In the Land of the Lawn Weenies Read Online Free

grandpa said. “Looks just like a person. On the outside, that is. Looks just like you or me.” He pointed at Danny, then at himself. “But inside, it’s all dark and hungry. A crizzle lives for just one thing. A crizzle lives to get you alone and chomp your bones.”
    â€œHow interesting,” I said. “But we’re a little old for fairy stories.” I was hoping that he’d go back to
ignoring us. I was in no mood to listen to him or any other adult. It was bad enough that I’d gotten into a fight with my folks. They’re always bossing me around, and they’re always trying to make me eat things I don’t like. I can’t believe the disgusting foods adults gobble up.
    Well, I was sick of it, and I told them how I felt. Then Mom said if I didn’t like it, I could find someone else to feed me. I was so angry I walked right out of the house with no idea where I was going. I’m not stupid, though—I grabbed a bag of cookies on the way through the kitchen. No way I was planning to go hungry.
    I’d kept walking for a long time—long enough to eat all the cookies. I was almost at the edge of town when I realized how tired I was. But there was Danny’s house, sitting at the end of the last side street before the woods. I barely knew him well enough to stop by, but he seemed happy to let me come in. Maybe he didn’t have a lot of friends. The only problem was that Danny’s parents were out, and that left us with Danny’s grandpa. And once he’d gotten started, Grandpa didn’t seem to want to stop talking.
    â€œThey get you alone,” he said, “where no one can see. They don’t even want another crizzle around when that special time comes. It’s the way they are—very private. And then they change, like a candle dripping. The skin melts off and there’s the crizzle, all mean and hungry. There’s nothing nastier in the whole wide world. It’s not a pretty thing. And if you see a crizzle, that’s the last thing you’ll see, let me tell ya, the last thing
you’ll see.” He stretched forward in his chair and shouted, “Chomp!”
    I jumped.
    He started laughing.
    â€œVery funny,” I said, trying not to act embarrassed. I hadn’t been scared, just startled. “Thanks for the fascinating story.”
    â€œAnyone want to go for a walk in the woods?” Grandpa asked.
    â€œNo thanks,” I said.
    He got up and shuffled to the window. “Beautiful night,” he said. “Lovely night for a walk.” He turned and stared at me. “Come on, young man. How about a little stroll?”
    â€œNo, thank you,” I said. “It sounds absolutely wonderful, but I’m not sure I could handle the excitement.” There was something hungry in the old man’s eyes. I’d never admit that his silly story had spooked me, but there was no way I was going to go anywhere alone with him right now.
    He took his hat and coat from a hook on the wall, then spoke to Danny. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes, Grandpa,” Danny said.
    Danny’s grandpa opened the door and gazed outside. “Ah, smell that night air. Nothing like a good long walk. Really helps build up an appetite.” Again, he stared at me. “Are you sure you don’t want to go for a walk?”
    â€œMaybe some other time.”
    â€œSuit yourself, but you don’t know what you’re missing.” He stepped outside and closed the door. It shut with a clunk that shot through the room.

    â€œWow,” I said, turning to Danny. “No offense, but your grandpa is kind of spooky. I could swear he was trying to get me alone.”
    Danny shook his head. “Nah, he wouldn’t do that.”
    â€œHow do you know?” I asked.
    â€œHe was just teasing,” Danny told me. “He knew you wouldn’t go with him.”
    I nodded. “You got