Max, dressed in his bright clown costume with a big red rubber nose and a favorite yellow tie splashed with purple polka dots, sits curled up on the soft corner of the couch. Tears streak his rosy cheeks, his small hands clutching a stuffed clown doll. Beside him stands Loonette the Clown, her black curly hair tied in cheerful pigtails beneath a classic purple hat, her own red clown nose shining with kindness.
"Loonette, I’m just a sad little boy clown today," he sniffles, voice quivering. "I miss Mom and Dad so much. Marigold and Jasper make other clowns happy, but they’re so far away from Clowntown. I wish they were here to hug me."
"I know it’s hard, Max," she says softly, her voice soothing as a lullaby. "Mom and Dad love you so much, and they miss us too. But making clowns happy is their special job. And right now, I’m here for you, just like I was on TV. Would you like to talk about your favorite funny moments with them?"
"I just want to feel happy again," Max mumbles, wiping his nose with the end of his bright tie.
"Maybe… maybe if all my friends from Clowndergarten came over, it would help," Max suggests, voice trembling with hope. "Tina is my best friend, and she always knows how to make me laugh. Can she come over? And maybe the other little clowns too?"
"That’s a wonderful idea, Max!" Loonette replies, dialing the numbers with her gloved fingers. "Let’s invite them for a clown party. We’ll fill this room with giggles and silly games until you’re the happiest little boy clown in Clowntown."
Tina, Max’s best friend, leads the group, her pink hair bouncing beneath a floppy green hat. She’s followed by a half-dozen other cheerful clowndergarteners, all eager to cheer up their friend. They wave streamers, toss confetti, and perform silly dances around the couch.
"Max! We heard you were sad, so we brought a clown parade just for you!" Tina exclaims, twirling a ribbon high above her head.
Max begins to giggle as Tina balances a rubber chicken on her nose, and another friend pulls a bouquet of colorful scarves from his sleeve. Loonette leads everyone in a game of “Musical Clown Hats,” filling the space with shouts of joy and playful cheers.
"This is the best clown party ever! I feel so much better!" Max beams, his face bright with happiness.
"Whenever you’re sad, remember you’re never alone, Max," Loonette whispers, tucking a cozy blanket around him and Tina. "We’re all here to make each other happy, just like Mom and Dad do for clowns everywhere."
"Thank you, Loonette. I’m a happy little boy clown again," Max says, hugging his sister tightly as the other little clowns pile around them, giggling and snuggling until the stars come out over Clowntown.
