Read Online The Mysterious Disappearence of Leon by Ellen Raskin - Free Book Online
Authors: Ellen Raskin
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word longer than two syllables in any of his other messages, we can presume that the same applies here. The message contains only one-syllable or two-syllable words.”
The Three Unknowns
“Unfortunately, there are three things we don’t know,” Augie Kunkel continued.
“Remember, we are dealing with a spoken message, not a written one. Therefore:
We don’t know how the sounds are spelled.
“For example: ‘new’ can be spelled nine different ways in one- and two-syllable words, and still sound the same.
If ‘new’ is a word:
new
knew
gnu
If ‘new’ is part of a word:
neu (neutral)
new (newsboy)
noe (canoe)
noo (noodle)
nou (nougat)
nu (nude)
nui (nuisance).”
“I saw a gnu in the zoo the other day,” Mrs. Carillon said.
“A fascinating creature, the gnu.”
“Please, Mr. Kunkel, go on about what we don’t know,” Tony pleaded.
“Mrs. Carillon heard sounds, not one-syllable words, or even complete syllables. Therefore:
We don’t know where most words begin or end.
“For example: There are five possibilities for the ‘C’ sound:
‘C__’: the beginning of a word (season)
‘__C’: the end of a word (fancy)
‘C’: an initial (C.)
‘C’: one word (see, sea)
‘C’: part of a one-syllable word (seek).”
“Lastly, we can’t be sure that ‘new’ is the final word or even part of the final word. Therefore:
We don’t know where the message ends.”
The Chart
“This is getting too complicated” Tony complained. He was beginning to wish that Mr. Kunkel wasn’t quite so smart after all.
“I think this will make it easier.” Augie Kunkel took another piece of paper from his pocket. “First let’s write the message once again and number the syllables we are looking for.”
Noel__C__all
“That’s all?” Tony said hopefully. “Just seven syllables?”
“Perhaps, but there may be several more after ‘new.’ ” Augie Kunkel drew lines on the paper dividing it into columns which he headed and numbered. He wrote down some words, then handed the paper to Tony.
“You 27 can begin by copying this chart on a large sheet of ruled paper. All the possible combinations of syllables are here, and I’ve suggested a few words for a start. Once you and Tina have added as many words as you can, we will cut the lists apart, matching them up (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-?) without repeating any numbers, to see if we can arrange them into some meaningful order.”
“Can’t we solve the glub-blubs without lists?” Tina asked.
“Certainly, as long as you follow these three rules, for the time being at least.
I__ new. . . .
1. Each sound is one syllable or part of one syllable.
2. No word is longer than two syllables.”
A waiter cleared his throat. They looked around, surprised to see they were the only diners left.
Augie Kunkel quickly paid the bill and escorted Mrs. Carillon and the twins home.
“And don’t forget,” he said as he left them at their door, “the most important rule of all:
3. The message must make sense.”
Tony’s List
Let’s divide up the lists,” Tony said after a sleepless night. ”I’ll take ‘C’ and you can have ‘__C.’”
“Thanks a lot, you gave me the hardest one,” Tina complained. “Just for that you can do the chart by yourself. I have my own plans.”
“All right, you can have the ‘C’ list,” Tony said. The school bell drowned out Tina’s reply. The twins raced to their classroom, sat down at their desks, and began to write.
Tony wrote: “__C.”
Tina wrote: “Tony and I are a medical phenomenon!” She passed the note to Jordan Pinckney, who read it, shrugged, and tore it into little pieces.
Tina was furious with Jordan Pinckney. By the end of the day she was mad at the whole miserable world.
“You’d better pay more attention in class, Tony,” she said, taking her anger out on the only person around, “or you’re going to be kept back.”
“Greasy,” Tony replied.
During the next few days Tony added “juicy,
The Three Unknowns
“Unfortunately, there are three things we don’t know,” Augie Kunkel continued.
“Remember, we are dealing with a spoken message, not a written one. Therefore:
We don’t know how the sounds are spelled.
“For example: ‘new’ can be spelled nine different ways in one- and two-syllable words, and still sound the same.
If ‘new’ is a word:
new
knew
gnu
If ‘new’ is part of a word:
neu (neutral)
new (newsboy)
noe (canoe)
noo (noodle)
nou (nougat)
nu (nude)
nui (nuisance).”
“I saw a gnu in the zoo the other day,” Mrs. Carillon said.
“A fascinating creature, the gnu.”
“Please, Mr. Kunkel, go on about what we don’t know,” Tony pleaded.
“Mrs. Carillon heard sounds, not one-syllable words, or even complete syllables. Therefore:
We don’t know where most words begin or end.
“For example: There are five possibilities for the ‘C’ sound:
‘C__’: the beginning of a word (season)
‘__C’: the end of a word (fancy)
‘C’: an initial (C.)
‘C’: one word (see, sea)
‘C’: part of a one-syllable word (seek).”
“Lastly, we can’t be sure that ‘new’ is the final word or even part of the final word. Therefore:
We don’t know where the message ends.”
The Chart
“This is getting too complicated” Tony complained. He was beginning to wish that Mr. Kunkel wasn’t quite so smart after all.
“I think this will make it easier.” Augie Kunkel took another piece of paper from his pocket. “First let’s write the message once again and number the syllables we are looking for.”
Noel__C__all
“That’s all?” Tony said hopefully. “Just seven syllables?”
“Perhaps, but there may be several more after ‘new.’ ” Augie Kunkel drew lines on the paper dividing it into columns which he headed and numbered. He wrote down some words, then handed the paper to Tony.
“You 27 can begin by copying this chart on a large sheet of ruled paper. All the possible combinations of syllables are here, and I’ve suggested a few words for a start. Once you and Tina have added as many words as you can, we will cut the lists apart, matching them up (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-?) without repeating any numbers, to see if we can arrange them into some meaningful order.”
“Can’t we solve the glub-blubs without lists?” Tina asked.
“Certainly, as long as you follow these three rules, for the time being at least.
I__ new. . . .
1. Each sound is one syllable or part of one syllable.
2. No word is longer than two syllables.”
A waiter cleared his throat. They looked around, surprised to see they were the only diners left.
Augie Kunkel quickly paid the bill and escorted Mrs. Carillon and the twins home.
“And don’t forget,” he said as he left them at their door, “the most important rule of all:
3. The message must make sense.”
Tony’s List
Let’s divide up the lists,” Tony said after a sleepless night. ”I’ll take ‘C’ and you can have ‘__C.’”
“Thanks a lot, you gave me the hardest one,” Tina complained. “Just for that you can do the chart by yourself. I have my own plans.”
“All right, you can have the ‘C’ list,” Tony said. The school bell drowned out Tina’s reply. The twins raced to their classroom, sat down at their desks, and began to write.
Tony wrote: “__C.”
Tina wrote: “Tony and I are a medical phenomenon!” She passed the note to Jordan Pinckney, who read it, shrugged, and tore it into little pieces.
Tina was furious with Jordan Pinckney. By the end of the day she was mad at the whole miserable world.
“You’d better pay more attention in class, Tony,” she said, taking her anger out on the only person around, “or you’re going to be kept back.”
“Greasy,” Tony replied.
During the next few days Tony added “juicy,
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