Read Online Poppy and Ereth by Avi - Free Book Online Page B

“I hope you will call on us if we can ever be of assistance. For now, please stay as long as you desire.”
    â€œThat’s very kind,” said Poppy. “But I’ve been gone from my family a long time. They’re probably worried. Besides, Luci tells me you don’t have the kind of food I eat.”
    â€œWhat food is that?” asked Oldwing.
    â€œSeeds, mostly,” said Poppy.
    â€œAlas,” said the bat, “Luci is correct. But please, do come again. Bring your family. We have plenty of room. For now, Luci can take you home.”
    â€œThank you,” said Poppy. “You’ve been so pleasant. This is a strange and wonderful world. Being old, I’m glad to have seen it at my age.”
    Oldwing nodded. “Being old brings wisdom, but not always the strength to use it.”
    â€œWell,” said Poppy, “I suppose we can still try, can’t we?”
    â€œIndeed,” said Oldwing, “as my great-great-grandfather Longwing once said, ‘To try is to be young.’ Perhaps, Miss Poppy, you are not as old as you think. Until next time, farewell.”
    Next moment, there was a great rush and whirl of leathery wings as the bats rose in the air. Though crowded and close, none bumped. As Poppy watched, the bats flew high into the dome of the cave and then attached themselves to the wall in a great, crowded mass.
    â€œOh my,” said a voice behind Poppy, “isn’t Oldwing sweet? We all love him to bits.”
    Poppy turned. Luci had remained. “He was kind,” said Poppy. “Luci, can I really go home now?”
    â€œSure,” said Luci. “My ma said I could take you this evening.”
    â€œIs there any way I could go now, on my own?”
    â€œWell,” Luci whispered. “You heard what Oldwing said. We have another way. But you’d have to”—she grimaced—“ crawl .”
    â€œPlease, Luci,” Poppy pleaded. “I truly need to get home. I’m used to crawling, and it’s very cold in here for me. Besides, I’m really hungry. I haven’t eaten for a whole day.”
    â€œDo you promise not to tell?”
    â€œOf course,” said Poppy.
    â€œI’d have to fly you a little bit.”
    â€œThat’s fine,” Poppy coaxed.
    â€œI suppose it is my fault you’re here,” said Luci.
    â€œLuci, I truly enjoyed myself,” Poppy replied.
    Luci grinned. “Let’s do it.”
    Poppy lay down to make it easier for Luci to pick her up. Soon they were flying through the cave, following a series of sharp twists and turns until Luci set Poppy into a corner in front of what appeared, in the murky gloom, to be a tunnel.
    â€œThere it is,” Luci whispered. “The way Oldwing mentioned. I never used it myself. They say you just go right on through. From the other end you should be able to find your way out to the forest.”
    â€œThank you,” said Poppy, eyeing the tunnel entryway with dismay. Its darkness was not inviting.
    â€œMiss Poppy,” said Lucy, “I’m still mortified I thought you were a moth.”
    â€œNever mind,” said Poppy. “It’s been a good change for an old mouse.”
    â€œMiss Poppy, you don’t act old ,” said Luci. “And I’d really like to see you again. Just give a call at twilight when we’re out flying. The higher your voice, the more likely I’ll hear. See you later, moth-mouse!” she cried, and with a flutter ofher leathery wings, Luci took off.

    â€œGood-bye!” Poppy called after her. For a few moments, she watched as the young bat disappeared into the gloomy, dim recesses of the cave.
    Alone, Poppy turned and faced the tunnel. Its entry was round, its floor strewn with countless stones, large and small, and it was much darker than she would have wished. She reminded herself that she really wanted to get home,wanted to see the sun, wanted to