It was a warm, spring afternoon when we went for a picnic in the park. As we were about to leave, I saw a carnival. I begged my mother to take me there. At first, she refused ,but then she agreed and so we went there.

The carnival was filled with stalls selling sweets, candy floss, ice cream, soft drinks, games, jumping castles and rides. I first drank a soft drink which fizzed in my nose. Then I ate a fluffy and soft candy floss. It was so soft that it melted in my mouth!

How can one go to a carnival and not go on a ride! So, I begged my mother to let me go on a ride, but she refused. Eventually, she agreed but only for a slow ride. Rage surged inside me so I planned to slip out of this line and dash towards the line of the scary ride.

I succeeded and luckily got to sit on the front seat which gives the most thrills! The ride jolted with a rumble and a thunder. My heart started to race. The ride went up and down, round and round! The wind blew my hair left and right. I screamed at the top of my voice out of excitement!

The ride finally screeched to a stop. I got off and started looking for my mother. At first, I went to where I last saw her, but I couldn’t see her anywhere! I scanned the crowd of people, but there was no sign of her. I went and sat on the bench and started to cry with regret.

“Why? Oh, why did I trick my mother?” I thought to myself.

Suddenly a policeman came and questioned me, “What are you doing boy?”

I replied, sobbing, “I am lost!”

“Oh,” gasped the policeman, “I will help you!”

So, we set off to find my mother. First, we searched the restroom area, then the play area and the food court. Finally, we arrived at the puppet show. There she was sitting, watching the puppet show!

I sighed in relief on seeing her. I ran towards her and hugged her tightly and said, “I will never leave your sight again!” I also thanked the policeman. From that day I learned a lesson that I will not go anywhere without my parent.

However, one thing bothered me. Why did she seem unconcerned about me when I slipped away from her? I asked her this in the car.

She smiled and replied, “I knew all along where you were going, I even saw you get on the ride. But I wanted to teach you a lesson about the consequences of running away. So, I told the cop to approach you when you get off the ride and bring you to me in the puppet show.”

I smiled sheepishly!

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 23rd, 2019