Tully closed the door with a firm click, and looked around him in dismay. What a disaster! How would he ever get the place back to rights? And even if he did, it surely wouldn’t be before Rosh Hashanah, which meant he would lose out on all the pre-Yom Tov trade. Nobody would be interested in toy shofars or apple-and-honey kits after Rosh Hashanah. Tully put his head into his hands.

Dimly, he heard the door jangle as a new customer came in. Tully didn’t even look up. He had nothing to offer; the place was a disaster zone.

Somebody was gently humming a tune. Tully raised his head, about to give an earful to whoever it was, when he spotted his dear friend Jolly Solly, with a look of deep concern on his face.

“I heard about what happened, and I’m here to help,” declared the clown.

“But what can you do?” asked Tully despairingly. “It’s not something you can put right with one of your clever tricks. It needs a whole team of people to sort out.”

The clown listened sympathetically.

“Well, while I don’t have a team of people, I do have some great helpers. By hook or by crook, we’re going to get you back on track!”

Jolly Solly’s phone pinged, and he flung the shop door open. In marched Eli the animal trainer, with an excited Tuki perched on his shoulder, and Manny the monkey following behind. The clown locked the door behind them to prevent anyone else from entering.

As Tully watched in astonishment, the clown started scooping up the items from the window display — most of which were, fortunately, intact — juggling them in the air, and then releasing them. Tully was amazed to see how each item ended unerringly in its place.

Eli directed Tuki and Manny in putting the other items back on the shelves. There was a slight hitch when Manny spotted a toy banana and tried to bite it. Tuki gave him a warning peck and screeched like an express train. Eli had to quickly step in to restore order, but things went smoothly after that, and soon the store looked good as new. The mechanical mouse was tucked safely away behind the counter.

Tully was tearfully thanking Jolly Solly and Eli, when he heard a commotion outside the store. He stared in astonishment. Why, there were hordes of customers crowding around outside! It looked like the whole town had come to see the clown and his helpers in action. With a flourish, Jolly Solly opened the door. Tully quickly took his place behind the till, and queues immediately formed for what soon turned out to be the busiest day ever for the toy shop.

Jolly Solly and Eli grinned at each other as they made their way out of the store. Manny waved cheekily goodbye at the delighted customers, while Tuki puffed out his chest proudly.

“Hip, hip, hooray!” he screeched.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 876)