I was seven years old and bursting with excitement. The fair had come to town! I could just image the rides and the amazing things I could do at the fair. Maybe I would see clowns, people on stilts or little dogs doing tricks with their trainer.
I couldn’t wait!
That night, I tiptoed to where my mum was reading, “Mama?”
“Yes honey?”
“Can we go to the fair pleaseeeeee?”
I saw her smile – she didn’t say no so it gave me hope.
“We all want to go!” I said leaning closer to her. I grinned, “Please take us! I really, really want to go. I have never been to a fair before.” I begged for my brothers and sisters.
Mum smiled again and put the book down, “I’ll talk to your dad and see which day he’s free to go.”
I jumped up and down and ran off to tell my brothers and sisters that we were going. We all cheered and laughed and danced around the living room.
Finally the waiting was over – dad said that he was free in two days’ time and that we were going to the fair at night after he finished work.
YIPEEEEEEE
It was best news ever!
The night before the fair, I jumped into bed too excited to fall asleep. My twin sister Martha slept on the bed next to mine; she was already snoring away – too tired to stay awake.
I giggled and tried to fall asleep. I twisted and turned, wriggled and squirmed and I couldn’t get to sleep!
When morning finally came I was the first one out of bed. Martha was still sleeping. She was the sleepy twin.
“Hey wake up! Wake up!”
Martha groaned and turned over putting the covers closer to her head, “Go away, and let me sleep.” She mumbled.
“It’s fair day!” I exclaimed. “Come on get up!”
Martha sat up on the bed – her straight hair sticking out like sharp pine needles. She has the straightest hair ever – like my dad.
“The fair is today!”
Yipeeeeeeee
She tossed the covers away and we both started dancing and squealing around the room. We couldn’t wait.
Finally the great moment arrived. We took the public bus to the fair and I pressed my face to the window. Little breath clouds dances on the glass and I giggled and drew funny pictures with my finger. My twin sister Martha giggled as well.
My brothers, who were sitting behind us, snorted and mumbled under their breath, “Such babies.”
I didn’t care. Not today.
“I want to go on every ride.” Martha said.
“Me too!” My little sister who was sitting in front of us with mum and dad pipped up – she was really excited – her big brown eyes were glowing.
M brothers laughed, “You’re all too little and can’t go on ALL the rides!” Joe the oldest looked at Manuel and laughed.
I scrunched up my nose in disgust, “Well, you’re not much older than me. Weirdos.”
Joe was only eight and Manuel six, but they thought they were teen boys! Ugh.
Before they could reply my dad announced that we had arrived.
“Ok kids,” he said, “make sure you have all your belonging.”
We hurried off the bus and crossed the road carefully. I wanted to bolt across the street but it was too dangerous – I had to be patient.
We all giggled and chatted – mum and dad laughed – they said we sounded like little squirrels.
We came around the corner and there it was. The fair. Lights and more lights glowed around it.
I sucked in my breath and grabbed Martha’s hand tighter – My brothers ran ahead but dad stopped them with his famous whistle.
“Boys, stay together please – I don’t want anyone to go missing.”
“Oh, papa!!…”They moaned. But my dad just gave them a look and they knew not to argue with him.
The fair didn’t disappoint – it was awesome. With so many lights, the whole place glowed as if it was magical. The music from the rides and stalls blended into a carnival of sound, and masses of people squashed and bumped into each other – everyone fascinated with the entertainment. I’d never seen so many people in one place before and so many excited kids!
“I can smell fairy floss.” Martha shouted so we could hear her amongst all the noise, “Mama, can we get some?”
Mum nodded and like little ducklings we all followed in a row.
I closed my eyes briefly – I could smell so many delicious things. The air was a rainbow of smells – I sniffed…ummm yum – sweet lollies, fried chips, BBQ meats…I was getting hungrier by the minute.
As we headed to get our food, I saw the most amazing ride ever! I didn’t know what it was.
“Joe,” I looked at my older brother, “what ride is that?”
Joe looked to where I pointed and shrugged, “That’s the ferris wheel.”
WOW.
The pretty gondola cars took my attention the most. I stared at the giant glowing wheel in awe as it towered over me. It was a ride I definitely wanted to try out.
Yay I couldn’t wait.
I reached out to grab my dad’s arm and ask him to come with me, but my hand was met by thin air. I looked around and saw none of my family. I looked and looked and saw no one I knew. I froze. Faces of strangers seemed to dance right around me. The noise of the blaring music and laughter faded. All I could hear was the beating of my heart.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP
I imagined that I would never see my family again and I panicked. A ball of emotion rose up inside and burst from me, and I cried and screamed for my mother. But no one could hear me above the crazy sounds of music, laughter, shrills of excitement and vendors yelling at their top of their lungs for children to come and try their games. My heart raced and it seemed like everything was spinning.
The Ferris wheel was now a big monster that only made me feel more afraid and lost. The thought of being stuck at the fair forever was suddenly terrifying.
When the first rush of emotion passed, I looked with misery and sorrow into the sky and prayed to the Lord for help. “Please help my mum and dad find me,” I sobbed. I knew I had a friend in heaven who was always willing to help me.
Suddenly someone grabbed my hand. With eyes full of tears I looked up thinking it was my dad. I blinked, no, it wasn’t him. It was a man much older.
He was tall and chubby: a complete stranger. But strangely, as I looked up at him I felt a sudden surge of confidence and my fear vanished. I felt secure. Happy even.
He looked down at me and smiled, “Come, I will take you to your parents. I know where they are.” Then we walked what seemed like a long way. While we walked, he said nothing more. I glanced shyly at him every now and then, but his eyes looked straight ahead.
I wondered if he was my dad’s friend – he said he knew where they were. I trusted him.
By the time we arrived at the exact location of my family, they were frantic with worry. They had looked for me but with no luck.
