The Yellow Duck goes to the Rodeo

"Wow!" the Yellow Duck said as he looked around. "This place is great! There's tons of rides, lots of games, food and best of all, the rodeo!"

"I like the mutton bustin," Toad said. "It's my favorite part."

"I like the barrel racing," Ms. Fish said snottily. "It only has girls."

"Remember, we have to be at the tent at 4 p.m.," Toad said nervously. "We can't be late."

"Why are you in such a rush?" Ms. Fish asked curiously. "You never care about being on time."

"I just don't want to miss the show," Toad said.

The three friends spent the early afternoon riding rides and eating cotton candy. They visited the petting zoo, where Toad got into a shouting match with a pig and Ms. Fish got into an argument with a cow, who thought Ms. Fish's bowl was her personal drinking water. After the morning of excitement, they headed to the tents to watch the rodeo begin.

Toad was twitchy with excitement and kept hopping up and down in his chair. The Yellow Duck grinned. "This is a lot of fun!" he said.

Ms. Fish made a face. "I can't believe that fat cow tried to drink me!" she groused. "It's going to take me two weeks to get the snot and slobber out of my bowl."

"So Toad, are you excited about seeing the concert?" the Yellow Duck asked. Toad didn't answer. He turned around to see Toad's seat empty. "Hey, where did he go?" the Yellow Duck asked. Toad would have never left before a show like that.

"Probably to go eat flies or bugs or something," Ms. Fish said in disgust. "The boy is always eating."

As the minutes ticked by, Toad didn't return to his seat. The Yellow Duck looked around worriedly as the rodeo began. After watching team roping and bronc riding, he grew very concerned.

"I'm worried about Toad," he said softly to Ms. Fish. "What if he's been kidnapped?"

"I couldn't worry too much," she said, her jaw dropping open. "He's right there!" The Yellow Duck looked where she was pointing and his eyes bulged out in surprise. Toad was in line with the kids waiting to ride sheep for Mutton Busting. He was wearing a jersey with a number on it and a helmet.

"Oh no!" the Yellow Duck cried. "Is he supposed to be down there? Is he going to get hurt?"

He stood up and waved his arms and yelled to get Toad's attention. Toad grinned and waved. Then he pulled on his helmet and got into position.

"Our next rider is Toad Green, number 17, on Bushy the sheep!" the announcer called. When the signal went off, Toad jumped on the back of the sheep. The sheep bolted and ran into the arena. Toad hung on with his skinny green fingers as he bounced around the sheep's back. The sheep ran into a wall and started running even faster. Toad became a speckle of green in white as the sheep circled the arena.

"He's literally crazy," Ms. Fish said in awe, watching as the sheep ran in circles. "He's absolutely nuts. Completely bonkers."

"I think we got the point!" the Yellow Duck said. He was worried about Toad.

"I'm surprised he's not sick," Ms. Fish said.

Finally, the sheep stopped, and a triumphant Toad slipped off where he laid on the ground. A hush fell over the crowd. After what seemed like an eternity, Toad stood up and lifted his arms in victory. The crowd roared, clapping and cheering. Toad grinned and hopped his way back to his seat.

"That was cool wasn't it," Toad grinned. "I rocked! That sheep was so fun! Wasn't that a great time?"

"You had me so worried!" the Yellow Duck said. "How did you arrange all that?"

"I just showed up and asked if I could ride, and they said yes," Toad said. "You should ride tomorrow."

"I think I will," the Yellow Duck grinned. "That seems exciting!"

"We have to come back tomorrow?" Ms. Fish whined. "I don't want any more slobber in my bowl."

"Then don't go to the petting zoo!" Toad said. The two began to bicker companionably as the three headed home. As they argued, the Yellow Duck grinned to himself. He couldn't wait to go mutton bustin.