Free Pony Problems by Carolyn Keene Page B

pony. The pony was a little shorter than Stacy.

    Nancy handed the picture to Bess as Stacy went on, “Ponies are amazing animals. I know all about them. But Shetland ponies are the best kind. When I heard there was one at the new petting zoo just outside town, I begged my mom to take me there. Shetland ponies are small. Even when they’re grown up, they stay little. I
love
Shetland ponies.”
    Bess gave the photo to George so she could look at the pony. It had a flowing mane and a bushy tail. Stacy was holding an apple in the picture and smiling like she’d never been so happy in her life.
    â€œAll week I’ve been working as a volunteer at Johnson’s Petting Zoo,” Stacy shared. “Mr. Johnson lets me come after school. I brush Buttons’s mane and feed him apples.”
    â€œLike in the picture?” George asked, handing the photo back to Stacy.
    Stacy took the photo and said, “Yeah. Buttons always acts like he’s hungry. Mr. Johnson only lets me give him one apple a day, but I bet he’deat more. If Buttons was my pony, I’d give him all the apples he ever wanted.” Sighing, Stacy put the photo back in her pocket.
    â€œButtons keeps escaping from the petting zoo. I think he’s looking for food.” She went on to explain, “There’s an apple tree in my front yard, but Buttons hasn’t found it yet. He’s too busy eating other people’s bushes and gardens. But someday soon, Buttons will discover my tree. When he does, I won’t call Mr. Johnson to pick him up. I’ll just keep Buttons. He’s a great pony. I wish he was mine!” Then, without waiting for Nancy or the other girls to ask her any more questions, Stacy got up and walked away.
    â€œWell, that was kind of strange,” Bess said as Stacy left the cafeteria.
    â€œMaybe—,” George began, scrunching up her face as she thought.
    â€œI know what you’re thinking,” Nancy interrupted, pointing her finger at George. “You think that the Clue Crew should investigate how Buttons is getting out of the petting zoo. Andfind out if Stacy has anything to do with it.”
    â€œYou’re such a good detective,” George said with a laugh. “What was your first clue?”
    â€œI didn’t need any clues, because I was thinking the same thing.” Nancy raised her eyebrows and smiled.
    â€œDo you think we should ask Mr. Johnson if he wants us to investigate?” Bess questioned.
    â€œWe can start gathering clues and make a list of suspects,” George suggested. “Once he hears the Clue Crew is on the case, he’ll definitely want our help!”
    â€œLet’s get started.” A faraway look clouded Nancy’s eyes. “I suppose we should go to the petting zoo, but we’re going to need a ride.” She jumped up from the bench so suddenly she banged her knees on the bottom of the table. “I know!” Nancy cheered as she bent down to rub her sore knees. “Instead of flying kites in the park, I’ll ask my dad to take us to Johnson’s Petting Zoo tomorrow.”
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” Bess said as she carefullytook the scraps of her turkey sandwich and tucked them back into her lunch bag.
    â€œAren’t you going to throw away your trash?” George asked her cousin.
    Bess grinned. “I was thinking that if Buttons is always hungry, maybe he’ll like turkey with ketchup. I’m going to leave the rest of my sandwich outside tonight and see if Buttons comes to my house.”
    â€œYou’re goofy.” George giggled. “But if there’s a pony on your lawn in the morning, you’d better call me right away.”
    â€œHmm,” Nancy said thoughtfully, “I wonder where Buttons will pop up tomorrow.”

Saturday morning after breakfast, Nancy was getting dressed when she heard a strange sound outside her window. Looking out, she saw the