I set Sassafras down on the kitchen floor and opened the pantry. The first thing I saw was the salt container. I checked, and it was almost empty. I scooted a bag of flour to the side and found a brand new giant bag of sugar. Hmmm. That might be the winner.
Finally, I looked down at the very bottom of the pantry and found our stash of vinegar. I shook the bottle. Not much left. I’d been making too many baking soda and vinegar volcanoes!
Sugar was the official winner. I set the big bag down on the kitchen table with a thunk.
“What else do I need, Sassafras?”
Sassafras impatiently paced by the back door. He wanted more time with Gorp.
I grabbed a plastic pitcher and a big wooden spoon to mix the sugar water. I added some water to the pitcher and piled everything in my arms. I took little steps so I didn’t splash the water everywhere.
Sassafras meowed at me the whole way to the barn. I guess I wasn’t moving fast enough for him.
Once we got in, I added a good bit of sugar to the water and stirred with my spoon for a minute or two. Then I looked from the pitcher to Gorp. “Um, we should take this outside. It might get a little messy.”
We went outside, and I checked Gorp’s fur. “Hey, there isn’t any mold right now!”
“Oh, that’s only because I just bathed in the stream. Is that OK?”
“That’s perfect. The sugar water should stop the mold from growing on your fur, like it did with the fur sample in the bag. I’m going to, uh, I guess pour it on a little at a time and spread it around with my spoon. Does that sound OK?”
Gorp nodded and stood very still. Sassafras saw me raise the pitcher up and scooted out of the way. He hates getting wet.
I poured and spread the liquid as best I could. After a few minutes, I was pretty sure I’d given Gorp’s fur a good coating of sugar water.
“Ta-da! You’re good to go. If you want to come back in a day or two, I can mix up more for you.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to the Monster Ball!” Gorp cheered. “I’m a bit damp, so I think I’ll take a nice long walk to make sure I’m dry before I settle down for the night.”
“That’s a great plan, Gorp! I’m so happy for you!”
We waved good-bye to each other, and I brought all of my supplies into the house. After I put everything we’d used in the sink to wash later, I grabbed my science journal and wrote down the results of my monster fur experiment.
I was so happy I’d solved Gorp’s mold problem, but as I closed my science journal, I realized I’d forgotten to get a photo of him again.
Maybe he’d come back for more sugar water in a few days, and I could ask him then?
