The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom by Vicki Lockwood Read Free Book Online

Hari explained.
    â€œOh.” Lizzie stepped inside. She knew India was part of the British Empire, but she’d never met an Indian before. She bowed awkwardly. “Do you speak English?”
    Hari smiled. “Yes. Do you?”
    Lizzie flushed. “Of course.” The elephant behind Hari shifted on the straw, and she backed away. “He’s not gonna stomp on me, is he?”
    Hari laughed. “No. And, by the way, he’s a she .”
    â€œI ain’t stayin’ if you’re gonna laugh at me!” Lizzie said. “How was I meant to know? They don’t have bloomin’ great elephants where I come from!”
    Hari stroked the elephant’s trunk gently. “I’m sorry.” His brown eyes softened. “I know elephants make people nervous.”
    â€œThey’re just so big,” Lizzie said, lifting her chin.
    â€œThis is Akula.” Hari beckoned Lizzie closer. “Come and give her a stroke.”
    Lizzie had seen the elephant before when she was going for her bath. She was huge. As Lizzie eyed the enormous animal warily, another shape moved in the shadows on the other side of the tent. Lizzie stiffened as she realized it was a second elephant.
    â€œThat’s Sashi,” Hari told her. “They’re very gentle. Come.” He beckoned again. “Come stroke Akula on her trunk — that’s her nose.”
    Reluctantly, Lizzie stepped forward and reached out a hand. She was determined not to tremble, but her fingers quivered as they neared Akula’s trunk.
    â€œDon’t be afraid. She likes to be stroked,” Hari reassured her.
    Gently, Lizzie touched Akula’s trunk. It felt dry and warm. Akula stood still while Lizzie ran her fingers over the rough hide.
    â€œSee?” Hari said. He reached up and scratched Akula behind her ear.
    Akula curled the end of her trunk, and Lizzie saw its soft pink tip. Imagine having a nose that long , she thought.
    Hari grinned as Akula lifted her trunk higher and sniffed Lizzie.
    Lizzie forced herself not to run as the elephant ran the snuffling tip of her trunk over her. “Hello, Akula.” She stroked her trunk. “I’m new here. I guess I smell funny.”
    Akula lifted her trunk higher and puffed air into Lizzie’s face. Lizzie hopped backward in surprise.
    â€œShe likes you!” Hari laughed.
    â€œReally?” Lizzie looked at him.
    â€œReally.” Hari picked up a short, stout stool and put it beside Akula’s foreleg. “Come on, girl.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Lizzie asked.
    â€œWe have to file their toenails before the show,” Hari explained.
    â€œFile their toenails?” Lizzie echoed. Hari couldn’t be serious. “What with?”
    Hari lifted a large iron file from the straw. “This.” He tapped the back of Akula’s leg. “Come on, girl.”
    Akula lifted her foreleg and placed it on the stool. Bending down, Hari began to file her huge toenails.
    Lizzie watched, amazed, as the file sent a shower of dust onto the straw. Hari worked steadily and quietly. There was a calmness about him that put Lizzie at her ease. “How did you know the elephants made me nervous?” she asked.
    â€œPeople often get cross when they’re scared.” Hari kept gently filing one nail after another. “Next leg, girl.” He tapped Akula, and she swapped legs.
    Lizzie crouched down in the straw and cupped her chin in her hands. Hari was a slender boy with smooth brown skin and the darkest eyes Lizzie had ever seen. His black hair curled softly at his neck as he worked.
    â€œDo you want to try?” he asked suddenly.
    Lizzie blinked. “I d-don’t know.”
    Hari held the file out. Lizzie took it and approached Akula’s huge foot. Tentatively, she gave one of the toenails a swish with the file. It slid over the nail.
    â€œHarder,” Hari encouraged.
    Lizzie swished the file again, more