Get Your Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

1

Get Your Fresh Squeezed Lemonade2

From the Mimi Fufu Storybook Collection3

by Mary O4

Walking in her front door, Mimi Fufu cried out,5

“Mommy, Mommy, may we please6

pick ripe lemons off our tree?”7

“What do you need lemons for, Honey?” 8

her mommy asked.9

“Simona and I want to make and sell lemonade.10

We found something cool at the variety store and 11

to buy it, we each need 12

two dollars and fifty cents more.”13

“My, oh my!14

What is it you two are so eager to buy?”15

“It’s a jewelry-making kit.16

With all the pretty beads and colored strings 17

we could make some really neat things.”18

“Well, in that case, 19

yes, you may.”20

At that, the girls jumped up and hollered, 21

“Hooray!”22

“I’ve got to hand it to you two,23

You have ingenuity.24

I’m very proud of you. 25

I’ll tell you what.26

I’ll go pick the lemons, you 27

wash your hands, then 28

each of you grab a vegetable scrubbing pad.”29

As the girls waited patiently at the kitchen sink, 30

their wondering minds began to think and think.31

“I hope we earn enough money selling lemonade32

to buy our beads.” said Simona.33

“We will,” said Mimi. “You just wait and see.34

Everyone will want to buy our lemonade, because35

our lemonade will be made from lemons picked 36

fresh off the tree.”37

“That’s right!” Simona exclaimed. “Fresh is best.38

Our lemonade will be the tastiest lemonade yet.”39

Just then, Mimi’s mommy walked in40

carrying a basket full of lemons.41

“Got your scrubbers poised and ready, girls?”42

“Poised and ready!” the girls replied,43

holding up their scrubbers with arms raised high.44

Eager to get started, the girls went right to work45

scrubbing each lemon clean46

to a bright yellow sheen.47

While Simona dried the lemons48

Mimi placed them one by one into49

a large wooden bowl.50

Then they began to question,51

“What should we wear tomorrow?”52

“Let’s wear aprons over our prettiest dresses,” 53

said Simona.54

“Okay,” said Mimi. “And just for fun55

we could both wear our hair up in a bun 56

and tie it with a yellow ribbon.”57

“That will be cool,” said Simona. 58

“We’ll need to dress up our lemonade stand, too.”59

“Oh, yes! So let’s make a list60

of all the things we’ll need to do,” said Mimi Fufu.61

While the girls made out their list of things to do,62

Mimi’s mommy looked around and 63

found an old five-gallon water crock,64

perfect for putting the sugared water into.65

She also found some tall unused party cups and 66

decided instead of napkins, a 67

roll of paper towels would do.68

“My mom’s work bench will make a perfect stand,” 69

said Mimi.70

“I can get an ice bucket for the ice and71

to keep us cool, we have a beach umbrella 72

that will look very nice,” said Simona.73

“Hey! We can cut out and color paper lemons 74

and tape them all around the sides,” said Mimi.75

“And, don’t forget. . . 76

we’ll need to make our signs,” said Simona.77

The next morning after breakfast,78

the girls made sure they looked their very best.79

“I do declare,” said Mimi’s mommy. 80

“Aren’t we a pretty pair?”81

“Thank you.” 82

“Thank you,” the girls replied, with 83

sweet smiles on their faces and 84

sparkles in their eyes.85

Now, with added confidence, 86

Mimi and Simona felt anxious to 87

start their new day and 88

get everything ready to sell lemonade.89

Going over the rest of their “to-do” list, Mimi said,90

“We’ll need to make our sugar-water first.91

I’ll pour the sugar into the crock filled with water 92

while you stir.” 93

Okay,” said Simona. 94

And she stirred and stirred. 95

“I think I added enough sugar,” said Mimi,96

“Let’s give it a taste.”97

“Needs more sugar,” they both complained,98

smacking their lips with each little sip. 99

“More sugar coming up,” said Mimi.100

Simona continued to stir101

while Mimi poured more sugar. 102

“Stop!” said Simona, “let’s test again.” 103

“Hm-m-m. . .good and sweet,” said Mimi.104

“Yum-m-m. . .tastes great!” said Simona. 105

“Now let’s sell lots of lemonade!”106

The girls busied themselves in the front yard,107

placing everything in just the right order.   108

For a final touch, 109

they posted their advertising signs110

inviting all passersby to stop and come over.111

Stepping back, the two little entrepreneurs 112

made a final inspection of their stand.113

Then, like an end to a performance, 114

Simona said, “Voila!” and 115

Mimi followed with, “Ta-da!”116

Ready for action, 117

Mimi poised her girly hands 118

one on each side of her mouth. 119

Then, taking a deep, deep breath, she shouted out, 120

“Get your fresh-squeezed lemonade! 121

25 cents a tall glass!”122

Simona chimed in shouting just the same, 123

“Get your fresh-squeezed lemonade!”124

Standing all tidy and clean125

with white aprons over their pretty dresses, and126

yellow ribbons tied up in their hair,127

the two little Fufus’ business 128

showed real professional flare.129

Their eyes did twinkle as they gleamed 130

with smiles from ear to ear131

anticipating the moment when132

their first customer would appear. 133

