“My dollies! Don’t want them to disappear! And where’s my furry jacket and my Bingo game?!”

The airport was very busy, and the workers very tired.

“Madam, your suitcase is too heavy,” the check-in clerk said. He was speaking to a lady with a little girl. “You need to remove some items or pay a fee.”

The lady spread her hands helplessly. “But I checked the weight before I left home. It looked alright. And really, I don’t know what I can take out. Most of the items inside belong to my little girl, Sara.”

Sara gave the clerk a sweet, dimpled smile.

“It’s true. I’ve got my three best dollies in there, and my new Bingo game. Oh, and my new furry winter jacket.”

The clerk was unmoved. He tapped on his computer for a few moments. Then he said, “That will be $50 extra, madam.”

The lady paled.

“But I can’t… I don’t…” She opened the case and rummaged inside, looking for a solution.

Suddenly, there was a commotion nearby. Everybody seemed to be looking at the airport entrance. The children in the lines pointed excitedly.

“Look! A clown,” said a boy. “I wonder if he does tricks?”

“Look at his hat,” said another boy, impressed.

“He’s doing a somersault! What’s he gonna do with his bag? Hey, look at that! He’s walking on his hands, carrying his bag with his legs!”

An old lady with twinkling eyes was following behind the clown.

“Be careful, Shloimele,” she warned him. “There’s a freshly baked kokosh cake in that bag. It’s for your sick aunt, and I don’t want it crushed.”