Hamster on the Loose

On school picture day, the class hamster Sir Nibbles makes a break for freedom, and one kid must chase him through a building gone completely bananas.

Today was the single most important day at Lincoln Elementary: School Picture Day. Devon Park had even combed his hair with actual water, which his big sister said was a miracle on the level of a talking dog.

There was just one tiny problem, and his name was Sir Nibbles. Sir Nibbles was the class hamster, a round caramel-colored fluffball with cheeks like overstuffed grocery bags and the attitude of a tiny escaped convict.

'Devon, you are on hamster duty,' said Mrs. Ortega, handing him the cage key. 'Just give him fresh water before the photographer gets here. Easy.'

Devon grinned. 'Easy,' he repeated. He had no idea how wrong that word was about to be.