36 富兰克林偷听 Franklin Snoops

Franklin could count by twos and ties his shoes. He knew why the leaves fell in autumn and why his kite needed a tail. But one day, Franklin wanted to know too much about a surprise.

Why are you cutting all those branches off rosebush?

It's called "pruning" and it makes the plant grow better.

Oh. So, why do they call a dried plum a prune?

Hmmm... That's a good question. But from now on you should always ask for a dried plum.

Why? Dad.

Because if you ask for a prune, someone may think you want a good clipping.

Dad.

Thanks for hiding that for me.

Not at all, I know how these things can be discovered by accident.

And sometimes no by accident!

Yes, I know what you mean. No one will find it here. And I won't say anything to Franklin about it.

I just want to know, that's all. If it's not something you're hiding from me. Why can't you tell me what it is?

Because I told Mrs. Bear that I wouldn't.

Well, can you tell why you can't tell me?

I don't think you're going to give up, are you?

That was just Mrs. Bear on the phone, she wanted me to remind you to take the price tag off Bear's gift before you wrap it.

What?

Thanks, Dad.

I just want to know, that's all. And he is my best friend. So it's okay if you tell me what he's getting for his birthday.

It's hard for best friends to keep secrets from one another. so if you don't know what it is, you don't have to worry about spoiling his surprise.

Aww, Mom, I won't tell Bear. I promise.

Sorry, Franklin, but you'll just have to wait until his birthday party.

Hmph!

Mom! Have you seen my baseball glove?!

Try looking in the closet!

Oh yeah!

There it is.

Ahhh...Ohhh...

Wow! A Power Pal! Boy, is Bear ever lucky!

Okay, Everyone knows you've been practicing, so show me what you've got. I'm ready!

You'd better be. Because here comes my slider!

Aww...

Sorry Bear. I'll try to slow it down next time.

It's my glove's fault! See, it's too small for me and I can't grab it the right way.

Sure, Bear. It's just your glove.

It is! Honest!

I just find out something really net.

What?

What? Tell us.

You mom hid your birthday present at my house, and I saw what it was.

Really?!

That's right! And you'll never guess what it is in a million years!

Okay, let me see. Is it a...power Pal?

It is?! It is. I guess right, didn't I?

Wow, That wasn't even one of things I asked for.

Awww, Bear, Now I've wrecked your surprise.

It's okay Franklin. My surprise just happened a little bit sooner than it was supposed to, that's all.

But won't your mom be able to tell that you've not surprised when you open your present?

Hmmmm....She might. Mom's pretty smart. No matter how quiet I am, she can always tell when I've had a cookie during the night.

Do you leave crumbs in your bed?

Oh, yeah. That's how she know.

Do you think you could act surprised on your birthday.

Oh, sure. That's easy. Ohhhh Geeee! A Power Pal!

How was that?

Why don't we practice ball later? Let's practice being surprised for a little while.

I feel bad that I've wrecked Bear's surprise. And his Mom went to all that trouble hiding it from him.

it wasn't your fault Franklin. He made a lucky guess. That's all.

But if I hadn't been so curious in the first place, this never would have happened.

Hey! Check out my new laser shield. Dun da da!!

What is it for?

To defend Power Pal against the evil army. I want to get the mountain hide-way with the launch pad too. See?

Wow! Look at all the Power Pal stuff.

Hmmm... Maybe knowing what Bear's getting for his birthday isn't such a bad thing after all.

What do you mean?

We can all buy Bear something to go with his Power Pal.

That's a great idea Franklin. What should I get for him?

How about the Power Pal Speed Boat?

Okay! He'll like that!

If Bear's getting a Power Pal then he's got to have the Mountain Hide-away.

Yeah. You can get him that. That's perfect.

Maybe Fox can give him the Camouflage Hang- Glider and Badger could buy the Lava Crawler, and you could get Bear the Power Pal Mini Sub.

What about Secret Signal Light?

Uh, Raccoon is getting him that.

The Power Pal Amphibian Car looks neat.

I just bought him that this morning.

Well, since it's a gift from me, I want to be one who picks it out. Show me what's left to choose from.

Uh...The Mini Sub.

That's all?

Sorry, Beaver. Everyone thought it was a good idea to get him things for his new Power Pal.

Will he think it's really neat?

Oh yeah, he'll love it.

Okay. Then I pick the Mini Sub.

Hi, guys.

Hi!/Hi, Bear.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

It looked like you were reading something.

Uh...Yes, it was a map. I was showing Franklin how to get somewhere.

Uh that-that's right, with the map.

So remember, go as far as you can and when you come to that "T" in the road, go left.

"T" in the road, then left. Got it. Thanks Beaver.

I can't wait until Bear sees this Power Pal Car. It's so neat. He's going to love it.

I'm sure he will. I know how excited I'd be if someone gave me a car on my birthday.

Mom.

There, perfect. Now we better get a move on, we don't want to miss out on anything, do we?

What about the present from Bear's mom?

Oops, thank you Franklin. I almost forgot. Now I'll be able to have tea and cake instead of running back for this.

What's that, Mom?

You've waited over a week now to find out. I think you can wait an hour or two. Then both you and Bear can be surprised.

But...it doesn't look like Bear's gift.

What do you mean?

I mean...it doesn't looked the gift in the closet.

Awww no, you saw your birthday present, didn't you?

My birthday present?! That Power Pal is for me?!

Yes, I bought it a few weeks ago when there were lots to choose from. They seem to be quite popular, and I wanted to make sure that I had one for you birthday.

Do you see what happens when you snoop? Now you've spoiled your surprise.

It's not my surprise I'm worried about. Mom, I'm never going to snoop again. And...

Yes?

We may have to give Bear something else for his birthday.

Look at all the neat stuff.

What did you get Bear?

You'll never guess what that is!

Just tear off the wrapping Bear!

A Power Pal Mini Sub. This is great! Thanks Beaver.

I'm glad you like it. I picked it out myself!

This one is from your farther and me.

Gee, I wonder what it could be.

Ohhh, Gee...Wow!

Huh?!

Are you surprised?!

Yeah!

Me too.

Is this ever nice! I was just told Snail the other day that my old glove was getting too small. How did you know?

Mom knows these things.

And I'm glad they do!

Thanks Mom.

Happy Birthday, Bear.

Huh?

Oh yeah...uh, there's still another present. This one's from me, Bear.

Gee, can my birthday get any better?

I hope so.

A Power Pal! Wow!

Great present! / That's neat!

Wow look at that!

That's perfect!

Gee, Franklin, this birthday has been full of surprises!

And that's how it should be.

Happy Birthday Bear.