Lost in an amusement park, it slowly dawned on Mack that he was the luckiest child in the world--complete and total freedom from parental tyranny. He already planned on eating cotton candy for every meal. He would live in the storybook house near the magic beanstalk. No more homework, room cleaning, vegetable eating; it was a dream come true.

Mack made a beeline to the first ride on his agenda: The Serpent. This sleek steel coaster boasted six inversions, and a stomach-flipping double-dip that made him actually squeal with glee. He stepped into the queue, and awaited his turn.

The line was long; so long, in fact, that Mack began to worry about being found by his parents. The were still in the park somewhere, and by now had probably contacted security and launched a statewide search. This saddened Mack a bit, but he let it go, and about an hour later, reached the front of the line.

Just as he was about to cross the threshold and take a seat in the waiting coaster train, a park attendant grabbed him by the shoulder and said, "Sorry, kid, you must be at least this tall to ride."

Mack looked at the stick the attendant held; he was about an inch too short.