Maybe they were just dehydrated — they should go drink some of Mommy’s lemonade and they would stop seeing things

"It’s mamash perfect weather for a Chol Hamoed bike ride,” said 12-year-old Dovid as he dashed into the house with his two brothers at his heels. The trio started grabbing their helmets.

“Dovid, don’t you have a Gemara final right after Yom Tov?”

“Mommy, c’mon! How can I waste this beautiful weather studying? I wanna have some fun. Ta’s not even home to learn with me now. It’s much smarter for us to ride our bikes now. Then, when Tatty comes home from learning with Zeidy, I’ll learn with him.”

“Dovid, anyone smart enough to think of all your excuses not to study, should have no problem learning without his father’s help!” Mommy laughed. “I’ve got a batch of chocolate cupcakes coming out of the oven. Why don’t you boys bring your Gemaras to the succah and I’ll bring some cupcakes so you can make a leisheiv?”

“Mommy, if you think you can bribe me to study with chocolate cupcakes… you’re right!”

Dovid dumped his helmet on the dining room table and picked up his Gemara. The three boys headed to the back door, but when they slid it open, they stopped short. The succah was gone!

They rubbed their eyes. But it still wasn’t there.

Mommy joined them at the back door with a tray of cupcakes.

The boys looked at Mommy, then back out the door. The succah was in the backyard exactly where it had been. Dovid looked at Meir. Meir looked at Binyomin. Binyomin looked back at Dovid. Mommy went into the succah and set down the tray. The boys stood in shock at the top of the stairs.

“Well, what are you boys waiting for? Get to work. I’ll bring out a cold pitcher of lemonade to go with the cupcakes. There’s a pencil over there — you’re allowed to write down what you’re learning if you’ll forget it. Just remember to write with a shinui,” Mommy said, pointing at the pencil on the ledge by the back door.

But as soon as the door closed behind her, the succah was gone again.