstmanasked.

“Wewouldkillhim.Whatelse?”hisfriendreplied.

Thatwas enough to frightenStanley, andhewas evenmore frightenedwhenLuther came

overandstaredathim.

“Thissheepgirl,”Luthersaid.“Ithoughtsheepgirlsweresupposedtosmile,Max.Thisone

looksscared.”

Justintime,Stanleymanagedtogetafarawaylookinhiseyesagainandtosmile,sortof.

“You’recrazy,Luther,”Maxsaid.“She’ssmiling.Andwhataprettylittlethingsheis,too.”

ThatmadeStanleyfurious.Hewaiteduntilthesneakthieveshadturnedbacktotheworld’s

most expensive painting, and he shouted in his loudest, most terrifying voice: “POLICE!

POLICE!MR.DART!THESNEAKTHIEVESAREHERE!”

Thesneakthieveslookedateachother.“Max,”saidthefirstone,veryquietly.“IthinkIheardthesheepgirlyell.”

“IthinkIdidtoo,”saidMaxinaquiveryvoice.“Oh,boy!Yellingpictures.Webothneedarest.”

“You’ll get a rest, all right!” shoutedMr.Dart, rushing inwith theChief of Police and lots ofguardsandpolicemenbehindhim.“You’llgetar-rested,that’swhat!Ha,ha,ha!”

ThesneakthievesweretoomixedupbyMr.Dart’sjokeandtoofrightenedbythepolicementoputupafight.

Beforetheyknewit,theyhadbeenhandcuffedandledawaytojail.Thenextmorning in theofficeof theChiefofPolice,StanleyLambchopgotamedal.Theday

afterthathispicturewasinallthenewspapers.

5

Arthur’sGoodIdea

ForawhileStanleyLambchopwasafamousname.EverywherethatStanleywent,peoplestaredandpointedathim.Hecouldhear themwhisper, “Over there,Agnes,over there!ThatmustbeStanleyLambchop,theonewhocaughtthesneakthieves…”andthingslikethat.

But after a fewweeks thewhispering and the staring stopped. People had other things to thinkabout.Stanleydidnotmind.Beingfamoushadbeenfun,butenoughwasenough.

Andthencameafurtherchange,anditwasnotapleasantone.Peoplebegantolaughandmakefunofhimashepassedby.“Hello,Super-Skinny!”theywouldshout,andevenruderthings,aboutthewayhelooked.

Stanleytoldhisparentshowhefelt.“It’stheotherkidsImostlymind,”hesaid.“Theydon’tlikemeanymorebecauseI’mdifferent.Flat.”

“Shameonthem,”Mrs.Lambchopsaid.“It iswrongtodislikepeoplefor theirshapes.Ortheirreligion,forthatmatter,orthecoloroftheirskin.”

“Iknow,”Stanleysaid.“Onlymaybeit’simpossibleforeverybodytolikeeverybody.”“Perhaps,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Buttheycantry.”Later that nightArthurLambchopwaswoken by the sound of crying. In the darkness he crept

acrosstheroomandkneltbyStanley’sbed.“Areyouokay?”hesaid.“Goaway,”Stanleysaid.“Don’tbemadatme,”Arthur said.“You’re stillmadbecause I letyouget tangled thedayyou

weremykite,Iguess.”“Skipit,willyou?”Stanleysaid.“I’mnotmad.Goaway.”“Pleaselet’sbefriends….”Arthurcouldn’thelpcryingalittle,too.“Oh,Stanley,”hesaid.“Please

tellmewhat’swrong.”Stanley waited for a long time before he spoke. “The thing is,” he said, “I’m just not happy

anymore.I’mtiredofbeingflat.Iwanttobearegularshapeagain,likeotherpeople.ButI’llhavetogoonbeingflatforever.Itmakesmesick.”

“Oh,Stanley,”Arthursaid.Hedriedhis tearsonacornerofStanley’ssheetandcould thinkofnothingmoretosay.

“Don’ttalkaboutwhatIjustsaid,”Stanleytoldhim.“Idon’twantthefolkstoworry.Thatwouldonlymakeitworse.”

“You’rebrave,”Arthursaid.“Youreallyare.”HetookholdofStanley’shand.Thetwobrotherssattogetherinthedarkness,beingfriends.They

werebothstillsad,buteachonefeltalittlebetterthanhehadbefore.Andthen,suddenly,thoughhewasnoteventryingtothink,Arthurhadanidea.Hejumpedupand

turned on the light and ran to the big storage box where toys and things were kept. He began torummageinthebox.

Stanleysatupinbedtowatch.Arthur flung aside a football and some lead soldiers and airplanemodels and lots ofwooden

blocks,andthenhesaid,“Aha!”Hehadfoundwhathewanted—anoldbicyclepump.Hehelditup,andStanleyandhelookedateachother.

“Okay,”Stanleysaidatlast.“Buttakeiteasy.”Heputtheendofthelongpumphoseinhismouthandclampedhislipstightlyaboutitsothatnoaircouldescape.

“I’llgoslowly,”Arthursaid.“Ifithurtsoranything,wiggleyourhandatme.”He began to pump.At first nothing happened except that Stanley’s cheeks bulged a bit. Arthur

watchedhishand,buttherewasnowigglesignal,sohepumpedon.Then,suddenly,Stanley’stophalfbegantoswell.

“It’sworking!It’sworking!”shoutedArthur,pumpingaway.Stanleyspreadhisarmssothattheaircouldgetaroundinsidehimmoreeasily.Hegotbiggerand

bigger. The buttons of his pajama top burst off—Pop!Pop!Pop! Amomentmore and hewas allroundedout;headandbody,armsandlegs.Butnothisrightfoot.Thatfootstayedflat.

Arthurstoppedpumping.“It’sliketryingtodotheverylastbitofthoselongballoons,”hesaid.“Maybeashakewouldhelp.”

Stanleyshookhisrightfoot twice,andwitha littlewhooshingsounditswelledout tomatchtheleftone.TherestoodStanleyLambchopasheusedtobe,asifhehadneverbeenflatatall.

“Thankyou,Arthur,”Stanleysaid.“Thankyouverymuch.”ThebrotherswereshakinghandswhenMr.LambchopstrodeintotheroomwithMrs.Lambchop

rightbehindhim.“Weheardyou!”saidMr.Lambchop.“Upandtalkingwhenyououghttobeasleep,eh?Shameon—”

“GEORGE!”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Stanley’sroundagain!”“You’reright!”saidMr.Lambchop,noticing.“Goodforyou,Stanley!”“I’mtheonewhodidit,”Arthursaid.“Iblewhimup.”Everyone was terribly excited and happy, of course. Mrs. Lambchop made hot chocolate to

celebratetheoccasion,andseveraltoastsweredrunktoArthurforhiscleverness.

Whenthelittlepartywasover,Mr.andMrs.Lambchoptuckedtheboysbackintotheirbedsandkissedthem,andthentheyturnedoutthelight.“Goodnight,”theysaid.

“Goodnight,”saidStanleyandArthur.Ithadbeenalongandtiringday.VerysoonalltheLambchopswereasleep.

TheEnd

TURNTHEPAGEFORASNEAKPEEKAT:

AMorningSurprise

Mrs. Lambchopwasmaking breakfast.Mr. Lambchop, at the kitchen table, helped by reading bitsfromthemorningpaper.

“Here’sanoddone,Harriet,”hesaid.“There’sachickeninSwedenthatridesabike.”“SodoI,George,”saidMrs.Lambchop,notreallylistening.“Listentothis.‘MerkerBuildingemptied.Tobecollapsednextweek.’Imagine!Eightfloors!”“Poorthing!”Mrs.Lambchopsetoutplates.“Boys!”shecalled.“Breakfastisready!”Her glance fell upon a row of photographs on the wall above the sink. There was a smiling

Stanley,onlyhalfan inch thick,hisbigbulletinboardhavingfallenfromthebedroomwall torestupon him overnight. Next came reminders of the many family adventures that had come afterStanley’syoungerbrother,Arthur,hadcleverlyblownhimroundagainwithabicyclepump.TherewerethebrotherswithPrinceHaraz,theyounggeniewhohadgrantedwishesforthemallafterbeingaccidentallysummonedbyStanleyfromalamp.TherewastheentirefamilywithSantaClausandhisdaughter, Sarah, taken during a Christmas visit to the North Pole. There was the family again inWashington,D.C.,intheofficeofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,whohadaskedthemtoundertakeasecretmissionintoouterspace.ThelastpictureshowedArthurstandingbesideaballoononwhichMrs.LambchophadpaintedapictureofStanley’sface.Theballoon,itsstringinfactheldbyStanley,hadbeenavaluableguidetohispresence,sincehewasinvisibleatthetime.“Boys!”shecalledagain.“Breakfast!”

Intheirbedroom,StanleyandArthurhadfinisheddressing.While Stanley filled his backpack, Arthur bounced a tennis ball. “Let’s go,” he said. “Here!

Catch!”Stanleyhadjustreachedforabookontheshelfbyhisbed.Theballstruckhisbackasheturned,

andhebangedhisshoulderonacorneroftheshelf.“Ouch!”“Sorry,”Arthursaid.“Butlet’sgo,okay?Youknowhowlong—STANLEY!”“Whyareyoushouting?”Stanleyadjustedhispack.“C’mon!I’msohungry—”Hepaused.“Oh,

boy!Arthur,doyousee?”“Ido,actually.”Arthurswallowedhard.“You’re,youknow…flat.”

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

JeffBrowncreatedthebelovedcharacterofFlatStanleyasabedtimestoryforhistwosons.HehaswrittenotheroutrageousbooksabouttheLambchopfamily, includingFlatStanley,Stanleyand theMagic Lamp, Invisible Stanley, Stanley’s Christmas Adventure, Stanley in Space, and Stanley, FlatAgain!YoucanlearnmoreaboutJeffBrownandFlatStanleyatwww.flatstanleybooks.com.

MackyPamintuanisanaccomplishedillustrator.HelivesinSanDiego,California,withhiswifeanddog.

Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthor.

http://www.AuthorTracker.com

OTHERWORKS

DON’TMISSANYOFTHESEOUTRAGEOUSSTORIES:

FlatStanley:HisOriginalAdventure!

StanleyandtheMagicLamp

InvisibleStanley

Stanley’sChristmasAdventure

StanleyinSpace

Stanley,FlatAgain!

ANDCATCHFLATSTANLEY’SWORLDWIDEADVENTURES:

TheMountRushmoreCalamity

TheGreatEgyptianGraveRobbery

COPYRIGHT

FlatStanley:HisOriginalAdventure!Textcopyright©1964byJeffBrown

Copyrightrenewed©1992byJeffBrownIllustrationsbyMackyPamintuan,copyright©2009byHarperCollinsPublishers

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FLATSTANLEYInvisibleStanley


DEDICATION

ForRobertBrown–J.B.

CONTENTS

Cover

TitlePage

Dedication

Prologue

1.WhereIsStanley?

2.Dr.Dan

3.TheFirstDays

4.InthePark

5.TheTVShow

6.TheBankRobbers

7.Arthur ’sStorm

TheCall

AbouttheAuthor

OtherWorks

Copyright

BackAd

AboutthePublisher

PROLOGUE

StanleyLambchopspokeintothedarknessabovehisbed.“Ican’tsleep.It’stherain,Ithink.”Therewasnoresponsefromthebedacrosstheroom.“I’mhungry,too,”Stanleysaid.“Areyouawake,Arthur?”“Iamnow,”saidhisyoungerbrother.“Youwokeme.”Stanley fetched an apple from the kitchen and ate it by the bedroom window. The rain had

worsened.“I’mstillhungry,”hesaid.

“Raisins…shelf…”murmuredArthur,halfasleepagain.Crash!camethunder.Lightningflashed.Stanleyfoundthelittleboxofraisinsonashelfbythewindow.Heateone.Crash!Flash!Stanleyatemoreraisins.Crash!Flash!Arthuryawned.“Gotobed.Youcan’tbehungrystill.”“I’mnot,actually.”Stanleygotbackintobed.“ButIfeelsortof…oh,different,Iguess.”Heslept.

WhereIsStanley?

“Breakfastisready,George.Wemustwaketheboys,”Mrs.Lambchopsaidtoherhusband.Justthen,ArthurLambchopcalledfromthebedroomhesharedwithhisbrother.“Hey!Comehere!Hey!”Mr.andMrs.Lambchopsmiled,recallinganothermorningthathadbegunlikethis.Anenormous

bulletin board, they discovered, had fallen on Stanley during the night, leaving him unhurt but nomorethanhalfaninchthick.AndsohehadremaineduntilArthurblewhimroundagain,weekslater,withabicyclepump.

“Hey!”Thecallcameagain.“Areyoucoming?Hey!”Mrs.Lambchopheldfirmviewsaboutgoodmannersandcorrectspeech.“Hayisforhorses,not

people,Arthur,”shesaidastheyenteredthebedroom.“Aswellyouknow.”“Excuseme,”saidArthur.“Thethingis,IcanhearStanley,butIcan’tfindhim!”Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop looked about the room. A shape was visible beneath the covers of

Stanley’sbed,andthepillowwassquasheddown,asifaheadresteduponit.Buttherewasnohead.

“Whyareyoustaring?”ThevoicewasStanley’s.Smiling,Mr.Lambchop lookedunder thebedbut sawonlyapairof slippersandanold tennis

ball.“Nothere,”hesaid.Arthurputoutahand,exploring.“Ouch!”saidStanley’svoice.“Youpokedmynose!”Arthurgasped.Mrs.Lambchopsteppedforward.“IfImay…?”Gently,usingbothhands,shefeltabout.Agigglerosefromthebed.“Thattickles!”“Oh,my!”saidMrs.Lambchop.She lookedatMr.Lambchopandheather, as theyhadduring

pastgreatsurprises.Stanley’sflatnesshadbeenthefirstofthese.Anotherhadcometheeveningtheydiscovered a young genie, Prince Haraz, in the bedroom with Stanley and Arthur, who hadaccidentallysummonedhimfromalamp.

Mrs.Lambchopdrewadeepbreath.“Wemustfacefacts,George.Stanleyisnowinvisible.”“You’reright!”saidastartledvoicefromthebed.“Ican’tseemyfeet!Ormypajamas!”“DarnedestthingI’veeverseen,”saidMr.Lambchop.“Ornotseen,Ishouldsay.Trysomeother

pajamas,Stanley.”Stanley got out of bed and put on different pajamas, but these too vanished, reappearing only

whenhetookthemoff.Itwasthesamewiththeshirtandtrousershetriedonnext.“Gracious!”Mrs.Lambchop

“Iknow!”saidArthur.Untyingasmallredballoon,apartyfavor,thatfloatedabovehisbed,hegaveStanleythestringtohold.“Trythis,”hesaid.

Thestringvanished,butnottheballoon.“There!”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Atleastwecantell,approximately,whereStanleyis.Nowlet’sall

havebreakfast.Then,George,wemustseewhatDr.Danmakesofthis.”

Dr.Dan

“What’s that red balloon doing here?” askedDr.Dan. “Well, nevermind.Goodmorning,Mr. andMrs.Lambchop.SomethingaboutStanley,mynursesays.He’snotbeentakenflatagain?”

“No,no,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Stanleyhasremainedround.”“Theymostlydo,”saidDr.Dan.“Well,let’shavethelittlefellowin.”“Iamin,”saidStanley,standingdirectlybeforehim.“Holdingtheballoon.”“Ha,ha,Mr.Lambchop!”saidDr.Dan.“Youareanexcellentventriloquist!ButIseethroughyour

littlejoke!”“Whatyouseethrough,”saidMr.Lambchop,“isStanley.”

“Begpardon?”saidDr.Dan.&“Stanleybecameinvisibleduringthenight,”Mrs.Lambchopexplained.“Wearequiteunsettledby

it.”“Headache?”Dr.DanaskedStanley’sballoon.“Throatsore?Stomachupset?”“Ifeelfine,”Stanleysaid.

“Isee.Hmmmm…”Dr.Danshookhishead.“Frankly,despitemylongyearsofpractice,I’venotrunintothisbefore.Butoneofmyexcellentmedicalbooks.DifficultandPeculiarCasesbyDr.FranzGemeister,mayhelp.”

Hetookalargebookfromtheshelfbehindhimandlookedintoit.“Ah!‘Disappearances,’page134.”Hefoundthepage.“Hmmmm…Notmuchhere,I’mafraid.

France,1851:aMadamePoulencvanishedwhileeatingbananasintherain.Spain,1923:theGonzalestwins,ageeleven,became invisibleaftereating fruit salad.Lightninghadbeenobserved.Themostrecentcase,in1968,isOombok,anEskimochief,lastseeneatingcannedpeachesduringablizzard.”

Dr.Danreturnedthebooktotheshelf.“That’sit,”hesaid.“Gemeistersuspectsaconnectionbetweenbadweatherandfruit.”“Itstormedlastnight,”saidStanley.“AndIateanapple.Raisins,too.”“Thereyou are,” saidDr.Dan. “Butwemust lookon thebright side,Mr. andMrs.Lambchop.

Stanleyseemsperfectlyhealthy,exceptforthevisibilityfactor.We’lljustkeepaneyeonhim.”“Easiersaidthandone,”saidMr.Lambchop.“Whydohisclothesalsodisappear?”“Notmyfield,I’mafraid,”saidDr.Dan.“Isuggestatextilespecialist.”“We’vekeptyou longenough,Doctor,”Mrs.Lambchopsaid.“Come,George,Stanley—Where

areyou,Stanley?Ah!Justholdtheballoonabithigher,dear.Good-bye,Dr.Dan.”BydinnertimeMr.andMrs.LambchopandArthurhadbecomequitesad.Theredballoon,though

usefulinlocatingStanley,keptremindingthemofhowmuchtheymissedhisdearfaceandsmile.

But after dinnerMrs. Lambchop,whowas artistically talented, replaced the red balloonwith aprettywhiteoneandgotoutherwatercolorpaints.Usingfourcolorsandseveraldelicatebrushes,shepaintedanexcellentlikenessofStanley,smiling,onthewhiteballoon.

