Frank and Lisa were visiting their grandparents.
"Get dressed and come down to breakfast.
Also, find your bathing suits because we'll be swimming at the lake," said Mom.
Frank couldn't find his bathing suit.
"Mom told you to pack your bathing suit," scolded Lisa.
"I guess you won't be going swimming today."
"Be quiet!" said Frank.
"I can wear my shorts to swim, as long as I bring an extra pair."
"Lisa! Frank! Your breakfast is getting cold," called their grandma.
"We're coming!" answered Lisa.
"Found it!" shouted Frank happily.
"Found—? Frank, this room is a mess!
Why are all your clothes on the floor?" asked Mom.
"He couldn't find his bathing suit," said Lisa.
"Frank, you must put your clothes away before you have breakfast," said Mom.
"Yes, Mom," answered Frank.
"How many pancakes can you eat?" asked Grandma at breakfast.
"I can eat three," said Lisa.
"Do you have maple syrup?"
"Yes," replied Grandpa. "It's real.
I made it this spring."
"You made it? How?" asked Lisa.
"Well, it takes a lot of work.
But each spring, as the weather gets warmer, the sap begins to run in the maple trees."
"Sap?" asked Lisa with a mouthful of pancakes.
"Sap is tree blood," said Grandpa.
"Yuck," said Lisa. "Syrup is made from blood!"
"Lisa, tree blood isn't like human blood.
Tree blood, sap, is mostly water and sugar.
After a long winter's nap, a tree needs a nice long drink of sweet water.
In the spring I take some of the sweet water from the maple trees and make maple syrup."
"Are there any pancakes left for me?" asked Frank.
"Sure, there's plenty.
How many can you eat?" asked Grandma.
"I can eat three," said Frank. "Pass the syrup, please."
"Where's Dad?" asked Frank.
"Oh, he took the boat to the lake this morning to go fishing," answered Mom.
"Really?" said Frank sadly. "Why didn't he take me?"
"Because he got up really early, before the sun came up," said Grandma.
"Here, have some fruit."
"I want an apple," said Lisa.
"Can I have a banana?" asked Frank.
"Ouch! My tooth!" cried Lisa.
"What's wrong?" asked Mom.
"My, my tooth. It's loose.
Will I have to go to the dentist?
Will I miss our trip to the lake?" asked Lisa.
"Lisa, calm down," said Mom.
"Lisa, you're a big girl now," said Grandma.
"A big girl because I have a cavity."
"You don't have a cavity," said Mom, laughing.
"You have a loose tooth."
"Today," continued Grandma, "you're a big girl because you're losing your baby teeth."
"I'm losing my teeth?" asked Lisa, very concerned.
"Yes," said Mom, "but new, bigger teeth will grow in place of the ones you lose."
"Your mother lost her teeth when she was your age," said Grandma.
"Really?" asked Lisa.
"Yes, really," said Grandpa.
"But the best thing about losing your teeth is the tooth fairy."
"The tooth fairy?" asked Lisa.
"Yes, when your tooth falls out, you take it and place it under your pillow.
While you are sleeping, the tooth fairy will take the tooth.
In exchange, the tooth fairy will grant you one wish," said Grandpa.
"When can I make a wish?
When will my tooth fall out?" asked Lisa.
"Maybe today. Maybe tomorrow," said Mom.
"You can't rush nature," said Grandma.
"It will come out when it's ready."