The Merry-Go-Round

 “Hey Jake!” called Midge as she and Booker-T entered Jake's yard. “What are you doing?”

“I was sleeping,” said Jake.

“Why?” asked Midge. “It's morning time now.”

“I know,” smiled Jake. “I woke up when my owner was getting ready for work and ate my breakfast and then laid down in the cool breeze on the front porch and fell asleep. What are you two doing?”

“Midge wants to go to the new park,” said Booker-T. “Do you want to go?”

“Midge,” said Jake. “You can't ride the swing. Remember, you fell off.”

“I know,” sighed Midge. “I want to ride the merry-go-round”

“Why?” asked Jake. “Why do you want to go round and round and round on that thing and get dizzy.”

“Come on Jake,” said Midge. “Will you push it round and round for me? Please?”

“You know she won't give it up til you do it, Jake,” said Booker-T. “So you might as well say yes.”

“Okay Midge,” said Jake. “I will help push the merry-go-round. You will have to help me and then jump on.”

“Why can't I just get on it and you push?” asked Midge.

“I saw the kids doing it and they run around pushing it,” said Jake. “When they get it going fast, they jump on and ride it.”

“Okay, I will try,” said Midge. “Lets go.”

Jake got up and followed Midge and Booker-T out the gate and along the sidewalk to the park. Midge hurried to the playground area.

“Slow down, Midge,” said Booker-T. “Wait for us.”

They arrived at the playground and Midge stood staring at the merry-go-round.

“Okay,” said Jake. “What do you want to do, Midge?”

“Can I get on and you push it around and around?” asked Midge.

“You can help push and when we get it going really fast, you jump on,” said Jake.

Midge stood looking at the merry-go-round and then back at Jake.

“Okay,” agreed Midge. “Lets try it.”

Jake grabbed one of the bars and Midge grabbed another one. They started running around and around. Faster and faster they went.

“Jump!” screamed Booker-T.

Midge let go of the bar and ran beside the merry-go-round as Jake was still pushing it. She leaped and landed on Jake's back.

“Ouch!” yelled Jake. “You were suppose to jump onto the merry-go-round.”

“Sorry Jake,” said Midge. “I really tried. Can I just get on the merry-go-round and you push it with me on it?”

Booker-T was laying in the grass, laughing hard.

“What is so funny Booker-T?” asked Midge.

“You sure looked funny jumping onto Jake's back,” laughed Booker-T. “Are you okay Jake?”

“I'm okay,” said Jake. “You are heavy Midge.”

“Are you saying that I am fat?” asked Midge, standing their staring at Jake.

“No,” said Jake. “You are just heavy feeling on my back.”

“Sorry Jake,” said Midge. “I didn't mean to land on your back. You just came around too fast.”

“Maybe it is safer if she gets on the merry-go-round and you push,” said Booker-T.

“You are probably right,” agreed Jake. “Okay Midge, get on the merry-go-round and I'll push it round and round.

Midge leaped onto the merry-go-round and sat down about half way in from the edge. “Okay, Jake,” said Midge. “I'm ready.”

Jake grabbed the bars and started to run. Faster and faster he ran around and around. Jake let go of the merry-go-round and it kept on spinning for a short time. Midge was laughing and watching as things kept flying by. He head seemed to be spinning as she watched everything. She saw Jake and Booker-T standing near a tree watching her going round and round. Soon the merry-go-round slowed down and came to a stop. Midge walked to the edge and jumped down to the ground. She started walking toward Jake and Booker-T.

“Why are you walking crocked Midge?” asked Booker-T.

“Are you feeling okay Midge?” asked Jake walking toward her.

“Everything is going round and round,” said Midge. “I think my eyes are going around in my head.”

Jake started into her face and said, “Your eyes are still in the same place.”

“I'm dizzy,” said Midge. “That was fun.”

“You like being dizzy?” asked Booker-T.

“No,” said Midge shaking her head. “But I had fun going round and round. I didn't know it was going to make me dizzy.”

“Can you walk okay now?” asked Booker-T.

“Do you want to go home Midge?” asked Jake.

“I think I'll rest a minute,” said Midge as she sat down in the shade under the tree.

Jake and Booker-T sat down beside her. “Are you sure you are okay?” asked Jake.

“Yes,” smiled Midge. “How do the kids go round and round on that thing?”

“I don't know,” said Jake. “Maybe they get dizzy too.”

“Do they like getting dizzy?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “The one's I saw riding it were laughing.”

Midge stood up and started to walk toward the swings. “Where are you going?” asked Jake.

“I want to slide down the slide,” said Midge.

“Don't you want to go home?” asked Booker-T.

“I want to slide down the slide first,” said Midge as she started to slowly climb the stairs to the top of the slide.

At the top of the slide, she stood looking down at Jake and Booker-T.

“Come on Midge,” said Jake. “Sit down and slide down.”

“Okay,” said Midge as she sat down and she started to slide down to the bottom.

In a few seconds she reached the bottom and landed in the sand.

“Was that fun?” asked Jake.

“It's fun,” said Midge as she stood and walked back to the stairs. “Come on and try it.”

Jake and Booker-T followed Midge to the stairs and they started to climb to the top. Midge sat down and slid on down again landing in the sand at the bottom. She quickly stood and got out of the way as Jake started sliding down and landed in the sand. Suddenly Booker-T came quickly down the slide and landed on top of Jake.

“Hey!” said Jake. “First Midge lands on me at the merry-go-round and now you land on me at the bottom of the slide.”

“Sorry Jake,” laughed Booker-T. “I slipped and came sliding down.”

“Are you okay Jake?' asked Midge.

“I'm good,” said Jake standing up. “Are you ready to go home now?”

“Yes,” agreed Midge as the three started walking back to Jake's house. “This was fun.”