Ruffleclaw Read online

  “As if I care!” Ruffleclaw pulled his arm away and jumped to the gutter. He clung to it like a red furry monkey. “And I have no idea what you think I’m doing. I’m just going out to get some fresh earthworms. Or is that no longer allowed?”

  “So you’re coming back?” Tommy asked carefully.

  “Sure!” Ruffleclaw giggled. He began to climb down the gutter. “What did you think?”

  Tommy sighed with relief.

  “Ha! Got you there, didn’t I?” Ruffleclaw howled with joy, flashing Tommy a huge grin.

  “You know, you should really try to quit the earthworms. And the spitting. But we could maybe go to your burrow sometime.”

  “Mousepoop!” Ruffleclaw shouted back. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  And he disappeared into the darkness.

  And Tommy? Tommy didn’t sleep a wink until his monster returned.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CORNELIA FUNKE is the New York Times bestselling author of many magical books for children, including The Thief Lord, Dragon Rider, and Inkheart. She was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2005. She was born in Germany and lives with her family in California.

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