Gary The Grasshopper

At dusk, the farm grounds come alive with endless sounds. Gary, who never misses an opportunity to have fun, is hanging out with Hopi and Dubey at the edge of the pond. They can’t wait to show off their dance moves later at the big dance!

Today was Thanksgiving, and Gary was over the moon! He screamed and ran downstairs to meet his parents in the kitchen. “Happy Thanksgiving!” Gary looked around him and saw lots of pans and pots filled with delicious food in the kitchen. He immediately offered to help.

It was the perfect morning to have fun! Gary and his friends had agreed to watch Grace hula-hoop. Grace stretched her legs and arms, took deep breaths, and placed a book on top of her head. This was her warm-up before the big show.

Gary really enjoyed exercising in the morning. Every little thing in nature grabbed his attention, from the tall, sharp blades of the grass to the cool breeze blowing against his wings.... He had only just started working out, but he would be meeting his friend by the pond very soon.

Gary had a unique idea. He and his friends would pretend to live in a kingdom full of magic. Everyone loved his suggestion, and Gary was chosen to be king. Daisy and Donna Duck would be his servants, and as the king of the kingdom, Gary would grant magical wishes.

As Gary and his friends were playing, Grace noticed something poking out of the grass.... Gary recognized it right away. It was a pin! The others had never seen anything like it before, but Grace grabbed it and held it above her head. She would be queen, and this would be her scepter!

Summer nights were really hot, and Gary couldn’t sleep at all! He tossed and turned in his bed, feeling uncomfortable, exhausted, and restless. He tried putting ice in his pillow, but that didn’t work! There was not even a cool breeze....

Gary and his friends were going to play touch football in the yard. Everyone would be there! Gary had made grand plans for this game, but there was a small problem. He was sick! He felt sleepy and tired, and his whole body ached. His mom immediately called Dr. Frog, who put a thermometer under Gary's tongue to check his temperature.

Gary loved playing in the water, but he was in the mood for something different today. Just as he was about to leave the park, he saw a couple of kids with boards on wheels. They were jumping and riding rails flawlessly.... Gary was really impressed by their tricks.

Gary was having a fantastic day at school. He had done all his exercises and gotten excellent grades. Everything was going great until Miss Susan made an announcement.... There was going to be a Valentine’s party at school next week! The party would take place in the gym, and everyone would bring a Valentine’s card for their special friend.

Gary and his best friends are really scared of Halloween. That day, people like to put on strange costumes, masks, and scary makeup and walk around the streets.... Patrick the Pig is afraid of scarecrows, Charlie the Chipmunk is afraid of skunks, and Cousin Cricket is afraid of birds. Gary is really afraid of Jack-o-lanterns, so he thinks this day is the worst!

Christmas season is here! Gary has already written a letter to Santa, his father has hung the Christmas lights, and carols are playing from the speakers.... There are presents under the tree, socks are hanging over the fireplace, and a mouthwatering smell is coming from the kitchen.

Some people love Christmas and Thanksgiving, but Gary’s favorite time of the year is Independence Day! This year, he mowed the lawn, pulled out the barbecue grill, put a red tablecloth over the picnic table, and hung his US flag outside his front door. Gary was looking forward to serving corn on the cob, grilled pea pods, and dessert to his guests.

Gary the Grasshopper was up early to pack. Today, he was going to the countryside to visit his cousin Cricket! He brushed his teeth, made his bed, and put on his blue overalls. It would be so much fun! Cousin Cricket’s family had already set up a picnic table in the yard when they got there.

Gary got out of bed after a long night and a big dinner of corn and milkshakes. A morning stroll around the park sounded like a perfect idea. As he was walking around, he came across a piece of brightly-colored paper.

Gary slept in for once and skipped his morning workout. He had something much more fun to do today! He packed his bag, fixed a picnic basket, and paced back and forth, while he waited for his friends to show up.... He couldn’t wait for everyone to get there so he could show them all the fun things he had stuffed in his bag!

Gary and his friends, Grace, Hopi, and Dubey, hopped from leaf to leaf and ducked under low tree branches without breaking a sweat. No one could catch them! As they were singing and laughing, they made loads of noise. “Get out! Go Go!” hollered Mr. Squirrel, pushing them out of his tree.

Gary the Grasshopper didn’t spring up as usual when his alarm clock rang. The previous night, Patrick the Pig had thrown a birthday party, and Gary was a bit tired. He and Grace had been invited to Patrick’s after-party baseball game that morning, so Gary had to eat as much as he could to have enough energy.

Cousin Cricket has come from the countryside for a surprise visit! Gary is really happy to see him, but he’s also feeling kind of down. He loves to play football, but his parents want him to play something safer. “I can help,” Cousin Cricket says.

Gary and his best friends are really scared of Halloween. That day, people like to put on strange costumes, masks, and scary makeup and walk around the streets.... Patrick the Pig is afraid of scarecrows, Charlie the Chipmunk is afraid of skunks, and Cousin Cricket is afraid of birds.