| Winifred's Wish -- by Trenton Lee Stewart |
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As Winifred stabbed and scooped with her gardening trowel, her forehead streaming with perspiration, Morton stood idly by, twirling a dandelion between two fingers. He had finished his second cup of coffee and stepped outside to check on Winifred's progress with the flower beds. His criticisms and suggestions had not been well received, unfortunately – they seldom were – and Morton was thinking of returning to his newspaper. (Morton had many important opinions and liked to find support for them in his reading.) But then the dandelion stirred a childhood memory, and remembering his wife's peculiar fondness for myths about the granting of wishes, he said, “Winifred, have you ever heard about dandelion wishes?”
Winifred looked up with interest. She wiped at her brow, leaving a dirty streak across it. “Dandelion wishes?” "So you haven't? That's funny. I thought everyone knew about them." Morton turned his dandelion this way and that, pretending to contemplate more closely its moon-like head of seeds. He waited, as he always did, for Winifred to press him. After a long pause, she said, "Well, are you going to tell me about them?" "Oh! I suppose I could. Would you like me to?" "Yes," Winifred said tersely. Then she added, "Please." Morton shrugged. "All right, then, I'll tell you. It's basically like birthday cake candles – you have to blow off all the white fuzzy things in a single breath." "The seeds, you mean?" Morton gave Winifred an impatient look. "Who's telling this story, Winifred? Yes, the seeds. And they say that if your wish is strong enough, and you really, truly believe, it will be granted. Watch.” Holding the dandelion before his mouth, Morton took a deep breath and blew out as hard as he could – puffing and sputtering until his face turned red. All but a few of the small white seeds were sent drifting across the yard. He grunted. “Well, no wish this time. It's actually quite hard to get all of them in one blow. Depends on the dandelion, of course. I like to think of the little floating things as tiny paratroopers.” “That’s cute, Morton,” said Winifred, somewhat distractedly. “May I see one?” Morton picked another – there were dozens growing in the yard – and handed it to Winifred, who looked up to heaven in earnest concentration, then blew with all her might. She gazed with satisfaction at the naked stem. "Not bad," Morton said, somewhat begrudgingly. He was about to add that he'd selected an easy one for her when he heard a strange noise in the distance. He looked down the long suburban street in front of their house. Several blocks away he could see something approaching rapidly – a dark, ragged mass, like a racing cloud shadow with substance. It sent out a clamorous noise that seemed at once wild and familiar. “What in the world is that?” Morton said. He put a hand over his eyes to shield them from the sun. "Do you see that thing? What is it?" “I suppose it's a pack of wolves,” murmured Winifred, with a look of wonder. And then, shaking her head as if to clear away her surprise, she began moving about the yard, plucking dandelions and blowing away their seeds. “A pack of – what?” Morton stared at Winifred, who returned his baffled gaze with a mysterious one, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned. She picked another dandelion and blew it. Morton turned back toward the noise, which was now quite obviously the furious snarling and growling of dogs – or wolves. Already they had drawn close enough for him to distinguish their forms, dark, lean creatures running with long, swift strides, heads low to the ground, spanning the distance with incredible speed. They were about two blocks away. He saw them cut across the Johnsons’ yard, weaving through the plastic flamingos. “We'd better move inside," Morton said in a worried tone. "How did you know they were wolves, Winifred?" But Winifred was still gathering dandelions. The wolves came closer, grew louder. Morton paled. Quickly plucking a dandelion, Morton squeezed his eyes shut, then blew violently, clearing all but one of the seeds from the stem. He looked frantically at Winifred, who smiled. She bent to pluck another dandelion. Morton ran over and snatched it from her hands before she could destroy it. With a horrified glance at the wolves, who were now ripping across the McPherson's yard next door, he thought, I believe! And he blew. The growling and snarling stopped. The wolves were gone. Morton sank to his knees, sweat pouring from his face. “Winifred,” he said shakily, “How could you—" He turned to Winifred, who was just blowing another dandelion. The wolves reappeared, closer than before. They tore across the driveway, their nails scraping the cement. Morton screamed and dove for a dandelion, successfully ridding it of all its seeds. The wolves disappeared. Winifred expelled her breath, and the wolves were back, still closer, growling furiously as they bore down on Morton, who scrambled in panic across the yard in quest of a dandelion. He found one, performed the ritual, and the wolves vanished just a few yards away. But then Winifred dropped a handful of bald stalks in front of his face, and with a wink she fired up a weed trimmer that had just appeared in her hands. Its roar did not quite drown out the renewed sound of snarling, slavering wolves. Soon Morton was slip-stumbling around the yard, just behind Winifred and her weed trimmer, the spray of shredded bits of dandelion stalks stinging his face, the sound of Winifred’s wish right behind him.
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Wow wow WOW I can't believe this! Too awesome! I love the story!!!!
 I also really love The Mysterious Benedict Society... According the the quiz I'm most like Sticky. Sticky would make a good member of the Terces society... Actually all the characters would now that I think about it! But my favorite is Sticky. 
