Zippy was getting impatient.

It seemed like it had taken for ever for his family to finally get ready and out of the house. Now they were all waiting up by the road for him and Trudge, but where was Trudge? He was supposed to be ready, especially today. Today they were going to the carnival together. They had planned to leave early so they could get around to all the rides and amusements by the end of the daybut he couldnt see Trudge anywhere. Where on earth could he be?

Ligeirinho estava ficando impaciente. Parecia que os seus pais e irmos estavam demorando uma eternidade para se arrumarem e sarem de casa. Agora todos estavam perto da estrada esperando por ele e Vagarildo, mas por onde andava o Vagarildo? Era para ele estar pronto, principalmente hoje. Iriam todos juntos ao parque de diverses. Tinham planejado sair de casa cedo para poderem ir em todos os brinquedos e fazerem de tudo, mas ele no encontrava o Vagarildo. Onde ser que ele se meteu?

A lily-pad began to move, and a couple of seconds later, Trudges head popped out from under the water.

Uma Vitria-rgia comeou a se mexer, e poucos segundos depois a cabecinha de Vagarildo emergiu da gua.

Oh, hi Zippy! Uh-oh! Trudge saw the expression on Zippys face, and suddenly realized that he was supposed to be all ready to go when his friend arrived. Im so sorry, Zippy. I was having so much fun taking my morning swim that I forgot what time it was, he said as he climbed out of the water. Oh, thats all right, Trudge, Zippy said, trying not to show his impatience. We all forget sometimesand theres still a whole day ahead of us. Come on! Everyone is waiting for us. My dad and mom want to talk to all of us first before we go.

- Oi, Ligeirinho! Iihh! Vagarildo viu a cara de Ligeirinho e logo percebeu que j deveria estar pronto quando o amigo chegou. -Sinto muito, Ligeirinho. Eu estava me divertindo tanto no meu banho matinal que esqueci da hora - disse ele saindo da gua. - Tudo bem, Vagarildo - disse Ligeirinho tentando no demonstrar sua impacincia. Todos ns nos esquecemos das coisas s vezes, mas ainda temos um dia inteiro pela frente. Vamos l! Todos esto nos esperando. Meus pais querem falar conosco antes de irmos.

Trudge was a turtle. He had a spotted green and yellow shell.

Vagarildo uma tartaruga. Ele tem um casco malhado de verde e amarelo. Ligeirinho, seu amigo, no tem cores to fortes e vistosas como Vagarildo. Ligeirinho cinza, com pelos curtos, umas orelhinhas bem bonitinhas e um rabinho meio enrolado. Ele um camundongo do campo, e mora perto da lagoa de Vagarildo. Eles so timos amigos e brincam juntos todos os dias. Vagarildo mora com sua velha av, e a simptica famlia de camundongos o "adotou".

Zippy, his friend, wasnt as bright and colorful as Trudge. Zippy was a dull gray color, with short fur, cute little ears, and a wiry tail. Zippy was a field mouse, and he lived near Trudges pond. They were best friends and played together every day. Trudge lived with his old grandmother, and the friendly mouse family had sort of adopted him.

Now listen, children, Papa Mouse began when Trudge finally reached the road. The forest and carnival area will be packed with animals today. The rides and amusements are all over the place, so it will be very easy to get turned around and even lost in the crowds, confusion and crisscross of forest trails. Lets agree to meet up again at four oclock in the main clearing by Shadow Rock. I have drawn out a little map of the forest and carnival grounds for you to have. Mama has written your names and address on a slip of paper, as well as where and when we are to meet, just in case any of you have trouble and need to ask someone for help in finding us.

Prestem ateno, crianas comeou o Papai Camundongo, depois que Vagarildo finalmente chegou. - O bosque e o parque vo estar cheios de animais hoje. H brinquedos espalhados por todos os cantos, ento vai ser muito fcil perder a direo ou at se perder por completo no meio da confuso e de tantas trilhas no bosque. Vamos combinar nos encontrarmos s quatro horas na clareira principal perto da Pedra Preta. Eu fiz um mapinha do bosque e do parque para cada um de vocs. A mame colocou num pedacinho de papel o nome e o endereo de cada um, e tambm o lugar e a hora quando devemos nos encontrar, caso algum de vocs fique em apuros e precise pedir ajuda a algum para nos encontrar.

Hop on! said Trudge to his small friend. Once Zippy was seated, Trudge set off at what seemed like a jog to him. Plonk, plonk! Plonk, plonk! Zippy lay back and looked up at the fluffy little clouds overhead as he rocked gently back and forth on Trudges back. He soon fell fast asleep dreaming of a delicious, giant cheesecake.

