THE CART
One hot summer day I was bored and decided to use my vivid imagination to create a cart for the upcoming parade in hopes I would win a prize. My parents had always encouraged me to be independent and productive when thinking so I thought that removing every other board off the fence in order to build a cart might be less conspicuous to Dad's sharp eyes. But Dad didn’t miss a thing and I had to replace all the wood I had removed.
Still determined to create a cart, I thought if I moved the fence boards apart just a few inches further I could have my much needed wood. Armed with six pieces of left over wood, a pair of perfectly good adjustable metal roller skates, extra nails kept back from the bottom planks of the fence boards [that no one would notice], and a jar of paint confiscated from the basement I was well on my way to accomplishing my goal. While Dad was at work and Mom was busy with the younger children I could create my cart in great secrecy.
Sneaking out whenever I could I was prepared for the event. The cart was finished and tucked under the front porch where no one would go because of the huge spiders.
Parade day finally arrived and I had permission to enter into the walking category but I had to look after my two and a half year old brother Kenny. No problem I thought as Kenny adored me as much as I did him and he would do whatever I wanted. Into the cart I put Kenny who thought this was great fun.
While pulling Kenny along in the cart in the parade, one of the metal roller skates lodged into the rut of the streetcar track and I was not big or strong enough to budge it. Having no choice but to follow the track and not the parade, we veered off to the left - straight into the crowd.
Much to my surprise my mom was standing right there in the crowd frowning down at me.
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All the children on the street learned a lesson that day and all were reminded of it constantly as they passed by our family house. There for all too see were six grey painted boards evenly spaced and nailed securely to the fence!
by Bonnie Fountain