The Dancing Dolly

by: Denise Landry

  Long ago at the Dolly Store, all of the dollies in the store came alive each night. They would come together and play and laugh until the store opened again in the morning.  The fun always was led by the pretty doll, Annabelle and her floppy, rag doll friend Ragmop.

  One night, Annabelle saw a new dolly in the store.  She and Ragmop went to introduce themselves to her.

Hello, I am Annabelle, and this is Ragmop, she announced. What is your name?
  The dolly’s name tag said: ŒCalliope but the dolly said nothing to them.
  Look, Calliope has a pull string in back. Maybe it helps her talk, noticed Ragmop. Pull it, Annabelle!
  Annabelle pulled the string. Calliope got ready to talk, but still said nothing.
  Her voice box must be broken. Let’s go, Ragmop. Annabelle said.
  Calliope can come play with us? suggested Ragmop.
  Annabelle walked away, Can’t see how.  She can’t talk to us.
  I’ll come see you later Calliope. Ragmop whispered, flopping behind Annabelle.
  When Ragmop came back, she helped lonely Calliope to her feet and they went walking around the store.  Soon, they came upon a table with toys.  Calliope found a toy, talking computer. She to dance on some computer keys, making the computer spell and say, Hello.
  Wow, Calliope! You found a way to talk! Ragmop cheered. We got to show Annabelle. Ragmop ran to get Annabelle.  Suddenly, she flopped off table and fell into a cardboard box.
  Calliope rushed to get Annabelle’s help.   She found Annabelle asking some dollies, ³Has anybody seen Ragmop lately?
  Calliope started pulling Annabelle¹s arm, trying to make her go with her.
  What do you want?! complained Annabelle. Calliope kept pulling, so Annabelle finally said, Ok I’m coming!
  Annabelle followed Calliope to the table and talking computer. Calliope began dancing on computer keys, confusing Annabelle.
  Ragmop fell into the box. Calliope typed out, pointing down.
  Annabelle looked down and saw Ragmop waving up at her inside the box. Annabelle found a big jump rope, and her and Calliope pulled Ragmop out.
  Thanks for the rescue, Calliope Ragman and Annabelle both said.
  You’re welcome. Calliope spelled out.
  Great idea, using the computer to tell Annabelle what happened, said Ragmop. Maybe you should show the other dollies your computer.
  Annabelle agreed, Yeah! I’ll help you push your computer over to our friends!
  They all pushed the computer towards the dollies. Dollies saw them and gathered around with wonder.
  Hello everyone! I am Calliope! Calliope danced out.
  Everybody cheered and started to talk to Calliope all night. And every night after that the dollies continued having fun and laugh with friends Annabelle, Ragmop and, Calliope happily dancing her talking computer