Operation Fishy Business

That afternoon, the clan assembled in their hideout.

Boss had given their new operation a name.

Operation Fishy Business.

Willa thought it was a terrible name.

Pip thought it sounded delicious.

Squeak wanted to call it Operation Extremely Secret Fish Mission, but the name wouldn't fit on the map.

"Here's the situation," Boss explained.

"The raccoons are planning to rob the hatchery. If we want the fish, we'll have to beat them to it."

"Why don't we just catch fish in the river?" Willa asked.

Everyone ignored her.

"Step one," Boss continued, "we disguise ourselves."

He produced a pile of old clothes.

There were hats, scarves, oversized coats, and one enormous pair of spectacles.

"Disguises are essential," he explained. "Nobody suspects someone who looks like someone else."

"That's not always true," Mabel said.

"Why not?"

"Because last week you dressed as a beaver and the actual beavers chased you halfway across town."

"An unfortunate misunderstanding."

The disguises were distributed.

Mabel became a mysterious traveler.

Pip and Squeak became two very suspicious ducks.

Grandpa Gus wore a long coat and a hat pulled down over his eyes.

Willa wore a simple green scarf.

Boss put on a fake mustache.

He admired himself in a puddle.

"Perfect."

"You look like a hairy caterpillar," Willa said.

"Exactly. Nobody suspects a caterpillar."

The next step was transportation.

Boss had acquired a canoe.

Unfortunately, the canoe belonged to a family of beavers who had not given him permission to borrow it.

"Temporary borrowing," Boss explained as the clan climbed aboard.

"That's called stealing," Willa replied.

"Only if you don't bring it back."

The canoe wobbled.

Grandpa Gus sat down heavily.

Water poured over the sides.

Pip and Squeak paddled in opposite directions.

Mabel shouted instructions.

Boss attempted to steer.

And Willa quietly wondered whether she could be adopted by a family of rabbits.

They had traveled approximately six feet when the canoe spun in a circle and drifted directly into a patch of reeds.

"Excellent!" Boss announced. "We've discovered a secret passage."

"We're stuck," said Willa.

"That's what makes it secret."

After twenty minutes of splashing, arguing, and one accidental encounter with a very offended frog, the clan escaped the reeds.

By the time they reached the hatchery, the sun was setting.

The building stood beyond the riverbank, surrounded by wooden fences and several long ponds.

Water trickled through channels connecting the ponds.

Silver fish flashed beneath the surface.

It was magnificent.

Grandpa Gus pressed both paws against his cheeks.

"I have never seen so many dinners in one place."

Boss adjusted his fake mustache.

"Tonight, my friends, we make history."

From somewhere behind them came a familiar voice.

"Not if we get there first."

The raccoons had arrived.

Rocco stepped from behind a tree.

His gang spread out behind him.

He looked at Boss's mustache.

Then at the twins dressed as ducks.

Then at Grandpa Gus, whose enormous sandwich was sticking out of his coat.

Rocco blinked.

"What," he asked slowly, "are you supposed to be?"

Boss lifted his chin.

"Professional fish consultants."

Rocco stared at him.

Then he burst out laughing.

His entire gang joined in.

Even the heron on the distant fence turned his head.

Boss's ears flattened.

"Enjoy the joke while you can, fur-face."

Rocco grinned.

"Oh, I intend to."

Then he turned toward the hatchery.

"Come along, boys. Let's go fishing."

And the race was on.