The Boxcar Children Beginning by Patricia MacLachlan

Author:Patricia MacLachlan [MacLachlan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4532-6120-0
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2012-07-15T21:34:00+00:00

Meg jumped down from Betty and bowed. The paper flowers fell from Betty’s neck and she began to eat them.

The audience laughed as Betty looked at them, flowers hanging out of her mouth.

“And now for …” said Jessie from behind the curtain.

“I know. I know. And now for a great treat!” said Henry. “The young trainer with Joseph!”

“Who’s Joseph?” asked Mama.

But before anyone could answer, out came Benny, pulling his wagon with Jake’s toolbox on top.

“Hi, Mama!” he called, waving.

The audience clapped.

Benny stopped.

“Bow!” called Jessie.

Benny grinned and bowed.

And then he opened the box, and out jumped Joe!

“Joseph,” said Papa laughing.

Joe ran around the box and yard. And then Benny picked up a stick and held it out straight.

“Jump!” said Benny.

Joe jumped over the stick.

Cheering and applause.

“I never knew Joe could do that,” said Sarah.

Benny picked up a circle hoop.

“Hush everyone,” said Henry. “This is very difficult and needs complete silence!”

“Or a snack,” said Papa.

Everyone grew quiet.

Benny held up the circle.

“Now, Joe!” said Benny.

Joe sat.

“Now, Joe!” repeated Benny.

Joe looked.

Henry put his hand in his pocket and took out some dog snacks. He handed them to Benny.

Benny held them up, and Joe happily jumped through the hoop, then when Benny turned, jumped again, and then again.

He sat.

Benny gave him a snack.

Then Joe jumped through the last hoop and up onto the box.

Benny bowed.

Everyone clapped and whistled.

And Benny rolled Joe out of the yard and behind the curtain.

“And now,” said Henry, snapping his whip, “for our final act.” He looked quickly behind the curtain.

“Wait just a minute,” he added, “while we get the elephant and the small surprise ready!”

The audience was suddenly quiet.

“Ready?” asked Henry.

“Ready,” came a voice from behind the curtain.

“The master elephant trainer with a surprise!” Henry announced proudly.

The curtain opened and in came the elephant, led by William. The elephant was Boots, with a gray blanket and a stuffed elephant trunk.

“My socks!” said Papa. “I wondered where they were!”

“Elephant!” cried one of Rubin’s grandchildren.

“That’s Boots,” cried another child.

“Elephant!” called the audience.

And then the elephant was followed by a tiny gray-blanketed creature. It was the small surprise.

“A baby elephant!” cried a child.

It was Joe with a stuffed-sock trunk. He walked behind Boots, his trunk bouncing in front of him, while everyone clapped.

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