The Welcome Wagon

Upon hearing about the impending arrival of a turtle family to her village, R.U. Frog, the president of the welcome committee, climbed on a wooden wagon that was drawn by two fine horses and drove from house to house asking for gifts. Before long, a mountain of objects was placed on the wagon. Piles of food jiggled all over, including pan after pan of freshly baked pie, warm bread and buns, and an assortment of vegetables; tools and equipment rattled against the wood panels; and quilts, blankets, pillows, and other fabric hung over the sides.

Ms.Frog directed her wagon toward the turtle family, who was coming up the dirt road that led to the village, and more animals ran out of their homes and tossed gifts on the wagon, making it heavy and unstable. As the wagon sped over a hill, the weight of the gifts became too much and Ms.Frog lost control of the wagon, which raced wildly down the road and plowed over the family of turtles.

 

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