STORY AND ILLUSTRATIONS by JAN LIS
PAPA’S STUDY
Rags peaked around the door into Papa’s study. There was Papa’s favorite chair, with his morning paper lying on the rug. Rags entered the room, jumped onto Papa’s chair and snuggled into its soft cushion.
Rags stretched, and thought of the Circus coming to town today. She imagined the silly clowns, the growling lions, and tumbling acrobats. “I’d like to join the Circus,” she thought as she closed her eyes.
Rags imagined herself walking down the Midway with all the scary rides, and exciting games.
THE MIDWAY
“Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Step right this way,” called the Barker in the straw hat. “Try your luck. Knock down the bottles, and win a teddy bear.”
Rags spied the Green Dragon roller-coaster. Some kids were already seated in it. “Hurry and join us,” they called to Rags. She ran and jumped in just as the Green Dragon started to move.
The roller-coaster chugged up the steep tracks, Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack, Clickety Clack. When it reached the top, and started down, Rag’s stomach seemed to fly up to her throat. They raced downward going faster and faster. Everyone screamed, and one boy held his hands up. But Rags didn’t raise her paws.
“Come on Rags,” the children called as they tumbled off the Green Dragon. Laughing and shouting, they ran to the next ride.
writer of children's books 