The rounded edges of the massive, saucer-shaped spacecraft glinted in the sunlight like diamonds. A long line of passengers stood before the entry ramp, flanked by nine-foot-tall aliens with green skin and pointed ears. Among those boarding the ship were Arthur, D.W., Buster, Muffy, and their parents.
"It's hard to believe I'm about to visit another planet," said Buster wistfully.
"With alien toys," mused D.W., imagining a life-sized Mary Moo Cow doll that could sing and dance.
"And alien fashions," said Muffy, picturing herself in a shiny dress made from sculpted metal.
"And alien food," said Buster, dreaming of a dinner table covered with garishly colored entrees, some of which were wriggling like tentacles.
"I wonder why Sue Ellen didn't sign up for this," Arthur remarked. "She's the one who likes to travel."
"I haven't heard much from her lately," said Muffy.
"Yeah," added Buster. "It's like she has permanent laryngitis."
The line inched slowly forward. "I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime," said Bitzi, Buster's mother. "All of the world's problems solved—by beings from outer space."
"Not all of them," said Muffy, holding up one of her braids. "Just look at these split ends."
"Look over there!" exclaimed Arthur.
The kids were surprised to see Brain and Sue Ellen racing toward them at top speed; Brain was carrying a large, leather-bound book under one arm.
"Stop!" the boy cried out. "Don't get on the spaceship!"
"Why not?" asked Muffy.
"They translated the book the aliens brought with them," said Brain, holding up the volume so his friends could read the title.
"What does it say, Arthur?" asked D.W. "I can't read."
"It says, TO SERVE AARDVARK," Arthur replied.
"What's so bad about that?" D.W. wondered.
"I'll tell you what's so bad about it," said Brain. "It's a COOKBOOK!"
Arthur and Muffy gasped in horror. Sue Ellen stood to one side, her mouth agape, not saying a word.
"A cookbook?" said Buster curiously. "Let me see it."
Brain handed him the tome, and the rabbit boy began to leaf through the pages. He stopped when an illustration caught his attention.
"Mmm," he muttered, licking his lips. "Aardvark cordon bleu with mashed aardvark eyeballs. And for dessert, strawberry aardvark pie a la mode."
"Vomitrocious!" said Muffy, grimacing.
"Not if you use chicken in place of aardvark," said Mrs. Crosswire, glancing over Buster's shoulder.
"I heard that!" protested a chicken woman standing behind her in the line.
"Er, kids, why don't we go say goodbye to Grandma Thora before we get on the ship?" Mr. Read suggested nervously.
"I heartily agree," said Mrs. Read, clutching Baby Kate tightly to her chest.
"Let's go, D.W.," said Arthur. "I don't like the way Buster's looking at us."
As the Read family hurried away from the line of people, Buster drooled over a picture of another delicacy. "Oh, yes...stir-fried aardvark brains…BRAAAAIIINS…"
to be continued