A carrousel is a sort of motorized merry-go-round with seats that look like various animals, such as painted ponies, move up and down. Designed for children, some carrousels have a gold ring, perhaps 4 or 5 inches in diameter, hanging on the outer edge where the children might, with some difficulty, reach out and grab it as they pass by. The child who grabs the ring wins a prize of some sort: perhaps a free ride or a stuffed animal. However, there is some risk in going for the gold ring. The rider might even fall. So the gold ring represents a hope, a dream, and the chances that we must take to grab it. It is a major step for Holden to accept that kids will grab for the gold ring and adults must let them. It is part of life and part of growing up.
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