The Big Big Slide

Starring Ella, Blizzard Ben

Blizzard Ben and Mimi Puff face the towering Big Big Slide for the very first time. When the dark, snug tunnel and a loud clatter threaten to send them back down the ladder, Ben taps his helmet and Mimi uses her pocket animal peek-and-smile trick to calm their fears. Choosing to hold hands and slide together, they zoom past sparkle trails and conquer the scary middle section. They tumble out at the bottom laughing, discovering that bravery grows bigger when friends share the ride.

"Look at the Big Big Slide!" said Ben. Mimi’s eyes grew wide as she touched her pink vest pockets. Ben tapped his shiny helmet twice, and Mimi hummed her soft pocket-song.

They climbed the tall ladder. The rungs felt wobbly under their boots. When the wind whistled through the bars, Ben tapped-tapped his helmet, and Mimi hummed a little louder.

At the top, the slide opening looked dark and snug. A loud CLANG echoed from inside, and Mimi jumped. "That’s just the metal cooling," whispered Ben, though his fingers reached for his helmet.

They sat at the edge, legs dangling. Ben’s neck scarf felt tight, so he tapped his helmet two times. Mimi pulled out her pocket animal face and did her peek-and-smile trick at the dark tunnel. "Together?" asked Mimi. "Together," said Ben.

Holding hands, they pushed off. The slide whooshed like a winter wind! Ben’s blue-purple goggles spotted golden sparkle trails on the walls. Mimi giggled and hummed her song into the rush of air.

Halfway down, the tube turned pitch black and made a rattling snug sound. Ben’s hand flew to his helmet—tap, tap—while Mimi held up her pocket animal to the dark. "We’re brave," she sang.

Light burst through as they shot out the end, tumbling onto soft green grass. They rolled laughing, Ben’s scarf flopping and Mimi’s ponytail bouncing. The Cocoa Hut sat nearby with steam rising from its chimney.

Sitting side by side, Ben tapped his helmet once for victory, and Mimi used her peek-and-smile trick to wave at the Big Big Slide behind them. They had found the best way down, together.