3 Catch a Falling Star

CHAPTER 3 CATCH A FALLING STAR It's the 9th inning. I'm standing in right field in a big ballpark. I hear the crack of the bat. I look up into the sky. No sun—it's a night game. The sky is full of stars—thousands of stars. Suddenly, one begins to fall. I have to catch it or we'll lose the game. It's falling fast. But a star has a long way to fall. OH, NO!

Should I run forward? Should I run back? It looks like it's going to fall outside of the stadium. I run into the street. It's falling out of town. I run down the road. It's going to fall in the ocean. I get into a boat and row after it. But I can't row fast enough. The star splashes down in the water. Eight sharks in baseball caps surround my boat and shout out, "You lost the game!"

GADS! WAY TO GO. Go HOME. THANKS, HUBIE. YOU STINK!

I wake up. My new mitt is still on the dresser. I inhale its aroma for reassurance... cowlogne... I'm ready. This season things are going to be different. SMELLS GREAT!