The Funny Ballgame

The three walked to the school trying to decide what they wanted to do today.

“What are those kids doing?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “Looks like they don't want to play with the ball and they keep hitting it all the time away from them.”

“Why don't they just go sit down,” said Midge. “It's a big ball. It must be hard to catch.”

“They could play with a smaller ball, suggested Booker-T.

“Here comes Gabby,” said Midge. “Maybe he knows what they are doing.”

“Hey there Gabby,” greeted Jake. “What are you doing?”

“Just out for some flying exercises and to see what is happening around town” said Gabby. “What are you three doing?”

“We were watching that game the kids are playing,” said Jake. “Do you know what it is?”

“I think they call it volleyball,” said Gabby.

“No one is catching the ball,” said Midge. “They just keep hitting it all the time.”

“I don't think they are suppose to catch it,” said Gabby.

“Why?” asked Booker-T. “We always try to catch the ball when it comes to us.”

“It is just the kind of game where they don't want to catch it.” said Gabby. “I watched some kids play it before and they just hit it and try to make it bounce on the other side of the net.”

“ How do they play the silly game without catching it?” asked Jake.

“When I watched them,” said Gabby. “They kept hitting the ball back and forth and if the ball landed on the ground on one side of the net the other side got the point.”

“We could play that game,” said Midge.

“How?” asked Jake.

“When the ball comes,” said Midge. “We can jump up and hit it with our nose or the top of our heads.”

“But how would you start the ball going back and forth?” asked Gabby. “Someone has to toss it up in the air and hit it over that net to start it going back and forth.”

“I think that is a strange game,” said Midge. “The ball is too big so they can't catch it so they try to throw it away by hitting it and the other side don't want it either so they hit the ball back.”

“We can't pick up that ball either,” said Jake. “It is too big to get our mouths around.”

“Do you like to play fetch with your owner?” asked Midge.

“We play a couple times a week when she isn't too sleepy after working all day,” said Jake.

“Mine too,” smiled Midge. “Do you play too, Booker-T?”

“Yes,” said Booker-T. “She was surprised when I brought the ball back to her so she could throw it again.”

“Why?” asked Midge. “Did she think you don't like to play ball?”

“She didn't know that cats would play fetch like a dog,” said Booker-T. “It is usually dogs that play fetch.”

“Do you want to go to the park or the zoo?” asked Jake.

“Why don't you go to the zoo,” suggested Gabby.

“Are there some new animals there today?” asked Jake.

“They just brought in a chimpanzee and a tiger,” said Gabby.

“Lets go see the tiger,” said Booker-T. “I like tigers.”

“You like them because they are the same color as you,” laughed Jake.

“Orange and black are pretty,” smiled Booker-T.

“This one is white, Booker-T,” said Gabby.

“He lost his color?” asked Booker-T.

“I think he was born white” said Gabby. “He is really cute.”

“Lets go see,” said Midge. “It will be more fun than this game they are playing..”

They strolled along the sidewalk to the zoo and stood at the door looking around inside.

“I only see the tiger cub and the chimpanzee,” said Jake “The other 3 cages are empty today.”

“Come on," said Midge. “Lets go see the little tiger.”

Jake and midge started across the room. Booker-T was already at the cage.

“Isn't he pretty,” said Booker-T as Jake and Midge joined him.

“He is really cute,” smiled Jake.

“He would be prettier if he was black and orange,” said Booker-T.

“I know,” said Midge. “But this time it's a white and black one.”

“Hello,” said Booker-T. “Where is your mommy? Are you all alone?”

“My mommy is gone,” said the little tiger cub.

“Where did she go?” asked Midge. “What is your name?”

“She called me Moonbeam,” said the cub.

“We are are sorry about your mommy,” said Jake. “Everything will be okay.”

“You will have lot of friends in your new home,” said Midge.

“Do you have a mommy?” asked Moonbeam.

“We all did, but now we are old enough that we are on our own,” said Jake. “We have humans to take care of us now.”

“Will I have humans to take care of me too?” asked Moonbeam.

“Yes,” said Midge. “They will feed you and care for you and many humans will come there to see you.”

“Do you live at the zoo too?” asked Moonbeam.

“No,” said Jake. “We each live in a house with humans.”

“Can I come live with you?” asked Moonbeam.

“Tigers don't live in houses,” said Booker-T. “Soon you will grow up to be big and strong.”

“Will you come to see me?” asked Moonbeam.

“We will try,” said Jake. “The zoo is very far from here and we don't have a way to get there.”

“We have to go now,” said Jake. “Bye Moonbeam. Take care of yourself.”

“Bye,” said Moonbeam as he sat and watched them walk away.

The three walked to the back to see the chimp.

“Hello,” said Midge. “Do you talk?”

The chimp just sat eating a banana.

“I guess he don't talk,” said Midge.

“I talk,” said the chimp tossing down the banana peel. “I just don't have anything to say.”

“Oh” said Midge. “We like to talk all the time. What is your name?”

“I'm Sammy,” said the chimp. “What's yours?”

“I'm Midge and this is Jake,” said Midge. “And that is Booker-T.”

“How did you get out of your cages?” asked Sammy.

“We weren't in a cage,” said Jake. “We live in a house.”

“I can live in a house,” said the Chimp. “Can I come with you to your house?”

“Chimps don't live in a house,” said Midge.

“My cousin Elwood did,” said Sammy.

“Where is Elwood now?” asked Jake. “Maybe you can go live with him.”

“He lost his home when his owner had to move,” said Sammy.

“Where is he now?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Sammy.

“Maybe you will see him again one day,” said Jake.

“I hope so,” said Sammy.

“Have fun in your new home,” said Midge. “We have to go now.”

“Okay,” said Sammy. “Bye.”

The three hurried out the zoo door and hurried home where they found something to eat and laid down for a short nap.