Another New Year is Coming

“Hi Jake!” called Midge as she and Booker-T joined him on the front porch at his house.

“Hi you two,” greeted Jake.

“Happy New year to you,” sang Midge.

“Yes,” smiled Jake. “A new year is starting with more adventures and fun. Happy New Year to you too.”

“And now we have a new friend to share in our adventures, “ said Booker-T.

“Speaking about our new friend,” said Jake. “Where is Melody this morning?”

“I think her owner is supposed to come home from her family's place in the country,” said Booker-T. “I saw them leave on New Years Eve.”

“I hope the new year also brings all of us and our friends lot of good health,” smiled Midge.

“You are always so nice,” Midge,” said Jake. “I do agree with you. I hope we all stay healthy.”

“Midge, you have to start thinking of some new things we can do in this new year so we can have fun,” said Booker-T.

“I am thinking,” laughed Midge. “I am always thinking.”

“What new things can we do?” asked Jake. “We already did a lot of things you know. Some things maybe we can do over again.”

“Melody hasn't done them with us,” said Booker-T. “So we can do them with her this year.”

“Like What?” asked Midge.

“Well, lets see,” said Jake. “We can sneak into the water park and slide down the big water slide into the pond,” laughed Booker-T.

“Is the circus coming back to town this year?” asked Midge. “We can take her to see the animals when it comes. She said she wanted to see the circus when we were at the zoo before.”

“Maybe she would like to ride the skateboard?” laughed Booker-T.

“Oh,” said Midge. “You didn't want to try it.”

“Oh, that's right,” said Booker-T. “I forgot. It looked too scary for me. Jake didn't want to try it either.”

“It didn't look safe to me,” said Jake. “you made it down the hill okay, but when it started doing up that next one, you didn't make it.”

“I don't think it was going fast enough,” said Midge.

“When winter comes and the snow is on the ground,” said Booker-T. “Maybe she would like to ride the sled down the hill.”

“I think riding that trash can lid was more fun,” laughed Jake.

“That was so much fun,” said Midge. “It went down the hill very fast.”

“Happy New year guys,” said Gabby as he swooped down from the trees with Polly.

“Happy new year Gabby,” said Midge. “How are you Polly? It is good to see you with Gabby.”

“Happy new year Polly,” greeted Jake and the others. “What are you and Gabby doing?'

“We are going around and wishing our friends a really nice new year,” said Polly.

“What are you going to do today?” asked Gabby.

“I don't know,” said Midge. “We hadn't decided what to do yet. Maybe we can do the same thing you are doing.”

“Where do you want to go?” asked Jake.

“We can go to the farm,” said Midge. “And tell all the cows and horses to have a happy new year.”

“Maybe there are animals at the little zoo we can go see and wish them a happy new year,' said Booker-T.

“Polly and I flew over the little zoo building on the way over here and there is only one animal in it today,” said Gabby.

“Oh,” sighed Midge. “It is all alone. That is sad to be alone on a holiday, don't you think.”

“What kind of animal is he?” asked Booker-T.

“He looks like a rhino,” said Gabby.

“Lets go see him, Jake,” suggested Midge. “He's all alone today.”

“Okay,” agreed Jake. “We will go see him.”

The three hurried along the sidewalk as Gabby and Polly flew above them. When they got to the litle zoo building, they found the gate was locked.

“Oh Jake,” said Midge. “He is locked in there all alone.”

Midge pressed her head against the bars of the gate and looked around the inside of the room.

“Can you see the rhino?” asked Jake.

“No,” said Midge. “Where is he Gabby?”

“He is in the corner cage,” said Gabby.

“Why is the gate locked, Jake?” asked Midge.

“This is a holiday,” said Jake. “Maybe they looked it all up so they could spend the time with their families today.”

In a few minutes, they saw someone walking around inside.

“There is someone in thee,” said Booker-T.

“Maybe he is here to feed the rhino,” said Jake.

“Gabby, go fly inside and say hi to the rhino,” said Midge. “And wish him a happy new year from all of us.”

Gabby and Polly flew inside the building as the others stood with their heads pressed against the bars trying to see the rhino. In a few minutes, Polly and Gabby came out.

“Did you tell him Happy New Year for us?” asked Booker-T.

“We told him and he said the same to all of us,” said Gabby. “He was happy that we came to see him. Maybe tomorrow you can come back to see him before he goes to the big zoo somewhere.”

“Okay,” said Midge. “Now lets run over to the farm.”
They all took off running along the sidewalk toward the farm. They found the cows and horses in the field.

“Happy New Year guys,” shouted Midge.

The horses ran to the fence where Midge, Jake and Booker-T stood.

“Happy New year to you guys too,” said the horses.

“Happy New year guys!” shouted the cows. “It is really good to see you today.”

“It is good to see you too,” said Jake.

“Isn't this a wonderful day?” said Midge. “Everyone is happy and ready for the new year.”

“Happy New year to everyone from all of us?” smiled Midge, Jake and Booker-T.