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by Linda McKenna Hohertz (Author)
Let me introduce myself. My name is Dewey Alowishus.
My story begins with my name, which is in the title of the story. My mama said that before she gave birth to me and my brothers and sisters, she went out one morning and saw the beautiful glistening dew on the grass. Right then, she decided that one of her babies would be named Dewey. Then, later as she was just finishing work on her nest to have her babies, she looked up into the sky as darkness approached and saw a dazzling, shooting star. She closed her eyes and made a wish as she knew this was a good sign. Later when I was born, she told me that my name Dewey came from the dew, Al came from my father, and owish came from oh wish upon a star whenever you look up into the sky.
As time went by living on the farm where I was born, I began to think and dream about the world beyond the farm. I went about my chores and played with my brothers and sisters, but in my heart, I knew there was so much more of life for me to live and find out about. So instead of curiosity getting the cat, it got the mouse! I waited for the opportunity to go on an adventure, and it came.
The McAffees, who owned the farm along with the grandmother, were loading the truck to leave the farm. I did not know where they were going, but I got my backpack ready and scurried up the tire of the truck running under Grandma's legs. Away we went! It was so exciting when we stopped and got out. I could never have imagined what was before my eyes and what I would experience that day. It turned out to be Kemah Boardwalk on the Gulf of Mexico.
This was a huge boardwalk on the water with all kinds of amusement rides, games, and food. My tiny legs ran keeping secretly behind the McAffees and Grandma to experience it all. My heart leaped as I rode all of the rides, and my tummy screamed in delight at the mouthwatering delicious food I ate. The games were awesome, and the miles and miles of water in front of me were nothing like the ponds back home.
At the end of our day, I scurried under Grandma's legs, but she spotted me and yelled, throwing her legs up on the dashboard of the truck. But they never found mel When we got home, I knew I was in for trouble from my mom. But I did leave her a note even though I knew she would be mad. I scampered down the truck tire when they opened the door. As I was running toward my home with night's edge in front of me, I looked up into the sky. The first thing I saw was a brilliant, shining, shooting star. I closed my little eyes and wished that Kemah Bay would not be my last adventure. At that moment, my mama's voice popped into my head saying, "Remember Dewey Alowishus, you will be lucky and your wishes will come true as I wished upon a star when I had you!"