Everyonebecameatoncemorecheerful.Stanleysaidhefeltalmosthisoldselfagain,especiallywhenhelookedinthemirror.

TheFirstDays

The next morningMrs. Lambchop wrote a note to Stanley’s teacher, tied a stronger string to hisballoon,andsenthimofftoschool.

“DearMissBenchley,” thenote said.“Stanleyhasunexpectedlybecome invisible.Youwill findtheballoonausefulguidetohispresence.Sincerely,HarrietLambchop.”

MissBenchleyspoketotheclass.“WemustnotstareatwherewesupposeStanleytobe,”shesaid.“Orgossipabouthisstate.”

Nevertheless, word soon reached a newspaper. A reporter visited the school and his storyappearedthenextday.

Theheadline read:SMILING STUDENT: “ONCEYOU SAWHIM, NOWYOUDON’T!”Beneath itwere two

photographs,aBeforeandanAfter.

TheBefore, takenbyMissBenchley aweek earlier, showeda smilingStanley at his desk.TheAfter,takenbythereporter,showedonlyStanley’sdeskandhissmiley-faceballoonbobbingaboveit.ThestoryincludedastatementbyMissBenchleythatStanleywasinfactatthedeskand,tothebestofherknowledge,smiling.

Mr.andMrs.Lambchopboughtseveralcopiesofthepaperforout-of-townfriends.Hercolorfulballoon artwork lost something in black andwhite,Mrs. Lambchop said, but on the whole it hadphotographedwell.

Arthursaidthat“InvisibleBoy’sBrother”wouldhavebeenaninterestingpicture,andthatStanleyshouldsuggestitifthereportercamearoundagain.

Beinginvisibleofferedtemptations,Mr.andMrs.Lambchopwarned,butStanleymustresistthem.Itwouldbewrongtospyonpeople,forexample,orsneakuponthemtohearwhattheyweresaying.

ButthenextSaturdayafternoon,whentheLambchopswenttothemovies,itwasArthurwhocouldnotresist.

“Don’tbuyaseatforStanley,”hewhisperedattheticketwindow.“Justhidehisballoon.Who’dknow?”

“Thatwouldbedeceitful,dear,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Fourseats,please,”shetoldtheticketlady.“Wewantoneforourcoats,yousee.”

“Wasn’tthatdeceitful,sortof?”Arthuraskedastheywentin.“Notinthesameway,”saidMr.Lambchop,tuckingStanley’sballoonbeneathhisseat.Just as the film began, a very tall man sat directly in front of Stanley, blocking his view.Mr.

LambchoptookStanleyonhislap,fromwhichthescreenwaseasilyseen,andthepeoplefartherbacksawrightthroughhimwithoutknowingit.Stanleygreatlyenjoyedtheshow.

“See?”saidArthurastheywentout.“Stanleydidn’tevenneedaseat.”“Youhaveapoint,”saidMr.Lambchop,whoselegshadgonetosleep.

InthePark

ItwasSundayafternoon.Arthurhadgone tovisita friend,soMr.andMrs.LambchopsetoutwithStanleyforanearbypark.Thestreetswerecrowded,andStanleycarriedhisballoontolessentheriskofbeingjostledbypeoplehurryingby.

NeartheparktheymetRalphJones,anoldcollegefriendofMr.Lambchop’s.

“Alwaysatreatrunningintoyourfamily,George!”saidMr.Jones.“Theolderboywasflatonce,Irecall.Youhadhimrolledup.Andonceyouhadaforeignladwithyou.Aprince,yes?”

“Whatamemoryyouhave!”saidMr.Lambchop, recalling theyounggeniewhohadbeenwiththematthetime.

“Howareyou,Ralph?”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Stanley?SayhellotoMr.Jones.”

“Takecare!”saidMr.Jones.“Thatballoonisfloating—hmmmm…JustwhereisStanley?”“Holdingtheballoon,”Stanleysaid.“Igotinvisiblesomehow.”“Is that so?First flat, now invisible.”Ralph Jones shook his head. “Kids!Always one thing or

another, eh,George?Myoldestneedsdentalwork.Well, Imust run!Rememberme to thatprince.PrinceFawziMustafaAslanMirzaMelekNamerdHaraz,asIrecall.”

“Atrulyremarkablememory,”saidMrs.LambchopasMr.Joneswalkedaway.

Byafieldinthepark,theLambchopsfoundabenchonwhichtorest.On the field, childrenwere racingbicycles, roundand round.Suddenly, shouts rose. “Giveup,

Billy!…Billy’snogood!…Billy,Billy,sillyBilly,hecan’trideabike!”“ThatmustbeBilly,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Thelittlefellowsofarbehindtherest.Oh,dear!How

heteeters!”Stanleyrememberedhownervoushehadbeenwhenhewaslearningtorideandhowhisfather

hadsteadiedhim.PoorBilly!Ifonly…I’lldoit!hethought,andtiedhisballoontothebench.WhenBillycameroundagain,Stanleydartedontothefield.Takingholdoftheteeteringbicycle

frombehind,hebegantorun.“Uh-oh!”saidlittleBilly,surprisedtobegainingspeed.

Stanley ran harder, keeping the bicycle steady. The pedals rose and fell, faster and faster, thenfasterstill.

“Yikes!”criedBilly.Stanleyranasfastashecould.Soontheypassedtheboyridingjustahead,thenanotherboyand

another!NotuntiltheyhadpassedalltheotherridersdidStanley,nowoutofbreath,letgo.“Wheeee!”Billyshouted,andwentroundoncemorebyhimself.“Youwin,Billy!”shoutedtheotherboys.“Howdidyougetsogood?…Andsosuddenly!…You

surehadusfooled!”StanleygothisbreathbackandreturnedtoMr.andMrs.Lambchoponthebench.“Toobadyoumissed it,Stanley,” saidMr.Lambchop,pretendinghehadnotguessed the truth.

“Thatteeterylittleboy—herodeverywellsuddenly.”“Oh?”saidStanley,pretendingalso.“Iwasn’tpayingattention,Iguess.”Mr.Lambchopgavehimalittlepokeintheribs.

Halfanhourpassed,andMrs.Lambchopworried that theymightbe sitting too long in the sun. InStanley’spresentstate,shesaid,over-tanningwouldbedifficulttodetect.

Justthen,ayoungmanandaprettygirlstrolledpast,handinhand,andhaltedinagroveoftrees

closeby.“That isPhillip, the sonofmydear friendMrs.Hodgson,”Mrs.Lambchop said. “And thegirl

must be his sweetheart, Lucia. Such a sad story! They are in love and Phillipwants verymuch toproposemarriage.Butheistooshy.Hetriesandtries,Mrs.Hodgsonsays,buteachtimehiscouragefails.AndLuciaistootimidtocoaxtheproposalfromhim.”

Mr.Lambchopwasnottheleastbitshy.“I’llgointroducemyself,”hesaid.“Andpopthequestionforhim.”

“No,George.”Mrs.Lambchopshookherhead.“Luciamusthear thewordsfromPhillip’sownlips.”

AnideacametoStanley.“Berightback!”hesaid,andrantothegroveinwhichtheyoungcouplestood.Oncebesidethem,

hestoodverystill.“…nice day, Lucia, don’t you think?” Phillipwas saying. “Though they say itmay rain.Who

knows?”“You are quite right, I’m sure, Phillip,” the girl replied. “I do value your opinions about the

weather.”“Youarekind,verykind.”Philliptrembledabit.“Lucia,Iwanttoask…Imean…Wouldyou…

Consent,thatis…”Hegulped.“Whataprettydressyouhaveon!”“Thankyou,”saidLucia.“Ilikeyournecktie.Youweresaying,Phillip?”“Ah!”saidPhillip.“Right!Yes!Forsometimenow,dearLucia…Mydearestwish…Oh,my!I

want…”Hebithislip.“Look!Adarkcloud,thereinthewest!Itmayrainafterall.”“Ihopenot.”Luciaseemedclosetotears.“Imean,ifitrained…Well,wemightgetwet.”Thisisveryboring,Stanleythought.The conversation grew evenmore boring. Again and again Phillip failed to declare his love,

chatteringinsteadabouttheweather,orthelookofatree,orchildrenplayinginthepark.“Iwanttoask,dearLucia,”Phillipbeganagainforperhapsthetwentiethtime,“ifyouwill…That

is…Ifyou…If…”“Yes?”saidLucia,alsoperhapsforthetwentiethtime.“What,Phillip?Whatdoyouwishtosay?”Stanleyleanedforward.“Lucia…?”saidPhillip.“Hmmm…Ah!I…”“Marryme!”saidStanley,makinghisvoiceasmuchlikePhillip’sashecould.Lucia’seyesopenedwide.“Iwill,Phillip!”shecried.“OfcourseIwillmarryyou!”Philliplookedasifhemightfaint.“What?DidI—?Youwill?”

Luciahuggedhim,andtheykissed.“I’veproposedatlast!”criedPhillip.“IcanhardlybelieveIspokethewords!”Youdidn’t,Stanleythought.Mr. andMrs.Lambchophad seen the lovers embrace. “Well done, Stanley!” they saidwhenhe

returnedtotheirbench,andseveralmoretimesonthewayhome.Mrs. Hodgson called that evening to report that Phillip and Lucia would soon be wed. How

wonderful! Mrs. Lambchop said. She had glimpsed them in the park just that afternoon. Such ahandsomepair!Somuchinlove!

Stanleyteasedher.“Yousaidnevertosneakuponpeopleorspyonthem.ButIdidtoday.Areyoumadatme?”

“Oh,veryangry,”saidMrs.Lambchop,andkissedthetopofhishead.

TheTVShow

Arthurwas feeling leftout.“Stanleyalwaysgets tohave interestingadventures,”hesaid.“And thatnewspaperstorywasjustabouthim.Nobodyseemsinterestedinme.”

“Thebestwaytodrawattention,dear,”saidMrs.Lambchop,“isbyone’scharacter.Bekindly.Andfair.Cheerfulnessismuchadmired,asiswit.”

“Ican’tmanageallthat,”saidArthur.Mrs.LambchopspokeprivatelytoStanley.“Yourbrotherisabitjealous,”shesaid.“WhenIwasflat,Arthurwasjealousbecausepeoplestaredatme,”Stanleysaid.“Nowtheycan’t

seemeatall,andhe’sjealousagain.”

Mrs.Lambchopsighed.“Ifyoucanfindawaytocheerhim,do.”

TheverynextdayanimportantTVpersontelephonedMr.Lambchop.“TeddyTalkerhere,Lambchop,”hesaid.“HostoftheenormouslypopularTVshow,Talkingwith

TeddyTalker.WillStanleyappearonit?”“ItwouldpleaseustohaveStanleyappearanywhereatall,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Peoplecan’tsee

him,youknow.”

“I’lljustsayhe’sthere,”saidTeddyTalker.“Speaktotheboy.Letmeknow.”StanleysaidthathedidnotparticularlycaretogoonTV.Butthenherememberedaboutcheering

upArthur.“Allright,”hesaid.“ButArthur,too.Helikestotelljokesanddomagictricks.Saywe’llbothbe

ontheshow.”Arthur was very pleased, and that evening the brothers plannedwhat theywould do. The next

morningMr.LambchoptoldTeddyTalker.“Excellentplan!”saidtheTVman.“ThisFriday,yes?Thankyou,Lambchop!”

“Welcome, everybody!” said Teddy Talker that Friday evening from the stage of his TV show.“Wonderfulgueststonight!Includinganinvisibleboy!”

In the front row, applaudingwith the rest of the audience,Mr. andMrs. Lambchop thought ofStanleyandArthur,nowwaitinginadressingroombackstage.Howexcitedtheymustbe!

TheotherguestswerealreadyseatedonthesofabyTeddyTalker ’sdesk.Hechattedfirstwithaladywhohadwrittenabookabout sausage,nextwitha tennischampionwhohadbecomea rabbi,then with a very pretty young woman who had won a beauty contest, but planned now to devoteherselftothecauseofworldpeace.

AtlastcametheannouncementthatbegantheLambchopplan.“Invisible Stanley has been delayed but will be here shortly,” Teddy Talker told the audience.

“Meanwhile,wearefortunateinhavingwithushisverytalentedbrother!”Protestsrose.“Brother?…Avisiblebrother?…Drat!…Goodthingwegotinfree!”“Ladiesandgentlemen!”saidTeddyTalker.“MirthandmagicwithArthurLambchop!”

Arthur stepped out onto the stage wearing a smart blackmagician’s capeMrs. Lambchop hadmadeforhimandcarryingasmallbox,whichheplacedonTeddyTalker ’sdesk.

“Hello,everybody!”hesaid.“Theboxisforlater.Nowlet’shavefun!Heardthestoryaboutthethreeholesintheground?”Hewaited,smiling.“Well,well,well!”

Twopeoplelaughed,butthatwasall.“Idon’tunderstand,”saidaladysittingbehindMr.andMrs.Lambchop.Mr.Lambchopturnedaroundinhisseat.“A‘well’isaholeintheground,”hesaid.“‘Well,well,

well.’Threeholes.”“Ah!Isee!”saidthelady.“Ariddle,ladiesandgentlemen!”criedArthur.“Wheredokingskeeptheirarmies?”“Where?”someonecalled.“Intheirsleevies!”saidArthur.Manypeoplelaughednow,includingtheladywhohadmissedthefirstjoke.“Igotthatone,”she

said.“Amind-readingtrick!”Arthurannounced.HeshuffledadeckofcardsandletTeddyTalkerdraw

one.“Don’tletmeseeit!”hesaid.“Butlookatit!Pictureitinyourmind!Iwillconcentrate,usingmy

magicpowers!”Arthurclosedhiseyes.“Hmmm…hmmm…Yourcard,sir,isthefourofhearts!”“Itis!”criedTeddyTalker.“Itisthefourofhearts!”Voicesroseagain.“Incredible!…Hecanreadminds?…Soyoung, too!…Dothatoneagain,

lad!”“Certainly!”saidArthur.Buthehadusedafalsedeckinwhicheverycardwasthefourofhearts,andtheaudiencewould

surelyguess if thatcardwasnamedagain.Fortunately, thebrothershad thoughtof this.Backstage,Stanleytiedhisballoontoachair.

Arthurnowshuffledarealdeckofcards,thencalledforavolunteer.Whenanelderlygentlemancameupontothestage,Stanleytiptoedouttostandbehindhim.Theaudienceapplaudedthevolunteer.Howpeculiarthisis!Stanleythought.Hundredsofpeoplelooking,butnotonecanseeme!

“Drawacard,sir!”saidArthur.“Thankyou!Keepithidden!Butpictureitinyourmind!”Again

closinghiseyes,hepretendedtobethinkinghard.AquickpeekshowedStanleythatthevolunteerheldthetenofclubs.Hetiptoedovertowhisperin

hisbrother ’sear.Arthuropenedhiseyes.“Ihaveit.Thecardis…thetenofclubs!”“Yes!Bravo!”criedtheoldgentleman.Theaudienceclappedhardashereturnedtohisseat.Mr.Lambchopsmiledattheladybehindhim.“Ourson,”hesaid.“Soclever!”saidthelady.“Whatwillhedonext?”Mrs.Lambchopdrewadeepbreath.ThatmorningStanleyandArthurhadborrowedapet frog

fromtheboynextdoor.Whatcamenext,sheknew,wouldbethemostdaringpartof theevening’splan!

“Ladiesandgentlemen!”saidArthur.“Anewkindofmagic!ArthurLambchop—that’sme!—andHenry,theAir-DancingFrog!”

HeliftedHenryfromtheboxonTeddyTalker ’sdeskandheldhimup.Henry,whoappearedtobesmiling,worealittlewhiteshirtwithanHonit,alsomadebyMrs.Lambchop.

“Fly,Henry!”criedArthur.“Flyoutandstandstillintheair!”Stepping forward,Stanley tookHenry fromArthur ’shandsand ran to the far sideof thestage.

Therehestopped,holdingthefroghighabovehishead.Henrywriggledhislegs.“Amazing!”shoutedtheaudience.“Who’dbelieveit?…That’ssomefrog!…Whatkeepshimup

there?”“Circle,Henry!”Arthurcommanded.“Circleintheair!”Stanleywalkedrapidlyincircles,swayingHenryashewent.

The audiencewas tremendously impressed. “What a finemagician!…Mind readingand frogflying!…Youdon’tseethateveryday!”

PretendingtocontrolHenry’sflight,ArthurkeptafingerpointedasStanleyswoopedthefrogallaboutthestage.“Whoops!”criedTeddyTalkerasHenryflewabovehisdesk.Onthelongsofa,thesausagewriter and the tennis rabbiand thebeauty-contestwinnerduckeddown.EvenMr. andMrs.Lambchop,whoknewthesecretofHenry’sflight,thoughtitanamazingsight.

Atlast,togreatapplause,ArthurtookHenryintohisownhandsandreturnedhimtothelittlebox.

Stanley tiptoed off to get his smiley-face balloon. The plan now called for Teddy Talker toannouncethearrivaloftheinvisibleboyandintroducehim.

ButArthurhadsteppedforwardagain.“Thankyouforcheeringme,”hetoldtheaudience.“ButIhavetosaysomething.Thatfirstmind-

readingtrick,Ireallydiddothatone.Butthesecondtrick…Actually,Ican’treadmindsatall.Andtheflyingfrog,he—”

Voicesrose.“Can’treadminds?”…“We’vebeenliedto?”…“Thefrogwaslying?”…“Notthefrog,stupid!”…“Wait,he’snotdone!”

“Please!Listen!”saidArthur.“Itwouldn’tbefairtoletyouthinkIdideverythingbymyself.Ihadahelper!Forthesecondtrick,hesawthecardandtoldmewhatitwas.AndHenry…Well,myhelperwaswhooshinghimintheair!”

Bynowtheaudiencewasterriblyconfused.“Who?”…“Whathelper?”…“Itwasjustaregularfrog?”…“Butsomefrogsfly!”…“No,squirrels,notfrogs!”…“Whooshing?”

Arthurwenton.“Mybrother,Stanley,helpedme!Hefixedit formetobeon thisshow!He’sareallynicebrother,andIthankhimalot!”

