A Fish Named Yum by Mary Elise Monsell Page A

kitchen,” she said looking directly at Mr. Pin. “And if the freezers don’t work, the ice cream might melt.”
    â€œTerrible,” said Mr. Pin raising his plumes.
    â€œWe have another problem too,” said Maggie.
    â€œWhat’s that?” asked Mr. Pin.
    â€œThat fish is getting dizzy.”
    Just then a very tall white-haired man with spectacles walked into the diner carrying a wheel from his bicycle. Sally looked at the man then said, “I’m going to look for a bigger home for that fish.”
    â€œYou must be Herb,” Mr. Pin said to the man with the wheel.
    â€œNo, not Herb. Phil. Phil O. Dendrum,” said the white-haired man.
    â€œA plant expert,” said Mr. Pin hopefully.
    â€œAfraid not,” said Phil.
    â€œThen you’re here about the fish,” said Mr. Pin.
    â€œNo, I’m here about the flood.”
    â€œA plumber?” asked Mr. Pin.
    â€œNot quite,” said Phil. “Actually, I’ve heard all about you, Mr. Pin and I need your help.”
    â€œReally!” said Maggie.
    Mr. Pin hopped up onto a diner stool and met Phil’s concerned gaze.
    â€œChicago is flooding,” said Phil. “Someone was drilling wood pilings into the Chicago River bed. An old freight tunnel that runs under the river and throughout the city was punctured. It’s letting in the whole river. Now everyone’s basement is flooding. Desks, chairs, books, papers, clothes, and fish are floating in several feet of water.”
    â€œTerrible!” said Maggie, her eyes growing wider.
    â€œThe electricity has been turned off so no one can be electrocuted,” Phil went on. “Everyone downtown in the Loop has been sent home. Trains are overloaded. There’s mass confusion.”
    â€œSounds like a disaster,” said Maggie.
    â€œThe worst,” said Phil. “Probably since the Chicago fire.”
    â€œWhat can we do to help?” asked Mr. Pin.

    â€œAt the moment, I just want to find out how to plug the hole. I want to help the city. That’s my job … helping the city, that is,” said Phil. “In any case, that used to be my job.”
    â€œWhat do you mean used to be your job?” asked Mr. Pin.
    Phil took off his round glasses, rubbed a crease between his eyes, then said: “I’ve been fired.”
    â€œFired!” shouted Maggie angrily.
    â€œI don’t know why,” said Phil. “I’m not even in charge of tunnels. But someone thought I was. My job is taking care of bridges, including the one above the leak. The terrible thing is I can’t get near the place to help,” said Phil.
    â€œNow,” said Mr. Pin quietly. “It appears there are two cases to solve. We have to stop the flood. Then, of course, we have to get Phil’s job back.”
    â€œShouldn’t be too hard,” said Maggie, looking at Mr. Pin hopefully.
    Sally came out of the kitchen carrying a large glass cookie jar with the word YUM painted in bold green letters across the front.
    â€œOnly a few more hours before the ice cream will melt,” she said, pouring the water and the fish into the larger jar.
    â€œBut at least,” said Mr. Pin, “we have saved a fish.”

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    Maggie wasn’t sure a fish could look worried. But what fish would want to be in a glass cookie jar with the word YUM on the outside? Not only that, people were starting to call him Yum.
    Sally looked worried too as Phil left with his bicycle wheel.
    Maggie helped her make salami sandwiches while Mr. Pin paced back and forth, thinking.
    â€œI hate to see all of this food go to waste,” said Sally.
    â€œCould you sell it?” asked Maggie.
    â€œMaybe. But the ice cream will be ruined anyway.”
    â€œRuined,” said Mr. Pin. He thought for a moment then said, “What about a freezer truck?”
    â€œSounds like a good idea,” said Maggie. “But where will you find a freezer