Franklin could count by twos and tie his shoes .He knew lots of games and all of their rules. But one day, Franklin learned that friendship is more important than winning a game.
A new computer game?
When did you get it?
Yesterday.
And I’m already good at it.
Did you hear that Bear?
What?
Beaver has a new computer game.
Your turn.
I wonder what it’s like?
Your turn, Franklin.
I wonder if it’s an adventure game.
Huh?
Hey, what about our game?
Take my next turn for me.
Will you Bear?
What’s your new game like, Beaver?
It’s about building dams, so it’s very educational.
She’s already scored five hundred points!
Five-hundred and forty, actually.
That’s great!
I’ll have to play it sometime.
I’m really good at games.
Why are you putting away the game.
Bear?
I took your turn for you. And you won.
See? I told you.
I’m really good at games.
Bye!
Good bye!
See ya!
Bye!
See you tomorrow!
So what are we going to do,Franklin?
Uh.. you mean now? yeah!
We always do things after school.
Gee Bear, I have to do something else right now.
Maybe after supper.
Okay!
Yeah,okay.
See you later Bear.
Hi,Franklin!
Where’s Bear?oh- he went home.
Do you want to play baseball with me?
Actually I’m going to play on my computer.
What are you going to play?
Dambuilders. You have to swim around all kinds of hazards and chew down trees and ….aw, that sounds great!
Can I see?
Well, I guess you could watch me…
But you have to be quiet because it takes a lot of concentration.
Don’t worry about me Beaver, I am really good at being quiet.
Trouble bubbles, Beaver!
Watch out!
Franklin, I told you, don’t touch the computer screen.
Ooops.
Sorry.
I didn’t want you to get trapped. I know what I’m doing. I’m almost at level two.
Look out!
Don’t go that way.
No problem.
You should have gone that way.
It’d be faster.
No, it wouldn’t.
I’d get stuck in the weeds.
Look out for the…
Oh no….
Barrel trap.
Game over.
Oh,well…
I almost got to level two.yeah!
Um. Beaver can I have a turn?
Just a little one?
Well, it is about beavers and dam building so you might find it kind of difficult.
I like games that are hard.
Okay!
Great!
Yes,yes,yes.
Round the corner of Cattail Creek.
… Franklin are you almost…almost out of the bulrushes?
Yes I am … and the dam is wide open… a little further.. a little further.
Yes.
I beat.. level one!
What do you think of that Beaver?!
Great.
Let’s see who can beat level two first.
Franklin, your mother called.
She wants you to go home for supper.
Awww.
We were having so much fun. You live across the pond, not across the ocean.
You can always come again after supper.
You’re right!
See you later, Beaver.
Bye.
I’ll never get to level two if I have to wait for Franklin.
Uh oh,,trouble bubbles in the big pond.
Better take a shortcut through Cattail Creek.
Ahhh!
A fallen tree.
I’ve got to get around it.
I think it’s time to eat your breakfast in stead of playing Dam Busters in it.
Dam Builder’s , mom.
Do you know I’ve almost beaten level three?
That’s quite an accomplishment…
I guess.
Oh, it is.
I scored more bonus points than Beaver.
And she gets more time to play than I do.
Do you think you’re spending too much time playing that game?
You’ve been over there every day this week.
It’s fun.
Yes , and so are swimming and soccer and riding your bike.
Yeah, I should ride my bike today.
Awwww.
Yes!
Eight hundred points!
Well, you’re up bright and early today.
Good morning Mrs. Beaver.
Here I am.
Come on Franklin.
Let’s play badminton.
Oh, now that sounds like a nice idea.
It’s such a lovely day.
Badminton…?
Yeah okay.
I got the trees to fall right on top of a barrel trap, and …at level Four you have to get around the whirlpools and the….Franklin.. hit the birdie!
Do you want to keep paying this, or do you feel like doing something else now?
Like what?
Hmmmm… I don’t know.
Maybe play Dam-Builders?
I don’t feel like it. Franklin.
I’d rather play outside.
Why don’t we finish this game?
Oh I forgot!
I promised my Mom I’d pick some berries for lunch.
I have to go.
See you later, Beaver.
See you later, Franklin.
Hey, Franklin
Where are you going?
I’m just going over to Beaver’s.
How come you don’t play with me anymore?
I do.
I played with you a couple of days ago.
It’s been longer than that.
I’m sorry, Bear.
I just want to beat level four in Dam-builders, then we can play.
Will that take a long time?
Not when you’re as good as I am!
Maybe today?
I’ll try.
See you later, Bear.
I hope so.
Hi, Mrs. Beaver.
Hello Franklin.
Beaver isn’t here.
She’s running an errand for me.
Oh. She shouldn’t be long.
Do you want to wait for her?
Sure. I’ll wait.
Would you like to play a game on the computer?
Tha t’d be great!
You know where it is.
Thanks, Mrs. Beaver!
Huh?
Yes…fifty points to go.
Franklin!?
What are you doing?
Hey, Beaver, guess what?!
I’ve almost beaten level four!
Turn it off, Franklin.
What?!
I said turn it off.
But Beaver, I’m past the whirlpools.
Look!
What are you doing?
What am I doing?
What are you doing, playing on my computer when I’m not even here?
But…but your mom said I could. Are you mad because my score is higher than yours?
No. I’m mad because you’re not my friend anymore!
Why? What did I do?
you don’t want to play with me, all you want to do is play with my computer.
That’s not being a friend.
Gee, I’m sorry,. Beaver
I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.
Well, you did.
How would you feel if I only came to your house to ride your scooter?
Not very good…
And who cares about dam-builders?
Being friends is more important.
Yeah.
You’re right Beaver.
And keeping friends is more important too.
Do you want to play something outside?
Sure.
It’s too nice out to be in here.
Yeah, come on ,let’s go.
I’ve got it!
Okay, who wants it?
I want it!
I do!
Catch!
Nice one!
Gee, am I ever glad it didn’t take you all day to beat level four of that computer game.
He didn’t beat level four.
Awww… you didn’t?
No.
I decided that there are more important things the Dam-builders.
Like playing soccer?
Yeah.
Like playing soccer with my best friends .