Boat Ride On The Lake
“Mummy, I want to go with you and daddy to watch that play in the theatre!” said eight-year old Julie.
“No darling, it's a night show. The play is super scary and only for grown-ups.”
“But I wanna go with you!”
“Now listen young lady, you're going to stay at home tonight. You've lots of homework to do. After that, enjoy some Grimms' fairytales or play with your pretty doll, Tina,” said her father firmly.
“No-o-o!” wailed Julie stamping her feet on the ground. “I don't wanna stay at home.”
“Yes, you will, said her dad firmly, his thin lips like a knife's edge.
Locking up her bedroom door from outside, he and Julie's mum left the house.
The disappointed young girl's tears stormed wildly down her cheeks. Then suddenly through the fog in her eyes, she noticed a full moon in the richest silken gown shining outside the window, smiling over a silver-blue lake nearby.
“I wish I could take a boat ride on the water,” mumbled Julie. “I could jump out of the window and run there.”
Of course, that was a silly idea because her apartment was on the fourth floor of that building. If she leapt down, that'd be the end. That's when she heard a voice. It came from Tina, her red-haired rubber doll, who was on the carpet. “Julie,” said the doll, “Let's both take a boat ride on that lake.”
“What? You can talk?” asked Julie, open-mouthed.
“Sssh! Don't tell anyone I can. It's our secret.”
“Yay!” exclaimed Julie, “but how're we going to get out and go there?”
“I'll show you.” Tina walked upto that bedroom door and turned the knob. The door opened easily.
“Wow, how did you do that?”
“'twas easy. Now let's go.”
They walked across the grass to the lake, while the moon glowed over their path.
“There's no boat here, Tina!”
“We'll make one,” said the doll, picking up a newspaper lying beside the waters.
Together they folded it into a boat and climbed it to take their joy ride. They sang songs to the moon, with the frogs and crickets joining them in a lovely harmony as they sailed merrily.
“Where're we going?” asked Julie.
“To an island where they're going to have a party. It's the moon's birthday.”
“Ah! That's why she's above us all dressed up and heading there too.”
On the island, they enjoyed cake and chocolate milk, while the stars sang 'Happy birthday' to the moon. They danced wildly. Julie couldn't stop giggling in non-stop glee until someone was shaking her shoulders.
“What's going on?” yelled her father, frowning in confusion as he stared at her and then, at the doll on the carpet with a paper boat beside her.
“Oh, I was dreaming,” answered Julie grinning.
She winked at Tina, who winked back. Outside the window, the moon was still beaming.
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