INTRODUCTION

As IN THE LAND OF CHOICE begins, the twins, Tammy and Tommy, are looking forward to a wonderful day at the zoo and a baseball game with their Aunt Liz and Uncle Fred. But a heavy rain cancels the great day, and the two argue and fight. Grandma sends them off to bed, and they either dream the same amazing dream, or they really are guided through many wondrous adventures by a character called Choosy Chicken. On their journey in THE LAND OF CHOICE problems crop up whenever the twins make poor choices, but matters improve when they STOP, THINK, and then CHOOSE more wisely.

Following each chapter is an idea to think about and try out that can help you learn to STOP, THINK, and CHOOSE more effectively for yourself and with others. We suggest that you take a few moments after you read each chapter to consider how you might use the ideas to make your world more pleasant and more fun — both for you and for others.

Very likely you make OK to good choices most of the time. But very likely you have room for improvement. Think what a great world this would be if you and others around you, young people and grownups alike, made more made more really positive choices more of the time! The ideas you will explore IN THE LAND OF CHOICE can make that possible.

The print version of IN THE LAND OF CHOICE contains two bonuses that parents, teachers, or other grownups can use with people your age to explore how they might make better choices — as Tammy and Tommy learn to do IN THE LAND OF CHOICE. The first bonus is The User’s Guide, which presents key ideas and activities designed to help people see how they might make better choices. The second bonus is chapter-by-chapter TAKE-HOME activities that parents/guardians and children can use to grow together in choice-making skills.

CHAPTER 1 — TAMMY AND TOMMY

“I haven’t made out my list yet, but we need some milk and eggs tonight, so would one of you children please run down to the store while I start on supper?”
Tammy and Tommy jumped up from the sofa and called, “I’ll go!” at the same time.
“Well, that’s the spirit,” said Grandma. “You can both go if you want, I’ve got things in pretty good shape here. Just set the table before you leave, and you can take your time.”
A few minutes later, money in hand, the twins were on their way to the Walkerton grocery store a few short blocks from their tenement home.
“You children look like the cat that swallowed the canary,” called Mrs. Sievers from her vantage point on her front porch. The twins had remarked on how often Mrs. Sievers hand-scrubbed her small porch, using one of her huge sponges. Grandma had said, “She’s out there all the time so she won’t miss anything that happens in town.”
“You’ve got it right,” Tommy replied to her cat-that-swallowed-the-canary comment. “Tomorrow we get to go to the zoo and a baseball game with Uncle Fred and Aunt Liz.”
“It’s our day,” Tammy added. “We can do anything we want, they told us, within reason.”
“Well, that sounds just wonderful, and I know you’ll. . .,” Mrs. Sievers began, then she grasped the whistle she had on a chain around her neck, ran to one end of the porch, and blew three loud blasts.
“Some cowbirds are after the eggs a mother cardinal has laid,” she explained, as she turned back to the twins. “You know, those pesky creatures throw out other birds’ eggs, then lay their eggs in the nests and let someone else rear their young — the lazy things. And that will not be allowed here — not if I can help it.”
As they arrived at the store a few minutes later, the twins came upon Officer Rodman eating an ice cream cone and chatting with Mr. Walkerton.
“So, that’s what’s been happening,” they heard the officer comment.
“If I catch someone at it, I’m gonna teach him a lesson,” the twins heard the proprietor say.
“Better call the dragon patrol instead. I’ll get to him,” said the officer, using the nickname children gave him when he still smoked a pipe.
“It must be serious,” Tammy whispered.
“It is serious, girl,” said Officer Rodman, who had overheard, his bright eyes shining in his round face. “Somebody’s punching holes in cereal boxes and cake mixes, and that’s malicious damage to property.” He pulled off his cap and ran his fingers through his thinning hair.
“Whoever it is probably thinks of it as just a practical joke, but he won’t think it’s very funny if I catch him,” said Mr. Walkerton.
Tommy was glad he hadn’t tried such a thing. Mr. Walkerton had a really neat smile that he used often, but when he frowned, or said he was going to teach someone a lesson, it seemed very convincing. He was a powerfully-built, large man, just a bit round-shouldered, with a heavy crop of hair on his thick neck and arms. Some children called him the abominable grocery-man. Tommy shuddered.
“So, what’s going on with you children these days,” said Officer Rodman, changing the subject.
The twins mentioned the adventure that was planned for the next day.
“Sounds wonderful,” said the patrolman.
“I hope the weather holds up for you,” said Mr. Walkerton, grinning. “I’d like to close the store and go to both the zoo and the ball game with you.”
A few hours later, Tammy and Tommy lay in their bunk beds, too excited to sleep.
“The zoo comes first,” Tammy called down from the top bunk.”
“Then the baseball game later!” said Tommy.
“And let’s get hamburgers for lunch.”
“Mmmm, yeah, with french fries and chocolate milk shakes!” Tommy licked his lips. “Grandma never fixes anything like that at home.”
“One thing I want to do at the zoo is get some cotton candy,” Tammy announced, hanging over the edge of the bed to look at her twin. It was like looking at herself in the mirror. The two children were the same size, the same height, with the same humorous grins and unruly hair. “And then I want to go to the nursery and feed the baby animals,” she added.
“Hey, yeah! I want to do that, too.”
“OK, we’ll check the minute we get there and see when feeding times are. That way we’ll be sure not to miss it,” said Tammy.
“And then the ball game,” sighed Tommy. “I hope I have enough money to buy another pennant for my collection. And maybe even a sticker for my notebook. Oh, boy! I can hardly wait!” He hugged himself with excitement.
The twins fell silent, each savoring the wonderful day that lay ahead of them. Finally, before drifting off to sleep, Tommy peeked out the window and looked up at the sky. A clear night could mean good weather the next day.
“Pssst! Tammy! I see a star,” he whispered.
The upper bunk creaked and Tammy’s sleepy voice floated down to him. “Where?” she asked.
“Up there, look near the top of that telephone pole.”
“Oh, yes, I see it now,” said Tammy, after a few moments. “Let’s make a wish.”
“I already have,” said Tommy, crossing the fingers on both hands. “I sure hope it comes true.”

