Wukong and the Big Red Truck

A big red truck rolled by.
“Look at those wheels!”
Wukong’s tail went BOING!

At the station, Ben waved.
“Come and have a look!”
Wukong had
so many questions.

“Why the big boots?”
“They help protect my feet.”
Wukong looked at his shoes.
“Mine are only squeaky!”

Ben lent him a clean play hat.
It slipped over his eyebrows.
“Do firefighters need eyes?”
“Very much!” laughed Ben.

Ben showed his special mask.
“It helps me breathe
clean air.”
His voice sounded funny.

“Still me!” said Ben.
Wukong waved back.
“Hello, funny-voice Ben!”

“Is that a giant noodle?”
“A hose!” said Ben.
“It carries water.”

Ben held the hose.
Whoooosh went the water.
One tiny drop kissed
Wukong’s nose.

“And the ladder?”
“It helps us reach up high.”
Wukong stayed down below.
His tail reached up.

Then Ben showed an alarm.
“Beep! Beep! Beep!”
“That sound is a warning.”

“If it beeps, go outside.”
They practiced the way out.
“Then stay outside,” said Ben.

They chose a meeting tree.
“Count noses!” said Wukong.
Pigsy counted his twice.

Wukong thanked Ben.
“Big truck. Big job.
Big kind heart.”

At home, his toy truck went
wee-oo… wee-oo…
Then quieter.
Then… shhh.

He tucked in his toy truck.
“Goodnight, helpers.”
The whole room felt quiet.
So did he.