TeddyTalkerhadsprungtohisfeet.“Ladiesandgentlemen!MayInowpresentaveryspecialguest,whohasbeenhereallalong!The

invisibleboy!StanleyLambchop!”Stanleycameonto the stage, carryinghis smiley-faceballoon.Arthurputouthishand, and the

audiencecouldtellthatStanleyhadtakenit.Therewastremendousapplause.

Thebrothersbowedagainandagain,Stanley’sballoonbobbingupanddown.Arthur ’ssmilewasplaintosee,andMr.andMrs.Lambchop,astheyapplauded,thoughtthateventheballoon’spaintedsmileseemedbrighterthanbefore.

“I have two children myself,” said the lady behind them. “Both entirely visible and withouttheatricalflair.Weareaveryusualfamily.”

“Asarewe,”saidMr.Lambchop,smiling.“Mostly,thatis.”Arthurleftthestage,andStanleysatonthesofabetweenthesausagewriterandthebeauty-contest

winnerandansweredTeddyTalker ’squestions.Hehadnoideahowhebecameinvisible,hesaid,andit wasn’t actually a great treat being that way, since he often got bumped into and had to keepremindingpeoplehewasthere.Afterthat,TeddyTalkerthankedeveryoneforcoming,andtheshowwasover.

Backhome,Arthurfelttheeveninghadgonewell.“Igotlotsofapplause,”hesaid.“ButmaybeitwasmostlybecauseofwhatStanleydid.Ishouldn’t

betooproud,Iguess.”“Poiseandgoodhumorcontributegreatlytoaperformer ’ssuccess,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“You

didwellonboththosecounts.ReturnHenryinthemorning,dear.Timenowforbed.”

TheBankRobbers

Mr.LambchopandStanleyandArthurwerewatchingtheeveningnewsonTV.“… more dreadful scandal and violence tomorrow,” said the newscaster, ending a report on

national affairs. “Here in our fair city another bank was robbed today, the third this month. Theunusualrobbers—”

“Enoughofcrime!”Bustlingin,Mrs.LambchopswitchedofftheTV.“Cometodinner!”Stanley supposed hewould never knowhow the robberswere unusual.But the next afternoon,

whilestrollingwithhisfather,hefoundout.Onthewayhometheypassedabank.“Imustcashacheck,butitisverycrowdedinthere,”saidMr.Lambchop.“Waithere,Stanley.”Stanleywaited.

Suddenly,criesrosefromwithinthebank.“Ladybankrobbers!JustliketheysaidonTV!”…“IlaughedwhenIheardit!”…“Me,too!”

Twowomenindressesandfancyhats,onestoutandtheotherverytall,ranoutofthebank,eachwithamoneybaginonehandandapistolintheother.

“Stay in there!” the stoutwomancalledback into thebank,hervoicehighandscratchy.“Don’tanyonerunout!Orelse…Bang!Bang!”

“Right!”shoutedthetallwoman,alsoinanodd,highvoice.“Justbecausewearefemalesdoesn’tmeanwecan’tshoot!”

Beinginvisiblewon’tprotectmeifbulletsgoflyingabout!Stanleythought.Helookedforaplacetohide.

AnemptyYum-Yumicecreamvanwasparkedclosebyandhe jumpedinto it.Hisballoonstillfloatedoutsidethevan,itsstringcaughtinthedoor,buthedidnotdaretorescueit.ScrunchingdownbehindcardboardbarrelsmarkedCHOCOLATEYUM,STRAWBERRYYUM,andYUMCRUNCH,hepeekedout.

Analarmwas ringing inside thebank,and shouts roseagain. “Ha!Nowyou’re in trouble!”…“Thepolicewillcome!”…“Putthatmoneybackwhereyoufoundit,ladies!”

ThenStanleysawthatthetworobberwomenwererunningtowardhim,carryingthemoneybags.Theywerestopping!TheyweregettingintotheYum-Yumvan!

Scrunchingdownagain,heheldhisbreath.Therobberswereinthevannow,closetowherehehid.“Hurryup!”saidthestoutwomanina

surprisinglydeepvoice.“Theseshoesarekillingme!”The tallwoman opened theYUM CRUNCH barrel, and Stanley saw that it was empty. Then both

robberspouredpacketsofmoneyfromtheirbagsintothebarrelandputthelidbackon.Stanleycouldhardlybelievewhathesawnext!The robbers threw aside their fancy hats and tugged offwigs.And now theywere undressing,

pullingtheirdressesovertheirheads!Theyweremen,Stanley realized,notwomen!Yes!Underneath thedresses theyworewhite ice-

cream-manpants,withthelegsrolledup,andwhiteYum-Yumshirts!

“Whew!Whatarelief,Howard!”Thestoutrobberkickedoffhiswomen’sshoesandputonwhitesneakers.

“They’llnevercatchusnow,Ralph!”saidthetallone.Therobbersunrolledtheirtrouserlegsandthrewtheirfemaleclothingintoanotheremptybarrel,

theonemarkedCHOCOLATEYUM.Thentheyjumpedintothefrontseats,thetallmandriving,andthevanspedoff.

Behindthebarrels,Stanleyheldhisbreathagain.Thispairwastooclevertobecaught!Theyweresure to get away! No one would suspect two Yum-Yummen of being the lady—But the van wasslowing!Itwasstopping!

Stanleypeekedoutagain.Apolicecarblockedtheroadandtwopolicemenstoodbesideit,inspectingcarsastheypassedby.

InamomenttheywereattheYum-Yumvan.“Abankgotrobbed,”thefirstpolicemantoldthedriver.“Bytwowomen.Youice-creamfellows

seenanysuspicious-lookingfemales?”“My!”Thetallmanshookhishead.“Moreandmorethesedays,womenfillingrolesonceplayed

bymen.Bless’em,Isay!”Besidehim,thestoutmansaidhastily,“Butbankrobbing,Howard,that’swrong”Thesecondpolicemanlookedintothebackofthevan.“Justicecreamhere,”hetoldhispartner.Thetrickeryisworking!Stanleythought.HowcanI…?Anideacametohim.Reachingout,he

flippedthelidofftheCHOCOLATEYUMbarrel.“Loose lid,” said the second policeman. “Better tighten—Hey! This barrel is full of female

clothes!”

“Oh!”Thetallrobbermadeasadface.“Fortheneedy,”hesaid.“Theyweremylatemother ’s.”StanleyflippedthelidofftheYUMCRUNCHbarrelandthepacketsofmoneywereplaintosee!“Yourmotherwasamightyrichwoman!”shoutedthefirstpoliceman,drawinghispistol.“Hands

up,youtwo!”Astherobberswerebeinghandcuffed,anotherpolicecardroveup.Mr.Lambchopjumpedoutof

it.

“Thatballoon,onthatvan!”heshouted.“We’vebeenfollowingit!Stanley…?Areyouinthere?”“Yes!”Stanleycalledback.“I’mfine.Thebankrobbersarecaught!Theyweren’tladiesatall,just

dressedthatway!”Thehandcuffed robbersweredreadfullyconfused.“Who’syelling inourvan?…Whostucka

ballooninthedoor?…Havewegonecrazy?”theyasked.“It’smysonStanley,”saidMr.Lambchop.“Heisinvisible,unfortunately.Thankgoodnesshewas

nothurt!”“ThatmustbethesameinvisibleboytheyhadonTV!”saidthefirstpoliceman.“Aninvisibleboy?”Thetallrobbergroaned.“Afterallmycarefulplanning!”Thestoutrobbershrugged.“Youcan’tthinkofeverything,Howard.Don’tblameyourself.”Therobbersweredrivenofftojail,andStanleywenthomewithMr.Lambchopinacab.Stanleyhadbeen far toobrave,Mrs.Lambchopsaidwhensheheardwhathehaddone.Really!

Flippingthoseicecreamlids!Arthursaidhe’dhaveflippedthemtoo,ifhe’dthoughtofit.

Arthur’sStorm

Mr.andMrs.Lambchophadsaidgoodnight.Foramomentthebrotherslaysilentintheirbeds.ThenArthuryawned.“Goodnight,Stanley.Pleasantdreams.”“Pleasantdreams?Hah!”“Hah?”“Those robbers today, theyhadguns!” saidStanley.“Theycouldhaveshotmebyaccidentand

nobodywouldevenknow.”

“Ineverthoughtofthat.”Arthursatup.“Areyoumadatme?”“Iguessnot.But…”Stanleysighed.“The thing is, Idon’twant togoonbeing invisible. Iwas

reallyscared today,andIhatecarrying thatballoon,butwhenIdon’t,peoplebumpintome.AndI

can’tseemyselfinthemirror,soIdon’tevenrememberhowIlook!It’slikewhenIwasflat.Itwasallrightforawhile,butthenpeoplelaughedatme.”

“That’swhyIblewyouroundagain,”Arthursaidproudly.“EveryonesaidhowsmartIwas.”“Ifyou’resosmart,getmeoutofthisfix!”TherewasalittletrembleinStanley’svoice.Arthurwenttositontheedgeofhisbrother ’sbed.Feelingforafootbeneaththecovers,hepatted

it.“I’mreallysorryforyou,”hesaid.“Iwish—”Therewas a knock at the door, andMr. andMrs.Lambchop came in. “Talking, you two?You

oughttobeasleep,”theysaid.ArthurexplainedaboutStanley’sunhappiness.“There’smore,”Stanleysaid.“Twicemyfriendshadpartiesanddidn’tinviteme.Theysometimes

forgetmeevenifIdokeepwavingthatballoon!”“Poordear!”Mrs.Lambchopsaid.“‘Outofsight,outofmind,’asthesayinggoes.”Shewentto

putherarmsaroundStanley,buthehadjustsatupinbedandshemissedhim.Shefoundhimandgavehimahug.

“Thisisawful!”Arthursaid.“Wehavetodosomething!”Mr.Lambchopshookhishead.“Dr.DanknewofnocureforStanley’scondition.Andlittleabout

itscauseexceptforapossibleconnectionbetweenbadweatherandfruit.”“ThenI’llalwaysbelikethis.”Stanley’svoicetrembledagain.“I’llgetolderandbigger,butno

onewilleversee.”Arthurwasthinking.“Stanleydideatfruit.Andtherewasastorm.Maybe…Wait!”Heexplainedhisidea.Mr.andMrs.Lambchop lookedateachother, thenatwhere theysupposedStanley tobe,andat

eachotheragain.“I’mnotafraid,”saidStanley.“Let’stry!”Mr.Lambchopnodded.“Iseenoharminit.”“NorI,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Verywell,Arthur!Letusgatherwhatyourplanrequires!”

“Everyoneready?”saidArthur.“IthastobejustthewayitwasthenightStanleygotinvisible.”“I’mwearingthesameblue-and-whitestripeypajamas,”saidStanley.“AndIhaveanapple.Anda

boxofraisins.”“Wecan’tmakearealstorm,”Arthursaid.“Butmaybethiswillwork.”Hestepped into thebathroomandran thewater in thesinkandshower.“There’s rain,”hesaid,

returning.“I’llbewind.”Mrs.Lambchopheldupawoodenspoonanda largeskillet fromthekitchen.“Thunder ready,”

shesaid.Mr.Lambchopshowedthepowerfulflashlighthehadfetchedfromhistoolkit.“Lightningready.”Stanleyraisedhisapple.“Now?”“Gostandbythewindow,”saidArthur.“Nowletmethink.Hmmm…Itwasdark.”Heputoutthe

light.“Goon,eat.Whooosh!”headded,beingwind.Stanleybegantoeattheapple.Waterpattereddowninthebathroomintothesink,andfromtheshowerintothetub.

“Whooosh… whooosh!” said Arthur, and Mrs. Lambchop struck her skillet with the woodenspoon.Thecrash!wasmuchlikethunder.

“Lightning,please,”Arthursaid.Mr.LambchopaimedhisflashlightandflickeditonandoffwhileStanleyfinishedtheapple.

“Nowtheraisins,”saidArthur.“Oneatatime.Whooosh!”Stanleyopenedthelittleboxandatearaisin.Stillwhoooshing,Arthurconductedasifanorchestrasatbeforehim.HislefthandsignaledMrs.

Lambchoptostriketheskillet,therightoneMr.Lambchoptoflashthelight.NodstoldStanleywhentoeataraisin.

Patter…splashwentthewaterinthebathroom.“Whooosh!”wentArthur.Crash!wenttheskillet.Flash!…Flash!wentthelight.

“Ifanyoneshouldseeusnow,”Mrs.Lambchopsaidsoftly,“Iwouldbehardputtoexplain.”Stanleylookeddownathimself.“It’snouse,”hesaid.“I’mstillinvisible.”“Twistaround!”saidArthur.“Maybethenoiseandlighthavetohityoujustacertainway!”Twisting, Stanley ate three more raisins. The light flickered over him. He heard the water

splashing,Arthurwhoooshing,thepoundingoftheskilletwiththespoon.Howhardtheyweretrying,hethought.Howmuchhelovedthemall!

Buthewasstillinvisible.“There’sonlyoneraisinleft,”hesaid.“It’snouse.”“PoorStanley!”criedMrs.Lambchop.Arthurcouldnotbearthethoughtofneverseeinghisbrotheragain.“Dothelastraisin,Stanley,”

hesaid.“Doit!”Stanleyatetheraisinanddidonemoretwist.Mrs.LambchoptappedherskilletandMr.Lambchop

flashedhislight.ArthurgavealastWhooosh!

Nothinghappened.“AtleastI’mnothungry,”Stanleysaidbravely.“But—”Heputahandtohischeek.“Ifeel…sort

oftingly.”“Stanley!”saidMr.Lambchop.“Areyoutouchingyourcheek?Iseeyourhand,Ithink!”“Andyourpajamas!”shoutedArthur,switchingonthelight.AsortofoutlineofStanleyLambchop,withhazystripesrunningupanddownit,hadappearedby

thewindow.Throughthestripestheycouldseethehousenextdoor.Suddenlytheoutlinefilledin.TherestoodStanleyinhisstripedpajamas,justastheyremembered

him!“Icanseemyfeet!”Stanleyshouted.“It’sme!”“I,dear,notme,”saidMrs.Lambchopbeforeshecouldcatchherself,thenrantoholdhimtight.Mr.LambchopshookhandswithArthur,andthentheyallwentintothebathroomtowatchStanley

lookathimselfinthemirror.Ithadn’tmatteredwhenhewasinvisible,Mrs.Lambchopsaid,buthewasgreatlyinneedofahaircutnow.

LShemadehotchocolatetocelebratetheoccasion,andArthur ’sclevernesswasacknowledgedbyall.

“Butfalsestormscannotbereliedupon,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Wemustthinktwicebeforeeatingfruitduringbadweather.Especiallybyawindow.”

Thenthebrothersweretuckedintobedagain.“Goodnight,”saidMr.andMrs.Lambchop,putting

outthelight.“Goodnight,”saidStanleyandArthur.Stanleygotupandwent tohaveanother look in thebathroommirror.“Thankyou,Arthur,”he

said,comingback.“Yousavedmefrombeingflat,andnowyou’vesavedmeagain.”“Oh,well…”Arthuryawned.“Stanley?Trytostay,youknow,regularforawhile.”“Iwill,”saidStanley.Soontheywerebothasleep.

TheEnd

TURNTHEPAGEFORASNEAKPEEKAT:

THECALL

ItwasSaturdaymorning,andMr.andMrs.Lambchopwereputtingupwallpaperinthekitchen.“Isn’tthisnice,George?”saidMrs.Lambchop,stirringpaste.“Noexcitement.Aperfectlyusual

day.”Mr.Lambchopknewjustwhatshemeant.Excitementwasoftentroublesome.Theflatnessoftheir

sonStanley,forexample,afterhisbigbulletinboardsettledonhimovernight.Exciting,butworryingtoo,tillStanleygotroundagain.Andthatgenievisiting,grantingwishes.Oh,veryexciting!Butallthewisheshadtobeunwishedbeforethegeniereturnedtothelampfromwhichhesprung.

“Yes,dear.”Mr.Lambchopsmootheddownwallpaper.“Ordinary.Theverybestsortofday.”In the living room, Stanley Lambchop and his younger brother,Arthur,werewatching a Tom

ToadcartoononTV.ThesportyToadwaswater-skiingandfelloff,makingagreatsplash.Arthurlaughedsohardhedidn’thearthetelephone,butStanleyansweredit.

“Lambchopresidence?”saidthecaller.“ThePresidentoftheUnitedStatesspeaking.Who’sthis?”Stanleysmiled.“TheKingofFrance.”“Theydon’thavekingsinFrance.Notanymore.”“Excuseme,butI’mtoobusyforjokes.”StanleykepthiseyesontheTV.“MybrotherandIare

watchingtheTomToadShow”

“Well, youkeepwatching, young fellow!”The caller hung up, just asMr. andMrs.Lambchopcameintowatchtherestoftheshow.

“Hey, guesswhat?” Stanley said. “Hay is for horses,” saidMrs. Lambchop,mindful always ofcarefulspeech.“Whocalled,dear?”

Stanleylaughed.“ThePresidentoftheUnitedStates!”Arthurlaughedtoo.“StanleysaidhewastheKingofFrance!”TomToadvanishedsuddenlyfromtheTVscreen,andanAmericanflagappeared.“Webringyou

aspecialmessagefromtheWhiteHouseinWashington,D.C.,”saidthedeepvoiceofanannouncer.“Ladiesandgentlemen,thePresidentoftheUnitedStates!”

ThescreenshowedthePresident,lookingveryserious,behindhisdesk.

“MyfellowAmericans,” thePresidentsaid.“Iamsorry to interrupt thisprogram,butsomeoneouttheredoesn’trealizethatIamaverybusymanwhocan’twaste time jokingon the telephone. IhopetheparticularpersonIamtalkingto—andIdonotmeantheKingofFrance!—willrememberthat.Thankyou.Nowhere’stheToadshowagain.”

