Hello, Billy, can you hear me? I said in my mind.
In the vision, Billy stopped mopping and looked around confused. Then he stuck a finger in his ear, cleaning it out.
It’s me, Krystal!
Billy dropped the mop.
“K-Krystal?” he stammered. “Where are you?”
I’m in your mind!
“Ah!” he screamed, grabbing his head. “Get out of there!”
Relax, Billy. I’m sending you a mental message. Claire and I need your help!
I told him everything.
Can you and your dad whip up another batch of fortune cookies really quick?
“I’ll do my best,” he said.
I opened my eyes and said to Claire, “Cross your fingers and hope Billy comes through.”
At that moment, Principal Nova entered the cafeteria with another well-dressed woman.
The principal approached the podium, and the room quieted.
“Your attention, please! This year, I’ve brought a very special guest judge to help me find a winner,” she said, and the other woman waved.
“Mildred and I went to elementary school together and have stayed best friends ever since,” continued the principal. “She went on to become a famous celebrity chef, and we’re lucky to have her here today. Allow me to present, Millie Fay!”
The cafeteria applauded.
Claire clasped her hands and sighed. “Gosh, she’s so great! My parents watch her TV show every morning.”
Right then, Miss Callisto walked over to our table and saw the mess.
“What happened here, girls?” she asked.
“Well, I, uh, I don’t know,” I stuttered.
“Kate did it!” Claire blurted out. “She sabotaged us!”
“Claire, that is a serious accusation,” Miss Callisto sternly stated.
“It’s true,” said a voice.
It was Emily’s.
“Kate tripped Krystal,” she said, looking at us. “I watched it happen. I’m sorry.”
Miss Callisto asked Kate about the incident.
Kate turned red and hollered, “Don’t listen to them — they’re all liars!”
Susan came to Emily’s defense. Kate was angry at the betrayal of her friends.
Before she could say anything, Miss Callisto spoke. “In light of your group’s confession, I’m afraid the only fair option is to disqualify you from the competition. I will not tolerate cheaters, Ms. Saxon, do you understand?”
Kate grumbled a reply. Then she ran out of the room, crying.
Miss Callisto left to inform Principal Nova and Millie Fay about the recent events.
“Um, I guess we should thank you,” I said to Emily and Susan. “But why did you help us out?”
Emily pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to me.
“Remember when we stole those cookies from you?” Emily said. “Well, this was inside one.”
I took the slip and read it aloud: “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
“I asked my mom what it meant. She said it’s easier to get what you want by being polite to them than by making demands. I guess the same goes for making friends and being popular,” Emily told us. “We’re sorry for being so mean.”
“Whoa! Beware the awesome power of the fortune cookie,” Claire said.
And as simply as that, the tension between us had broken.
I realized that winning the bake-off didn’t matter. It was more important to make peace with two of the Mean Team members and spread positive energy between us.
Seconds later, Billy entered the cafeteria with his father. They were still wearing aprons and holding a new batch of fortune cookies.
Billy found us in the crowd and hurried over.
“Sorry we’re late. I tried to bake them as fast as I could,” he said. “Did the judges come by yet?”
“No, you’re just in time!” I replied. “The judges are right there.”
“Is that who I think it is?” Mr. Katsikis said, looking at the celebrity chef. “Oh my goodness!”
Principal Nova and Millie Fay approached our table. They each tried one of our cookies.
“Mmm,” said Principal Nova. “These are delicious!”
Claire, Billy, and I were happy, but it Mr. Katsikis who was grinning from ear to ear. He looked like the Cheshire Cat.
Millie Fay added, “They are crunchy, sweet, and . . . somewhat familiar. Where did you find this recipe?”
“From your book!” Mr. Katsikis exclaimed. “I’m your biggest fan!”
And like a magician, he pulled the Millie Fay Cookbook out of his apron.
Millie Fay laughed and said, “Oh my, you certainly are!”
“Please honor me with your autograph. Oh and a picture, if you don’t mind.”
Mr. Katsikis handed his phone to Billy, who snapped a picture with its camera.
“Thank you, Ms. Fay,” Mr. Katsikis said. “My wife will be in shock. She’s a big fan too. I think she loves you more than me!”
The celebrity chef blushed.
“One question,” said Principal Nova. “If these are fortune cookies, where are the fortunes?”
The three of us gulped.
“Well, you see, this is what happened,” Claire started, but Billy interrupted.
“We, uh, wanted to be fair and give everyone the same fortune. Right, Krystal?”
I looked at Billy and Claire and Susan and Emily. Then it hit me.
“Our fortune,” I told them, “is that true friendship is the sweetest treat of all!”
Principal Nova, Miss Callisto, and Millie Fay clapped their hands.
“Well, I don’t know about you, ladies, but this group has my vote.” Millie Fay said. “Plus, I plan on buying all these fortune cookies and making a hefty donation to the school!”
“That’s wonderful news,” Principal Nova said to us. “Congratulations! You are the winners, and you’ll all be going to the Bronx Zoo!”
