Please Pass the Mustard
By Madison N. Ball
Steam flew out as Carlos got a hot dog from the steamer to put on a bun. The customer was waiting for the mouthwatering treat. Carlos asked the customer what he wanted on his hot dog and the little boy answered, “Please pass the mustard.” This scene was repeated everyday on Tommy’s way home from school. Today, however, would be the last time Carlos and Tommy would be meeting like this; it was the last day of school before summer vacation. Tommy and Carlos had become good friends over their chats at the hot dog stand each day. In fact, most of the folks in the town were friends with Carlos too. Everybody loved his hot dogs and friendly greetings. As Tommy walked away, he hugged Carlos and said, “See you in the fall!”
The night before the first day of school, Tommy wasn’t sure if he was more excited to see his new class or have a hot dog with Carlos. When school finally ended Tommy ran to see Carlos, but was alarmed when he arrived at the familiar spot and Carlos was not there. In the spot where Carolos’s hot dog stand usually sat was a new fancy restaurant. Tommy looked up and down the street for Carolos, but he was nowhere to be found. He felt terrified that he may never see Carolos again or eat his mouthwatering hot again. Day after day he went looking for his friend after school, but never found him.
When Tommy talked with his dad, he told Tommy that the new restaurant had probably put Carolos out of business. This made Tommy so sad. He knew Carlos needed this job to provide for his family. Something had to be done to help Carlos!
The next day, for his mother’s birthday, Tommy’s family went to the new fancy restaurant for dinner. This was not a happy meal for Tommy, all he could think about was Carlos and how this restaurant had made him loose his job.
Suddenly, the lights went off. The entire restaurant had lost its power. After a while people started getting hungry, and hungry people get frustrated; they wanted to eat. Tommy looked out the window and to his surprise saw Carlos walking by with his hot dog stand. He jumped up and ran out the door after Carlos. The two friends hugged and enjoyed a hot dog together. The people inside the fancy restaurant saw Tommy eating and they joined him at the hot dog stand. You could hear people saying things like, “This is the best hot dog I’ve ever had, “,“I have missed this place!” and “Hey, why don’t you open up your stand again?” It was decided right then and there that Carlos would open his hot dog stand again.
The following Monday, after school, Tommy ran to the hot dog stand and shouted, “Hey Carlos, please pass the mustard!”
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