TomToad,stillwater-skiing,camebackontheTV.“Stanley!”exclaimedMrs.Lambchop.“TheKingofFranceindeed!”“Gosh!”Arthursaid.“WillStanleygetputinjail?”“There isno lawagainstbeinga telephonesmarty,”Mr.Lambchopsaid. “Perhaps there should

be.”Thetelephonerang,andheansweredit.“GeorgeLambchophere.”“Good!”ItwasthePresident.“I’vebeentryingtogetholdofyou!”“Oh,my!”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Pleaseexcuse—”“Holdon.You’rethefellowhastheboywasflatonce,gothispictureinthenewspaper?”“MysonStanley,Mr.President,”Mr.Lambchopsaid,tolettheothersknowwhowascalling.“Ihadtobesure,”said thePresident.“Wehavetoget together,Lambchop!I’llsendmyprivate

planerightnow,fetchyouallheretoWashington,D.C.”

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

JeffBrowncreatedthebelovedcharacterofFlatStanleyasabedtimestoryforhistwosons.HehaswrittenotheroutrageousbooksabouttheLambchopfamily, includingFlatStanley,Stanleyand theMagic Lamp, Invisible Stanley, Stanley’s Christmas Adventure, Stanley in Space, and Stanley, FlatAgain!YoucanlearnmoreaboutJeffBrownandFlatStanleyatwww.flatstanleybooks.com.

MackyPamintuan isanaccomplished illustrator.He lives inSanMigueldeAllende,Mexico,withhiswifeanddog.

Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthor.

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InvisibleStanley


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StanleyinSpace


DEDICATION

ForSidneyUrquhart,thegodmothertowhomFlatStanleyowessomuch

Cover

TitlePage

Dedication

Prologue

1.TheCall

2.Washington

3.TakingOff

4.InSpace

5.TheTyrrans

6.TyrraVille

7.PresidentOt’sStory

8.Stanley’sGoodIdea

9.TheWeighing

10.HeadingHome

11.EarthAgain

AbouttheAuthorandIllustrator

OtherWorks

Credits

Copyright

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AboutthePublisher

PROLOGUE

“Willyoumeetwithus?Doesanyonehear?”Fromthegreatfarnessofspace,fromfartherthananyplanetorstarthathaseverbeenmentionedin

books,thequestionscame.Againandagain.

“Willyoumeetwithus?Doesanyonehear?”

TheCall

ItwasSaturdaymorning,andMr.andMrs.Lambchopwereputtingupwallpaperinthekitchen.“Isn’tthisnice,George?”saidMrs.Lambchop,stirringpaste.“Noexcitement.Aperfectlyusual

day.”Mr.Lambchopknewjustwhatshemeant.Excitementwasoftentroublesome.Theflatnessoftheir

sonStanley,forexample,afterhisbigbulletinboardsettledonhimovernight.Exciting,butworryingtoo,tillStanleygotroundagain.Andthatgenievisiting,grantingwishes.Oh,veryexciting!Butallthewisheshadtobeunwishedbeforethegeniereturnedtothelampfromwhichhesprung.

“Yes,dear.”Mr.Lambchopsmootheddownwallpaper.“Ordinary.Theverybestsortofday.”In the living room, Stanley Lambchop and his younger brother,Arthur,werewatching a Tom

ToadcartoononTV.ThesportyToadwaswater-skiingandfelloff,makingagreatsplash.Arthurlaughedsohardhedidn’thearthetelephone,butStanleyansweredit.

“Lambchopresidence?”saidthecaller.“ThePresidentoftheUnitedStatesspeaking.Who’sthis?”

Stanleysmiled.“TheKingofFrance.”“Theydon’thavekingsinFrance.Notanymore.”“Excuseme,butI’mtoobusyforjokes.”StanleykepthiseyesontheTV.“MybrotherandIare

watchingtheTomToadShow.”“Well, youkeepwatching, young fellow!”The caller hung up, just asMr. andMrs.Lambchop

cameintowatchtherestoftheshow.“Hey,guesswhat?”Stanleysaid.“Hayisforhorses,”saidMrs.Lambchop,mindfulalwaysofcarefulspeech.“Whocalled,dear?”Stanleylaughed.“ThePresidentoftheUnitedStates!”

Arthurlaughedtoo.“StanleysaidhewastheKingofFrance!”TomToadvanishedsuddenlyfromtheTVscreen,andanAmericanflagappeared.“Webringyou

aspecialmessagefromtheWhiteHouseinWashington,D.C.,”saidthedeepvoiceofanannouncer.“Ladiesandgentlemen,thePresidentoftheUnitedStates!”

ThescreenshowedthePresident,lookingveryserious,behindhisdesk.

“MyfellowAmericans,” thePresidentsaid.“Iamsorry to interrupt thisprogram,butsomeoneout theredoesn’trealize thatIamaverybusymanwhocan’twaste timejokingonthetelephone.IhopetheparticularpersonIamtalkingto—andIdonotmeantheKingofFrance!—willrememberthat.Thankyou.Nowhere’stheToadshowagain.”

TomToad,stillwater-skiing,camebackontheTV.“Stanley!”exclaimedMrs.Lambchop.“TheKingofFranceindeed!”“Gosh!”Arthursaid.“WillStanleygetputinjail?”“There isno lawagainstbeinga telephonesmarty,”Mr.Lambchopsaid. “Perhaps there should

be.”Thetelephonerang,andheansweredit.“GeorgeLambchophere.”“Good!”ItwasthePresident.“I’vebeentryingtogetholdofyou!”“Oh,my!”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Pleaseexcuse—”“Holdon.You’rethefellowhastheboywasflatonce,gothispictureinthenewspaper?”“MysonStanley,Mr.President,”Mr.Lambchopsaid,tolettheothersknowwhowascalling.“Ihadtobesure,”said thePresident.“Wehavetoget together,Lambchop!I’llsendmyprivate

planerightnow,fetchyouallheretoWashington,D.C.”Mr.Lambchopgasped.“Privateplane?Washington?Allofus?”“Thewholefamily.”ThePresidentchuckled.“IncludingtheKingofFrance.”

Washington

AttheWhiteHouse,inhisfamousOvalOffice,thePresidentshookhandswithalltheLambchops.“Thanksforcoming.”Hechuckled.“Betyouneverthoughtwhenyouwokeupthismorningthat

you’dgettomeetme.”“Indeednot,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Thisisquiteasurprise.”

“Well,here’sanotherone,”saidthePresident.“ThereasonIaskedyoutocome.”Hesatdownbehindhisdesk,seriousnow.“Tyrra!Neverheardofit,right?”TheLambchopsallshooktheirheads.“Nobody everheardof it. It’saplanet,up theresomewhere.Theysentamessage, the firstever

fromouterspace!”TheLambchopsweregreatlyinterested.“Imagine!”Mrs.Lambchopexclaimed.“Whatdiditsay?”

“Veryfriendlytone,”thePresidentsaid.“Peaceful,justcheckingaround.Askedustovisit.Now,myplan—”

Asidedoorof theOvalOfficehadopened suddenly to reveal anicelydressed ladywearingacrown.Mrs.LambchoprecognizedheratonceastheQueenofEngland.

“Aboutthebanquet,alsothe—”theQueenbegan,andsawthatthePresidentwasbusy.“Ooops!Webegyourpardon.”Sheclosedthedoor.

“Thisplaceisamadhouse,”thePresidentsaid.“Visitors,fancydinners,noendtoit.Now,where—?Ah,yes!TheStarScout!”

Heleanedforward.“That’s our new top-secret spaceship, just ready now! Send somebody up in the Star Scout, I

thought, to meet with these Tyrrans. But who?Wouldn’t look peaceful to send soldiers, or evenscientists.ThenIthought:WhatcouldbemorepeacefulthanjustanordinaryAmericanboy?”

ThePresidentsmiled.“WhynotStanleyLambchop?”“Stanley?”Mrs.Lambchopgasped.“Inaspaceship?Tomeetwithanalienrace?”“Oh,boy!”saidStanley.“Iwouldlovetogo!”“Metoo,”saidArthur.“It’snotfairif—”“Arthur!”Mr.Lambchopdrewinadeepbreath.“Mr.President,whyStanley?”“It has to be someonewho’s already had adventure experience,” the President said. “Well,my

SecretService showedmeanewspaper story aboutwhenStanleywas flat andcaught two robbers.Robbers!That’sadventure!”

“I’vehadthemtoo!”Arthursaid.“Agenietaughtmetofly,andwehadaLiophant,and—”“Awhat?”“ALiophant,”Arthursaid.“Halflion,halfelephant.They’renice.”“Isthatright?TheSecretServicenever—”“Mr.President?”Mrs.Lambchopdidnotliketointerrupt,butherconcernwasgreat.“Mr.President?”shesaid.“Thismission:Isitsafe?”“Mygoodness,ofcourseit’ssafe!”thePresidentsaid.“Wehavetakengreatcare,Mrs.Lambchop.

TheStarScouthasallthelatestscientificequipment.Andithasbeenverycarefullytested.First,wetried itonautomaticpilot,withnopassengers. Itworkedperfectly!Eventhen,ma’am,wewerenotsatisfied.WesenttheStarScoutupagain, this timewithourcleverest trainedbirdaboard.Buthearforyourself.”ThePresidentspokeintoalittleboxonhisdesk.“SendinDr.Schwartz,please.”

Abeardedmanentered,wearingawhitecoatandcarryingabirdcagewithaclothoverit.Bowing,heremovedtheclothtorevealalarge,brightlycoloredparrot.

“Thankyou,Herman,” thePresident said. “Dr. Schwartz is our top space scientist,” he told theLambchops,“andthisisPolly,thebirdIspokeof.Polly,tellthefolkshereaboutyouradventureintospace.”

“Pieceofcake,”saidtheparrot.“Terrific!Lovedeveryminuteofit!”“Thankyou,Herman,”thePresidentsaid,andDr.SchwartzcarriedPollyaway.“Thatwasveryreassuring,butitisoutofthequestionforStanleytogoalone,”Mrs.Lambchop

said.“However,wewereplanningafamilyvacation.Woulditbepossible,Mr.President,forusalltogo?”

“Well,ifyoudidn’tmindthecrowding,”thePresidentsaid.“Andskimpingonbaggage.”“Actually,wehadinmindtheseaside,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Oratenniscamp.But—”TheQueenofEnglandlookedinagain.“Mayweaskif—”“Justaminute,forheaven’ssake!”saidthePresident.“Weshallreturnanon.”Lookingpeeved,theQueenwentaway.Mr.Lambchophaddecided.“Mr.President,theseasidewillkeep.WewillgotoTyrra,sir.”“Wonderful!” The President jumped up. “To the stars, Lambchops! Some training at the Space

Center,andyou’reonyourway!”

TakingOff

“Ten!”saidthevoiceofMissionControl.Thecountdownhadbegun.When it reached“zero,”ChiefPilotStanleyLambchopwouldpress

the“Start”button,andtheStarScoutwouldblastoffforTyrra.“Nine!”Strappedintotheirseats,theLambchopsheldtheirbreaths,eachthinkingverydifferentthoughts.Stanleywaswondering if the Tyrranswouldmind that Earth had sent just an ordinary family.

Supposetheywerebigstuck-upsandexpectedageneraloraTVstar,oreventhePresident?Suppose—“Eight!”saidControl,andStanleyfixedhiseyesonthepanelbeforehim.

Mr.Lambchopwasthinkingthatservingone’scountrywasnoble,but thiswasabitmuch.Howdidthesethingshappen?Offtoanunknownplanet,theentirefamily!Otherfamiliesdidn’thaveasonbecomeflat.Otherfamiliesdidn’tfindgeniesinthehouse.Other—Oh,well!Mr.Lambchopsighed.

“Seven!”saidControl.Mrs. Lambchop thought that Mr. Lambchop seemed fretful. But why, now that the Star Scout

lookedsonice?Thankstoher,infact.“Theymaycallitaspaceship,”shehadsaidwhenshefirstsawit,“butwhere’sthespace?Justoneroom!Andallgray…?Drab,Isay!”MuchofthetrainingattheSpace Center, however, was physical, and Mrs. Lambchop, who jogged and exercised regularly,quicklypassedthetestsrequired.Inthedaysthatfollowed,whiletheotherswerebeingmadefit,sheusedherfreetimetomaketheStarScoutmorelikehome.Onlysomuchweightwaspermitted,butshe managed a bathroom scale for the shower alcove and a plastic curtain, pretty shades for theportholes, a venetian blind for the Magnifying Exploration Window, and posters of Mexico andFrance.

“Six!…Five!…Four!…Three!…”Mrs.Lambchopmadesureherpursewassnugbeneathherseat.Arthur,bynature lazy,was thinking thathewasglad tobedonewithall the jogging, jumping,

climbing ladders, and scalingwalls.Whenhewas super-strong, thanks to thegenie, itwouldhavebeeneasy.ButforjustplainArthurLambchop,hethought,itwastiring.

“Two!”saidControl.“Goodluck,everybody!One!”

“Payattention,dear,”Mrs.LambchoptoldStanley.“Zero!”saidControl,andStanleypressedthe“Start”button.Whrooom!Rocketsroaring,theStarScoutrosefromitslaunchingpad.Whroooooom!Whroooooom!Gainingspeed,itsoaredhigherandhigher,carryingtheLambchops

towardthefarnesswhereTyrralay.

InSpace

“I’lljustflipthisomelette,”saidMrs.Lambchop,makingbreakfastintheStarScout,“andthen—Oh,dear!”TheomelettehoveredlikeaFrisbeeintheairaboveher.

Mostly, however, afterweeks in space, the Lambchops remembered that gravity, the force thatheld thingsdown,didnotexistbeyondEarth’satmosphere.Mr.Lambchopoften readnowwithhishandsclaspedbehindhishead,allowinghisbooktofloatbeforehim,andStanleyandArthurgreatlyenjoyedpushingfromtheirchairstodriftlikefeathersacrosstheroom.

Raisingherpan,Mrs.Lambchopbroughtdowntheomelette.“Afterbreakfast,what?”shesaid.“AgameofMonopoly?”

“Please, not again.”Arthur sighed. “If I’d known this adventurewould be so boring, I’d neverhavecome.”

“Theworstpart,”Stanleysaid,“isnotknowinghowlongitwilllast.”“The beginningwasn’t boring,”Arthur said as they began their breakfast. “The beginningwas

fun.”

Thefirstdayshadinfactbeentremendouslyexciting.TheyhadspentmanyhoursattheStarScout’s

MagnifyingWindow,watchingthebrightglobeofEarthgrowsteadilysmaller,untilitseemedatlastonlyapalemarble in theblackof space.And therehadbeenmanyspecial sights to see: the starrybeautyoftheMilkyWay,theplanets—redMars,giantJupiter,cloudyVenus,Saturnwithitsshiningrings.

ThethirdeveningtheyappearedonTVnewsbroadcastsonEarth.Wordoftheirvoyagehadbeenreleased to the press, and all over the world people were eager to learn how this extraordinaryadventurewasproceeding.Standingbeforethespaceship’scamera,theLambchopssaidtheyfeltfine,lookedforwardtomeetingtheTyrrans,andwouldreportnightlywhiletheyremainedinTVrange.

The fourth evening they floated before the camera, demonstrating weightlessness. This wasgreatlyappreciatedonEarth,andtheyfloatedagainthefollowingday.

Bythesixthevening,however,theywerehard-pressedtoliventheirappearances.Mr.Lambchoprecited a baseball poem, “Casey at the Bat.” Stanley juggled tennis balls, but the Earth audience,knowingnowaboutweightlessness,sawtheballsfloatwhenhetossedthemup.Arthurdidimitationsofarooster,adog,andamanstuckinaphonebooth.Afterthis,whileMrs.Lambchopwassinginghercollegesong,hewentbehindtheplasticcurtaintoundressforashowerandaccidentallypulledthecurtaindown.Hewasmortified,andshetriedlatertocomforthim.

“Wewill be remembered,Arthur, for our time in space,” she said. “Nobodywill care about acurtain.”

“I will be remembered forever,” Arthur said. “A hundred million people saw me in myunderwear.”

ThenextdaywasStanley’sbirthday,andjustafterdinnerthescreenlitup.TherewasthePresidentinhisshirtsleeves,behindhisdeskinWashington,D.C.

“Well, here I amworking late again,” the President said. “It’s a tough job, believeme.Happybirthday,StanleyLambchop!I’vearrangedasurprise.First,yourfriendsfromschool.”

Therewassilence foramoment,brokenonlyby theclearingof throats,and then, fromall themillions of miles away, came the voices of Stanley’s classmates singing, “Happy Birthday, dearStanley!HappyBirthdaytoyou!”

Stanleywastremendouslypleased.“Thanks,everybody!”hesaid.“Youtoo,Mr.President.”“ThatwasjusttheU.S.A.part,”saidthePresident.“ReadyoverthereinLondon,Queen?”

“We are indeed,” theQueen’s voice said cheerfully. “And now,Master Lambchop, our famousWestminsterBoys’Choir!”

FromEngland,thebeautifulvoicesofthefamouschoirsang“HappyBirthday,Stanley!”alloveragain,andthenotherchildrensangitfromGermany,Spain,andFrance.

AllthisattentiontoStanleymadeArthurjealous,andwhenthePresidentsaid,“Bytheway,Arthur,youentertaineduswonderfullytheothernight,”hewassurethiswasateaseabouthisappearanceinunderwear.Buthewaswrong.

“Thoseimitations!”thePresidentsaid.“Especiallythefellowinthephonebooth.Darngood!”“Indeed!”theQueenaddedfromEngland.“Weweregreatlyamused.”“Oh,thankyou!”saidArthur,cheered.“I—”Thescreenhadgoneblank.Theyhadtraveledtoofar.TherewouldbenomorevoicesfromEarth,novoicesbut theirown

untiltheyheardwhattheTyrranshadtosay.

“Suppose the Tyrrans have forgottenwe’re coming?” Stanley said. “Wemight just sail around inspaceforever.”

Theyhadfinishedthebreakfastomelette,andwerenowsettingouttheMonopolyboardbecausetherewasnothingmoreinterestingtodo.