-Pode montar! - disse Vagarildo ao amiguinho. Depois que Ligeirinho se acomodou, Vagarildo partiu numa lenta caminhada "acelerada", pelo menos era a impresso que ele tinha. Plonkt, plonkt! Plonkt, plonkt! Plonkt, plonkt!
Ligeirinho recostou-se e ficou observando as nuvens fofinhas l em cima, enquanto era embalado de mansinho no casco de Vagarildo. Logo caiu no sono, sonhando com uma fatia deliciosa e gigantesca de torta de ricota.

Zippy awoke to the sounds of shouting, cheers and clapping. They had arrived at the carnival.
Well, were here, Zippy, Trudge announced. OOOOhh! This is soooo excitingisnt it, Trudge? Zippy said, leaping to the ground. He was so excited, he could hardly wait! He so very much wanted to see all there was to do, and taste all those delicious snacks.

Ligeirinho acordou com o barulho de uma vozearia, o barulho da multido e de palmas. Eles haviam chegado ao parque.

- Ligeirinho, chegamos! anunciou Vagarildo.

Nooossa! Que emocionante... no Vagarildo? - disse Ligeirinho, pulando para o cho. Ele estava to emocionado que mal conseguia esperar! Ele queria tanto ver tudo o que tinha para se fazer e saborear todas as comidas deliciosas que havia.

Trudge just stood there gazing at everything there was to be seen. Wow! This place is huge! Trudge exclaimed. Itll take us ages to get around.

Vagarildo ficou parado s observando. -Puxa! enorme! - exclamou Vagarildo. - Vai nos levar eternidade para ver tudo. -Ento vamos comear logo respondeu Ligeirinho. - Est vendo aquela roda gigante l? Vamos andar naquilo!

Then lets get started, Zippy announced. See that huge wheel over there? Lets go on that!

Sure! Looks like fun! Trudge said. And off they went, following the happy music coming from a big ferris wheel! The ferris wheel took Zippy and Trudge way up high, high, high into the sky. They were even up above the trees. They could see far into the distance, and when they looked down, everyone looked so tiny. - Claro! Parece legal! - E l foram eles na direo da alegre msica que procedia da roda gigante! A roda gigante levou os dois bem alto l no cu. Eles estavam at mais alto do que as rvores. Dava para ver bem longe, e quando olhavam para baixo, todos pareciam umas formiguinhas.

The two friends did so many things that day. They went on the merry-go-round; they rode in bumper-boats and twirled in tea cups. Some otters, dressed up as clowns, made them laugh.

Os dois amigos fizeram muitas coisas naquele dia. Andaram no carrossel; nos barcos tromba-tromba, e nas xcaras gigantes que ficam rodando. Umas lontras vestidas de palhao fizeram os dois dar umas boas gargalhadas.

Zippy ate cheesecake, and Trudge had a giant bug-in-abun special with a side order of grilled algae.

Ligeirinho comeu torta de ricota e pipoca, e Vagarildo comeu um enorme sanduche de besouro quente e um prato de algas na chapa.

The day came and went all too quickly, and it was time to head for Shadow Rock. They were about to set off for the big clearing when they noticed a bright sign over an overgrown part of the forest that read, Tangled Trails. A twisted path led off into a dark and spooky-looking thicket. Hey Trudge, look! Theres something we havent tried yet.

O tempo voou. O sol j estava bem baixo, e era hora de irem para a Pedra Preta. Os dois amigos estavam para comear a caminhada at clareira, quando notaram um cartaz luminoso numa parte bem densa e fechada do bosque anunciava: "Trilhas Emaranhadas". Uma trilha tortuosa levava a um matagal escuro e meio fantasmagrico. - Olha l, Vagarildo! Tem uma coisa que ainda no experimentamos.

If my guess is right the clearing is directly on the other side of this overgrown part of the forest. Tangled Trails would be a shortcut to where we want to go, said Zippy I dont know, said Trudge, what if it isnt, and we get lost? Lets look on the map your father gave you. Zippy reluctantly reached for his map, but after a thorough search could not find it.

-Se no me engano, a clareira fica bem do outro lado desta mata. "Trilhas Emaranhadas" seria um atalho at clareira, disse Ligeirinho. -No sei no - disse Vagarildo, - e se no for? E se ficarmos perdidos? Vamos olhar o mapa que o seu pai nos deu. Ligeirinho relutantemente procurou o mapa, mas depois de procurar bem no o encontrou.

- Ah, quem que Oh, well, who precisa de needs a map. mapa? Eu Im a mouse, sou um camundongo, no remember! I can find my way around in the dark. se esquea! Sei andar no escuro. Cad o seu esprito de aventura, Where is your sense of Vagarildo? adventure, Trudge?

It took some serious coaxing, but finally Trudge agreed to try out Tangled Trails.

Depois de muita insistncia, finalmente Vagarildo concordou com relutncia em experimentar as "Trilhas Emaranhadas".

Deep into the thicket, the trails became much more complicated and confusing than Zippy had imagined they would be. It was not long before they realized that they had lost their way! The willows and underbrush grew so thickly all around them, and overhead that they could hardly get a peek at the sky, or see for any distance. How could they get out of there?