Billy, Claire, and I jumped for joy.
“Woohoo!” we cried and slapped high fives.
The principal and chef shook our hands and headed to the podium to make the announcement.
“Wow,” Claire said. “We totally pulled it off. I can’t believe it!”
“Was there ever any doubt?” Billy asked.
“Well, my dreams did show many ups and downs, but it all balanced out in the end.” I said.
“We make an amazing team,” Claire replied, hugging us close.
“Thanks to Krystal’s amazing gift,” Billy added.
“You’re absolutely right,” I said. “After all, being a small medium is such a ball!”
Ruby Ann Phillips
Ruby Ann Phillips is the pseudonym of a New York Times best-selling author who lives in the Big Apple, in a neighborhood much like Krystal Ball’s.
Sernur Isik
Sernur Isik lives in magical Istanbul, Turkey. As a child, she loved drawing fairies and unicorns, as well as wonderful, imaginative scenes of her home country. Since graduating from the Fine Arts Faculty-Graphic Design of Ataturk University, Sernur has worked as a professional illustrator and artist for children’s books, mascot designs, and textile brands. She likes collecting designer toys, reading books, and traveling the world.
Horoscopes by Krystal Ball!
Astrologists believe a diagram of the position of stars and planets on a person’s birthday fortells the future. This diagram is divided into twelve groups called signs. Find your sign and Krystal’s prediction for your future!
ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 19)
Krystal says: “You’re always willing to tackle new adventures, but be careful not to rush into things too quickly!”
Lucky numbers: 9, 15, 33
Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)
Lucky numbers: 2, 18, 49
Gemini (May 21–Jun 21)
Krystal says: “Your laugh is contagious, and you have a great sense of humor. So embrace your jokester side, Gemini, and spread smiles!”
Lucky numbers: 1, 24, 91
Cancer (Jun 22–Jul 22)
Krystal says: “Don’t be afraid to work hard for what you want. Go for a goal! You’re commitment will be rewarded.”
Lucky numbers: 6, 21, 75
Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)
Krystal says: “Leo, have you been feeling lonely? Organize a picnic for you and your friends and be the social butterfly that you are!”
Lucky numbers: 12, 53, 67
Virgo (Aug 23–Sep 22)
Krystal says: “You may not be the loudest of your friends, but you’ve got a lot to say! Jump into the conversation and give your opinion.”
Lucky numbers: 14, 36, 42
Libra (Sep 23–Oct 22)
Krystal says: “Everyone can use a little encouragement now and then. Do something nice for someone today!”
Lucky numbers: 4, 27, 83
Scorpio (Oct 23–Nov 21)
Krystal says: “You love being independent, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Friends and family got your back!”
Lucky numbers: 3, 31, 62
Sagittarius (Nov 22–Dec 21)
Krystal says: “Itching for something new, Sagittarius? Try learning a new sport or a new instrument just for fun!”
Lucky numbers: 19, 25, 64
Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)
Krystal says: “Your imagination could use some exercise lately! Let your creativity run free.”
Lucky numbers: 15, 37, 80
Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 18)
Krystal says: “You love giving advice, but listen to what others are saying. You may hear some words of wisdom.”
Lucky numbers: 7, 38, 95
Pisces (Feb 19–Mar 20)
Krystal says: Looking for a new creative activity, Pisces? Try decorating some cupcakes. They’ll look perfectly pretty!”
Lucky numbers: 20, 41, 73
Krystal’s Fortune Game!
What you'll need:
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
A square piece of paper
One or more friends!
1. First, fold your square piece of paper diagonally in half to make a triangle. Make sure there is a crease. Then, open it up again.
2. Fold the paper diagonally the opposite way to make a second triangle. When you open the paper up again, there should be two creases in the shape of an X.
3. Next, take one corner of your paper and fold it toward the center. Repeat with each corner of the square. All the corners should meet in the center of the square.
4. Flip over the paper so that the folded side is facedown.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to make a smaller square.
6. Keep the fortune-teller folded side up and write the numbers 1–8 in each of the creased triangles. There should be only one number in each triangle.
7. Open each flap and write a fortune on the inside of each triangle. You should have two fortunes written inside each flap.
8. Close the flaps back up, and flip the fortune-teller over. Now color each of the four squares a different color. Once you’ve colored them in, you’re ready to predict the future!
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Krystal Ball is published by
Picture Window Books,
a Capstone imprint
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstoneyoungreaders.com
Copyright © 2015 by Picture Window Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on the Library of Congress website.
ISBN: 978-1-4795-5874-2 (library hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-4795-5876-6 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-4795-6197-1 (ebook pdf)
ISBN: 978-1-4795-8087-3 (ebook)
Summary: It's the annual school bake-off, and Krystal Ball is making fortune cookies, of course! Will the cookies lead to a sweet victory, or will the competition leave Krystal sour? Find out in this adventure of Krystal Ball, fourth-grade fortune-teller.
Designer: Kay Fraser
Fortune Cookie Fiasco (Krystal Ball) Page 4
