APPLE DAY SUNDAY

It was a bright and cheerful morning in the small town of Hometown , and
excitement buzzed in the air like bees around a blooming garden. The annual
“Apple Day Sunday” festival was here, a day dedicated to all things
apple—apple pies, apple bobbing, and even apple-inspired jokes that had
everyone laughing until their sides ached.

Children and adults alike filled the town square, which had been transformed
into a colourful paradise. Stalls overflowed with shiny red, green, and golden
apples, while the scent of cinnamon and sugar wafted from the baker’s corner. A
group of children, led by the mischievous twins, Jullie and Max, stood near the
apple-bobbing booth, eagerly discussing their plans for the day.

“Alright, team,” Max said, adjusting his apple-patterned cap.
“We’ve got a mission. By the end of today, we’re going to create the best
apple joke ever!”

Jullie grinned. “And we’ll test it on the grown-ups. If they laugh,
we’ll know it’s a winner.”

The group cheered. With their mission set, they decided to warm up by
visiting the joke-telling contest hosted by Mr. Jolly, the town’s unofficial
comedian. His bushy mustache twitched with every laugh, and his deep belly
chuckles were as infectious as his jokes.

Mr. Jolly greeted the children with a twinkle in his eye. “Welcome, welcome!
Ready to hear some apple jokes? Here’s one to get you started: Why did the
apple stop in the middle of the road?”

The children leaned in, curiosity brimming. “Why?” they chorused.

“Because it ran out of juice!” Mr. Jolly bellowed, and the crowd erupted
into laughter.

Jullie and Max exchanged glances. “That’s good,” Jullie admitted. “But we
can do better.”

The children scattered through the festival, jotting down ideas and
brainstorming with anyone willing to listen. At the caramel apple stand, Max
tried his first joke on Mrs. Pepper, the candy maker.

“Why did the apple go to school?” Max asked, holding his breath.

Mrs. Pepper tilted her head. “Why, dear?”

“To become a smartie-pie!” Max said, grinning.

Mrs. Pepper chuckled, wiping her hands on her apron. “Not bad, young man.
Not bad at all.”

Meanwhile, Jullie tried her hand at humour near the petting zoo, where
Farmer Joe was showing off his prized sheep.

“What do you get if you cross an apple with a sheep?” Jullie asked.

Farmer Joe stroked his beard. “What do you get?”

“A baa-nana!” Jullie declared.

Farmer Joe let out a hearty laugh, patting Jullie on the back. “You’ve got a
knack for this, kid.”

As the day went on, the children’s joke collection grew, but they still felt
something was missing. They needed a showstopper—a joke so clever, so
unexpected, it would bring the house down.

Their brainstorming led them to the festival’s main attraction: the Apple
Pie Eating Contest. Here, the reigning champion, Big Benny, was preparing to
defend his title. The children watched in awe as Benny devoured pie after pie,
his enthusiasm matched only by his good-natured spirit.

“Hey, Benny,” Jullie called out. “We’ve got a question for you.”

Benny paused, his face smeared with crumbs. “Hit me with it.”

“What’s an apple’s favourite sport?” Jullie asked, her eyes twinkling.

Benny scratched his head. “I give up. What is it?”

“Core-sountry running!” she exclaimed.

The crowd burst into laughter, and even Benny joined in, his booming laugh
echoing across the square.

As the sun began to set, the children gathered near the festival stage. It
was time for the “Joke-Off,” where participants could share their
best apple jokes with the audience. Jullie and Max stepped up, confidence
shining in their eyes.

“We’ve been working all day to create the ultimate apple joke,” Max
announced, holding the microphone. “And here it is: What did the apple say to
the worm who wouldn’t stop teasing it?”

The crowd leaned in, eager to hear the punch line.

“You’re the core of my problems!” Jullie delivered, her voice ringing out.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, laughter exploded like fireworks,
spreading through the crowd. Even Mr. Jolly was doubled over, tears streaming
down his face.

The twins bowed, grinning from ear to ear. They had done it—they had created
a joke that would be remembered long after the festival ended.

As the evening wound down, the children basked in their success, munching on
caramel apples and sharing their favourite moments from the day. Apple Day Sunday
had once again brought the community together, reminding everyone that
sometimes, the simplest joys—like a good joke—are the sweetest of all.