6 The Surprise Visitor

The Surprise Visitor written by Pam Holden illustrated by Richard Hoit

Charlie was excited about his birthday party. He wrote four invitations: What? A party Why? My 7th birthday Where? At my house, 9 Lakeside Road When? Saturday, May 6th, at 10 o'clock Who? Three friends and one surprise visitor When Charlie's friends read the invitations, they asked, "Who is that extra invitation for? Who else will be coming to your party?" "That's a secret," Charlie told them. "You won't know the answer until Saturday."

On Saturday at 10 o'clock, Charlie's three special friends knocked on the door one by one. Everyone was excited. "Can you guess who will be the surprise visitor?" they asked each other. "You'll soon find out!" said Charlie. "Listen!" They heard extra loud knocking on the door.

When Charlie opened the door, he found a tall clown standing outside, carrying a purple box. "Happy birthday, Charlie," he said, shaking hands. "Thanks for the invitation. I've never been to a birthday party before. I wonder what food we'll eat and what games well play. Who else has been invited?" "My friends are waiting to meet you," said Charlie. "Here's our surprise visitor!" he told the children.

Charlie's friends were all excited to meet the clown. He followed them outside, where they tried to teach him how to play all kinds of party games. He wasn't good at hiding because he was far too tall. His head stuck right out above the bushes when he tried to hide in the garden. He wasn't good at chasing because his red shoes were extra long. He tripped over his own feet when he tried to chase the children.

When the clown tried to teach the children his special tricks, he made everybody laugh. First he juggled five balls without dropping any, but the children could only juggle two or three. His second trick was hard for the children to copy because he made such funny faces. He could wobble his nose and wiggle his ears, while he winked and blinked his eyes.