I Like to Go on Bus Trips! A short children's story

Pic: John Braga© 2005

Story by Willhemina Wahlin © 2005

I like to go on bus trips. I think they’re really fun.
I often go on bus trips with my Dad or my Mum.

I’ve gone to many places, both near and far.
The bus is always way more fun than a silly old car!

It takes a while to get ready (Mum usually forgets some things).
We bring a pack with drinks & snacks and lots of other things.

We run and puff to the bus stop, BUT LOOK! The bus just left!
We missed it and now we have to wait for the next one, I guess.

I sit down next to Mummy, she says, “Let’s look at what goes by,
I’m sure there are many funny things we’d have missed if we were on time.”

Just then an old a man appeared, walking with two dogs,
One had a tail as long as I’m tall, and the other was as green as a frog!

Here they come, down the street, each with a silly walk.
The man turned to wave at me, and the dogs, well they could talk!

The green dog said, “Missed the bus I see! How lucky for you, it’s true.
I may have never met you, if you had have found your shoe.

I’ll send a message to Pappy, and George, Spot and Blue.
They play in the park each morning, and they’d love to play with you!”

I said goodbye to the little green dog, and thanked him for his time,
Although I’m not quite sure his message will reach the park on time.

Next came a beautiful lady, who stood seven feet two inches high!
She was all dressed in white, with a Cockatoo by her side.

The bird said, “Missed the bus, I see, well that will do just fine!
I’ll tell my friends all about you, now that you’re a friend of mine!

They live in the biggest gum tree, by the river in the park,
And they will be very glad to see the snacks that you have brought!

A big boy came to the bus stop next, with a school bag on his back
He had a ferret in his pocket, who wore a cricket hat!

“I say, my jolly fellow”, the ferret said to me.
“It’s just as well you missed that bus, as far as I can see.

I hear the park is alive with friends, all waiting for you there,
I have a brother, I’ll let him know you will be there with time to spare.

Finally the bus is coming! Mum waves it down.
It stops just in time for us to see the driving clown!

“Where to?” asks the driver. “Honk, Honk,” goes his nose.
“To the park, please”, says my Mum, and off the bus goes.

On the way we pass the boy with the ferret, who tips his hat,
The tall lady and the cockatoo, his wings waving with a flap.

And last of all the talking dogs yell, “Woof!” as the bus goes by,
They’re leading the old man along, who waves me goodbye.

Who would have thought that being late could bring so many new friends?
I’ll never complain about missing the bus ever, ever again.