Don’t Feed the Statue

Twelve-year-old Wren has already screamed at a raccoon and a coat, so nobody believes her when the faceless statue at the bottom of Aunt Margo's garden changes position. Her photographs show bad angles. Her proof keeps turning ordinary. Only the marks in the dirt tell the truth: Mr. Stone is walking toward the house.

Eight-year-old Otis thinks the statue is lonely. Every cracker he places in its open hands makes it grow, learn, and cross more ground. It holds still while someone watches—but Wren has to blink sometime, and even a camera can lose a minute.

When the statue reaches for Otis, Wren has one night to keep it still and her brother's hands empty. Because Mr. Stone does not steal what it wants. It waits to be given.

Keep your eyes open. Keep your hands closed.