The clock tower goes TICK-TOCK above the woodland market. The opening bell is gone from its hook! Pipwhistle dashes into the square, looking up at the empty space.
A market squirrel points beneath a wooden bench, where dusty leaves have gathered. Pipwhistle asks, “Where is the bell?” The awnings snap overhead.
Under the bench, Pipwhistle crawls through crunchy dusty leaves. He finds an apple peel, and a shiny button glints beneath it.
Pipwhistle holds up the shiny button to the market squirrel. “Behind the apples!” the squirrel says, pointing across the square.
Pipwhistle scrambles up the apple crate. One round red apple wobbles at the very top.
Whoops! Pipwhistle slips on the red apple and lands in a heap behind the stall. Straw flies in every direction.
A wet coin gleams beside Pipwhistle’s paw. He calls, “Where is the bell?” The market squirrel points: “Beside the fountain!”
Beside the splashing fountain, wet paw prints curl toward the clock tower stairs. Pipwhistle follows them with his eyes.
Pipwhistle races up and up the narrow clock tower stairs. Ribbon ends flutter through the open doorway above.
At the top, Pipwhistle snatches the bell from a nest of ribbons. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The market doors swing open. Everyone cheers beneath the ringing bell, while stall awnings flap like bright flags.
Pipwhistle sits on the clock tower ledge, apple crumbs on his fur. Far below, the fountain splashes in the busy market.
