It was half past three, and Clara had just finished school. Her mother was waiting at the gate with Jessie, their dog.
“Can we go to the park with Ella, mom?” asked Clara.
“Okay, we can go for half an hour,” said her mother.
When they got to the park, Clara and Ella ran towards the swings and slides. “Come on!” shouted Clara. “Let’s see how high we can swing!”
“You can’t come in here, Jessie!” shouted Clara and Ella. Mom took Jessie to the bench and tied him to it. She sat down and began to read the newspaper.
Half an hour later…
“Did you have a good time?” asked mom.
“Yes, it was great! I swung the highest!” said Clara. “No, I swung the highest,” said Ella. “Come on, we need to take you home,” said mom.
That night, Jessie couldn’t sleep. He thought about the park. Quietly, he got out of his basket and went downstairs. He squeezed through the cat flap—and then he was outside! He ran towards the park.
Soon, Jessie was in the park. He headed towards the swings. The gate was open. He went through and looked around… The playground was full of dogs!
Jessie climbed up the ladder and slid down the slide, spun around on the merry-go-round, seesawed up and down on the seesaw, and swung up and down on the swing.
“Woof!” barked Jessie. He swung as high as he could on the swing.
Soon, it was time to go home. Jessie got off the swing, went through the gate, and went home again.
He squeezed through the cat flap, went upstairs, and climbed into his basket. He looked at Clara. “I swung the highest,” thought Jessie. And went to sleep.