Page:Little Elephant Visits the Farm (1951).pdf/32

 knew he shouldn't take it. So he walked outside and slammed the door hard.

He looked up at the barn roof. A fine wind was blowing. He could just see himself sailing away with that umbrella. One more slide wouldn't hurt. And then he'd never do it again.

He went inside and took the umbrella. Holding it in his trunk, he climbed out on the rooftop and gave himself a shove. Down he slid, faster and faster. The seat of his overalls was smoking. Now was the time! Quickly he opened the great umbrella.

The next thing he knew, he was sailing off the roof. Oh, this was glorious! Suddenly—"Poof!"—went the umbrella, and turned inside out. Little Elephant was falling, falling, falling. Then plop he landed, right on top of the manure pile. But he was still holding onto the handle of the inside-out umbrella.

Mother Elephant came running out of the house, This time she was really cross. "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!" she cried. "Didn't I ask you not to slide on the barn roof, Little Elephant? Now look at you! And just see what has happened to Aunt Amy's best umbrella!" With that she pulled him along to the pump.

"I didn't mean to hurt Aunt Amy's umbrella, honest I didn't," sobbed Little Elephant. Big tears were running down his cheeks now and he felt very miserable.