The Big Surprise

Gamellen went out to check on the floaties early this morning.  They were all shouting at once.  "Gamellen, Gamellen, where were you last night?  There was a terrible storm.  There were waves in the pool.  We could have been swept into the yard and washed down into the lake.  Where were you? We were so scared!"

"Well,"  said Gamellen  "I think that storm was a very good test of your chains, don't you?

"Oh, yes.  It was a very good test."  Monty agreed, shaking his head up and down.  "We stayed right here in the pool, safe and sound.  Tom-Tom hid in his shell because he was so scared."

"Is that right?"  Gamellen asked Tom-Tom.  "Were you terribly scared?"

"I wasn't scared at all."  replied Tom-Tom.  He was quite indignant that they would think he was scared.  "It was very, very loud.  I went into my shell so it would not be as loud."

"Peter closed his eyes all night because he was so scared." Monty reported to Gamellen.

"Is that right?" Gamellen asked Peter. "Were you terribly scared?"

"I wasn't scared at all."  answered Peter.  "It is just that the lightning was so bright.  I had to shut my eyes."

"So Monty,"  Gamellen asked, "Were you scared?

Monty answered very bravely.  "I was very scared.  It was loud and bright and wavey and you didn't come home until it was all over.  Where were you in such a terrible storm?"

Well Gamellen said.  "I have a surprise for you."  The Floaties all went to the front porch and waited patiently to see the surprise."  They sat nicely on the bench--showing off their fancy chains.

But before you know it they were sitting on the porch railing, that is how excited they were.

Then, there it was--the surprise they had been waiting for.  Gamellen bought a new car!

Of course the Floaties had to have their picture taken in front of it.

And then they wanted their picture taken inside of it.  So, of course, Gamellen took that picture too.

"Your secret wasn't a big secret."  Tom-Tom confessed to Gamellen.  "We heard you to talking to Grandpa Tim about a new car.  But..."

Peter interrupted Tom-Tom  "We have an even bigger secret.  We are going to..."

"Don't tell!"  shouted Monty and Tom-Tom together.  "You will spoil the secret."

Maybe we will find out their big secret tomorrow--or the next day.  Gamellen doesn't know when she will find out.  It is going to be a BIG surprise.

Love, Gamellen