Hot Dog!
Elementary: Grades 3–4
Story
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Maxwell Street Market was already crowded and noisy by the time they arrived. "You're late!" one of Uncle Jimmy's friends scolded as they began to set up the equipment on the street corner. "Enough complaining. Let's just play," Uncle Jimmy said, strumming his guitar as if to end the conversation once and for all. "See you later, kids. Howlin' Hound has work to do." Allan and Ruth laughed as the sound of harmonica, guitar, and electric bass took over, nearly drowning out the voices of vendors advertising their goods.
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The children stood and watched their uncle play as a small crowd gathered to listen. Some people dropped money into Uncle Jimmy's guitar case. "Time for hot dogs!" Ruth finally said, waving goodbye to Uncle Jimmy.
The children made their way down Maxwell Street, Allan grasping little Ruth's hand so she wouldn't get separated in the crowd. They walked past table after rickety table overflowing with all sorts of things for sale: fruits and vegetables, clothes, old toys, machines for the kitchen, rusty tools, stacks of shoes. Some vendors had big umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun. Others didn't even have tables and just used fences and the sidewalk instead. "Look, Ruthie," Allan said, pointing out piles of hubcaps, brooms, sledgehammers, and who knows what else for sale along a fence.
"I wonder where he got all that mix of stuff," Ruth answered, laughing. It made her tired just to think about setting out all those things every Sunday.
"Pork chops, Maxwell Street Polishes, get 'em here!" one vendor yelled.
"Tacos, tortas! Fresh and good," yelled another.
"New shoes, old shoes, great prices!"
The street smelled of grilled onions and meat cooking. Ruth and Allan stopped next to a stack of old tires for sale and cardboard boxes filled with tools and pipes to watch a man in a top hat playing the guitar and harmonica at the same time.
"Let's get our food, Ruthie," Allan said, pointing to a nearby hot dog vendor. His sister agreed.
"One hot dog, please!" said Ruth.
"Everything?" said the vendor to the little girl.
"No peppers. They're too hot."
"Fine," said the vendor, gruffly. "But most people want everything. That's a real Chicago hot dog," he said, loading Ruth's steaming hot dog into a poppy seed bun. He started with the toppings: first the mustard, then bright green relish and chopped onions. Next came two tomato wedges and a pickle spear. He picked up two sport peppers and almost put them on, but remembered himself, sighed, and finished up with celery salt. He handed Ruth the loaded hot dog. Next came Allan.
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