42. The Race

All of a sudden Ferdinand Bear held up his paws and said,  "Oh my, look at the time. We have all enjoyed being here so much but in a few minutes we have to be back at the mall to meet Shelley's mother.  It is very rude to keep somebody waiting when you have an appointment."  The bears quickly brushed all the little grass pieces out of their fur and Shelley shook the dust off of her skirt.  Theodore Bear picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder.  "Let us have a race to the bottom of the steps," Ferdinand said and they all set off at a fast pace.  Shelley reached the steps first and poor Theodore came last!  "I could not run so fast with this backpack on my back," he said sheepishly and they laughed and hurried up the steps all out of breath.