“Theydon’tevenknowournames,”Arthursaid.“Whatwilltheycallus?”“Earthpeople!”saidadeepvoice.“Veryprobably,”saidMr.Lambchop.“‘Earthpeople’seems—Whosaidthat?”“Notme,”saidbothStanleyandArthur.“NotI,”saidMrs.Lambchop,correcting.“Butwho—”“Earthpeople!”Thevoice, loudernow,came from theStarScout’s radio. “Greetings from the

greatplanetTyrraanditsmightypeople!Doyouhear?”“Oh,my!”Mr.Lambchopturnedupthevolume.“It’sthem!”“They,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Forheaven’ssake,Harriet!”Mr.Lambchopsaid,andspokeloudlyintothemicrophone.“Hello,

Tyrra.Earthpeoplehere.Partyoffour.Peace-lovingfamily.”“Peace-loving?”saidthevoice.“Good!SoismightyTyrra!Whereareyou,Earthpeople?”Stanley checked his starmaps. “We’re justwhere the tail ofRalph’sCometmeets star number

threemillionandforty-seven.Nowwhat?”“Right,”saidtheTyrranvoice.“Keepgoingtillyoupassastarformationthatlookslikeafoot.

You can’t miss it. Then, just past a lopsided little white moon, start down. You’ll see a pointymountain,thenabigfield.Landthere.Seeyousoon,Earthpeople!”

“Youbet!”Mr.Lambchopsaid,andturnedtohisfamily.“Thefirstcontactwithanotherplanet!Wearemakinghistory!”

Theypassedthefoot-shapedstarformation,thenthelopsidedmoon,andStanleypilotedtheStarScoutdown.Thedarknessofspacevanishedasitdescended,andat last theLambchopssawclearlytheplanetithadtakensolongtoreach.

Tyrrawassmallishasplanetsgo,butnicelyroundandquitepretty,all inshadesofbrownwithmarkings not unlike the oceans and continents of Earth. A pointy mountain came into sight, andbeyonditabigfield.

“There!”Stanleypressedthe“Landing”button.Whrooom!wenttheStarScout’srockets.Thespaceshiphovered,thentoucheddown.Peeringout, theLambchopssawonlyabrownfield,with tan treesat the farsideandbrownish

hillsbeyond.“Curious,”saidMr.Lambchop.“Whereare—”Suddenlyamessagecame,butnotthesorttheyexpected.“Surrender,Earthpeople!”saidtheradio.“Yourspaceshipistrappedbyourunbreakabletrapping

cable!YouareprisonersofTyrra!Surrender!”

TheTyrrans

Unbreakable trapping cable? Prisoners? Surrender? The Lambchops could scarcely believe theirears.

“Idon’tcallthatpeaceful,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“OurPresidenthasbeenmisled.”“Iwishwehadgonetotheseaside.”Mr.Lambchopshookhishead.“Buthowarewe trapped?I

don’t—”HepointedtotheMagnifyingWindow.“What’sthat?”Athinblueline,likeathread,hadbeenpassedovertheStarScout.Stanleyswitchedonthewiper

abovethebigwindowandthefirstflickofitsbladepartedtheblueline.“Drat!”saidtheradio.Othervoicesrose,startled,andthenthedeepvoicespokeagain.“Earthpeople!We’resendinga

messenger!Aregular,ordinaryTyrran,justtoshowwhatwe’relike.”Forlongmoments,theLambchopskepttheireyesonthetantreesacrossthefield.“There!”Arthursaidsuddenly.“Comingtoward—Oh!Oh,my…”Hisvoicetrailedaway.The Tyrran messenger came slowly forward to stand before the big window, a muscular,

scowlingyoungmanwithacurlingmustache,wearingshortsandcarryingaclub.Themustachewasverylarge.Themessengerwasnot.“Thatman,”Mrs.Lambchopsaidslowly,“isonlythreeinchestall.”“Atmost,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“Itisamagnifyingwindow.”TheTyrranseemedtobecallingsomething.Arthuropenedthedooracrack,andthewordscame

clearlynow.“…afraidtoletusseeyou,Earthpeople?BecauseI’msoenormous?Hah!AllTyrransarethisbig!”

Flinging the doorwide,Arthur showed himself. “Well, I’m a small Earth person!” he shouted.“Therestareevenbiggerthanme!”

“I,notme,”Mrs.Lambchopsaid.“Anddon’ttease,Arth—Oh!He’sfainted!”Wettingherhandkerchiefwithcoldwater,shejumpeddownfromtheStarScoutandrantodabthe

Tyrran’stinybrow.Criesroseagainfromthespaceship’sradio.“AgiantkilledIk!…There’sanother,evenbigger!

…Oh,gross!…Look!Ik’sallright!”TheTyrran,bygraspingMrs.Lambchop’shandkerchief,hadindeedpulledhimselfup.Furious,

heswunghisclub,butmanagedonlytotapthetopofhershoe.“Ouch!Scat!”shesaid,andhedartedbackacrossthefield.

“Oh,my!”saidtheradio.“Nevermindaboutsurrendering,Earthpeople!Atrucecommitteeisontheway!”

Atfirsttheysawonlyatinyflag,flutteringlikeawhitebutterflyfaracrossthebrownfield,butatlastthe Tyrran committee drew close, and the Lambchops, waiting now outside the Star Scout, couldmakeeachlittlepersonout.

The flag was carried by the scowling young man with the mustache and the club. The othermembersofthecommittee,abitsmallereventhanhe,wereared-facedmanwearingauniformwithmedalsacrossthechest,astoutladyinayellowdressandahatwithflowersonit,andtwooldermeninbluesuits,onewithwavywhitehair,theotherthinandbald.

Thecommitteehalted,staringbravelyup.“IamGeneralAp!”shoutedtheuniformedman.“CommanderofallTyrranforces!”Stanley stepped forward. “Chief Pilot StanleyLambchop,” he said. “FromEarth.These aremy

parents,Mr.andMrs.GeorgeLambchop.Andmybrother,Arthur.”“PresidentOtofTyrra,andMrs.Ot,” saidGeneralAp, indicating thewavy-hairedmanand the

lady.“ThebaldchapisDr.Ep,ourChiefScientist.Thegrouchyonewiththeflagismyaide,CaptainIk.”

Nooneseemedsurewhattosaynext.Afewpoliteremarkswereexchanged—“Nicemeetingyou,Earthpeople!”…“Suchaprettyplanet,Tyrra!”…“Thankyou.Wereyouverylonginspace?”—andMr.LambchoprealizedsuddenlythattheTyrranswereuncomfortabletalkingalmoststraightup.Hegotdownonhisknees,theotherLambchopsfollowinghisexample,andtheTyrransatonceloweredtheirheadsinrelief.

“Right!”saidGeneralAp.“Allreasonablepeoplehere!Atruce,eh?”“I’m forwar, frankly,” growledCaptain Ik, but Stanley pretended not to hear. “A truce?Good

idea,”hesaid.“Wecomeinpeace.”Mrs.Ot sniffed. “Not verypeaceful, frighteningpoorCaptain Ik.”Shepointed atArthur. “That

giantshoutedathim!”“Myson is not agiant,”Mrs.Lambchop said. “It’s just that youTyrrans are—how toput it?—

unusuallypetite.”“Ik’sthebiggestwe’vegot,actually,”saidGeneralAp.“Wehopedhe’dscareyou.”PresidentOtraisedhishand.“Noharmdone!Come!TyrraVille,ourcapital,isbutastrollaway.”TheLambchops,equippednowwithhandymagnifying lensesfromtheStarScout’ssciencekit,

followedthecommittee.TyrraVillelayjustacrossthebrownfield,behindthetantrees,nolargerthananEarth-sizetennis

court.

TyrraVille

“Gosh!”Stanleysaid.“Itmakesmehomesick,inaway.”Except for its size, and the lackof greenness, theTyrran capitalwas indeedmuch like a small

village on Earth. A Main Street bustled with Tyrrans shopping and running errands; there werehandsomeschoolandpublicbuildings, twochurcheswith spiresashighasMr.Lambchop’swaist,andsidestreetsofprettyhouseswithlawnslikeneatbrownpostagestamps.

CaptainIk,stillangry,marchedonahead,buttherestofthecommitteehaltedattheheadofMainStreet.

“We’lljustshowyouaround,eh?”saidPresidentOt.“Safer,Ithink.”TheLambchopssawatoncetheriskofwalkingstreetsscarcelywiderthantheirfeet.Escortedby

thecommittee, theycircled the little capital,bendingoften tomakeuseof theirmagnifying lenses.Mrs. Ot took care to indicate points of particular interest, among themUx Field, a sports center,Admiral Ux Square, Ux Park, and the Ux Science Center Building. (“Mrs. Ot’s grandfather,”whisperedGeneralAp.“Veryrich!”)

Thetourcausedagreatstir.EverywherethetinycitizensofTyrraVillewavedfromwindowsandrooftops.AttheScienceCenter,thelaststop,journaliststookphotographs,andtheLambchopsweretreatedtoGrapeFizzola, theTyrrannationaldrink,hundredsofbottlesofwhichwereemptiedintofourtubstomakeEarth-sizeportions.

RefreshedbyhisFizzola,ArthurtookalittlerunandhurdledalargepartofTyrraVille,landinginUxSquare.“Arthur!”Mrs.Lambchopscolded,andhehurdledback.

“Aren’t kids the dickens?” said a Tyrranmother, looking on. “Mine—Stop tugging, Herbert!”Theselastwordsseemedaddressedtothegroundbesideher.“Myyoungest,”sheexplained.

Stanleysquinted.“Icanhardly—He’sjustadot.”“Dotyourself!”saidanangryvoice.“Big-a-rooney!You’rethefunny-lookingone!”“Herbert!”hismothersaid.“Itisrudetomakefunofpeoplefortheirshapeorsize!”“AsIsaidmyself,often,whenStanleywasflat!”Mrs.Lambchopexclaimed.“Ifonly—”“Surrender,Earthpeople!”The cry had come from Captain Ik, who appeared now from behind the Science Center,

staggeringbeneaththeweightofaboxlikemachinealmostasbigashewas,withatubestickingoutofit.

“Surrender!”heshouted.“YoucannotresistourMagno-TitanicParalyzerRay!Tyrrawillyetbesaved!”

“There’satruce,Ik!”barkedGeneralAp.“Youcan’t—”“Yes,Ican!First—Ooops!”CaptainIk’skneeshadbuckled,butherecoveredhimself.“FirstI’ll

paralyzetheonewhoscaredmebackthereinthefield!”YellowlightflickeredupatArthurfromtheMagno-TitanicParalyzer.“Yikes!”saidArthur,asshrieksrosefromthecrowd.But it was not on Arthur that theMagno-Titanic beam landed. Stanley had sprung forward to

protect his brother, and the light shone now on his chest and shoulders. Mrs. Lambchop almostfainted.

Suddenlyherfrightwasgone.Stanleywassmiling.Theyellowraysstillflickeringuponhim,herolledhisheadandwiggledhis

handstoshowthathewasfine.“It’snice,actually,”hesaid.“Likeamassage.”Thecrowdhooted.“ItonlyworksonpeopleTyrran-size!”someonecalled.“You’reaninny,Ik!”

ThenCaptainIkwasmarchedoffbyaTyrranpoliceman,andthecrowd,stilllaughing,driftedaway.Mrs.Lambchopspokesternlytothecommittee.“‘Tyrrawillyetbesaved’?WhatdidCaptainIk

mean?Andwhy,praytell,didheattempttoparalyzemyson?”TheOtsandGeneralApexchangedglances.Dr.Epstaredattheground.“Ah!”saidPresidentOt.“Well…Thefact is,we’rehavinga…Acrisis,actually.Yes.AndIk,

well,he,ah—”“Oh,tellthem!”Mrs.Otburstsuddenlyintotears.“AbouttheSuper-Gro!Tell,forheaven’ssake!”Puzzled,theLambchopsstaredather.Theskyhaddarkened,andnowalightrainbegantofall.“Wettish,eh?”saidGeneralAp.“Can’toffershelter,I’mafraid.Noplacelargeenough.”“TheStarScoutwilldonicely,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Letusreturntoitfortea.”

PresidentOt’sStory

“Teadoeshelp.Iamquitemyselfagain.”Mrs.Otnoddedtoherhusband.“Goon,dear.Tell.”RaindrummedfaintlyontheStarScout,makingevencozierthescenewithin.Aroundthedining

table,theLambchopsoccupiedtheirusualplaces.TheTyrranssatatopthetableonthumbtackspusheddowntoserveasstools,sippingfromtinycupsMrs.Lambchophadfashionedfromaluminumfoil,andnibblingcrumbsofherhomemadegingersnaps.

Now,sighing,PresidentOtsetdownhiscup.“You will have observed, Lambchops,” he said, “how greatly we have enjoyed these tasty

refreshments. The fact is, Tyrra has for some time been totallywithout fresh food orwater fit todrink.Welivenowonlybywhattinsandbottleswehadinstore.”

Mrs.Otmadeaface.“Pinkmeatspreads,andspinach.AndthatdreadfulFizzola.”“Abitsweet,yes,”saidGeneralAp.“Givesonegas,too.But—”

“Nevermind!”criedMrs.Ot.PresidentOtcontinued.“Thecauseofourtragedy,Lambchops,wasSuper-Gro.Aninventionof

Dr.Ep’s.Super-Gro,Eppromised,woulddoubleourcrops,makethemdoublesize,doubledeliciousaswell.Agreatconcept,hesaid.”

“Wescientists,”saidDr.Ep,“dreamlargerthanothermen.”“Forthreedays,at theScienceCenter,”PresidentOtwenton,“EpbrewedhisSuper-Gro.Great

smellyvatsofit,enoughforthewholeplanet.Butthen…Oh,noTyrranwilleverforgetthatfourthday!ImyselfwasstrollingthroughUxPark.Howbeautifulitwas!Thetreesandgrasssogreen,thesky—”

“Green?”saidArthur.“Buteverything’sbrownhere,notgreen!”“Amishap,”murmuredDr.Ep.“WiththeSuper-Gro.”“Mishap?”barkedGeneralAp.“Thestuffexploded,Ep!Allovertheplace!”“Well,nobody’sperfect.”Dr.Ephunghishead.“Allthosehugevats,Lambchops!”PresidentOtcontinued.“Boom!Oneafteranother!Shattered

windows, blew the roof off the ScienceCenter!No one hurt, thank goodness, but great clouds ofsmoke, darkening the sky! And then—such dreadful luck!—it began to rain. A tremendous rain,mixingwiththesmoke,fallingalloverTyrra,intotherivers,ontoeveryfieldandgarden,everybitofgreenery.”

Risingfromhisthumbtack,hepacedbackandforthacrossthetable.“Whentherainstopped,therewasnogreen.None.Justbrown.Worse,Ep’stestsprovedthatour

waterwasundrinkable,and thatnowhereonTyrrawouldanythinggrow. Ibroadcastatonce to thenation.‘Donotdespair,’Isaid,‘Tyrrawillsoonrecover.’”

“Oh,good!”Mr.Lambchopsaid.PresidentOtshookhishead.“Ilied.Icouldn’ttellthetruth,forfearofcausingpanic,yousee.The

testsshowedthatitwouldbeayearatleastbeforeTyrrawasgreenagain.Andlongbeforethatwewillhaveemptiedourlasttin,ourlastbottleofFizzola.”

Hesatdownagain,coveringhisfacewithhishands.

“So thenwe…Wesentamessage, intospace.Luresomeotherplanet’sspaceship,we thought.

Holditforransom,yousee,makethemsendfoodandwater.Oh,shameful!Underhanded.Youwillneverforgiveus,Iknow…”

Hisvoicetrailedaway,andtherewasonlythepatteroftherain.Closetotears, theLambchopslookedateachother, thenat thelittlepeopleonthetabletop.The

Tyrransseemedparticularlytinynow,andbrave,andnice.“Youpoordears!”Mrs.Lambchopsaid.“Therewasnoneedtoconquerus.Wewouldhelpyou

willingly,ifwecould.”TheTyrrans seemedat firstunable tobelieve theirears.Then, suddenly, their faces shonewith

joy.“Blessyou!”criedGeneralAp.“Saved!”Mrs.Otclappedherhands.“Wearesaved!”“Saved…?”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Ofcourse!”saidPresidentOt.“Don’tyousee?Earth’sspaceshipscanbringfoodandwatertill—

Oh!What’swrong?”ItwasArthurwhoexplained.“I’mverysorry,”hesaid.“Butthere’sjusttheStarScout.Earthhasn’tgotanyotherspaceships.

Anditwouldtakeyearstobuildthem.”TheTyrransgasped.“Years…?”saidDr.Ep.Stanleyfeltsosadhecouldhardlyspeak.“Andit’snousegoingforfoodintheStarScout,”he

said.“BythetimewereturnedfromEarth,you’dallbe—Well,youknow.”“Dead,”saidMrs.Ot.IntheStarScout,aterriblesilencefell.Thefactswereclear.ThecupboardsofTyrrawouldsoon

beempty.Andthenallitstinypeoplewouldstarvetodeath.

Stanley’sGoodIdea

Theteapotwascoldnow,andalastcookiecrumblayunwantedonaplate.GloomhunglikeadarkcloudwithintheStarScout.

“It’snotfair,”Arthursaidforthethirdtime.“It’sjustnot.”“Stopsayingthat,”Stanleytoldhim.“That’sfourtimesnow.”“Five,”saidDr.Ep.

GeneralAp tried tobecheerful. “Ah,well…Still some tinnedmeat, eh?AndplentyofGrapeFizzola.Muchtobethankfulfor.”

“IwillneverbethankfulforGrapeFizzola,”saidMrs.Ot.“It’sjustthat…”Arthursighed.“Imean,Earthhassomuchfood.Millionsofpeople,andthere’s

mostlystillenough.”TheTyrransseemedamazed.“Millions?You’rejoking?”saidPresidentOt.“Hah!”saidGeneralAp.“Dreadfulcrush,Ishouldthink.Millions?”

