Katie and the Old Ferris Wheel

Katie was visiting her grandparents, and they went to the park to see the old Ferris wheel. The city built the Ferris wheel in the early 1920s, and it was in bad disrepair. Grandma saw the Ferris wheel and remembered the day the city had opened the park with its additional attraction. Grandpa and Grandma remembered a ticket was not cheap, and they would save the entire week so that they could ride the Ferris wheel.

Grandma would ride the red car on the Ferris wheel. She liked the gold ribbons and the sparkles painted on the outside of the car. She had so much fun going up, around, and down with her friends. Sometimes, they would rock the car. Now, the red car was fading, and the gold was missing sparkles. Grandma was sad to see her special memories were fading as well.

Katie and Grandma walked around the Ferris wheel. Grandma explained to Katie how she remembered riding the Ferris wheel without holding on and her friends would squeal with delight from the daring move. Katie looked to see who was around and whispered to her grandma that she had never held on, either. They both giggled as they looked up at the different faded chairs. Katie and her grandma agreed that even though the cars had faded, they were still beautiful.

Katie admitted to her grandma that she liked to spin her chair fast. Grandma looked as if she missed the fun as well, but was smiling at Katie’s story. Grandma wished the Ferris wheel could be repaired. Benches and cars were even missing from the wheel. Grandpa walked up with ice cream cones for everyone. Grandpa was even sad the attraction had closed. He put an arm around Katie’s shoulder and kissed her on the head.

Months had passed and the annual carnival was opening on Saturday. Katie wanted to go to the carnival to see the rides, but she thought the Ferris wheel was most likely gone. She invited her grandparents for moral support, and they were happy to go with her. Katie was wondering what rides the carnival was going to offer instead of the Ferris wheel. When they arrived, they entered the amusement gallery?

Katie won a hat and a mirror with the word Smile Etched on the surface. Grandpa won a giant panda by throwing rings on a bottle and giving it to Katie. Grandma won a stuffed worm she gave to the first little boy she ran into inside the gallery. They laughed when the boy’s face lit up like a light as he ran off to tell his mom. Everyone was having fun, but Katie still missed her Ferris wheel.

Katie walked further ahead and took silly photos in the photo booth. Grandpa and Grandma took their picture and in one they kissed. “How embarrassing,” Katie laughed. Grandpa tried to give Katie a kiss, but she squealed and dodged away. They laughed again. Katie grew silent and stared past her grandparents. Grandpa and Grandma turned around to see what had startled Katie.

Behind them, the old Ferris wheel was working perfectly. It had new cars painted in bright colors with beautiful gold ribbons and decorations. The center had a large, mirrored star outlined with colored bulbs, which blinked on and off. Katie was thrilled that the Ferris wheel was still there, and that it was so beautiful.

Grandma was happy too. She sat in her red car with gold ribbons and sparkles. Grandpa chose the blue car with sailboats and anchors, and Katie sat in the green car with daisies and wildflowers. Katie was smiling and laughing as the Ferris wheel went around and around. Grandma smiled when she saw Katie let go of the bar. Grandpa and Grandma spent the rest of the evening riding the Ferris wheel and laughing with Katie. It was fun to ride the Ferris wheel and Katie returned every year even after she had her own children.