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Broadcast: February 6, 2011 |
 What a difference it makes when you do something with a cheerful person. In this story, Toad and Mouse are hiking together. They are almost to the end of their hike but one of them just can't take another step. See if you like the surprise ending. |
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SUMMER SANDWICH "Look at the view," exclaimed Mouse. "Isn't it marvelous?""Oh, don't even bother," Toad grumped. "It's hot, I'm miserable and we've forgotten the mustard. Isn't that right? Did you pack the mustard because I certainly didn't pack it. We've forgotten the mustard. How can we eat our summer sandwich without mustard, I ask you?" Mouse heaved off the heavy pack she was carrying and let it slump to the ground. "Never mind the mustard, Toad," she said. "Just let your eyes feast on that view. See how the valley spreads out before us. Marvelous, don't you think?" "I don't," wailed Toad. "I certainly don't." "Well, it is big of you to worry about my well-being," Mouse conceded, "but we'll have our sandwich and then we can head back home if you like." "You know, Mouse," Toad groused, "I sometimes get very tired or your winning attitude. Did you know that? You're always looking on the bright side of everything. Any idea how annoying that gets?" "Oh, you're just being silly." "No, I'm serious," Toad went on. "We've been hiking all morning and not once did you complain about anything. The trail is ridiculous, the weather hot and for once in my life, just once I'd like to hear you say something truthful, something honest about our situation. A lovely hike, a peaceful view — be honest with me." "Well, what can I say?" Mouse sighed. "Lovely blue skies always make my heart lighter." "There!" Toad screeched. "That's exactly what I mean. What's so great about a light heart? Can't you be serious like me for just a few minutes?" "There's nothing serious about mustard," Mouse laughed. "Oh, yes there is," Toad insisted. "I have a mind to leave you and your happy face right here and hike back to civilization where a chap like me can get some decent mustard on a sandwich if he wants." "Oh, don't do that," Mouse said. "Let's not quarrel, my friend. Happy days are here." "Bah!" the toad growled. "Let's forget about all the unhappiness and have our summer sandwich. I made it myself — dandelion stems, mushroom roots, spiced flies, old cheese and barn moss served on two delicious lily pads. Doesn't that sound lovely?" "Cheese? Old cheese?" Toad asked. "Without mustard? Makes my toes curl." "Perhaps if we just sing a song, my friend. What do you think of that? Wouldn't a song make everything better? ‘When I see you, I think of skies of blue and everything is just too — wonderful.' Hey! Where are you going, Toad?" "That's it!" the old toad barked. "I'm outta here. No mustard is bad enough, and your pleasant attitude is about more than I can stand, but if you're going to sing I'm going home. Good-bye and good riddance." "Really?" Mouse said under her breath. "Well, if you must." But by this time Toad was already walking down the path and couldn't hear her. He really was going back all by himself and nothing Mouse could say or do would change his mind. She watched him disappear down the path, one grumpy step at a time. "Oh, thank goodness," she finally said once it was clear he wasn't coming back. "Now I get that summer sandwich all to myself and I don't have to share one stinkin' crumb with that chucklehead. What a frump. And that lousy trail! I thought I was going to die. What a miserable hike. My feet hurt, I had to carry everything and I'm just so glad that wrinkled lump of toad-skin is gone, gone, gone. I never could stand him anyway. And why can't there be some clouds in that sky? Is that too much to ask. Ho! What's this turns out I did pack the mustard after all. Oh, well, too bad." And mouse sat down to eat the summer sandwich all by herself. The End |
Do you think Mouse wanted the sandwich for herself? If she did, she sure figured out an interesting way to get it, don't you think? I'm going to try being nice and cheerful next time and see where it gets me! |
