The Mailman's Hat

The Mailman's Hat

Mr. Smith was a mailman, and he wore a mailman's hat. He carried a pouch full of letters for the people on Dew Melon Way. He also had a whistle that he would blow at every stop. When the whistle blew, people would come out of their homes to see if there was mail in their boxes.

But there was one house where the whistle didn't blow. A dog named Duffy lived there. Duffy loved to bark and bite.

Each day, Mr. Smith would tiptoe up the walk to the house where Duffy napped. Trying not to make a sound, he would put the mail in the box.

Duffy was a very light sleeper. He would wake with a bark and a snap. Then he would chase Mr. Smith off the porch and down the block. Every day, rain or shine, Mr. Smith would bring the mail to Dew Melon Way. And every day, he would get chased by Duffy. That is, until one gusty day in March.

The wind was blowing very hard that morning. Mr. Smith's hat flew off his head and into the air like a kite.