An Interactive Birthday Adventure
Flynn's 7th Birthday
Pokémon Surprise
A birthday surprise
One Very Unusual School Day
Flynn's seventh birthday is coming up on September 26, and he has been thinking about Pokémon all week. He heads to school like any other morning... except there is one very unusual thing with him.
Hidden inside his backpack is a Poké Ball. Inside that Poké Ball is Greninja. Flynn knows bringing a real Pokémon to first grade is probably not part of the normal school rules, but Greninja promised to stay inside until they get home.
At least, that is the plan.
School begins
One Secret Backpack
Flynn hangs his backpack in one of the gray cubbies outside his classroom. He checks the zipper, gives the bag one last look, and walks inside before anyone can ask why he is acting strange.
The Poké Ball is tucked safely inside. Greninja is quiet. Everything seems perfect.
A few minutes later, Flynn sits down for math with Ms. Kelly and almost forgets the backpack is there.
Math with Ms. Kelly
Something at the Window
Math begins normally. Flynn gets out his pencil and starts working with the rest of the class. Ms. Kelly is talking about adding tens and ones when Flynn notices something move outside.
He looks over his shoulder.
Two enormous eyes are staring through the window. Then a blue hand rises slowly into view and gives Flynn a tiny wave.
Flynn knows exactly who it is.
Uh-oh!
Greninja Is Out!
“Greninja?” Flynn whispers.
Greninja is standing beside the classroom window looking extremely pleased with himself. Flynn has no idea how he escaped from the Poké Ball, but he definitely cannot shout, “Get back in my backpack!” while Ms. Kelly is teaching.
Then Flynn sees the math problem on his paper. Maybe the answer can become a secret sign telling Greninja where to go.
Flynn needs the secret number.
24 + 10 = ?
Now Flynn just has to hope Greninja actually listens.
Between classes
Back in the Poké Ball
As soon as math ends, Flynn hurries back to the cubbies. Greninja is waiting near the backpack, sitting calmly as if absolutely nothing unusual has happened.
“You cannot keep doing that,” Flynn whispers.
Greninja gives him an innocent look. Flynn would like to believe him, but he knows better. He holds out the Poké Ball, Greninja returns inside, and Flynn slips the ball into his pocket instead of the backpack.
This time, Flynn thinks, I can keep an eye on him.
Literacy with Mrs. Harris
Wiggle... Wiggle...
By the time literacy begins with Mrs. Harris, Flynn has almost convinced himself the excitement is finished. He opens his book and starts to read with the class.
Then something bumps against his leg.
Wiggle.
Flynn freezes.
A few seconds later: wiggle, wiggle.
The Poké Ball in his pocket is moving. Greninja is awake again.
Flynn keeps reading and hopes the sound of the story will calm him down.
Literacy challenge
A Sleepy Story
Flynn keeps reading. The Poké Ball wiggles once more, then grows quieter. Maybe Greninja really does love stories.
Mrs. Harris puts a sentence on the board that needs fixing. Flynn knows Greninja will probably fall asleep if the room stays calm for just a little longer.
Which sentence is written correctly?
For the rest of literacy, Greninja does not make another sound. Flynn finally relaxes.
Recess
Pop!
When recess finally arrives, Flynn takes the Poké Ball outside. He figures Greninja might enjoy some fresh air as long as he stays inside the ball.
That idea lasts about three seconds.
POP!
Greninja bursts out, lands on the playground, and starts running. Lucas, Katie, Zack, Manny, and Ali all see him.
“Is that Greninja?!” someone shouts.
Flynn takes off after him, and his friends follow.
Playground search
Where Did Greninja Go?
Greninja is fast. One second he is racing across the playground, and the next he is gone.
“Spread out!” Flynn says.
Lucas checks one direction. Manny and Zack search another. Katie and Ali help Flynn find anything that might be a clue.
Then Flynn sees a tiny wet footprint below the slide.
Where should Flynn look?
Flynn takes one step toward him— and the recess bell rings.
Mandarin with Mrs. Helen
Back to Class
“No, no, no,” Flynn whispers as Greninja disappears behind the playground equipment.
The class has to go inside. Flynn cannot stay behind, so a few minutes later he is sitting in Mandarin with Mrs. Helen, trying very hard to pay attention.
But his mind keeps drifting back outside. What if Greninja wanders away from the playground? What if a teacher sees him? What if Greninja decides school is more fun than going home?
Then Mrs. Helen begins the day's vocabulary, and one word catches Flynn's attention.
Mandarin clue
The Butterfly Clue
Mrs. Helen says a word Flynn recognizes: 蝴蝶 — hú dié.
Butterfly.
Just then, a blue butterfly flutters past the classroom window. Flynn watches it circle once, then drift toward the playground. For some reason, it reminds him exactly where he last saw Greninja.
Maybe it can guide him back to the right spot later.
Mrs. Helen says “hú dié.”
Which picture matches?
Flynn cannot go outside yet, but now he knows where he wants to look.
After school
Someone Sees Him!
The rest of the school day passes without another Greninja sighting. By the time Flynn reaches the after-school room, he is beginning to wonder if Greninja has already left.
Then Katie suddenly points through the window.
“There!”
Everyone turns. Behind the playground equipment, a familiar blue head appears for half a second.
Greninja is still here. And from the look on his face, he still thinks this is a game.
Where is Greninja hiding?
This time, the teachers see him too.
Everyone helps
Greninja Thinks It's a Game
Soon everyone is outside. Greninja hops backward every time someone gets close, clearly having the greatest afternoon of his life.
Flynn knows chasing him will only make things worse, so the group makes a plan.
Lucas, Katie, Zack, Manny, and Ali spread out. The teachers help guide Greninja toward Flynn. Flynn stays still and holds the Poké Ball where Greninja can see it.
Help everyone follow the plan.
At last, Greninja stops. He looks at Flynn, then at the Poké Ball.
One last problem
The Poké Ball Won't Close!
Greninja finally walks toward Flynn. Flynn raises the Poké Ball, and a bright light pulls Greninja safely inside.
For one second, Flynn thinks it is finished.
Then the Poké Ball flashes.
It will not close.
“Seriously?” Flynn says.
One final problem appears. Luckily, Flynn has been practicing making ten all week.
Greninja has 6 water gems.
How many more does he need to make 10?
Flynn looks down at the quiet Poké Ball and smiles. Finally.
The end
Happy 7th Birthday, Flynn!
Greninja is safe at last. Flynn looks around at Lucas, Katie, Zack, Manny, Ali, and all the teachers who helped him. Then he starts laughing.
This was definitely not how he expected an ordinary day at school to go.
His seventh birthday is almost here, and now Flynn has one incredible story to tell, even if almost no one else is going to believe it.
Flynn's birthday guestbook
Send Flynn a Birthday Message
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