They heard the sound as soon as they awoke. Like a thousand drummers beating on the roof.
“Oh, no!” Tammy’s heart sank. She jumped out of bed and pushed open the curtain. “Rats!”
Heavy rain pounded the streets and sidewalks, filling the gutters to overflowing. Passing cars sent feathery plumes of water whooshing through the air.
“Double rats!” grumbled Tommy, pressing his face against the cool, smooth pane. Next door, two sparrows, feathers dripping, clung miserably to the edge of the roof. Rain cascaded to the ground, and muddy water splashed against the building.
Tammy looked up. The thick black clouds were so low they seemed to be pressing against the roof. The top of the telephone pole, where last night’s star had been, had completely disappeared from view. Tammy’s mouth twisted downward. “So much for wishing on a star,” she thought.
“Triple rats!” she said aloud.
“What was that you said?” Grandma asked.
Tammy turned to see Grandma standing in the doorway. The care-worn woman had been looking after the twins for two years, ever since their parents had been killed in an automobile accident.
“I just said ‘triple rats!’ because Uncle Fred and Aunt Liz won’t be able to take us to the zoo in all this rain.”
“Well, of course they won’t,” said Grandma in her practical voice. “In fact they’ve already called to say they’d take you next week instead.”
“Aw, Grandma. . .”
“Now, Tommy. . .”
“Maybe they could take us somewhere else today instead,” Tammy interrupted brightly. “Like a museum or something indoors where the rain wouldn’t matter.”
“Ordinarily they could,” said Grandma with a nod, “if Uncle Fred had his car. It’s being repaired today, remember?”
The twins looked at each other glumly.
“The reason that didn’t affect going to the zoo and the ball game is because both those places are right on the main bus line,” Grandma continued. “All the other places are too far to walk to in weather like this.” Her expression softened. “I know you’re disappointed, children. But it’s just one more week, that’s all.”
Grandma noticed the sour look that passed between the twins and frowned. “Now, I don’t want you two sitting around here moping all day,” she said sternly, shaking her finger.
“Oh, Grandma, it’s not fair,” Tammy complained. “We can’t go to the zoo, we can’t go to the ball game. We can’t do anything in this rotten weather.”
Grandma looked exasperated. “Now, children, I’m sorry your trip has been ruined for today, but these things happen. And feeling sorry for yourself isn’t going to change anything.”
“Could we go to a movie instead?” Tommy asked hopefully. “Just the two of us?”
Grandma hesitated, then shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she said. “My retirement check won’t get here until Wednesday, and I need what little money I have for groceries and bills.”
“It’s just not fair!” cried Tammy in disgust. “Other kids get to go to movies at least. We never get to do anything!”
“All right, that’s enough, both of you,” said Grandma in an angry voice. “I’m not going to listen to any more of your whining. If you can’t find anything to do, then I’ll find something for you.”
“Like what, Grandma,” asked Tommy, uncertainly.
“You can clean up the living room, or tie up all those newspapers for the paper drive, help me get groceries, sort the laundry, clean your room. . .”
“Oh, Grandma!” wailed both twins at once.

Chapter 1 — THE BIG IDEA

Everyone can learn to make better choices — including you. To help you become a more skillful choice-maker, there is a Big Idea following each chapter in this book.

For Chapter 1 the Big Idea is: We make choices all day long.

The User’s Guide for this chapter suggests: A choice is anything that you decide to do. If you smile, it’s because you choose to. If you act grumpy, that’s your choice as well. So you are making choices all day long. Take a few moments to think about this idea and figure out how you can use it to make your life better.

If you want to explore ideas like this one further on your own or with others, you can order In the Land of Choice in print form. There you will find more ideas to explore and some activities you could do with a partner or in a group or class. And you will find a TAKE-HOME activity you can share with someone important in your life.

To place an order for the print form of In the Land of Choice, as well as the second novel in the series, The Magic of Choice, simply click on the ORDER LINK below.

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