The Best of the Fair
Elementary: Grades 3–4
Story
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
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"Are you ready for your tour? The Electricity Building is the best of all," Mr. Weller explained.
They headed into the huge building. The first thing they saw was a glowing tower of electric lights. "It's by Thomas Edison," said Mr. Weller. "It has 18,000 electric bulbs, all in one place!" The lights were so bright that Lily felt like she was looking at the sun.
"Over here, listen to this!" said Mr. Weller. Lily heard music—an orchestra playing—but she didn't see one. "The musicians are in New York," said Mr. Weller proudly. "The sound is coming by the telephone!" Lily couldn't believe it—an actual telephone!
Next Mr. Weller took them to a house in the exhibit hall filled with lamps, sewing machines, stoves, fans—everything Lily could imagine and more, all powered by electricity.
"You wouldn't need any matches in this house," Grandpa said.
Next they looked at another of Edison's inventions. It was called the kinetoscope, and it showed moving pictures. Lily and Joseph stared, hardly believing that the pictures moved. "This building is the best part," Lily said. "We're seeing the future!"
Mr. Weller had one more place to take them. They walked next door to the Manufactures Building and climbed high upstairs to the roof. The view took Lily's breath away. They could see the entire Court of Honor, Grand Basin, and all the fair's buildings. It was beginning to get dark, and electric lights began to come on everywhere. Everyone was amazed. The buildings of the White City glowed a warm gold. The electric lights made the city seem more magical and wonderful than before. The golden dome of the Administration Building looked the most beautiful. They watched in awe as the fountains below shone with changing colors as music played. The longer they watched, the more Lily loved it.
Suddenly they heard loud bangs coming from the lake. Fireworks! Bursts of colored lights sparkled in the sky. The children shrieked and laughed. Lily gave Grandpa a hug. "Thank you, Mr. Weller! Thank you, Grandpa!"
Lily knew that this day was one that she would never, ever forget.
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