Whoosh! Mimi Puff and the Big Big Slide

Starring Ella, Blizzard Ben

At the amusement park, Mimi Puff wants to try the towering slide but the clattery noises make her tummy flutter. Blizzard Ben, her big cousin guide, helps with his tap-tap helmet ritual and bright visor as they map a plan and practice whooshes. A surprise rule—one rider at a time—forces Mimi to choose whether to go alone, so she uses her pocket-song and shadow counting to be brave. Together they turn waiting into teamwork and finish with cocoa, learning that courage can be many small choices in a row.

Mimi Puff spots the big big slide and whispers, “It’s very tall.” The turnstile clatters, so she hums her soft pocket-song and touches the animal face on her vest. Blizzard Ben taps his helmet twice—tap, tap—and says, “I’ll guide you, cousin.” They agree to try, because cocoa waits after the whoosh.

A painted map on the ground shows loops and arrows. Mimi traces the path with one finger and says, “We can practice the whoosh first.” Ben nods and points to a small ripple slide nearby, so they walk over to warm up.

A drumline passes—clack-BOOM!—which startles Mimi, so she hides her nose behind her vest and peeks at the pocket faces. Ben lifts his scarf a bit and taps his helmet again. They hum together until the drums fade, but the big slide line grows longer, which means more waiting.

They join the line, and Ben’s visor catches a sparkle trail sliding down the curves. “Let’s count shadows,” he says, so Mimi watches the slide’s shade and whispers, “One… two…” They also make a little dance path on the floor tiles to pass time, which helps her giggles come back.

At the gate, a sign says, “One rider at a time,” so their together plan won’t work. Mimi’s stomach dips. Ben points to the stairs and says, “I’ll race down and meet you fast.” She nods because she wants to choose brave this time.

Up the stairs, a wind whistle makes her freeze, so she presses the animal face and hums again. She remembers the shadow counting and whispers, “One… two… push!” Ben’s helmet goes tap-tap below, and she chooses to go, all by herself.

WHOOSH! She zips through curves like silver noodles, hair ribbon fluttering. Mimi laughs so loud the tunnel echoes, and Ben sprints to the bottom to meet her, which makes other kids clap. He slides after, quick as a comet, and lands with a happy thump.

After, they sip warm cocoa that smells like cinnamon. Mimi sticks a tiny star on the map bench and says, “Best picnic spot.” Because they waited and helped themselves, the lost time feels fixed, and her heart feels big. Ben’s visor and her pink pocket catch the sunset glow, which makes brave feel gentle.