Cheetah Read Online Free

on Saturday?”
    Mia shook her head. Dad sighed. Mia put Cheetah back in her box. She snuggled into Dad’s lap.
    â€œYou did a good job taking care of her,” said Dad.
    â€œNo, I didn’t,” Mia sobbed. “I didn’t make her love me. She always wants to get away.”
    â€œShe just needs to stretch. Hey—do you remember when I got my big saw? You made a fort out of the box.”
    Mia nodded.
    â€œIt was fun for a while, right? But you couldn’t stay curled up in there for long. It was too small. Maybe Cheetah feels like that.”
    Mia started to feel mad again. Cheetah’s habitat was better than a plain old box. It was lovely! Mrs. Rose said so! Cheetah loved it!
    Didn’t she?
    Mia wanted to be alone to think.
    â€œI’m going back to bed, Dad,” she said.
    Dad tucked her in. He kissed her on the forehead.
    â€œDon’t feel bad, Mia. You kept Cheetah safe for a whole week. And you gave her a great adventure.”
    An adventure... Mia liked that idea. She fell asleep thinking about it. This time she had a good dream. Cheetah was back at the pond. The other frogs sat all around her. Cheetah was telling them a story. It was the story of her great adventure at Mia’s house.

Going Home
    Saturday was gray and drizzly.
    â€œI guess we can’t go to the drop zone today,” said Mia.
    â€œGood try,” said Mom. “But frogs like it wet.”
    The whole family went to the drop zone to say goodbye to Cheetah. Maggie brought Sad Dolly because she was a good crier.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Mia whispered to Cheetah. “It will be over soon.”
    She didn’t say, “Soon you’ll be back in your pond.” Mia was hoping for a miracle. Maybe Cheetah wouldn’t want to go in the pond. Maybe she would jump right back in her box!
    The family walked through the field to the pond. They waited quietly while Mia opened Cheetah’s box. Mia picked Cheetah up. She held her nose-to-nose. Then she set her down at the water’s edge. Cheetah didn’t move. The miracle is happening, thought Mia! Cheetah wants to stay with me!
    Then Cheetah took a mighty leap into the water. She was gone. A tear slid down Mia’s cheek.
    â€œWant to hold Sad Dolly?” Maggie asked.
    Mia shook her head. Then she smiled. A frog was climbing onto the sea serpent log.
    â€œThere’s Cheetah!” Mia cried.
    â€œShe looks happy,” said Mom.
    â€œNo wonder,” said Dad. “Look who’s with her.”
    A big frog hopped along the log and sat beside Cheetah.
    â€œShe’s going to tell him about her adventure,” said Mia. Maggie tugged on her. “Look at these jelly things, Mia.”
    Mia squatted down.

    â€œI think those are frogs’ eggs,” Mia said. “I saw pictures of them in Mrs. Rose’s book. Those dark spots turn into tadpoles.”
    â€œMaybe Cheetah will lay eggs,” said Mom.
    â€œYeah!” said Mia. “Maybe that’s why she wasn’t hungry. She was full of eggs!”
    Dad promised to bring the girls back to check on the eggs. Mia couldn’t wait to see the tadpoles when they hatched.
    Then Maggie spotted more black specks. This time they were in the sky. It had stopped raining. The skydivers were jumping. Mom, Dad and Maggie watched the skydivers float down. But Mia watched Cheetah and her froggy friend. They were watching the sky too.
    She imagined what they were saying to each other. A story started to form in her mind. It was a new story about Cheetah. Mia would write it down in her draft book on Monday.
    Cheetah and Ribbert
    Cheetah and Ribbert lived in a pond at the drop zone.

    They liked to sit on a log and watch the skydivers.
    â€œThey are having fun,” croaked Cheetah. “I need some fun. I need adventure!”
    â€œWe all have dreams,” croaked Ribbert.
    A girl came to the pond. Her name was Mia. She was very nice for a human. She took