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Chapter 1
Hi-tech Hen
    My name is Astrid. I’m a mind-reading chook.
    Chickens are ordinary. But I’m special. Ever since that accident in the Lab, I’ve been able to read minds.
    I work part-time with Merlin, the magician. I’m the mind-reading chook in Merlin’s magic act.
    On stage, Merlin plays cards. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. In my hand I have a pack of cards. Over there, is Astrid, the Mind-reading Chook.’
    I bow. That’s hard with a mobile under one wing.
    They clap. Merlin invites some kid on stage. ‘I’d like that boy in the front row to come out. Yes, you. Come and pick a card from this pack.’
    Merlin shuffles the cards. The boy watches. Merlin holds out the cards. The boy chooses one.
    Merlin smiles. He holds the card up high. ‘Astrid will tell us the card.’
    Merlin waves his cloak around. Then he twirls his stick. ‘Astrid, is it a red card?’
    â€˜Yes’ is one peck on the microphone. ‘No’ is two pecks. I peck once. ‘Chook, chook, chook ,’ I say.
    â€˜Astrid is right. It is a red card,’ says Merlin. The audience clap.
    â€˜Astrid, is it a picture card?’
    Again, I’m supposed to peck once for ‘yes’ and twice for ‘no’. It’s a red King of Hearts. I’m supposed to peck the right card.
    That’s easy for me. I’m the star.

    I also work as an actor. And I like solving mysteries. I look for clues. And I keep my eyes to the ground. I notice things. And most people don’t notice a chook who’s just pecking around.
    RING. RING. RING.
    â€˜Hullo, Astrid here.’ I pull my mobile out from under my wing.
    I like being a hi-tech hen. I can peck very fast on my tablet. Online, I’m part of Chooks Anonymous.
    â€˜Astrid, it’s Ben. I’ve got a job for you.’ Ben is my agent. He gets extra work for me. ‘It’s a TV commercial. They want you to act as a chicken,’ says Ben. ‘That should be easy.’
    â€˜Very easy,’ I say. Too easy I think. So I get suspicious. ‘Who’s it for?’ I ask.
    â€˜The Hot Chicken Shop,’ says Ben.
    â€˜No way!’ I reply.
    I don’t even like going near that shop. It’s no mystery what happened to my Aunty Rhoda in there. She became a Special Sandwich with lettuce, mustard and pickles. And my uncle is now a duster at the Feather Bed Shop. So I won’t act in bed-shop commercials either.
    Ben says quickly, ‘Okay I’ve got something else. A job for a mystery solver, Astrid.’
    â€˜Okay. What is it?’
    â€˜It’s Merlin,’ says Ben. ‘He’s lost something he needs for his three o’clock show.’
    â€˜Flopsy?’ I ask hopefully. Flopsy is Merlin’s white rabbit. She has long ears and a bad temper. She wants to be a star too.
    â€˜Not Flopsy,’ says Ben.
    â€˜Is it a contact lens again?’ I ask. Merlin used the wear glasses. Then he bought contact lenses. You know those little things which go in your eyes. Now he even loses them!
    â€˜No, this time, Merlin’s lost his sense of humour,’ says Ben. ‘He can’t laugh or smile anymore. Nothing is funny for him.’
    â€˜When did he lose it?’ I ask.
    â€˜Before he got up this morning,’ says Ben.
    â€˜Does he know where he lost it?’ I say.
    â€˜No. That’s why you’ve got the job of finding it.’
    â€˜What about my fee?’
    â€˜D’you want the usual?’ asks Ben.
    â€˜Yes please.’ I say. Since I’m a hi-tech chook with a tablet, Ben pays me in new e-games like Leghorn, Eggs Galore or Find the Egg.
    â€˜It must be found before the afternoon performance,’ repeats Ben.
    This is a perfect job for Astrid, the mind-reading chook

Chapter 2
The Performance
    Merlin is thinking aloud.
    â€˜Nothing is funny. Nothing is fun. I just feel grumpy all the time,’ says Merlin. He