Pee Wee Carnival

Jake, Midge and Booker-T strolled along the sidewalk on their way to the park.

“Hey Guys!” said Baggy as he swooped down from above them. “Where are you going?”

“Hi Gabby,” smiled Midge. “We are on our way to the park. Come with us Gabby.”

“Are you going to see the carnival?” asked Gabby.

“What carnival?” asked Jake.

“They set up a small carnival in the park last night,” said Gabby.

“Is it one of those traveling carnivals that always come here for short time and then go?” asked Jake.

“I don't know,” said Gabby. “Maybe. They have a small train ride, a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and a couple other small rides.”

“Lets go see,” said Booker-T. “Maybe we can sneak on one of the rides.”

“You are sounding more and more like Midge,” laughed Jake. “They will never let us sneak on the rides.

“But we can come back early before they open,” said Midge. “Or after they close.”

“But you can't ride them when no one is there to work the controls,” said Jake.

“I guess that's true,” sighed Midge. “We will have to try and sneak a ride now.”

They hurried into the park and found the carnival at the far end of the park.

“Look Jake,” said Midge. “I want to ride the roller coaster. There aren't too many kids riding right now. Maybe I can sneak on it.”

“How are you going to get on it without them seeing you?” asked Booker-T.

The three sat watching as kids came up and stood in line to ride. When the ride stopped, the little doors opened on the side of the cars and the kids stepped out while kids on the other side started to step into the cars. When the kids were all seated, the doors closed and the man pulled the lever to start the ride.

“Look Jake,” said Midge. “That last car is empty. When the doors close the next time, I'll run and jump into the car before it starts to move.”

“Do you think you can make it?” asked Booker-T. “You could get hurt.”

“I am a good jumper,” said Midge.

They sat and watched as the ride went around the track and up and down the hills. When it came to a stop, Midge got ready to run. As kids were getting on, she ran and leaped into the last car and got down on the floor so the man couldn't see her.

“Do you think the man saw her?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “Maybe he did. He is walking along the cars this time.”

“Alright,” said the young man as he stopped in front of the last car. “Shoo dog. Out! Dogs aren't allowed to ride the roller coaster. Come on lets go.”

Midge just sat there on the seat and looked at the young man as she tilted her head from side to side. She raised a paw as if to beg him to let her stay.

“Come on out of there doggie,” said the young man. “I can't let you ride.”

“Maybe he wants to go for a ride,” laughed a little boy in the car in front of Midge.

“The dog has no lap to put the bar across so he don't fall out,” said the young man. “He could slide off the seat and get hurt.”

Midge jumped off the seat and sat on the floor staring at him.

The young man was starting to feel a little frustrated and the kids all started laughing and singing,”Let the doggie ride. Let the doggie ride.”

The young man didn't know what to do at this point. He didn't know if Midge would bite so didn't want to touch her and it didn't look like she was leaving the car. He slowly went to the controls and pulled the lever and the ride started moving. Up hills and down as it twisted around the turns. Midge laid on the floor of the car but she couldn't see so she leaped onto the seat and sat close to the corner trying to keep from sliding off the seat. Up and down the cars went as it twisted around the track. Midge looked around for Jake and Booker-T to see if they were watching her. She spotted them still standing in the same spot as they watched her go round and round on the ride.

“Do you think she is scared?” asked Booker-T.

“She looks like she is okay,” said Jake

The ride slowed to a stop and the doors opened as kids could get off. Midge ran out the same way she got on and found Jake and Booker-T.

“That was fun!” said Midge all excited. “Do you want to ride it?”

“I don't think the young man would like it if Booker-T and I did the same thing you did,” said Jake. “Maybe another day we can try it.”

As the ride started to move again, Booker-T ran toward the cars and leaped into the air and landed in the lap of a little girl.

“Hey!” screamed the little girl.

Booker-T nuzzled her arm and laid down on her lap. The little girl wrapped her arms around Booker-T and held on tight. When the ride came to a stop, Booker-T leaped from the car and ran to where Midge and Jake were standing.

“That was fun Jake,” said Booker-T. “She squeezed me really tight.”

“Do you think she was scared of the ride?” asked Midge. “Maybe you helped her not to be afraid.”

“Lets go see the other rides,” suggested Jake.

They walked around the carnival checking out all the rides. “This looks like it is a carnival for the young people,” said Jake.

The rides weren't as wild as they are at the big amusement park.

“These rides are not as fast as the big park,” said Midge.

“What does the sign say?”asked Booker-T.

Jake walked to the sign and read it. “It says 'Carnival of the Young.' The age limit is from 6-12 years old.”

“The kids can't go if they are older than 12?' asked Midge.

“No,” said Jake. “They have to go to the big amusement park when they get that old.”

“Where do the little ones go?” asked Booker-T.

“I think there are some little kiddie rides in the big park that their parents can take them on,” said Jake.

“I guess this is good Jake,” said Midge. “These rides aren't too fast and they aren't too slow.”

“Do you want to ride some more?' asked Jake.

“No,” said Midge. “Lets go home and get something to eat. I'm hungry.”

The three ran from the park, ready to go home.