T
he people in Sunny Lane were fast asleep — except for Mr. Faigelbaum, that is. In the dead of night, he was loading a suitcase into the trunk of his car. A minute later, he jumped into the driver’s seat and zoomed off. After all, he had a plane to catch — and a mission to fulfil!

Back in the Faigelbaum home, all was quiet. Mrs. Faigelbaum had said goodbye to her husband earlier on, and now she and Efraim were both peacefully asleep.

In the morning, Efraim woke at the usual time and was dressed by his mother. Then it was time for breakfast.

“Where’s Daddy?” he asked, surprised not to see his father at the breakfast table.

“Daddy’s not here right now,” Mommy replied, and quickly changed the subject. “Why don’t you have some of your favorite cereal?”

But Efraim was not so easily distracted.

“When Daddy comin’ home?” he persisted.

“Oh, maybe later,” responded Mrs. Faigelbaum vaguely.

Efraim finished his breakfast silently. He missed seeing his father. Even though Mr. Faigelbaum was usually busy perusing birdwatching manuals while he ate, there was often time for a quick game of peek-a-boo before he left for the day.

Efraim was playing in the kitchen somewhat listlessly, when the telephone rang. Efraim couldn’t tell who it was on the other end of the line, but what his mother said made him prick up his ears immediately.

“Oh, my husband isn’t here,” declared Mrs. Faigelbaum. “He’s gone away on some important rescue mission to do with birds. He’s all the way in…”

Efraim wasn’t sure what some of the big words like “rescue” or “mission” meant, but one thing seemed pretty clear. His Daddy had gone away! Without telling him! He strained to hear the rest of the conversation.

“He’ll be away for three or four days,” Mrs. Faigelbaum prattled on. She was interrupted by a sudden noise.

“What’s that?” she wondered in surprise. “Uh oh. It’s Efraim. I’d better go.”

Efraim had had enough, and had launched into a full-blown tantrum.

“Waaaaaaaaah! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” he yelled, kicking and thrashing about on the floor.

In vain Mrs. Faigelbaum tried to calm him down. She even offered him a lollipop, but he wasn’t interested.

A minute later there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Faigelbaum could make out the face of her neighbor Mr. Krankowitz, and he did not look happy.

“Good morning,” she greeted the old man politely.

“Good morning? What do you mean ‘good morning’?! It’s a rotten morning, that’s what it is. I can’t hear myself think with all that racket coming from your house.”

“Er, sorry about that,” apologized Mrs. Faigelbaum.

“Not half as sorry as I am!” growled the old man. “Get the child to stop!”

Mrs. Faigelbaum raised her hands in a despairing gesture.

“I wish I could.”

The old man glared at the flailing, shrieking little boy. Why, if Jolly Solly were here, he would sort things out in a jiffy. But he’d seen the clown driving off just a short while ago.

An idea dawned in Mr. Krankowitz’s mind. Maybe he could copy some of the clown’s tricks!

(Excerpted from Mishpacha Jr., Issue 754)