Hot Dog!
Elementary: Grades 3–4
Story
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"Chicago is a place of innovation," Mrs. Pernsley added. "Doublemint gum, Morton salt, Schwinn bicycles, the skyscraper. I've seen many things come along and take the country by storm. The hot dog is one of Chicago's most famous innovations."
"Wait a second, I'd better write this all down," Allan said, pulling out his notebook. "Reason number three: innovations. These are important inventions: workers rights, famous companies, and the Wienermobile."
"There's something else to remember too," Uncle John added. "The meatpacking industry ends up with lots of leftover leather. Besides the stockyards and packing, many more people in Chicago have made their living and lots of important things from all the leather from the stockyards. Shoes, gloves, all kinds of products."
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"And footballs!" Mrs. Pernsley added. "Wilson's footballs for the NFL are made with stockyard leather. They use cattle hide, but originally they used pig hides, so that's why football is sometimes called pigskin."
Allan scribbled another reason onto his list: "Reason number four: jobs for people at the stockyards and at leather factories."
Mr. Pernsley continued: "Even though business is a bit slower at the stockyards lately, Chicago is still the meatpacking capital of the whole USA. Chicago's hot dogs are the best in the country. Some of the best beef goes to Vienna Beef. They make 100 percent, all beef hot dogs. Delicious!"
Allan wrote some more in his notebook. "I think I have too many reasons to count for why hot dogs are important to Chicago," Allan said very seriously, "but I think this is the big one." He read from his book out loud. "Number five, most important. The best meat in the country means the world's best hot dogs."
Uncle John and the Pernsleys nodded in approval. It was time to get going. The family thanked Mr. and Mrs. Pernsley and headed home. Later that night, Allan took out his notebook and read over his list. Satisfied, he closed the book.
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