Written by Mae Esther
Meiling Jade Carter is eight and a half years old. She has black hair, almond eyes, and a cheeky smile. She loves Ginger, her fluffy fat cat, and ice cream trucks. But that ice cream truck was about to get her into trouble!
“Shh, Ginger, be quiet,” Mei whispered, grabbing her fat, fluffy cat and holding him close to her chest. “You need to be a good boy and not make any noise, okay?”
In the dim light of the room, she watched Ginger stare at her with his usual bored, lazy look. He opened his mouth in a big yawn and stretched his body, arching himself into the shape of a bridge.
Mei giggled. “Ginger, you’re too funny.” She moved him gently to the side and quietly got out of bed. She turned once more to look at him and placed her finger to her lips. “Shhhh.”
She tiptoed across the room and, as quietly as a mouse, threw back the heavy blue curtains and opened the big balcony door. A soft, warm breeze whooshed through the room.
Ginger had joined Mei and rubbed his head against her leg. “Do you want to see too?” She picked him up and showed him the city below. There was a big, round moon shining above. The city looked alive—music, laughter, and lights everywhere. The glowing lights flickered softly, inviting her to come and see.
“Soon, Ginger, we’ll be able to see the fireworks,” she whispered. Excitement danced in her tummy, and she giggled nervously.
Her parents had gone out of town to a big convention where her dad was getting an important award. They didn’t take her, so she had to stay with Leila—for two whole days.
“Not fair,” Mei pouted. “Ginger, if I were older, I’d go with them!”
Ginger stretched again, wriggled free from her arms, and jumped onto the balcony.
“Ouch!” The balcony floor was still very warm from the hot rays of the sun hitting it all day. Mei hurried across it and picked up Ginger. “You’re a naughty boy. You know we’re not allowed on the balcony without an adult.” She kissed his gingery fur. “I don’t want you to fall and get hurt.”
Mei stopped talking and looked down below. She loved how the city danced with bright colours, lights floating back and forth. She stood still, watching people walk past—children with balloons and ice cream cones—all heading towards the big city park where fireworks would soon explode and pop in the sky.
“Not fair,” Mei muttered. Then—ding-ling-ling! Ding-ling-ling! Mei leaned over the balcony when she heard the sound. It was an ice cream truck!
Light and music blared from inside the truck. A flashing pink and blue ice cream ornament sat proudly on the roof. The truck drove slowly down the lane and stopped at the corner. Children and families soon gathered to buy ice cream.
“I want an ice cream,” Mei whispered. She had a few coins in her little yellow polka-dot purse. Maybe she could get one! The truck was parked right below. She could quickly run downstairs, grab an ice cream, and sneak back before Leila noticed.
Her heart thumped with excitement. She slipped on her slippers and tiptoed across the room, Ginger padding close behind. She opened her door ever so slowly—creak!—and froze. No sound came from downstairs. Leila was probably reading on the sofa, as she usually did. Mei took a deep breath and tiptoed down the staircase, careful to avoid the squeaky middle step.
In the kitchen, she saw Leila through the doorway, making herself a hot drink. Perfect. As quietly as she could, Mei turned the handle of the front door. It opened with a soft click. She grinned. “Come on, Ginger.”
The night air was warm and filled with the buzz of city sounds. Mei ran toward the corner, her nightgown fluttering behind her, slippers slapping softly on the pavement. Ginger trotted close beside her, tail high.
When they reached the truck, she stood on tiptoe and ordered a vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles. The man smiled, handed it to her, and took her coins. No one seemed to notice the little girl in her nightgown.
Just then, the first firework shot into the sky with a boom! And burst into sparkling colours. Mesmerised, Mei’s eyes widened. She began walking towards the lights, licking her cone, her mind lost in the beauty of the fireworks. She didn’t notice how far she had wandered.
The ice cream was gone now, and her feet were tired. The people around her had changed; she didn’t recognise any of the buildings. The laughter and lights seemed distant. Mei stopped. “Ginger… where are we?”
Ginger meowed softly and brushed against her leg. Mei turned one way, then another. The streets all looked the same. Her stomach filled with fear.
“Oh no,” she whispered. “I’m lost.” She picked up Ginger and hugged him tightly. “What am I going to do?” Her eyes filled with tears. “Jesus, please help me. I’m scared.”
The streets were busy, but no one really noticed the little girl—until a tall policeman spotted her standing near a lamppost.
“Well, hello there,” he said kindly. “Where are you off to, young lady?”
Mei burst into tears. “I–I don’t know where I am! I wanted an ice cream, and now I can’t find my way home!”
The police officer knelt beside her. “It’s all right. We’ll sort it out. What’s your name?”
“Meiling Carter,” she sniffled. “My babysitter’s name is Leila.”
The policeman radioed in, then made a few calls. Soon he was talking to Mei’s dad, who was in another town. Her parents were worried but thankful that she was safe. He rang Leila straight away, and she promised to come right over.
When Leila arrived, her face was pale with worry. “Oh, Mei!” she cried, running to her. She hugged her tightly, tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Leila,” Mei whispered. “I just wanted an ice cream.”
Leila sighed, half laughing, half crying. “Oh, sweetheart. Don’t ever do that again.”
Back at the house, Leila called Mei’s parents to tell them she was home safe. They spoke to Mei on the phone.
“We’re so thankful you’re safe,” Mum said gently, “but what you did was very dangerous, Mei. Something bad could have happened to you.”
“I know, Mum,” Mei said softly. “I’m really sorry.”
Dad’s voice came through the phone. “We love you, but there will be consequences when we get home. We need you to learn from this, okay?”
“Yes, Daddy,” she whispered.
After hanging up, Mei hugged Leila tightly. “I’m really sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Leila smiled. “Of course I forgive you, Mei. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
That night, Mei climbed into bed with Ginger curled beside her. The fireworks had long faded, and the city was quiet again. She knelt by her bed, folded her hands, and whispered:
“Thank you, Jesus, for taking care of me and Ginger tonight. I’ll never sneak out again.”
She smiled sleepily, stroked Ginger’s fur, and drifted off to sleep—safe, loved, and grateful.
PICTURE CREDIT: Deposit Photos
