Plastic Ponchos & Wet Whirlygigs

“I hope it doesn’t rain,” said Jessie, peering out the window.

“Me, too,” replied Justin, Jessie’s best friend and neighbor. He stared nervously at the angry-looking clouds in the sky.

“Do you think we’ll be able to go on any rides?” Jessie asked.

Justin shrugged. “I sure hope so. I want to try the new Whirlygig ride. It swoops up and down and twirls around.”

Justin’s little sister, Ellie, came prancing into the room. “I’m gonna wide a beautiful pink pony!”

“That’s great, Ellie,” replied Jessie.

“I was hoping for something more exciting than a carousel ride,” said Justin.

Soon Justin’s family, along with Jessie, piled into the van and drove to the fairgrounds. The clouds loomed dark overhead, but no rain fell as they got their tickets and headed toward the rides.

Kids and grown-ups were everywhere, eating and laughing. The music from the Ferris wheel chimed in the background.

“Can we go to the Whirlygig?” asked Jessie.

“Please?” begged Justin. “We want to get there before it rains. No one wants to ride a wet Whirlygig!”

“Okay,” said Justin’s dad as he turned toward the twirling ride. “Uh-oh. This is a spinning ride. I’ll get sick if I ride it with you kids.”

“Justin and I can ride it together!” Jessie exclaimed.

“Yeah, we aren’t afraid,” said Justin boldly as he and Jessie got in line.

“I’ll be over at the kiddie rides with Ellie,” said Justin’s mom. “Dad will wait for you at the exit gate where you get off.” As she turned to go, a raindrop splatted on her nose. “It’s starting to rain,” she told Justin. “Maybe you should come back later.”

Jessie’s smile turned to a huge frown. “Oh, please let us stay. The line moves fast.”

“Yeah, and I only felt one raindrop,” added Justin.

Mom looked at the kids’ hopeful faces. “All right. But you better put these on.” She handed each of them a plastic poncho to put on over their clothes.

“This looks like a garbage bag,” said Justin.

“I think mine’s too big,” said Jessie, peeking out from under the floppy hood.

“Well, at least it’ll keep you dry while you wait,” said Mom. “Have fun! See you in a bit!” She waved and walked away, holding Ellie’s hand.

Justin looked eagerly ahead at the line. “We’ll be on the next ride!”

They shuffled forward a few steps as the people in front of them got onto the Whirlygig. “There they go!” Jessie shouted, watching the ride rise and twirl.

“Listen to them scream!” Justin laughed. Just then, they heard a low, rumbling sound.

“Wh-what was that?” Jessie asked nervously as she scanned the sky. Suddenly, a flash of lightning streaked over the fairgrounds.

“Oh no!” Justin cried. “Not a thunderstorm! Not now!”

Justin and Jessie turned toward the Whirlygig and watched sadly as the people got off the ride and the gate closed—right in front of them.

“Sorry kids,” said the ride attendant. “You can’t ride the Whirlygig until the thunder stops. Come back later.”

Justin’s heart sank. Now they’d have to wait for the rain to stop then stand in line again!

“This is awful,” said Justin sadly. “Let’s find my dad.”

They wandered slowly toward the exit side of the ride. Rain dripped off their plastic ponchos and trickled down their faces.

“Over here, Justin!” his dad shouted and waved.

“We didn’t get to ride,” moaned Justin.

“I’m sorry, kids. But we can try again later. Let’s go find your mom and Ellie. I can see them at the train.”

The kids turned and sloshed through the rain puddles toward the tiny train ride.

“Jussin!” shouted Ellie. “Come ride the train with me!”

“I don’t think so,” he sighed.

“Okay, but you’re missing out,” Ellie said, climbing onto a wet seat in her poncho. “Woowoo!” she shouted and waved cheerily as the little train pulled away.

“Well, at least she’s enjoying herself,” said Jessie. “But I thought she wanted to ride the carousel.”

“Oh, we went there first,” said Mom, “but they had to close during the thunderstorm. So, Ellie decided to ride the train instead.”

It wasn’t long before the train was back. Ellie hopped off and immediately pulled both Justin and Jessie toward the train. “Come wide with me! Da caboose is great.”

The older kids looked at each other. “Ellie’s got the right idea,” said Jessie. “We can still be joyful even if we can’t do what we planned.”

Justin smiled. “You’re right,” he said. “Let’s go!” All three kids climbed onto the train, hooting and hollering. They waved and laughed as the train click-clacked around the little track.

After riding the train three times in a row, the kids noticed that the rain had stopped. The sun began shining. Jessie peeled her soggy poncho off. “Whew! That’s better,” she said happily.

“Yay! Now I can wide da pwetty pink pony!” Ellie exclaimed as she pulled her mom toward the carousel.

“Yeah, and Jessie and I can ride the Whirlygig. Come on!” Justin shouted to Jessie and his dad.

The kids raced back to the ride. They skidded to a stop—no one was there. But just as they turned to leave, the ride attendant came out of his booth and opened up the gate! “Congratulations, kids!” he called out. “You’re first in line. Welcome to the Whirlygig!”

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