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January 21, 2011
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Oh no! He is in Mr. Stewart is in trouble!
I love the Mysterious Benedict Socitey!! I read all of them, and I CAN'T wait for the new one!
Number 2! Katy! Reynie! Sticky! Miserable Constance! For the quiz, I was like Reynie! Yay exclamation marks!
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January 21, 2011
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My favorite is, um, hard to say. Probably Constance, because I love her rhymes!
Aw, the good ol' days when we rhymed...
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January 21, 2011
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YAY! More books!!!
I loved all of the, And his writing's sort of similar to P. Bosch's, so that's why people suspected him to be P. Bosch, [This does not confirm he is not Pseudonymous Bosch, it also does not not not confirm he's not Pseudonymous Bosch.]
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January 21, 2011
Daniel Mauvais
After reading this short story, I found Trenton's writing so compelling, I ordered every single book in the Mysterious Benedict Society of Borders. I cannot wait until they arrive in a weeks time. Bravo.
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January 21, 2011
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I love this story! Very creepy! And also the Mysterious Benedict Society! They are amazing!
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January 22, 2011
Woah...
What up with that dude???
 Why would he/she kill that person???!!! Strange...
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January 23, 2011
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'Response is the title of this message'
is the title of this message.
According to the test, I am most like Reynie. The story is good.
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January 23, 2011
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i love mysterious benedict society!
anyone who doesn't like it is wierd. lol, jk.
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January 29, 2011
Incredible!
I couldn't wait to read this review, for I am a huge fan of The Mysterious Benedict Society, just like I am with The Secret Series. You did not dissapoint me, Mr. Stewart, and you never have with your work! Awesome!
 ~MW
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February 03, 2011
Nicholas Benidict=Mr.Benidict
Is it true does Mr.Benidict=Nicholas Benidict
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February 22, 2011
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Wow...
Awesome story. I have to ask, though, weren't they friends? What does she have against him?
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February 23, 2011
Keyword for name: Jets
That was epic...ps you will only be able to learn my real name if you have read how to decode a code in the name of this book is secret and the codeword is jets
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February 25, 2011
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I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY!!!! According to the test I'm most like Kate. AND SHE'S MY FAVORITE!!!! YAY!!! TRENTON YOU JUST AS AWESOME AS PB OR YOU ARE PB!!!
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March 18, 2011
Epic-ly creepy
Wooowza that's creepy yet disturbing... Why did she do that? What does she have against him? Weren't they friends...? *really cofuzzled*
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March 23, 2011
BREAKING NEWS!! BREAKING NEWS!! READ!!
PSEUDONYMOUS BOSCH'S TRUE IDENTITY REVEALED!!! EMAIL ME AT '>
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
'>
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
TO GET TONS OF INFORMATION ON HIM!!!*
*P.S. The email I send back will be written in CODE. AKA Pseudonymous Bosch's code specifically. *P.P.S. NO MIDNIGHT SUN ARE ALLOWED TO EMAIL ME. IT'S AGAINST THE LAW (IN MY BOOK) *P.P.P.S. NO SPAM!!!!! *P.P.P.P.S. Can you read the TERCES Secret code? It's required... *P.P.P.P.P.S. The extra P's are not included. *P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Midnight Sun dorkies are prohibited. *P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. I have a butt itch. *P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Monkies have moles on their dimples. *P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. This message will self destruct after the P's. *P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. And no, Bosch is NOT the following people: Megan McDonald, Rick Riordan, Heinrich Hoffmann, Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket), Graeme Williams, Jon Scieszka, Trenton Lee Stewart, or Edie Bilmann. *P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. My butt still itches... *P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Should I do a but carpet scooch like a dog? *P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Nah, I'll just scratch it with my hand. More civilized.
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March 23, 2011
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I absolutely love the mysterious Benedict society can't wait for the next one!!!!!!!!!
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March 25, 2011
. . .
I LOVE TRENTON LEE STEWART'S BOOK SERIES THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY! FULL OF ADVENTURE, DANGER, AND COMEDY, THE THREE THINGS I LOOK FOR IN A GOOD BOOK. GO TRENTON! I LIKE PSEDONYMOUS BOCSH'S BOOK SERIES THE SECRET SERIES TOO, THOUGH. CANT WAIT FOR THEIR NEXT BOOKS!
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March 26, 2011
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If You Read XXX XXXXXX XXXXXX, You Get This: Trenton Lee Stewart
QOJX UOBB UJAMMOD. A UTDM MG RFGU UWTM WTHHOFM FOVM!
XGPKM MKPBX, A. C. KOEJOM...
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April 01, 2011
See Above Comment
RX MWO UTX, A BGQO MJOFMGF'K TFN HR'T RGGKT!
MWOX TJO KG TUOKGCO!
