Just then, a merry whistling caught his attention. “Hello,” boomed a cheerful voice. “I’m here for some juggling balls.” It was Jolly Solly. He looked at Tully’s face. “Is everything all right, Tully?”

Tully smiled weakly at Jolly Solly. “Not really,” he sighed. “Why don’t we go into the back and talk… if you have time, that is?”

“Always have time for a friend,” replied the clown.

In no time at all, Jolly Solly was making rapid phone calls, trying to sort things out. He turned to Tully, looking grim.

“It is Mr. Ingleton,” he declared. “Your order includes milk chocolate coins. He claims he needs to make sure the milk comes from cows that meet all safety regulations. Ridiculous, of course, as the farms have their own inspectors.”

Tully groaned.

“But wait!

I have an idea.”

The clown’s idea was complicated, but there didn’t seem to be any other way. He would track down the safety certificates from the farm that supplied the milk. He would then take the certificates to the delivery company, and get Tully’s box released immediately.

The clown decided to take some companions on the long drive: Gimpel the goat, and Tuki the parrot. He borrowed Eli’s van for the trip. When they arrived, Jolly Solly hopped out. He looked at the piles of boxes everywhere. How would he know which was Tully’s?

“Gimpel! Chocolate!” he called. The goat, who had a keen sense of smell, took a deep sniff. Without hesitation he headed for a box at the far end. Sure enough, a label on it stated “Tully’s Toy Shop.”

“Good job, Gimpel!” exclaimed the clown. “Now, back into the van. I’ll go and find Bert.”

But oh, dear. As he headed toward the office, who should come out with Bert but Mr. Ingleton?

“All in order,” declared the clown, waving the certificates. “I’m here to collect the delivery for Tully’s Toy Shop.”

Mr. Ingleton scowled. “Excuse me, but this is most irregular. You turned up out of the blue. Why, it’ll take days to locate—”

“It’s all right; I know exactly where it is.”

“Well, so you claim, but —  I say, what’s that?”

Mr. Ingleton looked around suspiciously. There was a yapping sound. He disliked all animals, but worst of all, in his opinion, were small yappy dogs. Pop-pop-pop! Someone was setting off fireworks as well. This made him even more nervous; the fireworks were sure to unsettle the dog.

“I’ve — er — gotta leave now,” he said nervously. “Look, just take your box and go!”

Hiding a grin, Jolly Solly quickly grabbed the box and loaded it into the van. Then he zoomed off.

In the back, Tuki puffed his chest out proudly: “Yap-yap! Pop-pop-pop!”

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 888)