My brother and I had a fight today.
Alex is only two years older than I am.
But he always tries to boss me around!
The fight started with Mom's note.
Dear Annie and Alex,
Please clean Polly's cage.
I'll be back before dinner!
We both love our parrot.
Polly has pretty feathers and says funny things.
But we hate cleaning her cage.
I looked at Alex. "Somebody has to clean the birdcage."
He smirked. "It looks pretty nasty. Good luck scrubbing it!"
"I cleaned it last week," I said.
"It's your turn, Alex."
"Can't!" he said as he walked to the door.
"I have to practice my skills.
So I'm going outside to shoot some hoops.
Have fun!"
"Happy Birthday!" Polly squawked.
"Ugh," I thought, looking at her dirty cage.
Alex was so mean.
He was so selfish too.
There was no way I was cleaning the cage again!
Outside I heard his basketball bouncing on the driveway.
Suddenly I had an idea . . .
My younger sister is so annoying.
She's only two years younger than I am, but she acts like a big baby.
Mom said somebody had to clean Polly's cage.
I didn't mind doing it, but I do it all the time.
So I asked Annie to take a turn.
Of course, Annie started whining and complaining—as usual.
"I hate cleaning the birdcage!"
"Well, it's your turn, Annie.
Mom is going to be home soon, so you'd better get started."
"I'm not cleaning the birdcage!" she yelled.
"You are so!" I told her as she stormed upstairs.
"Uh-oh!" Polly squawked at me.
"Annie is such a baby," I muttered.
I went outside and practiced slam dunks.
"Hmm," I thought.
"Hey, Annie. I've got an idea . . ."
When I got home, Alex and Annie were in the driveway playing basketball.
"Hi, kids. Did you clean the birdcage?" I asked.
"Yep," said Alex.
"We did it together," said Annie.
"Really?" I said.
"I thought you two would argue about it!"
"We had a foul shooting contest," said Alex.
"The loser was supposed to clean the cage."
"But we each scored five points," said Annie. "So—"
"You cleaned the cage together!" I said, hugging them.
Polly squawked. "Good job, team!"