Free Tarantula Toes by Beverly Lewis Page A

spiders.
    â€œCrickets and earthworms are Pinktoe’s favorite snacks,” Jason spoke up.
    â€œWell, good luck finding insects like that around here,” Dunkum said. He handed the newspaper back.
    Jason looked at Dunkum. His friend was probably right. Crickets needed plenty of oxygen. The air was thin in this part of Colorado.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Jason said. “I’ll take good care of Pinktoes. You’ll see. I might even let him crawl on me.”
    Dunkum’s eyes were big and black now. Really black. “What about fangs?” he asked. “Don’t tarantulas bite?”
    â€œ I’m not afraid,” Jason bragged.
    Eric looked a little pale.
    Dunkum looked worried.
    â€œI’ll have Pinktoes by tomorrow,” Jason said. “Then you’ll see how brave I am.”
    â€œTomorrow? That soon?” Eric said.
    Before Jason could answer, Eric hopped on his bike and rode away.
    Dunkum did, too.
    Jason wasn’t surprised. Some kids were just ’fraidy cats. But not him. He was going to be brave. He was going to be the bravest kid in the world.
    Besides, no one else had a zoo in their bedroom.
    No one else had a pink-toed tarantula. All the way from South America.
    Not one single Cul-de-sac Kid did. Not one!
    I’ll be the only tarantula keeper around , he thought.
    He could hardly wait.

TWO
    At last, it was Saturday.
    Tarantula time!
    Jason awoke early, even before his parents.
    Rolling over, he found the newspaper ad. Right where he’d left it—under his pillow!
    He burst out laughing. Dunkum and Eric would shake with fear. They’d shiver and shake if they knew. He was sure they would.
    Whoever slept on a picture of spiders?
    Kids with courage. That’s who!
    Just then his father called to him. “What’s so funny over there?”
    His dad was up. Yes!
    Jason rushed into the hallway. He stood at his parents’ bedroom door. “Ready for a visit to the pet store?” he asked.
    His mother made funny little noises. She sounded half asleep.
    The door opened.
    Mr. Birchall was wearing a bathrobe. “You’re up too early, son,” he said.
    Jason pushed his glasses up. “Because I can’t wait. Let’s go get my spider!”
    His father smiled and headed for the kitchen.
    Jason was right on his heels. “C’mon, let’s go NOW!”
    â€œAre you really sure about this spider purchase?” Dad asked. “Have you thought it through?”
    Jason couldn’t believe his ears.
    â€œOf course I’m sure,” he said. “Thetank’s all set up. Everything’s ready.”
    â€œAnd you followed all the directions?”
    Jason nodded. “I followed everything exactly right.”
    Dad smiled. “And you’ll be very careful if you decide to handle your new pet?”
    â€œ If I do? I KNOW I will!”
    His father put a firm hand on Jason’s shoulder. “You must be gentle, son. Tarantulas are delicate pets.”
    â€œI’ll be the best spider keeper ever,” Jason promised. “You’ll see.”

    Jason got dressed for the day. In a hurry. He heard his dad humming in the shower.
    Bacon-and-egg smells floated from the kitchen.
    â€œToday’s tarantula day,” he told his mother.
    â€œWhat a brave one you are,” she said. “I don’t know how you even look at thosespiders. And to think one of those hairy things is coming to live in my house.”
    â€œPinktoes will live in my bedroom,” Jason reminded her. “He’ll stay in his tank . . . most of the time.”
    Mrs. Birchall’s hand flew to her throat. “Most of the time? Don’t you mean all of the time?”
    â€œOh, not when I’m showing him off,” Jason explained. “Sometimes he’ll be on display.”
    His mother’s eyebrows arched. “Oh?”
    â€œThere’s nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.”
    â€œI