Mina

Question 1

Except for one thing.

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Mina

Question 2

It wasn’t her father, who was always bringing home surprises from the outside world.

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Mina

Question 3

And it wasn’t the tin can he found that made his jokes louder.

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Question 4

And it wasn’t the collection of antique art that he thought would make them rich.

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Question 5

And it wasn’t even the band of musicians he met in the woods.

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Question 6

She barely noticed any of those things.

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Question 7

Come outside. I have a really big surprise for you!

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Mina

Question 8

And that’s when she started to worry.

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Question 9

It’s a squirrel! he said.

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Question 10

I don’t think that’s a squirrel.

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Mina

Question 11

Of course it is.

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Question 12

Squirrels are bigger than mice and have long bushy tails!

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Mina

Question 13

There’s nothing to worry about, said her father.

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Question 14

Remember the time I brought home those stick insects and you taught them to read?

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Question 15

That was so much fun.

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Question 16

They stole all my books!

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Question 17

We got you more books said her father.

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Question 18

Now go to sleep.

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Mina

Question 19

Everything will be fine. You’ll see.

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Mina

Question 20

But sure enough, everything was fine.

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Mina

Question 21

For a little while.

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Question 22

He’s not eating!

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Question 23

Something’s wrong.

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Mina

Question 24

Do you think he’s lonely?

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Mina

Question 25

Perhaps, but whatever you do, don’t bring home any more surprises.

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Mina

Question 26

But the next day… he brought home two more surprises.

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Mina

Question 27

But they wouldn’t eat either.

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Question 28

I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about, said the doctor.

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Question 29

But let me take a look at these squirrels.

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Question 30

Oh I see the problem, said the doctor.

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Question 31

The problem is that these squirrels are definitely cats.

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Question 32

Oh dear

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Question 33

And then all at once…

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Question 34

And over the pond.

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Question 35

And up a tree.

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Question 36

Stop!

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Question 37

We shared our home with you!

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Question 38

Our food! Our toothpaste!

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Mina

Question 39

And this is how you repay us?

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Question 40

By trying to eat us?

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Mina

Question 41

Yes, said the cats.

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Mina

Question 42

And they were about to eat the mice when the strangest thing happened.

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Mina

Question 43

A stick insect walked slowly into the fray.

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Mina

Question 44

And she licked her finger and opened a book and started reading out loud with a deep charismatic voice - which is how all stick insects sound.

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Mina

Question 45

And the cats slowly, slowly fell asleep.

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Mina

Question 46

I told you everything would be fine.

Answer 46

Mina