The Flagpole Secret — Beneath the tall showcase arch, Rory bounced on his toes while drums went rat-a-tat and brass horns flashed in the sun. Read the full story →
Beneath the tall showcase arch, Rory bounced on his toes while drums went rat-a-tat and brass horns flashed in the sun. He wanted to be first to see the big flag rise beside Lady Liberty’s torch, so he held his spot by the pole while dancers twirled, eagles swooped over the plaza, and warm pretzel smell drifted past. “Not yet,” whispered the flag keeper, smiling. Rory waited, counting stars on the banner, then stars on the pavement, then the slow silver clicks of the rope.
At last the keeper tugged, and the flag rolled upward with a snap like a sail catching wind. Something tiny fluttered from the hollow top of the pole: a folded paper star, hidden where nobody had looked. Inside was a note from last year’s children: Thank you for waiting for the best part. Rory laughed, tucked his own red crayon star beside it, and watched the stripes ripple over the plaza. Next time you see that tall pole, can you imagine the secret waiting at the top?
