Clarence and the Invisible Bicycle

Clarence the monkey was excited. He was “swinging-from-branch-to-branch” excited. He was going on a play date with his three best friends in the whole world. He could hardly wait.

He peeked out his tree house window and spotted them waiting at the top of Spruce Rise.

There was Wilbur the mouse with his blue bicycle, Denny the salamander with their purple bicycle, and Vera the rabbit with her Red Hot Roadster.

“Look!” called Wilbur. “Here comes Clarence with... well, I'm not sure.”

Clarence was struggling to walk up the hill. It was like he was pushing something, but they couldn't tell what it was.

“Is he pushing a shopping cart?” asked Vera.

“Maybe it's a wheelbarrow,” suggested Wilbur.

“I don't know,” said Denny. “I don't see anything.”

“Wait!” exclaimed Vera. “Is that an invisible bicycle? That's awesome!”

Indeed, it did look like Clarence was pushing an invisible bicycle.

“What colour is it?” Wilbur asked.

“Um....” said Clarence.

“Don't be silly,” said Vera, “it's invisible coloured.”

“Does it have streamers?” Denny asked.

“Ah...” said Clarence.

“Of course it has streamers,” said Vera. “All the cool bikes have streamers.” She turned to Clarence wide-eyed, “Do you think I could ride your bike, Clarence?”

“Well...” Clarence paused, uncertain.

“I know my brand new Red Hot Roadster isn't as amazing,” Vera continued, “but it's still a lot of fun.”

“It's just...” Clarence tried again.

“Pleeeaaassseee.” Vera begged.

“Now Vera,” Wilbur said, “Clarence doesn't need to trade if he doesn't want to.”

“Ok... Mom,” Vera looked away and kicked at the ground. “Sorry Clarence,” she said looking up, “it's just your bike is soooo cool!”

“It's all good,” said Clarence. “Now, are we going to ride, or what?”

The four friends lined up at the top of the hill.

“Ready, Set, Bike!” Denny shouted as they led the way down the twisting path. Wilbur went second. Vera went third. Clarence went last.

Denny, Wilbur, and Vera all reached the first rest point well ahead of Clarence, who showed up pushing his invisible bicycle again.

“Is there something wrong with your bike?” Wilbur asked.

“Obviously invisible bikes are just too slow and heavy,” Vera teased.

“Maybe you should go first next time to set the pace for the rest of us,” Denny suggested.

“Don't worry about me,” Clarence laughed. “I like being last.”

“Good, because that's where you'll stay with your un-amazing bike,” Vera pointed out.

After they finished eating a snack and drinking some water they got ready to ride again. Vera took off first on her Red Hot Roadster. Wilbur went second again. Denny went third. Clarence waited until everyone had gone and then jumped up into the trees, swinging from branch to branch.

“How's it going back there?” called Denny. Clarence was silent. Denny looked over their shoulder, the path was empty. No Clarence.

They stopped and turned around and waited... and waited. Clarence couldn't be seen at all.

“Clarence? Are you okay?”

Denny started riding back along the trail.

“Clarence!”

“Up here.” Clarence called back. He dropped to the ground sheepishly.

“Where's your bicycle?” Denny asked.

“I don't have one,” Clarence said, looking at the ground.

“So you pretended to have an invisible bicycle?”

“Yeah. I didn't want to miss the bike ride, and I didn't want you all to laugh at me.”

“I'm sorry, Clarence,” Denny said. “We would never laugh at you.”

“That's what you say now,” Clarence said. “Anyway, I'm sorry for lying. I feel ashamed. I think I'll go home now.”

Clarence jumped back into the trees and swung away.

“Where's Clarence?” Wilbur asked when Denny reached the rest stop.

Denny told the others about Clarence and his made-up invisible bicycle.

“Poor Clarence,” said Vera sadly. “I was jealous and rude, but he just wanted to hang out. I wonder if there's something we can do for him.”

The three friends sat to ponder how they could help Clarence feel better.

“I have an idea!” Vera exclaimed. She told the others all about her plan.

The next day Clarence was surprised by his friends standing outside his tree house with their bikes.

“What's going on?” he asked.

Vera stepped aside to show off another green bicycle.

“I got my Red Hot Roadster when I outgrew the Mean Greenie,” Vera explained. “But you're about the right size for it.”

“It just needs a new chain,” Wilbur added.

“Which we have right here,” Denny smiled as they held out a new bike chain.

“This bike is for me?” Clarence asked.

“Once it's all fixed up,” Vera said. “Let's get to work.”

Together the four friends put the new chain on the Mean Greenie. They even gave it a good wash and scrub. When they were done the bike sparkled and shone like new.

Clarence also felt sparkly and shiny. There was a warm glow that started from his belly-button and spread throughout his whole body. These really were the best friends ever.

Clarence danced around his new bicycle. “You are the best friends!”

The next time they gathered for a bike ride, Clarence eagerly waited with the Mean Greenie for all his friends to arrive. He sat tall and proud on his bike, smiling at Denny, Wilbur and Vera.

“All good to go,” Denny stated.

“Ok then,” Clarence nodded. Then he shouted, “Ready, Set, Bike!” And they took off together from the top of Spruce Rise.