Читать книгу Ibrahim Khan and the Mystery of the Haunted Lake - Farheen Khan - Страница 6

CHAPTER ONE

Triple Chocolate Delight

“Just open it!” yelled Zayn.

“Patience,” whispered Ibrahim. “You have to do these things in the right order,” he explained, as he sniffed the outside of the rectangular metal box. Carefully lifting it, Ibrahim weighed the box in one hand then the other, a skill he had picked up from all his detective work. After a few more minutes of careful consideration, he was ready.

“Spaghetti and meatballs!” Ibrahim announced.

“Are you sure?” asked Zayn.

“Positive,” said Ibrahim. “Oh, and don’t forget two… no three Triple Chocolate Delight cookies!”

Opening Ibrahim’s lunch box, Zayn let out a yelp!

“How… how did you know?” Zayn stammered.

“Skill, my dear cousin, skill,” replied Ibrahim, ruffling Zayn’s already messy hair, which he liked to keep a little long.

Ibrahim, who was a little taller than his cousin, had short black hair and an infectious smile.

Pulling his lunch box towards him, Ibrahim took out the contents one at a time: a bottle of milk, a bag of grapes, three Triple Chocolate Delight cookies and, of course, a large container of spaghetti and meatballs.

“I wish I’d get a Triple Chocolate Delight cookie once in a while,” Zayn complained, eyeing Ibrahim’s snack. “All I ever get are apples, apples and more apples.

“My parents bought ten boxes – five from me and five from my sister – to help with the school fundraising drive. You’re welcome to have as many as you like,” Ibrahim offered.

“Really?” asked Zayn. “I’ll be over right after school! Can you believe it? The class that sells the most wins a trip to Camp Chimo!”

“Yeah, that would be amazing,” said Ibrahim. “Huda and her grade two friends set up a lemonade stand at our next door neighbour’s garage sale last Saturday.”

“That’s really smart of your sister!” said Zayn.

Huda, who was just a year younger than Ibrahim, was a straight A student and head of the school book club. She always wore her long hair in a ponytail, covered in a long, colourful hijab.

“Come on Ibrahim, we’re detectives and in grade three!” said Zayn “We should be able to come up with an even better idea to win this thing.”

“I think the point is to raise money for schools in Eastern Nepal,” reasoned Ibrahim. “The camping trip is just a way to get us excited.”

“Well it’s working,” said Zayn. “Because I’m really excited!”

***

It was Friday morning, and all of Greenwood School was waiting for their principal to announce the winning class.

“I’m so nervous,” said Zayn, sitting beside Ibrahim in the school gym.

“Relax,” said Ibrahim. “We all worked hard and the money is going to kids who really need it. It doesn’t really matter who wins.”

“Of course it does!” said Zayn, looking indignant.

“Look! Here comes Principal Williams now,” said Ibrahim.

Mr. Williams had wavy blonde hair with streaks of white. He was tall and had friendly blue eyes that turned a little darker whenever he got angry or upset.

“Sorry for the delay, children,” said Mr. Williams. “I’d like to congratulate all of you for your effort in helping collect money to rebuild schools destroyed by fire in Eastern Nepal.” A light clapping could be heard throughout the large gym. “Now, the announcement you’ve all been waiting for… The class that raised the most money is—Mrs. Morris’ grade three students. Happy camping!”

This time the children clapped and cheered as loud as they could. The loudest of course, was the winning class.

“We did it!” yelled Zayn. “Camp Chimo, here we come!