Everyone Goes Ape!

Everyone piled into the car, and Mr. Cooke drove to the zoo.

Tina gasped. “Where’d all these people come from?” she said.

“Mr. Chesterfield said everyone in town would be at the Zoo Benefit,” said Katie Lynn. “He was right.”

“I’m sure they all came to buy your animal cookies,” Mr. Cooke said.

He grinned at Katie Lynn and Tina.

“I hope so,” said Katie Lynn. “We want to make enough money to build a new Ape House.”

Gerald made ape noises in the back seat.

“We need to hurry. Mr. Chesterfield is probably wondering where we are,” Grandma said. “Everyone grab a container of cookies.”

They rushed to the main entrance. Mr. Chesterfield was waiting for them.

“There you are!” he said. He got a big smile on his face when Katie Lynn showed him the animal cookies. “Perfect! Perfect! I knew I could count on the Katie Lynn Cookie Company!”

“Of course!” said Katie Lynn.

She and Tina grinned at each other.

Then they all followed Mr. Chesterfield to a big blue tent. On the way, they passed the apes.

“It won’t be long now,” Katie Lynn shouted to them. “You’ll soon have a new home!”

Jonathan Wilbarger ran up to them. He had a frog in his hands. “I found Burt. He was in our backyard the whole time.” He looked at Mrs. Cooke. “I’m sorry I said you fried his legs.”

“That’s okay, Jonathan,” said Mrs. Cooke. “I’m just glad you found him.”

Katie Lynn and Tina put the animal cookies on big silver trays. Then Mr. Chesterfield auctioned them off. Jonathan Wilbarger bought a whole batch of frog cookies. He even gave one to Gerald for a pet. Within minutes, the cookies were all gone.

“What a success!” Mr. Chesterfield exclaimed. “We made a lot of money for the new Ape House.”

Katie Lynn thought it was a success, too. “Three cheers for Mom and her French cooking!”

“Thanks, but I’ve decided to give that up,” said Mrs. Cooke. “I’ve learned all the French Chef has to teach.”

Katie Lynn looked at Grandma and Mr. Cooke. She was sure they were thinking the same thing. What a relief!

“Really?” said Tina.

“Yes,” said Mrs. Cooke. “Tonight I’m watching a show about Italian cooking. Tomorrow we’re going to have octopus for dinner.” She kissed the tips of her fingers. “Delizioso!”

Katie Lynn almost choked on the cookie she was eating. Then she laughed. “Okay, Mom,” she said. “And we’ll make octopus cookies for dessert!”