That’s What Friends Are For

Sarah, an 11 year old Grade 5 student, was in her bedroom getting ready for school. Like every other morning, she was listening to her favourite radio station, “990 Countryland F.M.”.

“Good morning to everyone out there in Countryland,” the dee-jay, Rick Brown announced. “What a beautiful morning it is, too! We have a special surprise for you this morning. Sitting beside me is Brian Jones, the very talented newcomer to country music. He is here to announce our new contest.”

“Wow!” exclaimed Sarah. “Brian Jones! I can’t believe that he’s in town. He is the best artist in country music today!”

“Good morning!” exclaimed a deep voice over the radio.

Sarah recognized Brian’s voice immediately.

“It really is him!” she exclaimed.

“I am here to announce a brand new contest for all you country music lovers out there in Countryland. All you have to do to enter the contest is to send us a piece of paper with your name, address and a list of your top ten country performers. Have them into the station by July 15 and you will be on your way to winning one of hundreds of prizes.”

“And that’s not all folks!” exclaimed Rick Brown. “Brian has the list of prizes for this contest right in front of him. Go ahead and tell them, Brian!”

“All right,” said Brian. “You will have the chance to win a collection of great country albums and the grand prize winner for this contest will have the chance to star in a music video for my new upcoming album!”

“Oh!” exclaimed Sarah. “I’ve got to get my entry into the station this morning. It would be so neat to be in a video with Brian Jones!”

Quickly Sarah combed her long brown hair and tied it back in a ponytail. She grabbed her school books from her bed and went downstairs.

“Good morning dear,” her father said to her when she sat down at the table.

“Hi Dad!” exclaimed Sarah as she reached for a piece of toast.

“Aren’t we in a good mood this morning?” asked her mother.

“Yes I am,” said Sarah, smiling.

“What has caused this good mood that you’re in?” Father asked, peering over his newspaper.

“990 Countryland is having a contest,” said Sarah. “The grand prize winner will get the chance to star in a music video with Brian Jones!”

“How exciting!” exclaimed Mother.

“Anyway Daddy, I was wondering if you could drop something off to the radio station for me, this morning.”

“I suppose I could,” said Father.

Sarah tore a piece of paper from her binder and quickly wrote her top ten favourite country performers on it. She then wrote her name and address on it. Naturally, Brian Jones’ name was the very first one on her list.

“Thanks Daddy,” said Sarah, when she handed the piece of paper to him.

“By the way,” Father said. “We will be having company for dinner tonight. Honey, can you go into town and pick up some of those delicious spare-ribs?”

“Sure thing,” said Mother. “Who is this dinner guest?”

“It’s an old friend of mine,” said Father.

“An old friend,” laughed Sarah. “Daddy, all your friends are from the dinosaur days.”

“Very funny,” Father said.

“Well, I’ve got to get to school,” said Sarah. “See you later.”

Sarah and all her friends were talking about Brian Jones and the contest. They were all very excited.

“Imagine doing a video with Brian Jones!” exclaimed Sarah’s best friend, Jeannie. “That would be the greatest!”

“Yes, it would!” exclaimed Sarah, dreamily.

“I’ve got to get my entry form into the radio station,” said Jeannie.

“I’ve already sent mine in,” said Sarah. “Daddy dropped it off this morning, on his way to work.”

“Who did you put down for the top performer?” asked Jeannie. “Or should I even ask?”

“Brian Jones,” said Sarah. “Who else?”

That afternoon when Sarah got home from school, her mother asked her to help set the table for dinner.

“Your father will be home in about an hour,” said Mother.

“Do I have to stay down here until his guest leaves?” asked Sarah.

“I think that once you meet his guest, you won’t want to leave,” said Mother.

“Well, who is it?” asked Sarah.

“It’s a surprise,” said Mother.

“Well, I sure hope this guest is more interesting than the other one he brought home,” said Sarah. “That last one was a doozy.”

“I have to admit that you are right about that,” said Mother.

Sarah’s father arrived home a little earlier than usual.

When he and his guest walked through the front door, Sarah couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Brian Jones!” exclaimed Sarah. “Oh my!”

“Well, Brian,” laughed Father. “I see my daughter, Sarah knows who you are already!”

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were bringing Brian home with you?” asked Sarah. “This is incredible.”

“So, Sarah,” said Brian. “I hear that you think all of your father’s friends are from the dinosaur days.”

“Oh my!” blushed Sarah. “I really did say that this morning didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did,” said Mother. “Brian, can I get you anything?”

“Not right now,” said Brian. “I think I’ll wait until I taste those delicious spare-ribs of yours.”

“Daddy, I thought you told me this morning that your guest was an old friend of yours?” asked Sarah.

“Well, honey, Brian and I went to school together in Toronto,” said Father.

“You two went to school together!” exclaimed Sarah. “Imagine that! Wait until Jeannie hears about this!”

“I’ve got an idea,” said Father. “Why don’t you invite Jeannie to come over?”

“Oh Daddy could I?” asked Sarah.

“Sure,” said Father. “That is unless you mind, Brian.”

“No,” said Brian. “I don’t mind at all.”

Sarah dialed Jeannie’s phone number.

“Hello,” said Jeannie when she answered the phone.

“Jeannie,” said Sarah. “How would you like to come over to my place for dinner tonight?”

“I don’t know,” said Jeannie. “I’ve got lots of homework to do.”

“I’m sure your homework can wait for a little while,” said Sarah. “Brian Jones is here!”

“What did you say?” asked Jeannie.

“You heard me,” said Sarah.

“Brian Jones is at your house right now!” exclaimed Jeannie. “I’ll be right over!”

Sarah and Jeannie had a wonderful time. Brian even sang some of his songs for them.

A few weeks later, Sarah was in her bedroom, listening to 990 Countryland.

“It is time to announce the winner of our Brian Jones contest!” announced Rick Brown.

Quickly Sarah turned the volume up on her radio.

“The winner is Jeannie Cooper,” Rick announced.

“Alright!” exclaimed Sarah. “Jeannie won!”

Sarah dialed Jeannie’s number on the telephone.

“Hello,” said Jeannie.

“Hi Jeannie!” exclaimed Sarah. “I just heard the winner of the Brian Jones contest on the radio. Congratulations!”

“What!” screamed Jeannie. “You mean I won!”

“Yes,” said Sarah. “You did!”

“This is incredible!” cried Jeannie.

The next day at school, Jeannie and Sarah were eating their lunches outside.

“So Sarah,” said Jeannie. “I’m meeting with Rick Brown and Brian Jones tonight to discuss the plans for the video. How would you like to come along with me?”

“Oh I don’t know Jeannie,” said Sarah. “I would just be in your way. I think that you should do this by yourself.”

“Oh no!” exclaimed Jeannie. “You’ve got to come with me. I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Well if you’re sure that I won’t get in the way, then I’d be glad to come,” said Sarah.

“Oh, I don’t think that you’ll be in the way,” said Jeannie.

When Jeannie and Sarah arrived at the radio station they were greeted by Rick Brown.

“Well girls,” said Rick. “Are you both ready?”

“What are you talking about?” asked Sarah.

“I phoned the radio station this morning and asked them if you could be in the video with me,” said Jeannie.

“You did what!” exclaimed Sarah.

“I want you to be in the video with me,” said Jeannie.

“After all, you were nice enough to invite me over for dinner when Brian was there!”

“Oh Jeannie!” cried Sarah. “Thank-you very much!”

“Well that’s what friends are for!” exclaimed Jeannie.