20. Squawks and Coughs

Scuttle was angry. ''Why did Marina get a new shape? ''

I want her old shape back! She always leaves us to do her

work, and then comes back saying that she feels brand new!

I can't take it! One more thing, Marina eeks too much. Nobody eeks so loud at junctions. It's never wrong, but nobody does it! Marina didn't feel brand new anymore.

Don't worry. said Melody. I'm glad you're back. I like when you eek. Bye, Marina! said Scuttle. We like having you around, but remember what I told you. Marina stopped at Ray-Ray's junction. Hi there, Marina! said Ray-Ray. ''You look fine. I liked to hear your eek yesterday. What was that? It sounds like Scuttle, but Scuttle doesn't squawk like that! It was Scuttle. He came running down the hill. He didn't see Marina, and he didn't see Ray-Ray. He just went past. Well. said Ray-Ray. It's never wrong, said Marina. but nobody does it. And she told Ray-Ray what Scuttle said. Scuttle rushed and raced. At the junction, everybody put on earmuffs. King Triton put on his earmuffs too. What a noise! he said. Scuttle had to have his squawk fixed. That night, he went in his bed. He was happy that no one else was around. It's never wrong, Marina reminded. but nobody does it. Next day, Marina was having fun. I feel great, I feel great! she shouted. Roll, roll, roll! sang the wagons. Then, she saw some boys on a bridge. ''Eek! Hi there!'' Then, there was trouble. The boys did not wave at her. Instead, they threw rocks at her.''

''The wagons were upset. Our windows are broken, our windows are broken! they said. The people were angry.''

Get a police! No.'' said the worker. ''Marina will do it. Listen,'' he told them. Marina will cough at the boys. Some people were at the junction. They were waiting to see what was going to happen. We have a plan for those boys. explained the worker. Marina is as happy as we are, aren't you, Marina? Marina felt more gassy than happy. Then, they saw the boys. ''Ready, Marina? One, two, three! Cough! [Marina coughs} ''Great job, Marina! Great job! Marina knew that the next time she saw Scuttle or the boys, they '

would learn not to be so mean to her.

by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch