He was going to spend two weeks with his cousins Rosie and Frank.
He kissed his mother good-bye.
Then he got into Uncle Jed’s car.
Uncle Jed drove out of the city and into the country.
Soon Uncle Jed said, “Here we are!”
Everyone was happy to see Grover.
Aunt Edna made a picnic lunch to welcome Grover.
After lunch Rosie said, “Let’s go bike riding, Grover!”
She ran to get her bike.
“But, Rosie,” said Grover, “I do not have a bike.”
“We have an extra bike,” said Rosie happily.
“Frank got a big new bike for his birthday. You can ride his little old one.”
Grover looked at the bike. It looked old.
But it did not look little.
“Oh, dear,” he thought, “I do not know how to ride. I am sure I will fall!”
“I do not want Rosie to know that I cannot ride a bike,” thought Grover.
So he said, “I do not think my mommy will let me ride a bike, Rosie.”
Grover watched Rosie ride off on her bike.
He was very sad.
“Grover, play with me in my tree house,” called Frank.
Grover climbed up the ladder.
“Remember when you were afraid to climb up?” said Frank.
Grover smiled.
“Oh, I was just a baby then. Now I am the best climber-upper on Sesame Street.”
Then Grover stopped smiling.
“I wish I could ride a bike,” he said to himself.
The next morning Aunt Edna said, “Good news, Grover! I called your mother. She said it is okay for you to ride a bike.”
Grover tried to smile.
“Come on, Grover,” said Rosie.
She ran from the breakfast table to get her bike.
Grover followed Rosie. But he walked very slowly.
“I cannot ride today,” he said.
“I have a sore foot.”
“Oh, too bad, Grover,” Rosie said.
She was on her bike and ready to go.
“You go without me,” Grover said sadly.
Every day Grover, Rosie, and Frank played together.
They went swimming.
They played hide-and-seek.
They went to the store to buy ice scream.
And every day Rosie said, “Let’s go for a bike ride, Grover.”
But Grover always said, “No, I hurt my hand.” Or “No, I ate too much.” Or “No, I do not feel like bike riding now.”
One day Rosie rode off to visit Farmer Finn.
Grover and Frank played cards.
“Frank, when did you learn to ride a bike?” asked Grover.
“When I was seven,” said Frank.
“Wow!” said Grover. “That is very old. That is older than I am!”
Then Frank asked Grover when he learned.
“I never did!” cried Grover. “I do not know how to ride a bike.”
“Don’t cry,” said Frank. “I will teach you how.”
Grover shook his head sadly.
“No,” said Grover. “Big Bird tried to teach me. I cannot learn.”
Frank smiled.
“Big Bird’s bike was too big! I bet you can ride my little old bike,” said Frank.
Frank held his old bike and Grover got on it.
“What if I fall?” asked Grover.
“I will catch you,” said Frank.
So Grover pedaled the bike and Frank ran next to it.
The bike wobbled along the road.
“Help!” yelled Grover.
“I will not let you fall,” said Frank.
Up and down the road went Grover on the bike.
Up and down the road ran Frank.
“That’s it, Grover,” he said. “You are doing great!”
Suddenly Rosie zoomed down the road on her bike.
“Farmer Finn is giving away kittens!” she shouted.
Grover’s eyes lit up.
“I love furry little kittens! May I have one?” he asked.
“Yes!” said Rosie. “But hurry before they are all gone.”
Rosie head for Farmer Finn’s.
“Follow me!” she called. And Grover did!
He zoomed after Rosie.
Grover picked a little orange kitten.
“I had to be speedy to get you,” Grover told the kitten.
“So I will call you Speedy.”
Then he put the kitten in the basket on his bike.
And Grover and Rosie rode off.
Purrrr went the kitten.
Grover was so happy!
When Grover returned to Sesame Street, he gave his mother a big hug.
Then he said, “Guess what, Mommy? I can ride a bike!”
“That is wonderful!” said his mother. “You really are growing up. Now I know just what to get you for your next birthday!”
