Ah-choo! sneezed Heidi. Ah-choo! Ah-choo!

  “Wow, you sure are sneezy today,” said Heidi’s friend Bruce Bickerson.

  Heidi sniffled and smiled. “It’s nothing,” she said. “Let’s finish our leaf pile.”

   

 

  Heidi and Bruce raked the leaves into a colorful mound.

  “You go first,” Heidi said.

  Bruce scurried to the edge of the yard to get a running start. His dog, Frankie, followed close behind.

  “One, two, three . . . GO!” shouted Heidi.

  Bruce took off, and so did Frankie. It had become a race! Then, whump! Frankie disappeared into the leaf pile.

   

 

  “We have a winner!” cried Heidi.

  “Hey, that didn’t count!” said Bruce. “Frankie wasn’t supposed to race me.”

  Heidi covered her mouth to keep from laughing. “Okay, do-over!” she said.

   

 

  They raked another pile of leaves. Then Bruce put Frankie in his dog run so he wouldn’t interfere.

  “Ready?” called Heidi.

  Bruce got into position and gave the ready signal.

  “On your mark!” shouted Heidi. “Get set! GO!”

  Bruce ran across the yard and pounced into the leaves. Then he shook off the leaves and ran back to Heidi.

  “Your turn!” he said.

   

 

  Heidi rubbed her forehead.

  “What’s the matter?” asked Bruce.

  “Nothing,” Heidi said. “I’m just a little tired.”

  “Let’s get a snack,” said Bruce.

  “No, thanks,” Heidi said, setting down her rake. “I think I’d better get home.”