The Raccoons’ Workout

By Susan Mitsch • Illustrated by Sal Murdocca

Sometimes Mama Raccoon worked overtime. Sometimes Papa Raccoon worked overtime. One week Papa Raccoon worked overtime every night. Seven raccoon kits missed their Papa. And Papa missed his kits.

Finally, one evening Papa came home early. “Come and play, Papa!” cried seven raccoon kits.

“Play with Papa tomorrow,” said Mama Raccoon. “Let Papa rest this evening.”

“That’s all right, my dear,” Papa replied. “I’ll play with my kits tonight. The exercise will make us fast and strong, won’t it, kits?”

“Yippee! Yippee!” cried seven raccoon kits.

“Come out here in the yard,” said Papa. “Let’s start with some sit-ups.”

“Sit-ups! Yippee!” cried the kits. They scrambled out the door and climbed up to Papa’s head and shoulders! They sat up on Papa!

“Maybe we should try toe touches first,” said Papa.

“Toe touches! Yippeeeeee!” Seven raccoon kits scrambled down. Seven kits touched Papa’s toes! Papa tripped over fourteen raccoon paws. He landed on the ground with seven kits on top.

Papa put his kits down and stood up. “Maybe knee lifts would be a better start,” he said.

The kits looked at Papa. They looked at each other. They grabbed Papa’s knees! They lifted! Papa tumbled in the grass.

“Hooray! Tumbling!” cried seven raccoon kits. They began to tumble and roll, this way and that, all over the grass and all over Papa!

“Wait!” called Papa. “I’ll teach you jumping!”

“Hooray! Jumping!” cried the kits. They jumped, they bounced, they leaped on Papa!

“Wait! Stop!” called Papa. “I’ll teach you how to run!”

“Running! Yippee!” cried seven raccoon kits. They skittered and scattered this way and that. Papa huffed and puffed behind them.

“Wait!” cried Papa, stopping for breath. “Let’s climb this tree!”

In a flash, seven raccoon kits circled Papa. “Help me, Papa, help me!” they all squealed.

So Papa lifted seven raccoon kits up into the tree.

“Down, Papa, down!” cried the kits. Papa had to help seven kits down.

The last kit down called, “Wheeeeeee! Let’s have a piggyback ride!”

“Please, Papa, please?” begged seven raccoon kits. “Me! Me! Me!” Papa gave each kit a piggyback ride around the yard.

Mama Raccoon came to the back door. Seven raccoon kits ran to her. “Mama! Mama!” they cried. “We’re working out with Papa!”

“Exercise makes us fast, like Papa!” said one kit.

“Exercise makes us strong, like Papa!” cried another.

“Exercise helps us breathe deep, like Papa!” declared a third.

Papa huffed and puffed. “I think—I will teach—our kits—how to rest,” Papa gasped.

Mama smiled. “That’s very wise,” she said. Then she and Papa sat down in the grass to watch their kits grow fast and strong, just like Papa.