Pippi Goes For the Record Books

Village: Villa Villekulla

At the front yard, Pippi, Calissa, Tommy, and Annika were sitting on the fence, waiting for something to happen.

"I just know we're gonna see something interesting by sitting here and waiting." Pippi said.

And then, as if on cue, a fancy truck and other odd-colored vehicles drove by, playing festive music as they passed Villa Villekulla. "Like that for example."

"What's with all those cars anyway?" Calissa asked.

"It's for the Record Books of Random Events." Annika replied.

"It only comes around here every two years during the carnival, and everyone who participates tries to make new records or beat already existing ones." Tommy said.

"Cool, I wanna see what the carnival is like up on land." Calissa said.

"Well, if you say that, then there's no reason to just sit around here anymore." Pippi said. "So c'mon, let's go."

Town: Carnival

At the carnival, Pippi, Tommy, Annika, and Calissa had some fun such as play games, eat sweets, and go on rides, before they came to the main attraction.

"Here it is, Record Books of Random Events." Annika said.

"Knowing you two, I think you might be able to beat all the records there." Tommy said.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Pippi said. "But I will try."

"Say, Tommy, are you and Annika gonna try to beat some records too?" Calissa asked.

"No, not really." Tommy replied. "We're not really interested in that. We're more interested in seeing people make new records."

The kids entered the tent and took their seats.

Then, stage lights lit up and focused onto one spot on the stage, and from behind the curtains, a man came out.

"Welcome, to the Record Books of Random Event! My name is Rick Studley, and this is the Record Books of Random Events. Every two years, we hold this special occasion to see who has what it takes to make it into the record book, and who doesn't." the man announced. "And if you can make a record, your name and your record will go into the record book!"

"Hah! Just wait, my name is going in that book!" Bengt said.

"I see you came too, Bengt." Pippi said.

"Yeah, I wouldn't miss this for the world to see." Bengt said. "I'll get my name in that book, and that'll show that I'm better than you."

"And remember folks. Once a record is made or broken, no one else is allowed to try for it." Rick Studley said. "And also, the previous record book is available for purchase as a guide reference at a cheap price!"

The audience got out of their seats and began going their own ways for ways to get into the record book.

Pippi and her friends went to get a record book and saw one for tallest basketball pyramid.

"Now this one looks interesting." Pippi said.

At the site of the basketball pyramid, Bengt was already there, stacking basketballs to his pyramid, which was about five stacks tall.

"Well, looks like Bengt already beat us here." Pippi said.

"There, just one more and I break the record." Bengt said, as he got on a ladder and put the last basketball on top.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4…" Rick Studley said, but then, the pyramid collapsed before he could count to three. "Oh, so close. Didn't hold long enough. Anyone else?"

"I'll try it." Pippi said, and 20 minutes later, she had gotten to where Bengt was. "And now for the last part."

Pippi added the final ball and waited to see if it would hold.

"Congratulations! You did it! You made a new record for the tallest basketball pyramid!" Rick Studley said.

"No fair, I was trying for it!" Bengt shouted.

"Sorry, Bengt, but you already tried, and you didn't make it." Pippi said.

"Just wait! I'll get my name into that book, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" Bengt shouted as he headed somewhere else.

"Jeez, we could care less whether he gets his name into the book or not." Calissa said.

And then, the kids came across a weight-lifting competition.

On the stage was a large, burly man was outlifting the other contestants, gloating in their faces.

"Who next to try against Mr. Armstrong?" the man asked.

"Well folks, if no one else volunteers against Mr. Armstrong in the next ten seconds, then he is going in the record book." Rick Studley said. "10, 9, 8, 7…"

"I volunteer." Calissa said as she stepped on the stage.

"Hah! Puny girl! You not fit to be here. Step down!" Mr. Armstrong said, but Calissa lifted a large dumbbell. "Okay, puny girl not so puny. But watch this."

Mr. Armstrong lifted an even bigger dumbbell, while Calissa did the same with just one arm.

"Okay no more Mr. Nice Armstrong." Mr. Armstrong said, as he took the two biggest dumbbells and held them up in each of his arms, struggling to keep them up.

But Calissa easily lifted Mr. Armstrong into the air, while he's still holding the dumbbells.

"Looks like we have a new record!" Rick Studley said. "Any other volunteers?"

The crowd all shook their heads.

"I could try for it, but it's Calissa's turn. I'll sit this one out." Pippi said.

"Okay, let the countdown begin." Rick Studley said. "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Congratulations! You did it! You made a new record for the most weights lifted at once!"

Pippi and her friends were walking around elsewhere, when Bengt came flying and landed in front of them, wearing a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and a pillow on his front and back.

"Bengt, where did you come from?" Calissa asked, and Bengt pointed towards a half-pipe.

"I was trying to beat the record for the most skateboard tricks on a half-pipe." Bengt said.

"Well, good luck with that, me and Calissa already beat a record, and Tommy and Annika aren't interested in beating a record, so we're now just watching other people." Pippi said, and she and her friends left Bengt to his own business.

The kids watched other people beat pre-existing records or make new records such as: most rocks stuffed into one's pants pockets, most books balanced on one's arms, fastest cup-stacking, tallest box tower, and longest arm span.

"Wow, there are more skilled people in town than I realized." Tommy said as he saw some more record-breaking people.

Then, Bengt came flying in front of them, still in the protective garments from earlier.

"Hello Bengt, what sort of thing caused you to come flying towards us, again?" Pippi asked, and Bengt pointed towards a mechanical bull.

"I was so close, I just had to stay on that bull for five more seconds, but I got thrown off, and why do I keep landing close to you losers?"

"Don't know, I guess that's just how things happen." Annika said.

"Are you still gonna try for more, Bengt?" Tommy asked.

"No! I quit! It's hopeless! I tried 13 times to get into that stupid book, and did I do it? No!" Bengt said. "I can't do it!"

"Excuse me, but what did you say?" Rick Studley asked as he suddenly appeared.

"I said I tried to get into your stupid book for 13 times and failed!" Bengt said.

"Congratulations! No one has ever tried and failed that many times! Your persistence wins a new record." Rick Studley said. "Although a pathetic one. But nevertheless, you're in the book!"

As Rick Studley left, Bengt suddenly threw a fit.

"What's the matter, Bengt?" Calissa asked. "You're in the book."

"I wanted to get into the record book for doing something cool, not something lame like trying and failing a lot of times." Bengt said. "If I knew this was gonna happen, then I wouldn't have even tried in the first place."

Bengt complained and stormed off.

"Jeez, I think Bengt might be the first person to complain about their record." Tommy said.

"Well then, I guess that's another new record." Pippi said, and she and her friends laughed.

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