Adam and Eric met downtown for the Great Sweep-Off. Adam brought his chimney brush. Eric brought his rod. The mayor rang the bell, and the whole town came to see who could make a chimney breathe. Adam swept the courthouse stack. Eric swept the school. Adam found a bird nest. Eric found a fool— A fool who built a crooked flue with three bends and one dead end. Eric said, “I know this chimney.” Adam said, “We’re friends.” They climbed up high, they worked below, they cleared the smoke and soot. Adam pulled the brush around the bend. Eric followed through. Then the town hall started coughing. Smoke came through the floor. Adam grabbed the ridge hook. Eric grabbed the door. They worked that chimney side by side until the smoke went free. Nobody won the Great Sweep-Off— but the whole town got to breathe.
