Not all of the Bagel Boys' neighbors were nasty folk. One, in particular, was quite friendly and nice to them. His name was Barton Baguette, and he was much older than any of the Bagel Kids. He was so old that he even had a girl friend, Barbara Beignet. He lived just two houses down the hill.
Barton would always smile and greet the Bagel Boys when they were rolling around on the porch, or playing near their front steps. He went off to school everyday, except on weekends, on his red bicycle and sometimes, on Saturdays, he would give the Bagel Boys rides around the block.
One sunny Saturday, Barton was sitting out in front of his house, busily cleaning his bicycle. It was very important to him, not only for school, but also for his magazine route. Once a week he delivered the Liberty Weekly to customers all over the neighborhood, even `way down to the end of the hill, six blocks away.
But today was collection day, and Barton was getting ready to visit all his customers to collect the money they owed him for the magazines he had delivered to them over the past month. It was an important day for Barton, because he had almost saved up enough money to buy his very first automobile.
While Barton was polishing the handlebars of his bike, Egg Bagel rolled over to him and asked if he would give him and Onion Bagel a ride around the block. Barton agreed, and Egg Bagel waved to Onion Bagel to join him. After Barton helped the two Bagel Boys up onto the handle bars of his bike, he started the trip around the block.
What great fun for the Bagel Boys as Barton peddled his bike very fast. Egg Bagel pretended he was in a truck, and started making truck noises. Onion Bagel liked airplanes, so he tried to sound like an airplane engine.
They were almost back to Barton's
house when, suddenly, there was a loud noise, and the bike swerved
and stopped. Barton got off his bike, looked at it, and became
very upset. Both tires were flat. The bike had run over some broken
glass."What am I going to do now," cried Barton. "I must collect my magazine money today, and I have no other tires." He sat on his front steps, looking very upset, indeed.
The two Bagel Boys wanted to help their friend, Barton. After all, if they had not asked him for the ride around the block, he would not have ruined the tires on his bike.
Finally, Egg Bagel said. "I have an idea. Onion Bagel and I can help you get around to your customers on your bike." Barton looked surprised. "How can you help me? You don't have any spare bike tires." "True, said Egg Bagel. But if you take those wheels off your bike, Onion Bagel and I will take their place. You can peddle the bike, and we will be your wheels."
And that is what happened.
As Barton peddled the bike from customer to customer to collect his money, Egg and Onion Bagel became his wheels. The bike got all the way around Barton's route. Barton was very happy, and the two Bagel Boys were delighted that they could help their friend.
But now, night has fallen on the little house near the top of the hill, and the time has come for you and the Bagel Boys to go to sleep.
