“Ahem, bugs! I just had another of my stupendous ideas!” cried Ladybug, one morning, as the bug group was taking a walk.

“There goes Ladybug again with an idea!” whispered several of the bug gang. It was an old joke.

“Let’s hear it, Ladybug,” said George.

But Ladybug never got to tell her brilliant idea, because just then the ground fell away beneath them, and they were surrounded in pitch black darkness. They were falling.

“Excuse me, but is there something wrong with my eyes?” began Zoot shrilly. “My glasses just fell off.” And whether anybody answered him, Zoot never knew, because just as he finished speaking—splat! He landed on wet rock! He sat up.

“Guys?” squeaked Muffin.

“Bugs? Is anyone hurt? And are we all here?” said Old Cricket loudly.

“Here!” “Here!” “Here!” Everybody chorused.

A light blinked on and then off again. “I’m trying!” gasped Pudding. She tried again. The light flickered, then steadied.

“I can’t find my glasses. I can’t see!” said Zoot.

“Who cares,” said Ladybug, a little rudely.

But after Zoot’s glasses had been found and all were gathered, Marty spoke up. “I think Cricket should go in the front, with Pudding to help light the way, and we’ll all follow behind.” She turned to Cricket. “Sound good?”

The group slowly edged forward. Suddenly, the light disappeared along with Cricket and Pudding! One by one each bug moved forward and dropped off a shallow ledge, to find themselves sliding down a wet, slippery rock! Each bug wondered where it would end. Would it end in a stinky sewer? Or in thin air? The bugs were gathering speed as the rock got steeper and steeper!

Suddenly, it flattened out, and a tiny slit of light showed ahead! It got bigger, and when the bugs all stopped sliding, everyone saw to their amazement how deep they were underground. They climbed up a tall ladder and headed to Zoot’s house, where they dried off, played games, and talked off what had happened, while Zoot played his cello.

Oh, that idea of yours, Ladybug . . .