Mrs.Lambchopsmiled.“Withallourgreatnations,manymillions.Andstillthenumbersgrow.”“Well,heretoo.”PresidentOtshookhishead.“Youthfulmarriages,babiesoneafteranother.But

millions?Ourpopulation—there’sjustTyrraVille,ofcourse—issixhundredandeighty-three.”“Eighty-four,”saidMrs.Ot.“Mrs.Ixhadababylastnight.”NowitwastheLambchopswhowereamazed.“JustTyrraVille?”Arthurcried.“ButTyrraVille’syourcapital,yousaid!”“Well,itwouldhavetobe,wouldn’tit,dear?”saidMrs.Ot.Stanleyshookhishead.“Onthewholeplanet,onlysixhundredandeighty-fourTyrrans!Gosh,

I’llbet—Wait!”Anideahadcometohim.Stanleyhadhadexcitingideasbefore,butnonethatexcitedhimasthis

onedid.“Mrs.Ot!”heshouted.“Howmuchdoyouweigh?”

“Stanley!”saidMrs.Lambchop.Mrs.Otwasnotoffended.“Actually, I’ve slimmedabit.Thoughnot, sadly, in thehips. I’msix

ounces,youngman.Whydoyouask?”ThewordsrushedoutofStanley.“Becauseifyou’reaverage,onlychildrenwouldbeevenlighter,

thenalltheTyrransputtogetherwouldweigh—Letmefigurethisout!”“Lessthanthreehundredpounds,”saidMr.Lambchop,whowasgoodatmath.“ThoughIdon’t

see—”Thenhedidsee.“Oh!Goodforyou,Stanley!”“Thelad’sbright,weknow,”saidGeneralAp.“Butwhat—”“General!”saidMr.Lambchop.“SummonallTyrransheretotheStarScout!Fetchwhatremains

ofyourtinnedfoodandGrapeFizzola!PerhapsEarthcanbeyourhometillTyrraisgreenagain!”

TheWeighing

From each little house on each little street, theTyrrans came, everyman,woman, and child, evenCaptainIkwithaguardfromthejail.Therainhadstopped,andtheeveninglightshonegoldonthebrownfieldinwhichthetinypeoplestoodassembled.

PresidentOtaddressedthem.“FellowTyrrans!Imustconfessthatyourgovernmenthasdeceivedyou!Thetruthis:Itwillbeatleastayearbeforeourfieldsandstreamsarefitagain.”

Criesrosefromthecrowd.“Wewereliedto!”…“Lordy,talkaboutbadnews!”…“We’llstarve!”…“Shootthescientists!”

“Wait!” shouted PresidentOt. “We are offered refuge on Earth, if the voyage is possible! Payattention,please!”

Steppingforward,Mr.LambchopreadaloudfromthebookletthathadcomewiththeStarScout.“‘Your spacecraft has been designed for safety aswell as comfort. Use only as directed.’”He

raisedhisvoice.“‘Donotaddweightbybringingsouvenirsaboardorbyinvitingfriendstoridewithyou.’”

Criesroseagain.“Thatdidit!”…“We’renotsouvenirs!”…“Hesaidnofriendseither,stupid!”…“We’vehadit,lookslike!”

Mr. Lambchop raised his hand. “There is still hope! But you must all be weighed! Also thesuppliesyouwouldrequireforthetrip!”

TheStarScout’sbathroomscale,setdowninthefield,provedtoohighfortheTyrrans,andtheweighingwasbrieflydelayeduntilArthur,using theMonopolyboard,madea rampbywhich theycouldeasilymount.

GeneralApbarkedorders.“Right,then!Groupsoftwentytotwenty-five,familiestogether!Anddon’tjiggle!”

TheOtsandsixotherfamiliesmarchedupontothescale,besidewhichMrs.Lambchopstoodwithpadandpencil.“Sevenandone-quarterpounds!”shesaid,writingitdown.

“Next!”shoutedGeneralAp,buttheOtgroupwasalreadystartingdown,andanothermarchingup.

Group after group mounted the scale. There was jiggling, due to excited children, but Mrs.Lambchoptookcaretowaituntiltheneedlewasstill.WithinanhourtheentirepopulationofTyrrahadbeenweighed,alongwithitssuppliesoftinnedfoodandFizzola,andsheaddedup.

“Tyrrans,twohundredandthirty-nine,”sheannounced.“FoodandFizzola,onehundredandforty.Total:Threehundredandseventy-ninepounds!”

“Arewesaved?Orarewetoofat?”cameacry.“Toosoontotell!”Mr.Lambchopcalledback.“Wemustseehowwecanlightenourship!”A good start was made by discarding the Star Scout’s dining table and one steel bunk, since

Stanley andArthur could easily share. Then outwent Stanley’s tennis balls, extra sweater, and hisChiefPilotzip jacketwith theAmerican flag;outwentArthur ’skneesocks, raincoat,andaplasticgorilla he had smuggled aboard. Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop added their extra clothing, lamps,kitchenware,theMonopolygame,andatlast,thepostersofMexicoandFrance.

Thecrowdstoodhushedasthepilewasweighed.Somewhereababycried,anditsparentsscoldedit.

“Three hundred and seventy-seven pounds!” Mrs. Lambchop announced. “Oh, dear!” shewhisperedtoPresidentOt.“Twolessthanweneed.”

“Isee.”PresidentOt,afteramoment’sthought,climbedupontothescale.“Goodnews,Tyrrans!”hecalled.“Almostallofusaresaved!”

Cheerswentup,andthensomeoneshouted,“Whatdoyoumean,almostall?”“Weweigh,asanation,abittoomuch,”PresidentOtexplained.“Butonlyfour,iflargish,need

staybehind.Ishallbeone.Willthreemorevolunteer?”Murmurs rose from thecrowd. “That’smy kindofPresident!”…“Leave Ikbehind!”…“How

aboutyou,Ralph?”…“Asksomebodyelse,darnyou!”Thematterwasquicklyresolved.“Iwon’tgowithoutyou,dear,”Mrs.Ottoldherhusband,and

CaptainIk,hopingtoregainpopularity,announcedthathetoowouldremain.GeneralApwasthefourthvolunteer.“Justanoldsoldier,ma’am,”hetoldMrs.Lambchop.“Lived

afulllife,timenowtojustfadeaway,to—”“Hey!Wait!”Arthurwaspointingtothescale.

“Weforgotthat,”hesaid.“Wecanleavethescalebehind.Nownobodyhastostay!”

HeadingHome

“Mr. and Mrs. Ix, and the new baby?” said President Ot, beside his wife on a ledge above theMagnifyingWindow.“Ah,yes,onthefridge!”

The people of Tyrra were being made as comfortable as possible in the various nooks andcrannies of the Star Scout. Stanley and Arthur had cleared a cupboard where Tyrra High Schoolstudentscouldstudyduringthetrip,andMrs.Lambchophadcutupsheetstomakehundredsoflittleblankets,andputoutbitsofcottonforpillows.“Makeshift,Mrs.Ix,”shesaidnow,settlingtheIxesonthefridge.“Butsuchshortnotice.Backabitfromtheedge,yes?”

“Shortnoticeindeed,”saidMrs.Ix.“Somany—”“Nottoworry.”Mrs.Lambchopsmiledproudly.“Myson,theChiefPilot,willcallahead.”From a nearby shelf, Captain Ik whispered an apology for attempting to paralyze Arthur.

“BetweenyouandI,Ididn’treallythinkitwouldwork,”hesaid.“Betweenyouandme,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Butthankyou,CaptainIk.”SheturnedtoStanley.

“We’reallready,dear!”Stanleycheckedhiscontrols.“Let’sgo!”“Tyrrans!”PresidentOtcalledforattention.“Ournationalanthem!”Everywhere in theStar Scout, Tyrrans rose, their right hands over their hearts.“Hmmmm…”

hummedMrs.Ot,settingakey,andtheybegantosing.

“Tyrra,thelovely!Tyrra,thefree!Hear,dearplanet,ourpromisetothee!Wheree’erwemaygo,wheree’erwemayroam,We’llcomebacktoTyrra,Tyrraourhome!”

The words echoed in the softly lit cabin. Many Tyrrans were weeping, and the eyes of theLambchops,astheytooktheirseats,glistenedtoo.

“Beiteversohumble,there’snoplanetsodear,We’llalwaysloveTyrra,fromfarorfrom—”

Stanleypressedthe“Start”button,and—Whroooom!—theStarScout’srocketsroaredtolife.Thesingingstoppedsuddenly,andMrs.Ixcriedoutfromthefridge.“Oh,my!Isthisthingsafe?”“Yesindeed,”Mrs.Lambchopcalledback.“Perhaps,”saidMrs.Ix.“ButitismybeliefthatifTyrransweremeanttofly,we’dhavewings.”Whroooom!Whroooom!TheStarScoutliftednow,gainingspeedasitrose.Itsmissionwasdone.Thestrangerswhohad

calledfromadistantplanetwerenolongerstrangers,butfriends.Itwasallverysatisfactory,Stanleythought.TheotherLambchopsthoughtsotoo.

EarthAgain

“…realpleasuretowelcomeyou,Tyrrans,”saidthePresident,almostdonewithhisspeech.“IwishyouafineyearonEarth!”

Before him on the White House lawn, with newspaper and TV reporters all about, sat theLambchopsand,inatinygrandstandbuiltespeciallyfortheoccasion,thepeopleofTyrra.

TheTyrranswerenowapplaudingpolitely,buttheylookednervous,andMrs.Lambchopguessedwhy.ThatcrowdattheSpaceCenterfortheStarScout’slanding,thatdrivethroughcrowdedstreetsintoWashington,D.C.! PoorTyrrans!Everywhere they looked, giant buildings, giant people.Howcouldtheyfeelcomfortablehere?

But a surprisewas in store.Across the lawn, a greatwhite sheet had been spread.Now, at thePresident’ssignal,workmenpulledthesheetaway.

“Welcome,”saidthePresident,“toTyrraVilleTwo!”GaspsrosefromtheTyrrans,thenshoutsofjoy.Beforethem,onwhathadbeentheWhiteHousetenniscourt,layanentirevillageoftinyhouses,

oneforeachTyrranfamily,withshopsandschoolsandchurches,andaminiaturerailwayservingallprincipalstreets.BegunwhenStanleycalledaheadfromspace,TyrraVilleTwohadbeencompletedwellbeforetheStarScout’sarrival,thankstorushdeliveriesfromleadingtoystoresinWashingtonandNewYork.

TheexcitedTyrransranfromthegrandstandtoexploretheirnewhomes,andsoonhappyvoicesrose from every window and doorway of TyrraVille Two. “Nice furniture!” … “Hooray! Freshlemonade! No more Fizzola!” … “In the cupboards, see? Shirts, dresses, suits, shoes!” …“Underwear,even!”

TheOts,GeneralAp,Dr.Ep,andCaptainIkcamebacktosaygood-bye,andtheLambchopsknelttotouchfingertipsinfarewell.TheTVmenfilmedthis,andArthurmadeeveryonelaugh,pretendingtobeparalyzedbythetouchofCaptainIk.Thenthenewsmenleft,theTyrransreturnedtoTyrraVilleTwo,andonlythePresidentremainedwiththeLambchopsontheWhiteHouselawn.

“Well,backtowork.”ThePresidentsighed.“Good-bye,Lambchops.You’reallheroes,youknow.Savedthenation.”

“Notreally,”Stanleysaid.“Theycouldn’thaveconqueredus.”“Well,youknowwhatImean,”thePresidentsaid.“Youfolkscaretostayforsupper?”“Thank you, no,”Mrs. Lambchop said. “It is quite late, and this has been an exciting but very

tiringday.”

Itwasbedtimewhentheygothome.StanleyandArthurhadalightsupper,withhotchocolatetohelpthemsleep,afterwhichMr.andMrs.Lambchoptuckedtheminandsaidgoodnight.

Thebrotherslayquietlyinthedarknessforamoment.ThenArthurchuckled.

“TheMagno-TitanicParalyzerwassortofscary,”hesaid.“Youwerebrave,Stanley,protectingme.”

“That’sokay,”Stanleysaid.“You’remybrother,right?”“I know…”Arthurwas sleepy now. “Stanley?When the Tyrrans go back,will their land and

waterbeokay?Willtheyletusknow?”“Iguessso.”Stanleywasdrowsytoo.“Goodnight,Arthur.”“Goodnight,”saidArthur,andsoontheywerebothasleep.

Andintime,fromthegreatfarnessofspace,butafarnessnolongerstrangeorunknown,another

messagecame.

“Wearehome.Alliswell.”Andagain.

“Wearehome!Thankyou,Earth!Alliswell!”

TheEnd

ABOUTTHEAUTHORANDILLUSTRATOR

JeffBrowncreatedthebelovedcharacterofFlatStanleyasabedtimestoryforhistwosons.HehaswrittenotheroutrageousbooksabouttheLambchopfamily, includingFlatStanley,Stanleyand theMagic Lamp, Invisible Stanley, Stanley in Space, Stanley’s Christmas Adventure, and Stanley, FlatAgain!YoucanlearnmoreaboutJeffBrownandFlatStanleyatwww.flatstanleybooks.com.

MackyPamintuan isanaccomplished illustrator.He lives inSanMigueldeAllende,Mexico,withhiswifeanddog.

Forexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteauthorsandartists,visithttp://www.authortracker.com

http://www.authortracker.com

OTHERWORKS




InvisibleStanley


StanleyinSpace

Stanley,FlatAgain!




CREDITS

CoverartbyMackyPamintuan

COPYRIGHT

StanleyinSpace

Textcopyright©1990byJeffBrown

IllustrationsbyMackyPamintuan,copyright©2010byHarperCollinsPublishers.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageand



LibraryofCongresscatalogcardnumber:2002027560

ISBN978-0-06-442174-4

EPubEdition©JUNE2012ISBN9780062035578

1011121314LP/CW30292827262524

FirstpublishedinGreatBritain1990byMethuenChildren’sBooksLtd.

FirstHarperTrophyedition,2003

Reillustratededition,2010

BACKAD

ABOUTTHEPUBLISHER











FLATSTANLEYStanley,FlatAgain!


DEDICATION

ForPeterandWendy,Ozinger,Betsy,andAsh

CONTENTS

Cover

TitlePage

Dedication

1.AMorningSurprise

2.Dr.Dan

3.StanleySails

4.BacktoSchool

5.WhyMe?

6.Emma

7.WhereAreYou,Emma?

8.Hero!

9.Fame!

OtherWorks

Copyright

AboutthePublisher

1

AMorningSurprise

Mrs. Lambchopwasmaking breakfast.Mr. Lambchop, at the kitchen table, helped by reading bitsfromthemorningpaper.

“Here’sanoddone,Harriet,”hesaid.“There’sachickeninSwedenthatridesabike.”“SodoI,George,”saidMrs.Lambchop,notreallylistening.“Listentothis.‘MerkerBuildingemptied.Tobecollapsednextweek.’Imagine!Eightfloors!”“Poorthing!”Mrs.Lambchopsetoutplates.“Boys!”shecalled.“Breakfastisready!”Her glance fell upon a row of photographs on the wall above the sink. There was a smiling

Stanley,onlyhalfan inch thick,hisbigbulletinboardhavingfallenfromthebedroomwall torestupon him overnight. Next came reminders of the many family adventures that had come afterStanley’syoungerbrother,Arthur,hadcleverlyblownhimroundagainwithabicyclepump.TherewerethebrotherswithPrinceHaraz,theyounggeniewhohadgrantedwishesforthemallafterbeingaccidentallysummonedbyStanleyfromalamp.TherewastheentirefamilywithSantaClausandhisdaughter, Sarah, taken during a Christmas visit to the North Pole. There was the family again inWashington,D.C.,intheofficeofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,whohadaskedthemtoundertakeasecretmissionintoouterspace.ThelastpictureshowedArthurstandingbesideaballoononwhichMrs.LambchophadpaintedapictureofStanley’sface.Theballoon,itsstringinfactheldbyStanley,hadbeenavaluableguidetohispresence,sincehewasinvisibleatthetime.“Boys!”shecalledagain.“Breakfast!”

Intheirbedroom,StanleyandArthurhadfinisheddressing.While Stanley filled his backpack, Arthur bounced a tennis ball. “Let’s go,” he said. “Here!

Catch!”Stanleyhadjustreachedforabookontheshelfbyhisbed.Theballstruckhisbackasheturned,

andhebangedhisshoulderonacorneroftheshelf.“Ouch!”“Sorry,”Arthursaid.“Butlet’sgo,okay?Youknowhowlong—STANLEY!”“Whyareyoushouting?”Stanleyadjustedhispack.“C’mon!I’msohungry—”Hepaused.“Oh,

boy!Arthur,doyousee?”“Ido,actually.”Arthurswallowedhard.“You’re,youknow…flat.”Thebrothersstaredateachother.“Thepump?”Stanleysaid.“Itmightworkagain.”

Arthurfetchedthebicyclepumpfromtheirtoychest,andStanleylayonhisbedwiththehoseendinhismouth.

Arthurgavealong,steady,pump.Stanleymadeaface.“Thathurts!”Arthurpumpedagain,andStanleysnatchedthehosefromhismouth.“Owww!Thatreallyhurts!It

wasn’tlikethatbefore.We’dbetterstop.”“Nowwhat?”Arthursaid.“Wecan’tjusthideinhereforever,youknow.”Mrs.Lambchop’scallcameagain.“Boys!Pleasecome!”“Domeafavor,”Stanleysaid.“Youtellthem.Sortofgetthemready,okay?”“Okay,”saidArthur,andwenttotell.

Arthurstoodinthekitchendoorway.“Hey,guesswhat?”hesaid.

“Hayisforhorses,dear,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“Goodmorning!Breakfastisready.”“Goodmorning,Arthur,”Mr.Lambchopsaidfrombehindhisnewspaper.“Where’sStanley?”“Guesswhat?”Arthursaidagain.Mrs.Lambchopsighed.“Oh,allright!Ican’tguess.Tell.”“Stanley’sflatagain,”saidArthur.Mr.Lambchopputdownhispaper.Mrs.Lambchopclosedhereyes.“Flatagain?Isthatwhatyousaid?”“Yes,”saidArthur.

