Midge and the Hula Hoop

  Midge and Booker-T started walking along the sidewalk to Jake's house. Laying in the middle of the road, Midge found a hula hoop.

“Wait,” said Midge. “I want to get that hula hoop.”

“What are you going to do with a hula hoop?” asked Booker-T.

“Maybe I can find something to do with it,” said Midge.

“Like what?” asked Booker-T. “You can't make it go round and round on your hips like those kids do.”

“Well, let me think about it a while,” said Midge rolling her eyes.

“You have no ideas?” asked Booker-T. “But I do think your brain is trying to find one.”

“I will think of something for it,” said Midge. “I could try and make it spin like the kids do.”

“How?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know yet,” said Midge. “I think the hardest part is going to be getting it started going round and round.”

“You also have to keep it going round and round,” said Booker-T. “Did you see that boy the other day?”

“Which boy?” asked Midge.

“The one we saw in the park,” said Booker-T. “Remember when we were there the other day?”

“Oh, yes,” said Midge. “He was really good with that hula hoop. He was even walking around with it spinning. I think I can do that too.”

“And he kept it going round and round for long time,” said Booker-T.

“Lets take it to Jake's house,” said Midge as she picked up one side of it and started dragging it along the street.

“How are you going to get that thing through the gate?” asked Booker-T. “I think it is wider than the gate is.”

“Maybe it will fit,” said Midge.

“I don't think so,” laughed Booker-T. “It is really big around.”

Midge and Booker-T continued along the sidewalk with Midge dragging the hula hoop. Thump, thump, thump it went over the bumps they found along the way. They crossed the street and got to the gate. Midge tried to walk through the gate and the hoop was too big. Midge tried to turn it sideways but she couldn't get it to turn. It was too hard for her to handle it alone.

“Jake!” called Midge. “I need your help!”

“What are you doing?” asked Jake. “Why do you have a hula hoop in your mouth?”

“I'm going to use it,” said Midge. “Help me turn it so I can bring it into the yard.”

Jake grabbed the other side opposite what Midge was holding and together they turned the hoop and were able to get it through the gate.

“Now what?” asked Jake. “What are you going to do with it?”

“I'm going to make it go round and round like those kids do,” said Midge. “Remember that boy we saw at the park the other day? He was good and I want to do what he did.”

“Oh really!” laughed Jake. “How are you going to do that? You aren't big enough to keep this big hoop going round and round. You need a much smaller hoop that fits your size.”

“I'm not sure yet,” said Midge. “I think getting it started will be the hardest part of it.”

“Keeping it up there and going round and round will also be very hard, don't you think?” asked Jake.

“I tried to tell her, Jake,” said Booker-T. “But you know hard-headed Midge, 'The dog who will try anything'.”

“Well, at least I try,” said Midge.

“This is true,” said Jake. “No one can say you don't try.”

“You can't succeed at something if you don't try, right?” asked Midge. “I heard that on TV one time.”

“You are right,” said Jake. “But this is one, I think will be very hard for you to do. This hoop is really big Midge.”

“Lets try,” said Midge.

“Lets try!” said Jake. “You are including Booker-T and me? We know we can't make that hoop go round and round.”

“Sure,” smiled Midge. “You don't have to spin it. You have to help me get it started.”

“Help you do what?” asked Booker-T. “I don't know how we can help you with this one.”

“I don't know how we can help either,” said Jake.

“Okay,” said Midge. “Jake, you pick up this side and Booker-T, you pick up this side.”

Jake and Booker-T picked up the hula hoop and Midge crawled under and stood in the middle of the hoop.

“What now?” asked Jake.

“Okay,” instructed Midge. “Now you run around me and I'll start swinging my hips.”

Jake and Booker-T started running around and around Midge. Faster and faster they ran. Midge stood on her hind legs and started swinging her body back and forth trying to get the hips to move back and forth..

“Okay guys,” said Midge. “Let go of the hoop.”

Jake and Booker-T let go of the hoop. Midge was moving her body faster and faster. The hoop fell to the ground. Midge stood in the center of the hoop staring at it laying on the ground.

“Hmmm,” said Midge. “That didn't work out too good, did it?”

“I think this is one thing you are going to need to give up,” said Jake. Dogs are not made to spin a hula hoop.”

“Lets try one more time,” said Midge. “Before I give this up, please.”

“Okay, Midge,” said Jake. “One more time.”

Jake and Booker-T picked up the hoop again and started running around and around Midge. Midge started swinging the hips back and forth.

“Okay guys,” said Midge. “Let go of the hoop while my hips are swinging back and forth.”

The two dropped the hoop and once again it fell straight to the floor. Midge stood looking at Jake and Booker-T.

“I guess you are right Jake,” said Midge. “Dogs can't spin a hula hoop.”

“But you tried Midge,” said Booker-T.

“I did give it a try, didn't I,” smiled Midge. “You never know if you can do something or not without trying it at least once.”