Visiting the Circus Tents

 The three friends were enjoying their nap when they heard a lot of noise coming from beyond the trees where the bicycle path was. They each sat up and looked toward the path.

“Wow,” said Booker-T. “Look at the pretty horses.”

Along the path came two men leading four beautiful white horses.

“Those are the horses from the circus,” said Jake.

“They sure are pretty,” said Midge. “I love to see them when they have all their fancy stuff on when they are doing their acts in the big tent.”

“They are taking the horses for their morning exercises,” said Gabby from the tree branch above them.

The path wound through the trees and came close to the pond where the friends were sitting beneath a tree watching them.

“They are really big animals too,” said Booker-T. “They are much bigger than the big cats.”

“Yes, they are,” said Jake. “And the elephants are even bigger than the horses are.”

“The elephants have really big feet,” said Booker-T. “I think their feet are bigger than I am.”

“One step from the elephant and you would be flat,” laughed Gabby.

“Very funny,” said Booker-T.

“I thought it was,” laughed Gabby. “I can just see it now, Booker-T, the flat cat. You can slide him under the door. No more need for a cat door.”

“Stop it Gabby,” said Midge. “You are not being nice.”

“I was only joking,” said Gabby. “I don't want to see Booker-T flat.”

“Thank goodness for that,” said Jake. “But not something to joke about. We aren't going to get that close to the elephants when we go see them.”

“That's a good thing,” said Gabby. “They are so big, they might not see you down below them.”

“Do you want to go see them now?” asked Jake.

“Sure, lets go,” said Booker-T. “And we will stay back away from the big elephants.”

The three ran across the park toward the tents with Gabby flying above them. They approached the big tents where the elephants were kept. Booker-T was anxious to see the big animals and hurried to the edge of the tent. He stuck his head under the bottom of the tent and peaked inside. There, so very close to him, he saw one of the big elephants.

“Oh wow Jake,” gasped Booker-T. “Look at this big animal. He is like a giant.”

“They are really big,” said Jake as he poked his head under the bottom of the tent to see inside. “Just don't get too close to him.”

“Okay Jake,” said Booker-T. “I will stay back here.”

Suddenly, Booker-T jumped as he felt something touch the top of his head. He scurried back out of the tent breathing heavy. “Oh Jake! What was that?”

“The elephant saw you and touched you with his trunk,” laughed Jake. “You are okay. He was just checking you out.”

“I would rather he not check me out by touching me,” said Booker-T. “I think I've seen enough of the big elephants. Can we go check out the tigers and the dogs?”

“Sure,” said Midge. “Come on, I know what tent the dogs are in.”

They hurried along the outside of the tents and found the small one where the dogs were housed. Midge poked her head under the bottom of the tent and saw the dogs were all alone inside. The trainer was no where to be seen.

“No one is here,” said Midge. “Let's go inside and see them.”

“Midge,” said Jake. “That is not a good idea. We don't know how long the trainer will be gone and he will not be happy if we are in the tent with his dogs.”

“Jake is right Midge,” said Booker-T. “We could be in a lot of trouble if we are caught inside the tent. Lets just look at them from here.”

“It will be okay,” said Midge. “If he comes, we can hide behind those boxes over there and sneak back out under the tent. Come on lets go.”

“Okay,” said Jake.

The three hurried to the front of the tent and entered through the big flap. They walked over to the cages and the dogs started barking and jumping around in their cages.

“Oh Midge,” said Jake. “This is not good. The trainer will hear them barking and come to see what the problem is. Lets get out of here now.”

But it was too late, into the tent came the trainer and another man carrying a big stick. Midge, Jake and Booker-T ducked down behind the big boxes in the tent and carefully crawled under the bottom of the tent and ran for the trees. They got behind the trees just as the two men came out of the tent and stood looking around the area.

“That was close Midge,” said Jake. “I think we have had enough excitement for the day. Lets go home. I'm tired and thirsty.”

“Me too,” agreed Booker-T.

“Okay,” said Midge. “I guess we have seen enough today. I really wanted to see all the dogs. Too bad they started to bark and the men came in.”

“It was too close Midge,” said Booker-T. “Those men would have been very angry to find us in the tent.”

“I know you are right,” said Midge.

The three started across the park to the street and slowly walked along the sidewalk back to Jake's house where they found a large bowl filled with fresh water and some food set out for him. They all shared the food and water and jumped into the porch swing for an afternoon nap.