Jon Michael was in a blue stew. And everyone knows a blue stew is the worst of all stews to be in.
He sat on his front porch steps with his hands in his pockets and scowled. He pushed his lower lip out like the prow of a boat to show he was mad at the whole world.
It had been a bad day from the beginning.
He'd stubbed his toe getting out of bed, and it still hurt. His breakfast egg was watery, but his mother made him eat it anyway. He almost threw up when it slimed down his throat, and then it slithered around in his stomach all morning like an eel on a trampoline.
His teacher, Mrs. Ratskin, scolded him for talking during afternoon rest. All he'd said to the little curly-haired girl was, "Elizabeth, you're a brat."
He'd only said it because he liked her and couldn't think of anything else to say. It wasn't fair that she told on him.
A large black crow circled down from a tree and landed near Jon Michael's feet.
It waddled closer and said, "Hey, boy! You sure look like you're in a blue stew. What's your problem?"
Jon Michael glared at the crow. "Go away. I don't want to talk to anyone. I don't want to see anyone. I don't want anyone to see me. I wish I were invisible."
"Whoa . . . take it easy," the crow said, rustling its wings. "Invisible, huh? Well that's easy enough to do. Want to know how?"
Jon Michael hauled in his lower lip, forgetting how mad he was. "You mean I really could become invisible?"
"We crows are very good at that sort of thing," answered the crow, cocking his head and looking wise. "Just do as I say, and I promise you, you'll be invisible."
Tuesday: Will Jon Michael learn how to become invisible?
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* Author Mary Louise Downer says there are days when she would like to be invisible too.
* This story will be on The Times' Web site at http://www.latimes.com/kids.
