Want to Trade Two Brothers for a Cat? — Linda Lewis

"Oh, no, not in this small apartment," my parents said. You'd think I asked for a baby elephant. If we just got rid of my bratty kid brothers, there would be plenty of room. But just try telling that to my mom! Then Dad decided we could squeeze in one little kitten, so we got Scratchy. She was smarter - and nicer - than my brothers, that's for sure. Unfortunately, she also got into even more trouble than the twins...First, she destroyed Mom's favorite plant, and then she got caught eating right off the dinner table. My parents got so fed up, they decided I had just two weeks to teach Scratchy to behave...or else.