But as they waited134

minutes began to feel like hours, 135

and the air got hotter than hot.136

“Gee, I see lots of cars driving 137

right past our block,” said Mimi. 138

“Yea, this must not be a very good spot,” 139

said Simona.140

Just then the girls’ two brothers rode up, 141

screeching bike tires and leaving black skid marks.142

“Hey! Looks like your business isn’t doing so good,”143

said Mimi’s brother Gary; nicknamed “Hair Gare,” 144

because his hair stood straight up in the air. 145

“Yea, too bad,” Simona’s brother Jamar added.146

With arms crossed and hands on hips,147

the girls returned with a smirky smile and148

glaring eye squints. 149

“I know what your problem might be,” 150

Hair Gare continued.151

“Your stand is in the middle of a dead-end street. 152

How about letting Jamar and me take your signs? 153

We’ll ride around the end of the block and 154

point the way to let all the people know 155

where they can buy your lemonade.” 156

“Oh, would you please?” said Simona with 157

a sigh of relief. 158

“And we’ll make you each a 159

nice glass of lemonade for free,” said Mimi.160

With a glint in their eyes and great big smiles, 161

the two thirsty boys didn’t hesitate 162

about the girls’ offer for free lemonade. 163

As well, the girls will now have a chance164

to find out first hand 165

just how well their lemonade might sell.166

Simona put crushed ice into a cup.167

Then she pressed down the spigot button,168

filling the cup almost to the top.169

With a plastic glove to cover her hand,170

Mimi took one of lemon halves 171

her mommy had already sliced, and172

squeezed it, using a small plastic juicer.173

Then she took the lemon rind 174

with the freshly squeezed juice and 175

put them both into the cup filled176

with the sugar-water and ice.177

Holding a plastic cover on top of the cup178

Mimi shook and shook and 179

shook all the ingredients up.180

“Here you go, Hair Gare,” said Mimi Fufu,181

as she handed him the first cup.182

“Here’s one for you too, Jamar,” said Simona.183

“Wow! This is the best,” Hair Gare professed.184

“Makes me feel all cooled and refreshed.” 185

“Tastes great,” said Jamar, while wiping his face. 186

“Everyone will want to buy your lemonade.” 187

“Why, thank you,” the girls replied, 188

with chins held up high.189

Mimi Fufu and Simona smiled at each other190

as they watched the boys smacking their lips,191

knowing their lemonade was a great big hit. 192

With a final gulp and a swipe of their face,193

the boys hopped on their bikes and rode away.194

As they circled the end of the block 195

they shouted,196

“Get your fresh-squeezed lemonade. . .197

25 cents a tall glass.” 198

Soon, cars and trucks, with 199

smiling customers,200

turned up the street 201

to purchase a thirst-quenching glass 202

of the girls’ special lemonade treat.203

Even the neighbors came outside 204

when hearing the boys’ cries. 205

It all began to look like a block party206

while everyone sipped on lemonade and socialized. 207

The mailman returned for a second glass and said,208

“I’ve tasted a lot of lemonade in my time,209

but yours is by far the best lemonade yet.”210

The girls got so busy, their arms began to tire.211

But their work was to have a happy end, 212

so the brave little girls did not give in.213

With the final glass of lemonade sold, 214

the girls decided it was time to close.215

After cleaning and putting everything away,216

with anxious anticipation 217

they sat down to count their pay.218

“Wow! Looks like we did it,” said Simona.219

“Yes! We more than did it,” 220

said Mimi, counting the last bit of money. 221

“We have two dollars more than we need222

if you and I each take three.223

How about giving our brothers one dollar each224

for bringing all those customers up our street?”225

“Good idea. I agree,” said Simona.226

“They’ll be so happy and pleased.” 227

Yes, indeed, the boys were pleased 228

about the dollar they each received.229

Early the next day, 230

the girls ran down to the variety store.231

When they arrived, a closed sign hung on the door.232

“Oh, pooh, we’re too early,” said Mimi Fufu.233

So the girls’ waited. . .and waited. . . 234

and waited. 235

And while they waited. . . 236

they play-acted and dreamed about 237

necklaces and bracelets and 238

all the pretty things they would create with 239

their glamour beads and colored strings.240

“Won’t we look stunning in 241

our new costume jewelry?” asked Simona. 242

“Absolutely, my dear. . .simply gor-geous,” 243

said Mimi Fufu.244

As the girls continued primping245

at their reflection in the store window, they heard 246

the klunk-klunk of a door latch.247

“Welcome girls,” said Mrs. Milton-the store owner,248

as she opened the doors. 249

“Yipee-e!” the girls squealed with glee.250

Then they dashed through the store to finally 251

purchase their well-earned reward.252

What did you think? Please comment!

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    : Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have 0. (?) (Line numbers)
    Ratings: