The Extended Holiday
by J. Blue Spicer
The noisy plaza was bustling as people gathered around the store's display it was after the
holidays, but the oldest toy store in the city always decorated their enormous storefront at the
beginning of each new year. The tradition began with the store's onginal owner, Margot Thistle, in
her hope of keeping the youthful wonder and majesty of the holidays alive
It was a jovial tradition passed down to her daughter. But she only saw the display as a
financial boon, and soon the costly practice became a miserly experiment. The storefront was
once lavishly decorated, making everyone feel chidike for a few weeks longer. However,
Margots daughter began to skimp on costs. She cheaply placed the hottest toys of the season
on display as nothing more than a tactic to get kids to harass their parents for the toys they didn't
receive during the holidays. The store lost business, fell into disrepair, and people began going to
chain stores for toys
Margot eventually took back control of the store. With the help of her grandson, Andre, they
rebuilt the toy store into a fantastical delight. It took time to get the crowds to return, but nostaiga
had a powerful allure that the townspeople could not ignore it was a ragtag operation between
Margot and Andre, but their love for the store and the city gave them the means to be creative
despite having to be frugal it began by using a black curtain to hide the display being set up
Even in the age of technology and rumor, that ile black curtain became the talk of the town
For the past five years, the displays had grown to be as great as they were in Margots
heyday, but this year Andre-having had a son of his own-was more excited than ever to make
this the biggest event yet. As the sun set and became an orange spotlight on the town square,
Margot and Andre prepared to put back the curtain And with one mighty tug, the new displays
beamed out to the overcrowded square Flashbulbs went off, social media began buzzing, and
the two toy store owners smiled from ear-to-ear While some, including Margors daughter, called
the spectacle immature, Margot and Andre saw it as an opportunity to remind the town that no
matter what they were still a community looking to experience a bit of their innocence for just a
me while longer
Select ALL the correct answers
Which two sentences from the passage best convey a tone ofwonder?
O
O
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And with one mighty tug, the new displays beamed out to the overcrowded square
Flashbubs went off, social media began buzzing, and the two toy store owners smiled from ear-to-ear
However, Margots daughter began to skimp on costs
It was a jovial tradition passed down to her daughter
With the help of her grandson, Andre, they rebuilt the toy store into a fantastical delight