“It’strue.”StanleystoodnowbesideArthurinthedoorway.“Justlook.”“Goodgrief!”saidMr.Lambchop.“Ican’tbelievethatbulletinboard—”“It didn’t fall onme this time,” Stanley said. “I just got flat.Arthur tried to pumpme up, like

before,butithurttoomuch.”“Oh,Stanley!”Mrs.Lambchoprantokisshim.“Howdoyoufeelnow?”“Fine,actually,”Stanleysaid.“Justsurprised.CanIgotoschool?”Mrs.Lambchop thought for amoment. “Verywell. Eat your breakfast.After schoolwe’ll hear

whatDr.Danhastosay.”

2

Dr.Dan

“Ah,Mr.andMrs.Lambchop!Andtheboys!”saidDr.Danastheyenteredhisoffice.“Howniceto—”Hiseyeswidened.“Goodheavens,Stanley!Mr.Lambchop,youreallymustdosomethingabout

thatbulletinboard!”“It is still firmly inplace,Dr.Dan,”Mrs.Lambchop said. “Weare at a loss to account for this

attackofflatness.”

“Hmmm.”Dr.Danthoughtforamoment.“Isthere,perhaps,afamilyhistoryofflatness?”“No,”Mr.Lambchopsaid.“We’drememberthat.”“We got dressed for school,” Stanley explained. “We didn’t even have breakfast. And all of a

sudden,Igotflat.”Dr.Danfrowned.“Nothinghappened?Nothingatall?”“Well,Arthurhitmewithatennisball,”Stanleysaid.“AndthenIbangedmyshoulderon—”

“Aha!”Jumpingup,Dr.Dantookalargebookfromthecasebehindhisdeskandbeganturningpages.“ThisisDr.FranzGemeister ’sexcellentDifficultandPeculiarCases.Justletmefind…hereitis!‘Flatness,pagetwoseventeen!’”

Hereadaloud.“‘Suddenflatness…extremelyrare…minimaldocumentation…hearsayreports…’Ah,hereitis!Datesbacktothefifthcentury!‘Duringbattle,MongotheFierce,anaidetoAttilatheHun,wasstrucktwice,simultaneously,frombehind,andatoncebecamenothickerthanhisshield.HebecameknownasMongothePlate,andlivedtooldagewithoutregaininghisoriginalgirth.’”

Dr.Danclosedthebook.“AsIsuspected!TheOBP.”“Begpardon?”saidMrs.Lambchop.“The OBP. Osteal Balance Point,” Dr. Dan explained. “A little-known anatomical feature. The

human body, of course, is a complex miracle, its skeleton a delicate framework of supports andbalances.TheOstealBalancePointmayoccuralmostanywhere in theupper torso. It isvulnerableonlytotheapplicationofsimultaneouspressuresattwopointswhichvarydependingontheageandparticular‘design,’letussay,oftheindividualinvolved.Inmyopinion,thepressurescreatedbythetennisballandtheshelfcorneraffectedStanley’sOBP,therebyturninghimflat.”

Foramoment,everyonewassilent.“ThefirsttimeStanleywentflat,youweregreatlypuzzledbyhiscondition,”Mr.Lambchopsaid

atlast.“Nowyouseemremarkablywellinformed.”“Ireaduponit,”saidDr.Dan.Mrs.Lambchopsighed.“Perhapsweshouldseeka secondopinion.Who is theworld’s leading

authorityontheOBP?”“Thatwouldbeme,”saidDr.Dan.“Isee.…Well,we’vetakenenoughofyourtime.”Mr.Lambchoprose,motioninghisfamilyto

follow.“Thankyou,Dr.Dan.”Atthedoor,Mrs.Lambchopturned.“Perhapsifwefoundthe,youknow,theOBP,wecouldmake

Stanley—”“No,no!”saidDr.Dan.“Itwouldbedangeroustoputtheladthroughsuchaskeletalstrainagain!

AndfindingtheOBP?Notverylikely,I’mafraid.”Arthurhadanidea.“Iknow!IfweallgotsticksandhitStanleyalloveratthesametime,andkept

doingit,then—”“Thatwilldo,Arthur,”Mr.Lambchopsaid,andledhisfamilyout.

3

StanleySails

EarlythenextSundaymorning,Mr.Lambchophadacallfromanoldcollegefriend,RalphJones.“Justwantedtoremindyou,George,thatStanleyandIhaveadatetogosailingtoday,”hesaid.“He’s looking forward to it, Ralph.”Mr. Lambchop hesitated. “I shouldmention, perhaps, that

Stanleyhasgoneflatagain.”Mr.Jonessighed.“Ithoughthe’dgotoverthat.Well,I’llpickhimupatten.”Later thatmorning,drivingwithStanley tohissailingclubon theseashore,Mr.Jones inquired

aboutaforeignvisitorhehadoncemetwiththeLambchops.“Aprince,yes?Hearoundthesedays?”Stanleyknewhemeanttheyounggenie,PrinceHaraz,butitwouldbedifficulttoexplainnotonly

thegeniepart,butalsothatHarazhadreturnedtothegeniekingdomfromwhichhehadcome.“No,”Stanleysaid.“Hewenthome,actually.”“Too bad.”Mr. Joneswas famous for his amazingmemory. “Haraz, as I recall. Prince Fawzi

MustafaAslanMirzaMalekNamerdHaraz?”“Right,”saidStanley.Intheharborofthesailingclub,Mr.Jonespreparedhisboat,Lovebug,andexplainedittoStanley.

“Thisbig sail here is themainsail, and that’s the rudderback there, for steering. In this zipbag isanother sail, called a spinnaker.We’ll use that one for extra speedwhenwe’re running before thewind.Seethatboatwayoutthere,howitsspinnakerispuffingoutfront?”

Stanleylaughed.Thespinnakerlookedlikeanopenumbrellalyingonitsside.“Seeoverthere,”Mr.Joneswenton,“betweenthecommitteeboat,withthejudgesonit,andthe

redbuoy?That’sthestartingline.Theraceendsbacktheretoo.Firstboattocrossthatlinewins!”

Hecastoffthemooringline,andthemainsailfilled.Lovebugheadedouttojointheotherboats.Mr.Jonespointed.“There!That’sJasperGreen’sboat,Windswept.He’stheoneIwantespecially

tobeat!”“Why?Areyoumadathim?”Stanleyasked.“Hewasveryrudetomeonce.Butnevermind.Let’sjustmakesurewewin!”Behindthestartline,theyfoundthemselvesbesideWindswept.JasperGreengaveafriendlywave,

butRalphJonesignoredhim.“You’realwaysinabadmoodwithme,Ralph,”Mr.Greensaid.“Why?Idon’t—Herewego!”Apistolshothadsignaledthestartoftherace.LovebugandWindsweptandtheotherracersglided

across the start line behind the motor-powered committee boat, which led them along a coursemarkedbybuoyswithbrightgreenstreamers.

Stanleysatback,enjoyinghimself.Thesunwasbright,thebreezefreshagainsthisface,theskyclearandblue,thewaterabeautifulslatecolor.Therewereboatsonbothsidesofthem,boatsahead,boats behind. How pretty they were, their white sails making cheerful crackling sounds as theybillowedinthewind!

Alongtheshore,peoplewavedfromtheporchesofhouses, theirvoicescarryingfaintlyonthewind. “Way to go!…Lookinggood, sailors!…Looking flat, one of them!”Stanleywavedback,knowingthattheteasingwaskindlymeant.

Lovebug passed other boats, but thereweremanymore still ahead.And now theywere almostabreastofWindswept.

StanleysawthatJasperGreenhadhoistedhisspinnaker,andthatotherboatshadtoo.“I’vegotyoubeat,Ralph!”JasperGreenshouted.“We’ll just round this point, Stanley!Then—Now!” exclaimedRalph Jones. “Let’s show Jasper

whatrunningbeforethewindreallymeans!”Heattachedhisspinnakertoahalyardandranitupthemast.Who-o-oosh!Thespinnakerbillowed

out,andStanleyfeltLovebugsurgeforward,asifpushedbyaninvisiblehand.“Herewego!”shoutedRalphJones.Theypassedfivemoreboats,threemore,thenWindswept!Theywereaheadofeveryonenow,and

thefinishlinelayahead!“We’regoingtowin!”Stanleyshouted.“Yes!”RalphJonesshoutedback.“JustwaittillJasper—”R-i-i-i-i-p!Thesoundcamefromabove.Lookingup,theysawthatthetopofthespinnakerhadtorn.R-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-p!Theripstreakeddownward,andnowthespinnaker,tornallthewaydown,flappeduselesslyinthe

wind.Lovebugslowed.“Drat!”Mr.Jonesdidhisbestwiththemainsail.“Drat,drat,drat!”Windsweptcameupbehindthem.“Toughluck!”calledJasperGreen.“Ha,ha!”“Drat!” Mr. Jones sighed. “Nothing we can do, Stanley. Unless—This may be crazy, but …

Stanley,perhapsyoucouldbeourspinnaker?”“What?”Stanleyshouted.“How?”“Good question,” saidMr. Jones. “Let’s see.…First, go take hold of themast. That’s it.Now

maybe—”

“Excuseme,”Stanleysaid.“Butdidyoueverdothisbefore?”“Stanley,nobodyeverdidthisbefore.”Mr.Jonestookadeepbreath.“Okay.Nowtwistaroundto

faceforward,andgrabthemastbehindyouaboveyourhead!”Stanleydidashewastold,plantinghisfeetonthesidesoftheboattoholdhiminplace.Thewind

pressedhimfrombehind,drivingLovebugtowardthefinishline.“Yes!Chestforward!Buttback!”shoutedMr.Jones.“BestspinnakerIeverhad!”Inamomentthey

hadpassedWindswept,andStanleycouldnothelplaughingatthesurpriseonJasperGreen’sface.Andthentheywereacrossthefinishline!Lovebughadwon!Backintheclubhouse,JasperGreenwouldnotadmitthathehadlost.Aflatpersonusedasasail?

Hehadnever seen that before, he said, andwent to the race committeeoffice to complain.ButhereturnedshortlytoreportthatLovebughadindeedwon.Thecommitteehadadvisedhim,hesaid,thattherewasnoruleagainstacrewmemberallowingthewindtoblowagainsthim.

“Greatsailing,Ralph!”hesaid.“Ithoughtitwasmyrace,Ireallydid!”“Thankyou,Jasper,”Mr.Jonessaid,butStanleynoticedthathedidnotsmile.JasperGreennoticedtoo.“Ralph,you’restillmadatme,”hesaid.“Butwhy?”“Youspilledcoffeeonmywhitepants,Jasper,”saidRalphJones.“AndyoujustlaughedwhenI

jumpedup.”“What?”JasperGreenseemedgreatlysurprised.“Idon’tremember—Where?When?”“Wewerehavinglunch,”saidMr.Jones.“AttheoldVandercookHotel.”“The Vandercook? It closed down twenty years ago!” Mr. Green slapped his forehead. “I do

remember!Thatlunchwastwentyyearsago,Ralph!”“Twenty-one,actually.”“Allright,allright!”saidMr.Green.“Iapologize,forheaven’ssake!”RalphJonessmiledwarmly.“Perfectlyallright,Jasper,”hesaid.“Don’tgiveitanotherthought.”

4

BacktoSchool

Stanleywaspleased thathisclassmates,whostill rememberedhisprevious flatness,madenogreatfussaboutitnow.Mostlytheyexpressedonlycheerfulinterest.“Feelingokay,Stan?”theysaid,and“Lookin’sharp,man!Sharp,see?Getthejoke?”OnlymeanEmmaWeekswasunpleasant.“Huh!Mr.Show-offagain!”Emmasaidoneday,butStanleypretendednottohear.

He had been back at school for a week when a newspaper, learning of this unusually shapedstudent,sentaphotographertoinvestigate.HefoundStanleywatchingapracticeonthesoccerfield.

“FlashTobin,”hesaid.“FromtheDailySentinel.You’retheflatkid,right?”Stanleythoughthemustbejoking.“Howdidyouknow?”hesaid,jokingback.“HowdidI—”Thephotographerlaughed.“Oh,Igetit!CanItakeyourpicture,kid?Righthere

bythegoalposts?”Stanleynodded,andFlashTobin tookhispicture.“Iheard therewasa flatkidherebefore,”he

said. “Helpedcatch sneak thievesat theFamousMuseumofArt.But thatkid, Iheardhegot roundagain.”

“Itwasme,”Stanleytoldhim.“Yougobackandforth,huh?”Thephotographerwasimpressed.“Okay,getroundnow.I’dlikea

shotofthattoo.”

“Ican’tjustdoitwhenIwant,”Stanleyexplained.“Thefirsttime,mybrotherhadtoblowmeup.Withabicyclepump.”

“Makeagreatpicture!”FlashTobinshookhishead.“Well,we’lljustgowithflat.”Stanley’spicturewasintheDailySentinelthenextmorning,andArthurcouldnothelpshowing

his jealousy. Stanley was always getting his picture in the paper, he said. Didn’t they see howinterestingitwouldbetohaveapictureofhisbrother?

Therewasa soccer teampractice that afternoon, and thedaywaswindy. Itwasworrisome, thecoachsaid,thewayStanleygotblownabout.Perhaps,forthesakeoftheteam,heshouldswitchtoanindoorsport.

Stanleylovedsoccer,andthemorehethoughtaboutwhatthecoachhadsaid,thesadderhefelt.

MissElliott,hishomeroomteacher,noticedthathewasnothisusualcheerfulself.“Mr.Redfield,thenewguidancecounselor,issaidtobeveryhelpfultotroubledstudents,”shetoldhim.“Iwillaskhimtofindtimeforyou.”

MissElliottspoketohimagainafterlunch.“Suchgoodluck,Stanley!Mr.Redfieldwillseeyourightafterschooltoday!”

“Comein,Stanley.Sitrightthere!”Mr.Redfieldpointedtoacomfortablechair.Stanleysat,andMr.Redfield leanedbackbehindhisdesk.“Nowthen….Youdounderstandthat

anythingyousayhereiscompletelyconfidential?Iwon’ttellanybody.”Stanleywonderedwhathecouldsaythatwouldinterestanybodyelse.“MissElliotttellsmeyouseemtroubled.”Mr.Redfieldloweredhisvoice.“What’swrong?”“I’mnotsure,actually,”Stanleysaid.Mr.Redfieldpickedupapadandapen.“Speakfreely.Whatevercomesintoyourhead.Anything

specialhappenlately?”“Well,Igotflat,”Stanleysaid.Mr.Redfieldmadeanoteonhispad.“Idoseethat,yes.Howdidthatmakeyoufeel?”Stanleythoughtforamoment.“Flat.”“Isee.”Mr.Redfieldnodded.“Thisflatness,it’scomeuponyoubefore,I’mtold.Isitpossiblethat

somehow,withoutevenadmittingittoyourself,youwantedittohappenagain?”

“Noway!”Stanleysaidfirmly.“Thefirsttime,itwaskindoffunforawhile.Flyinglikeakite,andbeingmailedtoCalifornia,thingslikethat.ButthenIgot,youknow,tiredofit.AndnowImightgetputoffthesoccerteam.”

Mr.Redfieldnoddedagain.“Youtakenopleasurenowinyourunusualshape?”Stanleythoughtforamoment.“Well,sometimes.”Hetoldaboutbeingasail,andhelpingRalph

Joneswinarace.Mr.Redfieldmadeanothernote.“Isee.Thisdreamofbeingasail,haveyoudreameditbefore?”Stanleystaredathim.“Itwasn’ta…itreallyhappened!I’mjusttiredofbeingdifferent,Iguess.”Mr.Redfield pressedhis fingertips together. “Different?Howdoyou feel different,wouldyou

say?”StanleywonderedhowMr.Redfieldcouldbeagoodguidancecounselorifhehadbothterrible

eyesightandaterriblememory.“Well,I’mtheonlyoneinmyclasswho’sflat,”hesaid.“Thewholeschool,actually.”“Interesting.”Mr.Redfieldmadeanothernoteandglancedathiswatch.“I’mafraidourtimeisup,

Stanley.Wouldyouliketoseemeagain?JustletMissElliottknow.”“Okay,”Stanleysaidpolitely,buthedidn’tthinkhewould.

5

WhyMe?

Stanleyhadlookedsadallevening,Arthurthought.Atbedtime,astheylaywaitingforMr.andMrs.Lambchoptocomesaygoodnight,hewonderedhowtocheerhisbrotherup.

Itwasraininghard,andherememberedsuddenlytherainyeveningthatStanleyhadsnackedonraisins,andbymorninghadbecomeinvisible.Alittle-knownconsequence,Dr.Danhadexplained,ofeatingfruitduringbadweather.

“Heartherain,Stanley?”hesaid.“Betternoteatanyfruit.”“Ha,ha,ha.”Stanleysoundedcross.“Justleavemealone,okay?”“Stanley’sinaterriblemood,”ArthurtoldMr.andMrs.Lambchopwhentheycamein.“Hewon’t

eventalktome.”

“What’swrong,myboy?”MrLambchopasked.“Nothing.”Stanleyputhispillowoverhishead.“Ifmypicturewas in thenewspaperpracticallyeveryday, I’dbehappy,”Arthur said. “Imean,

why—”Mrs.Lambchophushedhim.“Stanley,dear?Whatistroublingyou?”“Nothing. Nothing,” Stanley said from under the pillow, and sat up. “But whyme?Why am I

alwaysgettingflat,orinvisibleorsomething?Whycan’titjustoncebesomeoneelse?”“Iwouldn’tmind,actually,”Arthursaid.“Justforawhile.I—”“Hush,Arthur!”Mrs.Lambchopputouttheoverheadlight,litacornerlamp,andsatbyStanley

onhisbed.Mr.LambchopsatwithArthur.Thegentlepatteroftherainagainstthewindows,theglow

ofthelittlelamp,madethebedroomcozyindeed.“Ido seewhatyoumean,Stanley,”Mr.Lambchop said at last. “Whydo these thingshappen to

you?YourmotherandIdon’tknowtheanswereither.Butthingsoftenhappenwithoutthereseemingto be a reason, and then something else happens, and suddenly the first thing seems to have had apurposeafterall.”

“Wellput,George!”Mrs.LambchopsqueezedStanley’shand.“Whatwedoknow,Stanleydear,isthatwe’reveryproudofyou,andloveyouverymuch.Andweunderstandabouttheflatness,andalltheotherunexpectedhappenings,howupsettingitmustbe.”