No meio do matagal, as trilhas ficaram bem mais complicadas e confusas do que Ligeirinho imaginara. No demorou muito e os dois perceberam que estavam perdidos! Os salgueiros e arbustos cobriam tudo ao seu redor, e olhando para cima eles mal conseguiam ver o cu ou qualquer outra coisa distncia. Como que iriam sair dali?

Oh, Zippy, Trudge said, were lost! I knew we shouldnt have come this way. It was sort of fun at first, but now its scary and its getting late and I want to go home. Me too, Trudge! Me, too! What are we going to do?

-Ai, Ligeirinho, Vagarildo disse lamentando-se, -estamos perdidos! Eu sabia que no devamos ter vindo por aqui. No comeo foi um pouco divertido, mas agora estou com medo. Est ficando tarde e quero voltar para casa. -Eu tambm, Vagarildo! Eu tambm! - O que vamos fazer agora? - Sabe - respondeu Vagarildo - a minha me sempre me dizia que se eu me metesse em apuros, se tivesse um problema e precisasse de ajuda, deveria contar a Jesus. - Boa idia, disse Ligeirinho. - Ele com certeza sabe o caminho. Vamos orar e pedir-Lhe ajuda.

Well, said Trudge, My mommy used to tell me that if I get in trouble, or have a problem and need help, I should tell Jesus about it.
Good idea, said Zippy. He for sure knows the way out of here. Lets pray and ask Him to help us.

Together they bowed their heads and Zippy said, Dear Jesus, were lost and we need some help. Please help us find our way back to the meeting place.

Juntos, eles abaixaram a cabea e Ligeirinho disse: "Querido Jesus, estamos perdidos e precisamos de ajuda. Por favor, ajude-nos a encontrar o caminho de volta para a Pedra Preta".

Suddenly Zippy looked up all happy and smiling! Music! he said. I can hear the music from the ferris wheel coming from that direction. And the ferris wheel is not far from Shadow Rock!

De repente, Ligeirinho levantou a cabea feliz e sorrindo! - Msica! Ele disse. -Estou ouvindo a msica da roda gigante vindo daquela direo. E a roda gigante est perto da Pedra Preta!

So, if we just head for that music we should soon find the ferris wheel. Then it will be easy to find the big clearing. Thats a good idea, Trudge said.

-Ento, se formos na direo da msica, logo vamos chegar roda gigante. Depois vai ser fcil achar a clareira. - Boa idia, disse Vagarildo. Parando de quando em quando para ouvirem e seguirem uma nova trilha que ia na direo da msica, os dois amiguinhos finalmente foram parar numa trilha bem batida no bosque.

Stopping every once in awhile to listen and try a new path going in the right direction, the two friends at last came out on a wellbeaten forest path.

In a few more moments, they were happily reunited with the rest of the mouse family. By this time Mother and Father Mouse had been getting concerned, and were about to call on the woodpecker patrol for help.

Poucos momentos depois eles estavam felizes junto ao resto da famlia de camundongos. A Mame e o Papai Camundongo j estavam ficando bastante preocupados e a ponto de pedirem ajuda patrulha de pica-paus.

Zippy stayed over with his friend that night and they camped out under the stars by the pond. As they watched the stars twinkle in the sky, they thought back on the adventure theyd just had. Oh, Zippy! Im so glad we stopped to ask Jesus for help. Me too! said Zippy.

Ligeirinho ficou com o amigo aquela noite. Acamparam ao relento, sob o cu estrelado. Observando as estrelas reluzindo no cu, ficaram relembrando a aventura recm-vivida. - Puxa, Ligeirinho! Ainda bem que paramos para pedir ajuda a Jesus. - mesmo! respondeu Ligeirinho.

You know, Trudge, Zippy said, I think we make a good team. Although I get a little impatient with you sometimes because you go a little slow, Im glad that youre my friend. Thank you for being my friend, Trudge. Yes, and Im glad that we both have Jesus as our very best friend, too, Trudge added. Me, too, Zippy said, as they both drifted off to sleep, under the twinkling, starry sky.

-Sabe, Vagarildo, disse Ligeirinho, - acho que ns dois formamos uma boa dupla. Apesar de s vezes eu perder a pacincia por voc ser to lento, estou feliz por voc ser meu amigo. Muito obrigado pela sua amizade, Vagarildo. - mesmo, e fico feliz por ns dois tambm termos Jesus como nosso melhor amigo - acrescentou Vagarildo. Eu tambm, - disse Ligeirinho, e os dois caram no sono debaixo daquele cu cheio de estrelinhas cintilantes.

Para mais histrias bilnge para crianas, visite www.freekidstories.org

Written by Derek and Michelle Brookes Art by Hugo Westphal and Ana Fields Copyright Aurora Production AG, Switzerland. Used with permission.