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The
sun started peeking upon a new day,
When
young Lindsey awoke and said, “Hip! Hip! Hooray!”
She
had every reason to shout and to cheer…
She’d
been waiting, with patience, for this day all year.
She
sprang from her bed and ran to the bathroom
Where
she ever so thoroughly washed, brushed and groomed.
She
felt so excited, she bubbled with glee
As
she got herself ready for what was to be.
Just
once every year, on this very same date,
Throughout
all our great nation, in every great state,
Every
dad, be he farmer, teacher or clerk,
Takes
his dear daughter with him when he goes to work.
Now,
Lindsey’s a girl who is really quite proud
Of
her father’s profession. She’ll
tell you aloud,
Whether
she knows you or you’re just a stranger,
“My
Dad rescues people and saves them from danger!
He
works very hard and that’s not always fun…
But
if ever you need him, just call 9-1-1.
He’ll
help anybody. He’ll do all
he can.
He’s
courageous and fearless. He’s
your fireman!”
So
Lindsey got dressed from her head to her feet,
Then
popped into the kitchen for something to eat.
For
breakfast, her Mom cooked what Lindsey liked most…
Crispy
bacon, poached eggs and a slice of French toast.
Her
Dad sipped hot coffee, while reading the news.
Her
silly cat, Timmy, pulled the strings on her shoes.
Her
good old dog, Toby, sat begging for food…
That
she gave and he swallowed without having chewed!
Then,
in a short while, just when breakfast was done,
After
all that long wait, the time had, at last, come
For
Daddy and Lindsey to kiss Mom goodbye
And
jump into Dad’s truck… to the firehouse to fly!
It
didn’t take long to drive those few short miles
To
arrive at the station and see all the smiles.
There
were so many girls… maybe a dozen…
Just
like a big family where each was your cousin.
There
was Ashley, Sarah, Amanda and Jane.
There
was Emma and Jordan and Kylee and Shane.
There
was Audrey, Shelby, Danielle and Camille.
And
when Lindsey first saw them, she let out a squeal!
“My
friends, I’m so happy to find you all here.
I’ve
been wishing and waiting for this day all year.
I
just know that before this great day is all done,
All
together we’ll all have just oodles of fun!”
The
workday began at the hour of eight.
Everybody
was present and no one came late.
The
Chief took attendance by calling the roll,
Then
the flag was raised up to the top of the pole.
The
firefighters got busy with all their chores,
While
the girls started sweeping and mopping the floors.
With
all that hard work, there was not one complaint.
They
washed down all the fire trucks and shined up the paint.
They
fixed their equipment to work like a charm,
To
be ready to answer the next fire alarm.
Though
a fire means danger, firefighters aren’t scared.
They
all know what to do, and they’re always prepared!
Lindsey
stopped by the office to swipe a mop,
When
she happened to see someone walk with a hop.
That
person was Firefighter Melodie Jones.
It
seemed her only job was to answer the phones.
A
few days before, she’d been fighting a fire
When
she slipped on some water, tripped over a wire,
Lost
her balance, then fell and suffered some harm…
She
sprained her right ankle and she broke her left arm.
A
firefighter’s work must come first… never last…
So
no matter her arm was set in a cast,
And
despite any pain from her broken bones,
Back
to work every day came brave Firefighter Jones!
With
everyone busy, the morning flew past.
Just
as they grew hungry, it was lunchtime at last.
There
was lots of good food… yes, all that you please.
There
was soup and grilled sandwiches of ham and cheese.
There
were burgers and fries, a pot of baked beans…
There
was pizza, spaghetti and fresh salad greens.
There
was so much food; you could eat till you hurt,
But
the girls all made sure they saved room for dessert!
They
had no idea their dads planned to surprise…
Till
they saw that dessert with their big hungry eyes.
A
treat any tastier no one could make…
Sweet
vanilla ice cream on strawberry shortcake!
With
lunch hour done, came the time to clean up,
So
they washed all the dishes and glasses and cups.
Then
they dried them all off and put them away,
And
looked forward to having some time for some play.
But
just as they finished, the telephone rang,
The
siren went off and the fire bell clanged!
The
firefighters all scrambled into their suits,
Put
on their fire helmets and slid into their boots.
They
started the engines of their fire trucks,
As
they clambered aboard like a gaggle of ducks.
The
Chief gave this order to Firefighter Jones:
“Take
good care of our daughters until we get home.
This
fire is raging… the girls ought to stay.
So
please keep them here with you… far out of harm’s way.”
The
firefighters took off in a big cloud of dust,
As
they sped toward that fire in a terrible rush.
The
station grew still as the girls sat around.
There
was hardly a peep heard… no, nary a sound.
Those
girls were worried, but you’d never know it.
They
all wore brave faces… so as not to show it.
They
passed their time waiting, an hour, then more,
When
a cute little boy ran in through the front door.
He
was quite upset… that was easy to see.
He
panted and shouted: “My cat’s stuck up a tree!”
“She’s
just a young kitten,”
he said with a frown,
“She
climbed up there herself, but cannot get down!
I
remember once seeing, on my TV,
How
a firefighter rescued a cat from a tree.
So
that’s why I’ve come here… to ask for your help.
I
have tried but I can’t climb that big tree myself.”
Right
then, all the girls looked to Firefighter Jones.
(You
remember… the person who’d broken her bones?)
But
she said, “I’m sorry, you’ll just have to wait.
The
firefighters are gone and won’t be back till late.
Even
if I could come, I can’t climb a tree.
My
left arm’s in a cast… it’s of no use to me.”
The
kids felt so sad… but they all understood
That
Ms. Jones couldn’t help; there was no way she could.
So
Lindsey spoke up and said: “Girls, follow me!
We
are going to rescue a cat from a tree!”
They
all took off running… that boy led them back
To
his house and the tree that imprisoned his cat!
As
it was late autumn, that tree had no leaves…
Lindsey
spotted the cat and then rolled up her sleeves.
She
wiggled and shinnied straight up that tall tree,
Till
she reached the scared kitten and said: “Come to me.”
She
snuggled that kitten right under her shirt,
Then
climbed back down with care… so it wouldn’t get hurt.
No
sooner had Lindsey’s feet touched the hard ground,
Well
then, up from those kids rose the mightiest sound!
The
girls started cheering and shouting: “Hooray!”
And
the boy wiped his tears and said: “What can I say?
You’ve
done me a favor I’ll never forget.
You’ve
just saved the life of my favorite pet!
You’ve
made this sad tale wind up with the best end.
It’s
an honor and privilege to call you my friend.
So
Lindsey, whatever your need it may be,
I
sure hope you’ll remember to call upon me.
No
matter wherever, how far or how wide,
I
will come in an instant to stand by your side!”
The
girls then marched back to their fire station
As
they giggled with gladness and celebration.
The
firefighters were home, just having returned,
And
it didn’t take long for them all to have learned
Where
their daughters had gone and what they had seen…
And
how bold and heroic young Lindsey had been.
Now,
Lindsey’s so shy that she blushed just because
The
firefighters all gave her a round of applause.
Her
Dad was so proud of her, he nearly cried,
And
the Chief said: “Such bravery can’t be denied!
I
bestow upon you our highest award…
Though
the saving of life is its own reward.”
The
Chief gave Lindsey a beautiful medal,
As
shiny and bright as a new copper kettle.
She
smiled like a sunbeam. Her
heart filled with joy
As
she thought of that kitten and of that young boy.
Everyone
gave her, that day at the station,
Their
warmest and heartiest congratulations.
Then
the Chief said: “I proclaim to the world
From
this day on, Lindsey, you’re a real firegirl!”
- THE END -
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