The Big Big Slide

Starring Ella, Blizzard Ben

Mimi Puff and her cousin Blizzard Ben visit the snow park and see the tallest slide they've ever encountered. Though Mimi feels nervous about the towering height, Ben helps her find her bravery using their special rituals—his helmet taps and her pocket-song. Together they discover that courage grows when you have someone to share it with, and that the best adventures happen when you try something new with a friend by your side.

Blizzard Ben adjusted his bright goggles and pointed through the snow park gates. "There it is, Mimi—the Big Big Slide!" His gray scarf fluttered as he bounced excitedly. Mimi clutched the animal-face pocket on her pink vest and stared up, up, up at the tallest slide she'd ever seen, its icy track winding like a silver ribbon down the snowy hill.

Mimi's stomach did a little flip-flop. "That's really, really high," she whispered, her ponytail bobbing as she tilted her head back. Ben tapped his helmet twice—tap-tap—just like he always did when something felt big and scary. "I know," he said softly. "But we can go together. Want to walk closer and look?"

They climbed three wooden steps, then five, then ten. Halfway up, Mimi stopped and hummed her soft pocket-song—the one that made her feel steady when her heart thumped too fast. "Hmm-hmm-hmm," she sang, touching each animal face on her vest. Ben waited beside her, not rushing, tapping his helmet once more for good luck.

At the very top, the wind whooshed and howled, making Ben jump a little. He tapped his helmet—tap-tap—and laughed. "Even mountain guides get the jumps!" he said. Mimi peeked over the edge of the slide and saw the whole park spread out below like a snow-sparkle map. "Whoa," she breathed. "You can see everything from up here."

"Ready?" Ben asked, settling onto the slide's starting spot. Mimi's tummy did another flip, but she thought about her pocket-song and Ben's tap-tap trick. "Can I sit with you?" she asked. "Always," Ben said, scooting forward to make room. Mimi climbed onto his lap, and together they faced the long, swooping slide.

Ben counted, "One... two..." and Mimi whispered, "Three!" They pushed off together, whooshing down the icy track in a blur of speed and cold air. Mimi squeezed Ben's arms and hummed her song—"Hmm-hmm-hmm!"—while the wind sang along. Ben tapped his helmet against hers—tap-tap—and they both started giggling as the world rushed past in sparkles and swooshes.

They tumbled into the soft snow pile at the bottom, laughing and breathless. "We did it!" Mimi cheered, brushing snow from her pink vest pockets. Ben pulled down his scarf to show his huge smile. "You were so brave, Mimi," he said. "You were brave too!" she replied, patting his helmet—tap-tap—just like he always did.

As they walked toward the cocoa hut, Mimi looked back at the Big Big Slide. It didn't seem quite so scary anymore—just big and beautiful and ready for another ride. "Can we go again tomorrow?" she asked, holding Ben's hand. Ben tapped his helmet twice and grinned. "Tomorrow and the day after that. As many times as you want, cousin." And together they left two sets of footprints in the fresh snow, side by side all the way.