The End of the Beginning

by Avi

  "Can you tell which end is which?" asked the worm, a bit vexed.

  "No, I can't," admitted Avon.

  Edward thought for a moment. Then he picked up a tiny bit of leaf and waved it through the air. "What I suggest," he said, "is that I tickle one of your ends and then the other. Whichever end sneezes should be your nose. With that as a start, we should be able to make a good guess of things, putting an end to your problem."

  "But my problem is my end," said the worm. "Besides, I'm terribly ticklish."

  Edward became cross. "Now see here, Worm. Pull yourself together. This is no laughing matter. It's not we who have lost our wits. If we can't help, you are doomed to a life without an end."

  The severity of Edward's tone calmed the worm. And when he considered what the ant had said, he realized how helpful Edward was trying to be. "I'm ready," the worm said grimly.

  Like a careful doctor, Edward applied the leaf bit to one end of the worm.

  Nothing happened.

  Edward stepped back, frowning. "I'll give it a try on the other end. If I'm wrong this time, I'm afraid we are in for an unhappy ending."

  Avon was so tense, he looked the other way.

  Edward applied the leaf bit again.

  The worm sneezed.

  "Sir," said Edward, pointing dramatically, " that is your beginning and that is your end."

  "Thank you," said the worm, "for putting an end to my troubles."

  The two adventurers once again set off.

  "That was wonderful, Edward," said Avon. "You were ever so confident."

  "It just looked that way," confessed Edward. "I don't mind telling you, I was worried for a moment. It worked out, but a situation like that can cause complications which can go on forever."

  "You mean ... endless?"

  "Exactly."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  In Which Avon Sings

  "I've such a terrible memory," said Avon as he and Edward were going along.

  "What have you forgotten?" asked Edward.

  "That's just it," said Avon. "I'm not sure at all. Have you any ideas?"

  "Perhaps you were trying to remember that song I wrote for the cricket. You know, the one with the catchy lyrics. Was that it?"

  "Exactly!" exclaimed Avon. "I was trying to sing it to myself, but all I could remember were the first four words. You know, 'Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese... ' There, you see, I've forgotten the rest."

  Edward sang it through. "'Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese.'"

  "Right," said Avon, and he sang the song. "'Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese.'"

  "You do have a bad memory," said Edward. "You've got the words all right, but now you've mixed them up. It goes this way: 'Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese.'"

  "I've got it now," said Avon, and he tried it again. "'Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese.' Is that it?"

  "Close enough."

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  In Which the Adventurers Enter a Curious House

  It was in the afternoon that Avon and Edward came upon a house.

  Avon stared at it for a long time. "How strange," he said. "We've traveled so far, and yet there's a house which seems just like my own."

  Edward became excited. "Avon," he whispered, "this may very well be a magic house."

  "And look," cried Avon, "here's something even stranger! Not only does this house remind me of my own, back where we came from, but here is a sign which says, 'Avon Snail.'"

  "Avon," said Edward breathlessly, "this is not just magic but powerful magic!"

  With extreme caution, the two creatures pushed open the door and peered into the house.

  Avon became more astonished. "It even looks like the inside of my house."

  "Do you notice anything else odd?" Edward wanted to know.

  "The tables and chairs," said Avon, "are just the way I like them. Even the pictures on the wall are to my fancy. Oh, Edward, someone has gone to a great deal of trouble."

  "It's perfectly clear to me," said Edward. "Now I know why we have had so many extraordinary adventures. All the time, traveling right along with us, was an invisible magician."

  "An invisible magician," said Avon, surprised. "How stupid of me never to have noticed."

  "This house proves I am right," said Edward. "No doubt that invisible magician took an old castle and turned it into a house which you would like."

  "I'm grateful and flattered," said Avon.

  Edward snorted. "Nonsense. It has nothing to do with kindness. He owes it to you!"

  "I don't see why."

  "Avon, just how many snails do you know who believe in magic adventures?"

  "Just myself—and you—but, of course, you're not a snail."

  "Exactly," said Edward. "The invisible magician is merely showing his gratitude for your believing."

  Suddenly, Avon felt very happy. "Just think," he said, "to go on a long trip, to come so far from where you live, and then—then to come upon a magic castle which has all the comforts of home. Oh, Edward, this has been the most exciting adventure of all. I believe I am happy at last."

  Edward nodded and said, "I've always believed a man's castle should be his home."

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  In Which an Adventure Is Added

  Avon and Edward decided to remain in the magic castle and live there together. Avon had become very famous for his adventures. Creatures from all over the neighborhood came to visit him.

  His old friend the newt came. "What was your most exciting adventure?" he asked.

  Avon turned to Edward for help. "Which one should I tell him?"

  Edward considered the question in his usual thoughtful way. "Tell him about your great race with the grasshopper."

  Avon was about to tell that adventure to the newt when he remembered just in time that he never did have a race with a grasshopper.

  "Don't worry, Avon," said Edward. "If it never really happened, there's not much danger of telling it wrong. Now that you're famous, you don't want to say the wrong thing."

  "Maybe I should sing it?"

  "Better write than song," said Edward.

  So Avon wrote out his "Great Grasshopper Race Adventure." When he was done, he read it aloud:

  "One day a grasshopper challenged Avon to a race.

  Sure,' said Avon. 'But where will we race to?'

  I suggest,' said the grasshopper, 'we go from here to there.'

  Avon thought about it. Then he said,

  Does it matter which direction we go?'

  'As long as it's between here and there,' returned the grasshopper, I suppose it will be the same distance.'

  'In that case,' said Avon with a smile, I suggest we race from there to here.'

  'That's fine with me,' the grasshopper agreed, but why would you want to do it that way?'

  'Well,' said Avon, if we race from there to here—instead of from here to there—since I'm already here and you're there—I win."

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  In Which the Adventures Conclude

  When Avon had finished, the newt shook his head in admiration.

  "Lad," he said, "that's the kind of story that makes me want to go out and have my own adventures. In fact, I'm leaving immediately."

  "Good luck!" Avon called as the newt left.

  A grinning Avon turned to Edward.

  "You know, Edward, even though it never happened, I think that was the best adventure of all. And the newt seemed to find it very moving."

  "He certainly left right away," said Edward. "I particularly liked the part about being here. It confirmed what I've come to believe: You're a hero."

  Avon blushed. "You're right. I would rather be here than anywhere. Edward, you've helped me come a long way."

  "I'm glad I was helpful," said Edward. "Though, most of all, I'm pleased by the way your adventures allowed our friendship to begin. But now that's done."

  Avon grew alarmed. "Edward, are you suggesting our friendship is ending?" />
  "I rather think," said the ant, "it's just the end of the beginning."

  "But, Edward," Avon cried out, "that means—"

  "What?"

  "We've never had a middle."

  "Oh, never mind," said Edward. "Next time we have an adventure, we'll start in the middle."

  "And then," said Avon, "we can go in any direction we want."

  Edward thought for a long time. Then he said, "You're right. That's the only way to go."

  The End

  (of the Beginning)

  * * *

  AVI has written many acclaimed novels for middle grade and teen readers, including his Newbery Medal–winning Crispin: The Cross of Lead and his two Newbery Honor Books, Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. He lives in Denver, Colorado.

  Jacket illustrations copyright © 2004 by Tricia Tusa

  Jacket design by Kelly Eismann

  HARCOURT, INC.

  525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101

  15 East 26th Street, New York, NY 10010

  www.HarcourtBooks.com

  Manufactured in China

  1004

  * * *