Summary

News of the carving spreads and police officers Sandy and Max arrive. Police have visited before, usually to rescue Francesca’s kittens Lewis and Clark. Francesca lives across the street and her family has owned the blue and green houses for generations. She has threatened to cut Red down before, but this time she seems serious. Max puts police tape on stakes around Red’s trunk. Sandy tells Francesca that with Wishing Day soon, it may be difficult to punish the carver even though “LEAVE” is a threat and not a wish. [A full-page illustration shows the kittens running to Red, whose trunk is surrounded by police tape.]

Bongo, Red, and all of the animals in Red’s protection worry, including the skunks who live under the porch. Red tries to tell its usual jokes to keep the mood light, and for once...