Mishais obsessed with the merry-go-round that sits in the park near Doctor Korczak and the orphan’s home. The merry-go-round is made of wood, with horses of differently-painted colors that go round and round to “tootling music” (50). Misha compares the colorfully-painted wooden horses with the real ones he sees in the streets; he notes how much more miserable the real horses look. Uri tells him that the merry-go-round isn’t for him, but Misha disagrees; Misha desperately wants to ride it. Uri grabs him by the neck and squeezes until Misha is unable to breathe, ordering him not to disobey.

Misha is thoroughly enchanted with the merry-go-round. Though he tries to steer Uri in the direction of it every time they are out together, Uri continues to keep a tight hold of Misha. When Misha is out alone however, he actively seeks out the merry-go-round, staring at it even when it is not moving.

Misha’s first day back at the merry-go-round, he tries to ride the merry-go-round without a ticket. Though he is able to ride it for a few moments, soon a child tells on him, screaming that Misha lacks a ticket.