Jasmine’s Big Idea
Terrific Teamwork
The four girls are heading inside the adopt-a-cat trailer when Mrs. Wallace flags them down. She breathlessly explains that there’s a long line at the petting zoo, and maybe they could help out. Jasmine and her friends eagerly change course. The animal handlers at the petting zoo wave them over past the line of families. They tell the girls to just make sure everyone is happy while they’re waiting in line, and to ensure everyone leaves the roped area after they’ve had their turn.
Together, the four girls work as a team. Madison helps move the line forward by handing out cups of food pellets to the kids who want to feed the goats and sheep. Keiko snaps pictures of the kids petting the ducklings. Jasmine tells the kids a little bit about each animal and ushers them out when they’re done. Sofia helps the younger kids climb on and off the Shetland pony before and after their rides. Sofia even cleans up after the pony and holds the lead rope while the handler lifts kids on and off. Jasmine can see Sofia’s parents watching from a distance, and they look impressed.
Soon, the line at the petting zoo dwindles. The girls are dismissed. Then, Mr. Wallace steps up to the stage, and announces it’s time for the raffle. A crowd of folks head to the stage. Mrs. Wallace and Jasmine’s mother are standing on the stage behind Mr. Wallace, holding a large glass bowl full of tiny red tickets. Mrs. Wallace taps the microphone, and tells everyone to get out their raffle tickets.
Mrs. Wallace slowly calls out the number of the winning ticket: one-three-five-eight. A girl near the front yelps, and climbs onto the stage, where she’s given movie tickets and a tub of popcorn. Then, Mrs. Wallace calls another number and gives away tickets to a baseball game. Lastly, Mrs. Wallace calls one more number, and Sofia’s mom sheepishly steps forward to accept a prize from a local pet store: a dog bed, a water and food dish, a shiny dog collar, a bag of food, and a brush. She whispers to Mrs. Wallace that she doesn’t even have a dog.
Jasmine thinks it’s a sign, but Keiko mutters that it’s a coincidence. Sofia, rubbing her hands together happily, says it’s perfect. One more reason for her to get a dog someday.
Once the fanfare dies down, Mrs. Wallace thanks everyone for coming out for the day to support Rosa’s Refuge. Thanks to the community, they’ve raised the money they needed to expand the shelter! The entire crowd lets out whoops, cheers, and applause. Mrs. Wallace thanks her friend for providing the animals for the petting zoo, and El Coquí Café for the food. And of course, she thanks the volunteers for all of their help. But especially, she thanks the four most dedicated volunteers: Madison, Keiko, Sofia, and Jasmine. Thanks to their decorations and posters, many of their furry friends may have found forever homes.
At the urging of the crowd, the four girls make their way onto the stage. It feels amazing. But it feels even better to know that they’d helped so many animals.
The next week, Jasmine, Sofia, Keiko, and Madison are at the shelter bright and early in the morning. After their shift, Jasmine announces she has a surprise for Madison. They wanted to get Madison a real welcome present so she’ll always feel like she belongs. Jasmine hands over a small box wrapped in glossy paper. Keiko can barely contain her excitement as Madison peels away the paper. Inside is a small silver chain with a kitten charm engraved with her name. It’s the same type of charm the other girls wear.
Squealing, Madison puts it on. Now, they’re all best friends furever. As Jasmine watches Madison slip the necklace over her head, she feels like the luckiest girl in town. Not only did she help the animal shelter, but she also found a new friend—one who loves animals as much as she does.