Mickey Mouse and the Great Lot Plot

Hi boys and girls, Nana Sharon here with Bella and Posy and Papa is behind the camera. Today I want to read you a story so let's sit down, fold our hands and get ready to listen. This little golden book is Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse and the Great Lot Plot. This sign says this land is for sale. Look at that! Morty and Ferdie dropped their bat and ball and stared at the sign in front of them. This land is for sale. I can't believe it said Minnie Mouse. This is the only vacant lot left for blocks around. Maybe whoever buys the land will let children play here Mickey Mouse said hopefully. I'm going to buy it said a voice behind them. It was Uncle Scrooge McDuck. It's right next to my money bin and it's the best place for my new business. Scrooge's perfectly planted, picked and processed patented pickled preserves. Morty and Ferdie wrinkled their noses. How can anyone think pickled preserves are more important than baseball? But Scrooge was very sure they were. Scrooge's perfectly planted, pickled and processed patented pickled preserves will be a good business he said. Then he turned and walked away to his money bin. Mickey and the others followed. They found him seated on the big pile of money wriggling his toes and smiling happily. Won't you please think it over Uncle Scrooge Mickey said. The children really need a place to run and play. No answered Uncle Scrooge. My mind is made up and that's final. But playgrounds are important insisted Mickey. Then before he quite knew what he was saying he had made an announcement of his own. I'm going to buy the lot and I'll make the playground for everyone to enjoy. Scrooge laughed so hard he rolled off the pile of money. Where will you get the money to buy this lot? As they left the money bin Mickey's brave smile changed to a frown. Where will I get the money he wondered. But Minnie and the boys were bubbling with excitement. Why we'll earn it they exclaimed. Don't worry Mickey our friends will be happy to help too. And so they were. Those next few weeks Mickey's friends were the busiest people in town. Busiest of all was Mickey himself. He helped Donald Duck and his nephews wash cars. Then he helped dry Huey, Dewey and Louie who got as wet as the cars they were washing. He helped Goofy whose dog walking job became too much for him to handle alone. He helped Marty and Ferdie sell their pies and cakes that Minnie and Daisy Duck baked. At the end of the month Mickey counted up all the money that everyone had earned and had given to him. It came to exactly five hundred dollars. That wasn't much and Mickey was worried. The next day he went to see Uncle Scrooge. I'm very sad he said. Altogether we've only been able to earn five hundred dollars. Uncle Scrooge and I know that isn't enough money to buy the lot. You certainly can pay much more for that. Too bad Mickey Uncle Scrooge said smiling. Looks like the lot will be mine. It's sure a perfect place for my new pickled preserve factory. Later that day Scrooge walked happily down the street. Stopped in front of the empty lot. Hi Uncle Scrooge. There were Marty and Ferdie. Got any jobs you want done? Certainly not snapped Uncle Scrooge. The only help I need is to in understanding what's so important about a playground. A lot of foolishness if you ask me. Hmm. We can't tell you said Marty but we can show you added Ferdie. Here catch Marty shouted and before he knew it Uncle Scrooge was out on the empty lot playing a fast game of baseball. It was nearly dark when the three finally sat down to rest. Well Uncle Scrooge said Marty now do you see what what's so great about a playground? Uncle Scrooge was puffing so hard he couldn't answer them. The next day the boys were waiting when Uncle Scrooge came down the street. Tag shouted Marty. You're it yelled Ferdie and before he knew what had happened Uncle Scrooge was chasing the boys across the field. You can play all kinds of good games on the playground said Marty when they stopped to rest at last. Uncle Scrooge humped. This time he was so tired he fell asleep right there under a tree and while he slept he had a very strange dream. It was like no dream Uncle Scrooge had ever had before. The next day Mickey and his friends watched the owner of the land put up a new sign on the lot it said sold to Scrooge McDuck. Everyone groaned. Everyone that is except Scrooge. He was overjoyed. As they all turned to leave their faces sad Scrooge shouted. Wait here a few minutes I have a surprise for you all. Soon workmen began to arrive. They lifted swings and slides into place. They started to dig a swimming pool in the corner. They marked the lines for the baseball diamond. Scrooge just stood there and grinned while Mickey and his friends gave three tremendous cheers. Uncle Scrooge Mickey asked how can we ever thank you enough. We're awfully glad you changed your mind. Now we can buy uniforms for all the baseball team using our $500. The day of the first game in the new park finally arrived. Uncle Scrooge was given the honor of hitting the very first pitched ball. Hurrah! The crowd cheered as the ball soared into the air. The cheer was cut short by the tinkling of glass. The ball had crashed through the window in Scrooge's own money bin. Oh sorry about your windows Uncle Scrooge called Mickey. But Uncle Scrooge was already on his way to first base. It's only glass he shouted over his shoulder. But did you see that? I do believe I hit a home run.