Matthew and the Pesky Ants:

Dual-language English-German short stories and poetry

By Kathy Steinemann

Smashwords Edition

ISBN 978-0-9880897-8-5

Copyright 2009 Kathy Steinemann

Cover by Kathy Steinemann

License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not pay for it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please buy your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Table of Contents

Preface

Matthew and the Pesky Ants

Matthias und die verflixten Ameisen

The Ants' Advance - rhyming poem

Der Ameisenvormarsch - reimendes Gedicht

Did You Know? Ants are Fascinating!

Habt ihr gewusst? Ameisen sind faszinierend!

Matthew Plays Hide-and-Seek

Matthias spielt Versteck

Matthew's Alphabet Rhyme - rhyming poem

Matthias' Alphabet Reim - reimendes Gedicht

Matthew's Little White Balloon

Matthias' weißes Ballönchen

One, two - rhyming poem

Eins, zwei - reimendes Gedicht

Matthew Meets the Angel of Dreams

Matthias trifft den Engel der Träume

Matthew and the Mystery of the Missing Playthings

Matthias und das Rätsel um die verschwundenen Spielsachen

What Might be Better? - rhyming poem

Was wäre wohl besser? - reimendes Gedicht

Matthew and the Mystery of the Strange Tracks

Matthias und das Rätsel um die merkwürdigen Spuren

My Baby Brother - rhyming poem

Mein Brüderlein - reimendes Gedicht

Knight Matthew and the Quest for the Magic Coins

Ritter Matthias und die Suche nach den magischen Münzen

Books by Kathy Steinemann

About the Author

Preface

Dedicated to

Matthew and Jackson

Matthew and the Pesky Ants

Today was Matthew's birthday. He had had a birthday party - with vanilla ice cream, a birthday cake, and lots of presents. His friends had wished him a happy birthday, and now they had all gone home.

Matthew was tired, but he had so many toys! He wanted to play with everything. Mommy said it was OK, so Matthew played contentedly all afternoon.

After supper, there was still a little bit of cake left over. Matthew asked very politely, Please, Mommy, can I have another piece? He had been very hungry and had eaten his whole supper, so Mommy said, Well, ok. But only a small piece. Too many sweets aren't good for you!

Matthew took a piece of cake and ran to his bedroom; but his eyes were bigger than his stomach! He only ate half and then he set the rest on the edge of his toy box.

He played a bit longer and soon he became very sleepy. After a few minutes, he was fast asleep. Mommy found him on the carpet, carried him to bed, and helped him change into his pajamas.

After he had brushed his teeth and washed his face, Matthew scurried to his bedroom. Daddy tucked him in and read him a bedtime story. Now Matthew could sleep comfortably in bed, instead of on the carpet - and that is exactly what he did!

The following morning Matthew woke up very early and began to play with his marvelous new toys again. But something was wrong! Dozens of ants were everywhere in his room. They were under the bed, on the carpet, and marching in single file over the floor.

Oh, dear! What could he do?

Mommy! Please! Come quickly! There are ants in my room and I don't know why! shouted Matthew.

Mommy came right away and searched with Matthew. They searched under the bed, under the blankets, behind the dresser, under the carpet, under the toy box … They couldn't find any reason why so many ants were in his room.

Matthew put all his toys away. Mommy vacuumed. She also changed the bedding. Everything was spick and span. Poor Mommy! Poor Matthew! There were still lots of ants ...

Mommy and Matthew decided that Matthew would play in the living room. Mommy would set a trap for the ants - a jar with sweets in the bottom. Mommy knew that ants liked sugary treats. Then Daddy and Matthew would carry the ants far away - over their street, over the next street, past the playground and into a big field next to the woods. There they would set the ants free.

And that's what happened, but there were still more