The Tapping in the Fog

Part One · A Sound in the Dark

Juno lived in the last house by the sea. Tonight, the fog was too thick to see the gate. Tap, tap, tap!

A strange sound woke Juno up. It was coming from the old boathouse down the hill. Juno took the lantern off the kitchen hook.

It made a small ring of yellow light. Past the ring, there was nothing but gray fog. The garden gate gave a long creak.

That is only old wood, Juno told herself. But her heart was beating very fast. Down the hill, the tapping went on and on.

Juno took a step, and the tapping stopped. She stood still, and it started again. Something cold touched her leg!

Juno jumped. It was only Biscuit, her cat. His fur stood up like a brush.

A tall gray shape stood in the fog ahead. It had a long, thin neck. Juno's lantern shook, but it was only a post.

Part Two · The Boathouse

The boathouse door was open a crack. Inside, it was as black as ink. Juno counted to five and stepped in.

The old floor creaked under her feet. Ropes hung down like long fingers. The tapping was coming from the far corner.

Juno held the lantern high. Two round, yellow eyes blinked back at her! Something tall and gray stood in the corner.

It had a long, sharp beak. It turned its head. Tap, tap, tap!

It was tapping on the window glass! It was a heron! The big bird wanted to fly out.

But the window would not let it go. Juno was not scared now, but she was careful.

Her dad said to move slowly around a frightened bird. She set the lantern down. She slid the big door open.

It gave the longest creak ever. The heron spread its wings. They were wider than Juno was tall!

Two soft flaps, and it was gone into the fog. Biscuit jumped up on the boat and licked his paw. He looked very pleased with himself.

As if he had planned it all. Juno walked back up the hill. The fog was thin now, and everything was quiet.

Nice and quiet. The next night, Juno woke up. Tap, tap, tap!

This time, it was at her bedroom window! Her heart jumped. Slowly, she pulled back the curtain.

The heron stood on the porch roof. At its feet lay a silver fish. "Thank you," whispered Juno.

The heron bowed its long neck. Then Biscuit leaped out, grabbed the fish, and ate it. The heron gave him a long, cold stare.