Franklin Goes to the Hospital, Franklin and the Tooth Fairy, and Finders Keepers for Franklin: Three Classic Franklin Stories (7 page)

“Whoops! I almost forgot that it isn’t mine,” said Franklin. “I’d better find out who lost it.”

“Maybe the owner will be mad because you used the camera,” Beaver said.

Franklin gulped. “I didn’t think of that.”

Now Franklin wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t like it when someone was angry with him.

Franklin thought for a while.

After his friends left, he put the camera back where he’d found it.

“That’s better,” he sighed. “Now nobody will be mad at me.”

Franklin went home and ate a nice supper.

After supper, Franklin’s father wanted to play marbles. When Franklin opened his marble bag, the film rolled out.

“What’s that?” asked Franklin’s father.

“Ummm,” said Franklin.

His father waited patiently.

Finally, Franklin blurted out the whole story – finding the camera, using it and then putting the camera back.

“So you used something that didn’t belong to you?” asked his father.

“Not on purpose,” answered Franklin. “It just sort of happened.”

“What do you think should happen now?” said his father.

Franklin thought and thought.

“Maybe we could get the camera and try to find the owner,” he said finally.

So Franklin and his father got the camera, made signs and posted them in the park.

They waited a week, but nobody claimed the camera.

Then they went to the police station and told the officers that they’d found a camera. Still nobody claimed it.

Franklin took the film to be developed. He bought a new roll of film with his allowance and popped it into the camera.

The next day, the pictures were ready.

Franklin held up a photo of Raccoon’s family.

“I know who owns the camera!” he shouted. “Raccoon must have taken a picture just before he lost the camera. And he’s been away, so he didn’t see our signs.”

Franklin returned the camera to Raccoon and apologized for using his film.

Raccoon wasn’t mad at all. He was so happy to have his camera back that he shared his snack with Franklin.

“Cheese!” said Franklin, smiling.

And Raccoon snapped a picture.