A Champion Roll

I slipped past the front gate and followed the brick lane straight to the community park lawn! Staked right into the sunny turf was a low white wire croquet hoop, with a hefty wooden ball painted with bright red, yellow, and blue rings resting just inches away. It looked like an official carnival sphere waiting for its grand moment! Planting both plush paws against the glossy lacquer, I leaned forward and gave a hearty heave with my tummy. Roll, roll, swish! The striped ball glided cleanly through the arch and struck the painted wooden goal peg with a crisp wooden knock! I threw both paws high with a squeak—a true championship finish!