Early in the morning, the city of Brightville sparkled. Buses beeped, dogs barked, and toast popped up in kitchens all around. But in one tiny apartment, someone was getting ready for a big, silly day. His name was Super Tickle! He was not tall. He was not scary. He wore blue shoes, a yellow cape, and a hat with a spinning top. His superpower? Giggling and wiggling! Whenever he laughed, his shoes squeaked: “Squeak! Squeak!”
Super Tickle had one big rule: Everyone is welcome to play!
“Time for action!” he shouted, jumping out his door. “TA-DA!” His neighbor, Mrs. Bumble, waved from her window. “Good luck, Super Tickle!” she called. “And don't forget your banana!” Super Tickle winked and tucked the banana in his pocket.
Down the street, something odd was happening. A big pink balloon was stuck on a lamppost. A crowd was gathering. “Oh no!” cried a little boy. “My birthday balloon!”
Super Tickle zoomed over, his cape flapping. “Never fear! Super Tickle is here!” he said, doing a silly dance. Everyone giggled. “Let's get that balloon together!” he said. He jumped. “Boing!” He stretched. “Wobble!” He wiggled his fingers. “Tickle, tickle, tickle!” The lamppost giggled—“Hee hee!”—and shook. The balloon floated down. “Yay!” cheered the crowd.
Super Tickle gave the balloon back. “Thank you!” said the boy. “You're welcome!” said Super Tickle. “Everyone's happy when we help together!”
Just then, a dog ran by. “Woof! Woof!” It had a sock on its head. “Oh dear!” laughed Super Tickle. “That's not a hat, silly pup!” He tiptoed after the dog. “Squeak, squeak!” went his shoes. The dog zoomed left. Super Tickle zoomed right. “ZOOM!” The dog stopped in front of a bench where two friends were playing marbles.
Super Tickle bowed. “Hello, heroes!” he said. “Can you help me?” The two friends nodded. “Let's do it!” Together, they made funny faces. “Blblblb!” said one. “Neee!” said the other. The dog wiggled its tail and dropped the sock. “Good dog!” Super Tickle cheered. Everyone clapped and laughed.
Super Tickle picked up the sock. “Let's return this to its owner!” he said. The friends skipped along. “We're a super team!” sang Super Tickle. “Team Tickle to the rescue!”
They found a little girl looking for her lost sock. “My sock went flying!” she said. “No worries!” said Super Tickle, handing it over with a big “TA-DA!” The girl giggled. “Thank you! Can I join your team?” “Of course!” said Super Tickle. “Everyone is welcome! Big, small, giggly or shy!”
Suddenly, a loud “HONK!” echoed. A bus had stopped. The driver waved. “Lost my hat!” he called. The hat was on top of the bus! “Oh my!” Super Tickle grinned. “Time for the banana!”
He pulled out Mrs. Bumble's banana. “Watch this, team!” He peeled it, ate it in one bite—“MUNCH!”—and slipped on the peel. “Whoooa!” Up, up, up he slid, right to the top of the bus. “TA-DA!” He grabbed the hat and tossed it down. The crowd cheered. “Super Tickle and Team Tickle save the day!”
Everyone laughed and danced. “Let's have a party!” said Super Tickle. They played, they sang, they made silly faces. Everyone felt happy. Everyone belonged.
As the sun set, Super Tickle yawned. “What a silly, super day,” he said. “Remember—everyone can be a hero, and everyone's welcome on Team Tickle!” His friends waved as he tiptoed home, “Squeak, squeak!” All was calm, all was cozy, and the city sparkled with happy giggles.