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April 01, 2011
I LOVE THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111
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April 30, 2011
... Qrandal Hflc,is your name Stephen King? Or is it? Never mind. Hi! I'm new. I read all his books and i'm most like Sticky. Agent SD, you're right. Sticky would make a good member of the Terces Society.
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May 27, 2011
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That story sounded really interesting! I really want to read it! I LOVE the Mysterious Benedict Society!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took the online quiz, and it said I was most like Reynie. I've tried to get people at school to read it, but only one person did.
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June 04, 2011
good authors if u like pb
Hey, u guys are all fans right? well if you think pb rocks, try some of the following
eoin colfer brandon mull j. k. rowling trenton lee stewart (if you haven't already) michael scott rick riordan more rick riordan 39 clues people angie sage
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June 09, 2011
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I will now say that P.B. has been contacted by my good friend W.W. I also love Trenton Lee Stewart! He was on a tour and came to my small town in XXXXXXXXX ( not the correct number of letters ) My bookclub entered a contest and won!!!! Our reward was Trenton Lee Stewart!!!!
~Agent E.P.
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June 22, 2011
holy schnitzel sticks
i loved this!!!!!! it was almost as good as P.B.'s writing himself
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July 10, 2011
I love it!
I love mystery and this fit in perfectly with my style! My other favorite author is P.B. I think they have the same style of writing. And I can't wait till the 5 book comes out!
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August 15, 2011
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I LOVE THE BOOKS!
I LOVE YOUR BOOKS I READ THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY ALL THREE OF THEM AND I CANT WAIT FOR THE UPCOMING SEQUEL!
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August 20, 2011
Thank U Trenton.
Mysterious benedict society is awesome!!i looove kate!!Constance is really funny and Sticky is just so pathetic in a good way!!Reynie is my all time favorite i get really sad when i read the last book.i hope there will be another for the end of the world(2012).I would like to have a nother book with all of our favorite villians!(S.Q. Jackson, Jillson, Mr. Curtain, McCracken,.ect.) and heroes.i sometimes have dreams that i am reynie.i guess i feel connected to him.I thank Trenton for the Mysterious Benedict Society.
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August 31, 2011
Other series to check out
http://www.awholenotherwebsite.com//
A Whole Nother Story by Dr.Cuthbert Soup its writing is soooo much like pb!!!! THE HERO SQAUD!!! Batclaw, (a.k.a. Logan Xxxxxx) Dinoclaw,(a.k.a.Riley Xxxxxx) Black Spider,(a.k.a. David Xxxxxx Shadow,(a.k.a. William Xxxxxx) Shadowgirl,(a.k.a.Madeline Xxxx) Black Knight(a.k.a. William Xxxxx)!!!! THE ENEMIES!!! DEMON (a.k.a. Oscar Xxxxxx) Undertaker (a.k.a. Thomas Xxxxxxxxx) Mckgraggan (a.k.a. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx) Kronos (a.k.a. Xxxxx xxxxx) This is not a book series but it should be coming to the internet soon. HERO SQAUD 2059!! Batboy (a.k.a. Jeff Xxxxxx (son of Batclaw)) Dinoclaw 2059 (a.k.a. Riley Xxxxxx Jr. and young clone of Dinoclaw) Black Spider 2059 (a.k.a. Xxxx Xxxxx and son of Black Spider) Shadow 2059 (a.k.a. Shane Xxxxxx and son of Shadow) Darkgirl (a.k.a. Kate Xxxxxx and daughter of Shadow) Shadow retired superhero Batclaw Super hero in hiding Black Spider famous comedy dancer no longer spends time fighting crime Black Knight and Shadowgirl happy pair currently on loooooong honeymoon in brazil NEW VILLIANS NEW HEROES!!! EXTREME HERO SQAUD!!! PLZ COMMENT!!! Signed,Batclaw
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September 01, 2011
Join Hero Sqaud
If you wish to join Hero squad just type in your hero name and power.We may put you in for consideration.
Signed, Batclaw
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September 02, 2011
tls
TLS-- Luv ur books bunches!!!!! Ive read the MBS books and i luved them!!!!!
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November 27, 2011
I love you, Trenton Lee Stewart!
Your books are so awesome!!!!! Kate is probably my fave character.
What month is your new book coming out? Can't wait! Can't wait! Ha Ha Ha Ha HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
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January 28, 2012
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i went to the same school as patrick. i remeber those girls from my school who wrote in. they were white trash...i always felt so bad for them.,http://www.linkssale.org.uk
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April 02, 2012
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It's great to hear from you and see what you've been up to. In your blog I feel your enthusiasm for life. thank you.,http://www.monclerjackespeichern.com
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April 02, 2012
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I smell the taste of wine. see you! "We do not talk more that day. We stood up, shook his hand and eye lookedeach and so on. Bees were shut out, but came to backhesitatingly.,http://www.2012louisvuittonsale.com
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May 12, 2012
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http://www.cheappandoracharmsuk.co.uk
So cute! I already like you on FB and also get your posts on Google Reader.
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May 12, 2012
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