Rick, Kong and I went over to his place to help him out with the decorations. The door was open so we went inside. His place was a mess of course. Christmas decorations were everywhere. Then Mr. Elder came down with a big box of Christmas lights and saw us. "Oh good, you kids are here," said Mr. Elder. I need you guys to help out with a little outdoor project." Of course, we were excited. Anything outdoors to play with snow is fantastic.

Mr. Elder took out long strings of Christmas lights from the box. He said, "Okay, just untangle them and connect them together." We started assembling the long string of Christmas lights and it became really, really long. "Let’s go out from the garage," said Mr. Elder and we went out holding the long string of Christmas lights. We went outside onto the front lawn, Mr. Elder leading the way. Mr. Elder put down his end of the lights and said, "Wait here for a moment." He came out again with a ladder.

He put the ladder against the house and grabbed his end of the Christmas lights and went up the ladder to the roof. "Be careful Mr. Elder. It’s icy and slippery even down here!" shouted Rick. Even Kong started barking. Maybe it was his way of telling us to be cautious. Mr. Elder got to the roof and secured the lights around the chimney. He was going across the roof slowly and the lights were coming along pretty well.

All of a sudden, he came sliding down the roof but his leg was caught with the Christmas lights. There was a loud CRASH against the living room window, Kong started barking even louder. It was like something out of a movie and I just froze. There was broken glass everywhere inside the living room. Startled, Rick yelled out "Oh No!!! It’s Mr. Elder hanging upside down from the roof!" I still could not move with all the noise. Rick shook me really hard and yelled, "Bobby! Bobby! Call 9-1-1. Get the paramedics and the fire department. Bobby, move it man!"

Life came back to me and I looked for the phone. Rick moved the ladder so he could reach Mr. Elder and hold him until someone else came to help. I called for an ambulance. When I went out, I could already hear the sirens in the background. The fire engine drove into the driveway and the ladder started extending. The firemen went up the ladder and rescued Mr. Elder.