This story is about a little boy who found consolation in sucking his thumb. Jamal sucked his thumb when he was nervous or scared. He sucked his thumb when he was happy or sad. He even sucked his thumb when he was mad. That is until he came up against Mr. Pepper. Mr. Pepper had magical fire power that only he could control. One day he sit fire to Jamal's thumb and would not put out the flame until Jamal promised never to suck his thumb again.