Read Online The End of the Beginning by Avi - Free Book Online

CHAPTER TWO
In Which Avon Gets Some Advice

    Avon began to prepare for his adventures by putting his house in proper order, certain that if he did not leave right away, he might never go. Then, just as he was about to close the door, he heard a voice.
    "Not going off without saying good-bye, are you?"
    It was an ant.
    "I've been living here," said the ant, "for a whole year, and you have never once said hello."

    "I am sorry," replied Avon. "But there was never anyone around to introduce us."
    "I kept telling myself you were just being polite," said the ant. "And I'm glad to learn I was right. Still, if you have ever noticed, while it's awkward to say hello without introductions, one can always say good-bye."
    "Now that you mention it, I have noticed," said Avon. "When one sets out on a journey such as I'm about to take, it's necessary to notice everything."
    "What sort of a journey is it?" asked the ant.
    Avon told the ant all about his plan to seek adventures. "Of course," said Avon, "I've never done anything like this before, so if you have any suggestions, I would be happy to hear them."
    A worried look came upon the ant's face. "Do you mean to tell me you don't really know what sort of journey you're going on?"
    "I'm afraid not," said Avon.
    "Hmmmm," said the ant. "You'll need a lot of questions answered."
    "Might you have the answers?"
    "Well," said the ant, "if I don't have a right answer, at least I'll have a wrong one."
    "As long as it's an answer," said Avon, "I can use it. You absolutely must come with me."
    "I'd very much like to," confessed the ant. "If I do, however, there won't be anybody for you to say good-bye to. Half the fun of going away is saying good-bye."
    "There, you see!" exclaimed Avon. "If you weren't here, I would have gone without saying good-bye to anyone."
    "I suggest that you say good-bye to me," said the ant. "Then leave. After a few moments, I'll come along and we can go on together."
    Avon readily agreed.
    "Only let's get it over with," said the ant. "I really hate long good-byes."

    "Good-bye, Ant," began Avon. "Don't spend any time worrying about me. Have a pleasant time, do lots of work, get plenty of exercise. I'll let you know when I'm coming back."
    "Good-bye, Snail. I do hope you have some exciting adventures. Take care of yourself, have a good time, and don't forget to write."
    With tears in his eyes, Avon shut the door and started on his adventures.
    The ant waited for a few minutes, then skitted out to join Avon, who had set off down the branch.
    "By the way," said Avon, as they began to move slowly along together, "do you have a name?"
    "As a matter of fact, I do. It's Edward."
    "My name is Avon."
    Edward reached out to shake hands with Avon, but when he realized Avon did not have hands, he shook one of his own. "Pleased to meet you," he said.

CHAPTER THREE
In Which Music Is Introduced

    Avon and Edward had gone about three inches when Edward said, "Avon, what do you know about music?"
    "Oh, nothing more than a few tunes, most of which I've forgotten."
    Edward was concerned. "In looking for adventures," he explained, "one does a lot of marching. It's unheard of to have adventures without marching music."
    "I'm glad you warned me, Edward. Perhaps you could teach me some."
    "Delighted," said Edward. "This is a very ancient marching song that has been sung in my family for thousands of years. It goes like this:
"
March, march

Golly, golly, golly.

March, march

Golly, golly, golly.

March, march

Oh, golly, golly, golly, oh.

Oh, oh, oh,

Oh, golly, golly, golly, oh.

Oh, golly, golly, golly, oh.

March, march, march!
"

    "What an inspiring song," said Avon.
    "One of the better things about it," Edward pointed out, "is the fact that it can be sung from either end. I sing it from the beginning, and my father sings it from the end."
    "Can it be sung from the middle?"
    "Absolutely," said Edward. "That's how my mother always does it. As you can see, we are a family of