You wont believe what’s happening. There are so many happy people; the road is littered with them. Men and women, young and old, they are filling carts and wagons, they’re on horseback and they’re walking. Some have bright banners or ribbons in their hair. Everyone is happy and laughing. The air seems to hum with excitement. I’ve never been around this many people before, around this much excitement and emotion.
I finally got up enough courage to ask someone what was going on. One particular man, driving a cart full of barrels being pulled by two stout looking grey donkeys, seemed particularly jolly. I remember noticing how the meaty fingers on one of his hands gripped the reins while his other waved at everyone he passed. I can still hear his booming voice shout greetings.
As he got closer to me he shouted a “Good Day” in my general direction. I seized the moment and shouted back at him, just as he was passing me, and asked him where everyone was going. He pulled on the reins so fast and completely stopped the poor donkeys dead in their tracks. The image of his huge form twisting around and him looming over me with a complete look of shock and surprise on his face will forever be ingrained in my memory.
He stared at me for an uncomfortable length of time before calling me ‘child’ and asking me if I didn’t know what was going on. I assured him that I wouldn’t have asked if I had known. He laughed at me, or with me, I’m not sure which. Either way, its not important because he said that everyone was going to the fall festival.
A festival, an honest to goodness festival! It’s like a dream come true. I’ve never been to a festival before but oh I can imagine the splendor of it all! I know Madeline wouldn’t approve but I have to go see what it is all about. My stomach is doing little flips I’m so excited. Maybe Sal will be there.