“It sure is!” said Stanley. “How would you like never knowing when you might get flat? Orinvisible?MaybesomedayI’llwakeuptenfeettalloroneinchshort,orwithgreenhair,oratailorsomething!”

“Iknow….”Mrs.Lambchopsaidsoftly,andMr.LambchopcameandpattedStanley’sshoulder.Thentheykissedbothboys,switchedoffthelamp,andwentout.

Arthurspokeintothedarkenedroom.“Stanley?”

“I’mtryingtosleep,”saidStanley.“What?”“Iwas just thinking,”Arthur said. “If yougot invisible, and thenyougot flat, howwould they

know?”“Huh?Idon’t—”Stanleylaughed.“Oh,Igetit!Abouttheflatness.Goodone,Arthur.”Arthurlaughedtoo.

“Quiet,please,”saidStanley.“I’mtryingtosleep.”“Okay,”Arthursaid,buthechuckledseveraltimesbeforehefellasleep.

6

Emma

Mr.Lambchopcamehomeearlythenextafternoon,fullofexcitement.“Guesswhat?”hesaid.“TheoldMerkerDepartmentStoredowntown?Eightfloors,allemptied

out,waitingtobetorndown?Well,lastnightmostofitfelldownbyitself!”HeswitchedontheTV.“Newstime!Let’sgetthelatest!”

“…more on theMerker building collapse!” a newscasterwas saying. “It’s just amountain ofrubble now, folks! Threeworkmen have been treated forminor bruises, but no other injuries arereported.Thepublicisrequestedtoavoidtheareauntil—”

Ayoungwomanranon,handedhimaslipofpaper,andranoffagain.“Holdon!Thisjustin!”Thenewscasterreadfromtheslip.“Wow!Alittlegirlistrappedunderall

thatwreckage!EmmaWeeks,daughteroflocalbusinessmanOswaldWeeks!”“EmmaWeeks!”Stanleyexclaimed.“She’sinmyclass!Nowondershewasn’tatschooltoday!”

“Emma’snothurt,itappears,”thenewscastercontinued.“Firemencalledtothescenecanhearhercallingup throughchinks in thewreckage,demandingfoodandwater!ButFireChiefJohnsonhasforbiddenanyrescueefforts!Anydisturbance,anyshiftingofthewreckage,hesays,mightbringtherestofthebuildingcrashingdown!Now,here’sTomMiller!”

TheTVscreenshowedareporterwithamicrophonestandingbythewreckedbuilding.“EmmaWeeks!”shoutedthereporter,holdinghismicrophoneuptoacrack.“Doyouhearme?

Areyouallright?”Emma’svoicewasfaintbutclear.“Oh,sure!I’mjustgreat!Ihopeabuildingfallsonmeevery

day,youknow?C’mon,getmeoutofhere!”Mrs.Lambchopsighed.“Suchanunfortunatetone!Sheisundergreatstrain,ofcourse.”“Emma’salwayslikethat,”Stanleysaid.Halfanhourlater,whileMrs.Lambchopwaspreparingsupper,asirensoundedoutside,thendied

away.Openingthefrontdoor,Mr.LambchopsawaFireDepartmentcaratthecurb.OnthedoorstepstoodFireChiefJohnsonandaveryworried-lookingmanandwoman.

“Mr.Lambchop?” saidChief Johnson. “I’ll get right to thepoint, sir. I reckonyouheard aboutlittleEmmaWeeks,trappedintheMerkerwreck?Well,Mr.andMrs.Weekshere,andme,we’dlikeawordwithyoufolks.”

“Ofcourse!”Mr.Lambchopledthevisitorsintothehouseandintroducedthemtohisfamily.“Oh,Mrs.Weeks!”Mrs.Lambchopcried.“Yourpoordaughter!Youmustbedreadfullyworried!”“Weareindeed!”saidMr.Weeks.“ButChiefJohnsonthinksyourStanleymightbeabletosave

Emma!”“Who,me?”and“Who,Stanley?”saidStanleyandArthur.ChiefJohnsonexplained.“Problemisthatifapoliceman,oroneofmyfiremen,triestodighis

wayintoEmma,thewholerestofthebuildingcouldcrashdownon’em!Toobadwedon’thaveaflatfireman,Iwasthinking.Flatfellacouldsqueezethroughallthosenarrowopeningsweknowarethere,’causewehearEmmawhenshecalls.ThenIrecollectedthenewspaperstory,withapictureof

Stanleyhere.Hitmerightaway!ThatboycouldmaybewiggleintoEmma!”

Foramoment,everyonewassilent.ThenMrs.Lambchopshookherhead.“Itsoundsterriblydangerous,”shesaid.“I’msorry,butImustsayno.”“It is a tad risky,ma’am,” saidChief Johnson. “Butwe’vegot to remember the boy is already

flat.”Mrs.Weekssobbed.“Oh,poorEmma!Howarewetosaveher?”Mrs.Lambchopbitherlip.Stanley remembered something. “Iwas just thinking.”He turned toMr. Lambchop. “The other

night?WhenIgotmadaboutall thecrazy things thatkeephappening tome?Rememberwhatyousaid?Yousaid that sometimes thingshappen thatnobodycanseea reason for,and thenafterwardssomeotherthinghappens,andallofasuddenitseemslikethefirstthinghadareasonafterall.Well,Iwasjustthinkingthatmegettingflatagainwasonecrazything,andthatmaybeEmmagettingstuckwhereI’mtheonlyonewhocantrytosaveher,thatmightbethesecondthing.”

Mr.Lambchopnodded,andtookMrs.Lambchop’shand.“Weshouldbeveryproudofourson,Harriet.”

Mrs.Lambchopthoughtforamoment.“Stanley,”shesaidatlast.“Willyoubevery,very,carefulnottoletthatenormousbuildingfallonyou?”

“Okay.Sure,”Stanleysaid.Mrs.LambchopturnedtoMr.andMrs.Weeks.“WewillallowStanleytohelp,”shesaid.“Hewill

dohisbestforEmma.”“Fine boy we got here! Brave as a lion!” shouted Chief Johnson. “Now listen up, folks!Mrs.

Lambchop, you help me get things ready! Then Stanley can go right in after Emma! Got that?EverybodymeetusattheMerkerBuilding,thirtyminutesfromnow!”

7

WhereAreYou,Emma?

In the late afternoon sunlight, at the remains of the oldMerker building, the Lambchops and theWeekses watched Chief Johnson prepare Stanley for his rescue attempt. Flash Tobin, the DailySentinelphotographer,wastheretoo,takingpictures.

Mrs. Lambchop had supplied two slices of bread and cheese, eachwrapped in plastic, and hergrandfather ’s flat silver cigarette case filled with grape soda. Chief Johnson taped the bread andcheesepacketstoStanley’sarmsandlegs, thecigarettecasetohischest,andgavehimasmall,flatflashlight.

ThenheledStanleyuptoatallcrackinthewreckage.“Emma!”heshouted.“Fella’scomingtohelpyou!Whenhecallsyourname,youhollerback‘Here!’soheknowswhichwaytogo.Gotthat?”

Emma’svoicecamefaintly.“Yeah,yeah!Hurryup!I’mstarving!”ChiefJohnsonshookStanley’shand.“Goodluck,son!”TheeveningsunlightglowedwarmlyontheredbricksofthefallenbuildingasStanleystepped

closetothecrack.Mrs.Lambchopwavedtohim,andStanleywavedback.Howhandsomeheis,shethought.Howbrave,howtall,howflat!

Stanleytooktwostepsforwardanddisappearedsidewaysthroughthecrack.Amomentlatertheyheardhisshout.“Hey!It’sreallydarkinhere!”

“Hayisforhorses,Stanley!”Mrs.Lambchopcalledback.“Oh,nevermind!Goodluck,dear!”

Thiswasadarkgreaterthananyhehadeverknown.Stanleycouldalmostfeeltheblacknessonhisskin.Heclickedonhisflashlightandedgedforwardwithoutdifficulty,butthenthecracknarrowed,slowinghim.Thebreadsliceonhis left leghadscrapedsomething, loosening the tape thatheld it.Pressingthetapebackintoplace,hewiggledforwarduntilhecametowhatseemedadeadend,butalittleswingoftheflashlightshowedcracksbranchingrightandleft.

“Emma?”hecalled.“Here!”Hervoicecamefromtheright,sohemovedalongthatbranch.“Emma?”“Yeah,yeah!What?”“WhenIsayyourname,you’resupposedtosay‘Here!’”“Ialreadydidthat!”Hefollowedanothercracktotheleft.“Emma?”There was no answer. Stanley managed a few more feet and then, quite suddenly, the crack

widened.Hecalledagain.“Emma?”“Bananas!”“Keeptalking,”heshouted.“Ineedtohearyou!”“Bananas!Here!Blah,blah!Whatever!Hey,Icanseeyourlight!”Andthereshewas.Thecrackhadwidenedtobecomeasmallcave,atthebackofwhichsatEmma.

Her jeans and shirt were smudged with dirt, but it was most surely Emma, squinting against thebrightnessofhislight.

“You!”sheexclaimed.“Fromschool!Theflattie!”Don’tloseyourtemper,Stanleytoldhimself.“Iwastheonlyonetheythoughtcouldgetinhere.

Howareyoudoing,Emma?”

Emmarolledhereyes.“Oh, justgreat!Awholebuildingfallsonme,andtheysendinaflattie!AndnowI’mstarvingtodeath!”

Stanleyuntapedtheslicesofbreadandcheese,andhandedthemover.“Cheese,huh?”Emmaputhersandwichtogetherandtookabite.“Ihatecheese.Gotanythingto

drink,flattie?”“Pleasedon’tcallmeflattie.Here.”Heheldoutthesilvercigarettecase.Emmarolledhereyesagain.“I’mnotallowedtosmoke.”“It’ssoda.”Sheopenedthecigarettecaseandsipped.“Blaahh!Ihategrape!”ChiefJohnson’svoicerosefromaholeinthewallbehindher.“Stanley?Youthereyet?”Emmajerkedathumbatthehole.“It’sforyou,flattie.”

“I’mhere,Chief!”Stanleycalled.“Emma’sokay.”Heheardcheering,andthentheChief’svoicecameagain.“Seeawayout,Stan?”“Ihaven’thadachancetolookaroundyet.Emma’seating.”“We’llwait.Overandout,Stan!”“Youtoo!”Stanleycalled.HewaiteduntilEmmahadfinishedhersandwich.“Emma,howdidyougetintothismess?What

madeyoucomeinhere?”“I just cameover to look,”Emma said. “And theyhadall these signs! ‘Danger!Keepout!’All

over the place, even behind in the parking lot. ‘Keep out!Danger!Danger!’ I really hate that, youknow?Sotherewasthisdoor,anditwasopen,soIwentin.”Shefinishedthegrapesoda.“Okay,let’sgo.”

“Not theway Icame in,”Stanleysaid.“Icould justbarelysqueeze through.Andwehave tobecareful,because—”

“I know!” Emma interrupted. “Chief whatshisname kept telling me: ‘Don’t move around! Thewholerestofthebuildingmightcrashdown!’SoamIsupposedtolivedownhereforever?”

“This door you came through,” Stanley said. “How far did you come to find this sort of cave

we’rein?”“Who said anything about far? I just got inside, and therewere these crashing noises, and the

wholebuildingwasshaking,andIfelldownrighthere!Thecrashingwentonforever!IthoughtIwasgoingtodie!”

“Calmdown.”AnideacameintoStanley’shead.“Justwherewasthisdoor?Doyouremember?”“Overtheresomewhere.”Emmapointedintothedarknessofacornerbehindher.Stanleyswunghislight,butsawonlywhatseemedtobeasolidwallofsplinteredboards,rock,

andbrick.Emmapointedabitleft,thenright.“Maybethere…Idon’tknow!WasIsupposedtotakepictures

orsomething?Whatdifferencedoesitmake?”“Wemightbejustalittlebitinsidethatdoor,”Stanleysaid.“Andwhatwewantistobejustoutside

ofit.”Movingclosertothecorner,hesawthatajaggedpieceofwoodprotrudedatwaistlevel.Itcame

outeasilywhenhetugged,followedbyloosedirt.Emmastoodbesidehim.“Whyareyoumakingthismess?”Hepokedintheholewiththestick.“MaybeI’llfind—”Dirtcascadedfromthewall,coveringhisshoes.Hesawlightnow,notjustthelittlecirclefrom

hisflashlight,butdaylight!Unmistakablydaylight!“Oooohhhh!”saidEmma.Stanleymadetheholestilllarger,andtheysawthatadoorlayonitssideacrossthebottomofthe

hole,wreckage limiting the opening on both sides.But itwas big enough!Theywould be able towigglethrough!HeranbacktothewallfromwhichChiefJohnson’svoicehadcome.

“We’reonourwayout!”heshouted.“We’llbeinback,inthecourtyard!”“Gotit!”cametheChief’svoice.“Greatwork!”

StanleyturnedtoEmma.“Let’sgo!”“I’llgetalldirty,silly,”Emmasaid.“Maybewecouldjust—”“ComeON!”“Don’tyell!”Emmasaid,butshecrawledquicklythroughtheholewithStanleyrightbehindher.

8

Hero!

Therewasmuchrejoicing in thecourtyard.Mrs.LambchopkissedStanleyandArthur.Mrs.Weekskissed Emma, and then everyone else, even Flash Tobin, who had arrived to take pictures. Mr.LambchopshookhandswithMr.WeeksandChiefJohnson,whoannouncedseveraltimesthatStanleywasagreathero.

FlashTobintookagrouppictureofall theLambchops.“Needonemore,”hesaid.“Emma,justyouandStanley.Yourhero,right?Savedyourlife!”

“Icouldhavegotoutbymyself,”Emmasaid.“Ijustdidn’tknowexactlywherethedoorwas.”ButshewenttostandbyStanley.

“Smile!”FlashTobintookthepicture.“Yes,that’sgood!”HegaveStanleyacheerfulslapontheback,justasEmma’selbowjabbedhardintoStanley’sribs.

“Owww!”Stanleyyelled.

Emmagrinned.“That’sforyou,Mr.Hero!”“Areyoucrazy?What—”Stanleystopped.Everybodywasstaringathim.Hefeltpeculiar,asif—

Yes!Hewasgettingroundagain!“Wow!”Emmasaid.“Howdoyoudothat?”

“Hooray for you, dear!” shoutedMrs. Lambchop, andmore cries rose from the others in thecourtyard.“DoyouseewhatIsee?…He’sblowingup!…Arewecrazyorwhat?”

FlashTobinaimedhiscameraagain.“Holdit,kid!”Buthewas too late.Beforehimnowstooda smilingStanleyLambchop, shaped like a regular

boy!Mr.Lambchoprantohughim,andeveryoneelseapplauded.“Been thirty years with the Fire Department, and never saw anything like that!” said Chief

Johnson.“Wouldn’thavemissedit!”“I’mreallyglad,”Stanleysaid.“Butwhatmadeithappen?”“WhatDr.Dansaid!”shoutedArthur.“Remember?TheOsteo-posteo-whatever!”“TheOBP!TheOstealBalancePoint.”Mr.Lambchopsmiled.“Yes!Theslapon theback from

FlashTobin,andthepokefromEmma!Thatdidit!”AboardfellfromthetiltingroofoftheMerkerBuilding,landinginacornerofthecourtyard.“Let’sgo,folks,”saidChiefJohnson.“We’renotsafehere!”Amomentlater,backoutinthestreet,therewasmorehuggingandkissingandsayinggoodnight.

Suddenly,behindthem,thereweregreatcreakingandgrindingsounds.Turning, theywatchedwhatwasleftoftheMerkerbuildingcomecrashingdown.

Emmaspokefirst.“Oh,boy,”shesaidsoftly.“Wow!”Mrs.Weekscaughthereye,andgavealittlenodtowardStanley.Emmalookedpuzzled.“Huh?…Oh,yeah!”SheturnedtoStanley.“Iguessmaybeyou,youknow,

savedmylife.Whatever.”Shekissedhischeek.“Thankyouverymuch,StanleyLambchop.”“It’sokay,”Stanleysaid,quiteredintheface.“You’rewelcome.”Everyonewenthome.

9

Fame!

Atbedtimethenextevening,theLambchopsreadagaintheDailySentineltheyhadenjoyedsomuchatbreakfastthatmorning.

Thefrontpageheadlineread:RUDEGIRLSAVED!FLATRESCUERREGAINSSHAPE!Therewere also twoFlashTobinphotographs—theLambchop familypicture and theoneofStanley andEmma taken justbefore shepokedhim in the ribs.Arthurwasparticularlypleasedwith the familypicture.

“Finally!”hesaid.“NotjustStanley!Peoplecouldhavebeenwonderingifhehadabrother,youknow?CanIhavethisone?”

“Youmay,”saidMrs.Lambchop.“IwanttheoneofStanleywithEmma,formykitchenwall.”“Idon’tcareaboutpictures,”Stanleysaid.“IjusthopeInevergobacktobeingflat.”Mrs.Lambchoppattedhishand.“ItoldDr.Danofyourrecovery,dear.Hethinksitmostunlikely

theflatnesswilloccuragain.”“Yay!”saidStanley.Arthurcutthefamilypictureoutofthepaper,andusedaredpenciltodrawanarrow,pointingup

athim,inthewhitespaceatthebottom.Underthearrow,hewrote,Hero’sBrother.Thenhetapedthepicturetothewallabovehisbed.

SoonalltheLambchopswereasleep.

TheEnd

OTHERWORKS




InvisibleStanley


StanleyinSpace

Stanley,FlatAgain!




COPYRIGHT

Stanley,FlatAgain!Copyright©2003byJeffBrown

IllustrationsbyMackyPamintuan,copyright©2009byHarperCollinsPublishers

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenon-exclusive,non-transferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,down-loaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageand


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The Flat Stanley Collection - Weeblyclass2ab.weebly.com/uploads/8/1/6/5/8165075/stanley.pdf · The policemen realized that was a good rule and said they would try to remember it