Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact #5 [311]

When Fred fails to show up with his football, the neighborhood boys are left waiting—until they realize the ball has been stolen, a blow to Fred’s family who can’t afford another. As tensions rise, Jim heads home to study, but Phil’s decision to cheat during the test shocks Joan, sparking a quiet moment of moral reflection. The story, told with quiet urgency, explores honesty and consequences through everyday moments.

A trailblazing athlete whose talent spanned hurdles, javelin, golf, baseball, and tennis, Mildred "Babe" Didrickson made history at just 19 by setting two world records at the Olympics. Her remarkable versatility and fierce determination earned her recognition as the greatest woman athlete of the half century.

When a sudden illness strikes a young boy on a remote trip, Chuck White uses his ham radio to call for help—only to learn the entire group must now follow strict quarantine rules. As they struggle to survive in isolation, tensions rise when Chuck hears strange noises from the freezer truck where they’ve stored their catch. Opening the door, he finds a bear inside, feasting on their fish—leaving the group to wonder how it got there and what dangers might still be lurking in the dark.

A solemn tribute to the unidentified soldier of World War I, this poignant two-page story reveals the careful process behind selecting one of history’s most symbolic figures. Though his name remains lost to time, the mystery of his origin and the secrecy surrounding his burial site lend a quiet power to his enduring legacy.

In the sweltering heat of Pirate’s Cove, Florida, the schooner Resolute docks just as a pirate festival kicks into full swing. With the town buzzing in costume and celebration, a group of arms smugglers sees their chance to blend in—only to be outmaneuvered by FBI agents in eye patches, led by Frumson (The Champ) Wooters, who’s got a better idea: using his salute cannon as a race starter. When the gun goes missing, Frumson and Jimmy set off to retrieve it—only to stumble upon the smugglers sneaking into Martello Castle, where they’re meeting up with the mysterious General Lagarto.