A Present for Tubblie

Tubblie was the practical joker of Acersville. He couldn’t go anywhere without spraying someone with water or setting whoopie cushions down where they were going to sit. He was a real menace!

This time he had given Chelsea a gift. It was a box, wrapped in beautiful pink paper with a pretty bow on the lid. She was so pleased, that she opened it immediately and a giant springy snake jumped out at her!
“Aaaaaah!” She screamed.
Chelsea burst into tears while Tubblie went off laughing.

Chelsea was the friendliest Loopie in all Acersville. She was kind and always thought the best of anyone. Chelsea was one of the few Loopies left in Acersville that would still give Tubblie a chance. Most of the others were already wise to his tricks.

“What’s wrong?” asked Leechie softly. She was out on her morning walk and noticed Chelsea looking rather upset.
“I’m so angry at Tubblie,” She blurted.
“Oh dear, what did he do this time?”
“He gave me a present, with a big snake inside.” Chelsea sobbed.
“I feel so stupid for thinking Tubblie could ever have meant to be kind.”
Leechie took Chelsea’s paw and smiled. “I know who can help us, come with me.”

They went to see Ruff and Rufus and explained all that Tubblie had done.
Rufus grinned, “Leave it to us.”
“What are we going to do Rufus?” asked Ruff puzzled. “You’ll see!”

The next day Rufus and Ruff invited Tubblie over to their house.
“We have made a present for you Tubblie.” explained Rufus, pointing to a large covered object in the middle of the yard.
“What is it?” cried Tubblie excitedly.
“Go have a look.”
“Oh boy!” Tubblie ran towards the object and lifted the cloth that covered it. “It’s a robot! Quite a strange looking one too!”
“A Bahena.” said Ruff, trying hard not to laugh.
Rufus thumped him in the ribs.
“A Ba-what?” asked Tubblie, looking very interested.
“It’s a mixture between a Baboon and a Hyena. It’s programmed to laugh at jokes and to beat up bad guys.” explained Rufus.
Tubblie smiled slyly.
“Thanks. You guys are the best.”

Tubblie said hurried goodbyes as he rolled his new present away. “I can’t wait to test you out Bahena.” he whispered to the robot, “And I have just the plan!”

Tubblie rolled his Bahena behind some bushes and hid himself behind a tree not far away. He saw Granny on her way down the path carrying her shopping home.
“Watch this Bahena. Here comes your first joke for the day.” giggled the naughty Tubblie.
“Waaaaaaa!” he screamed as he jumped out in front of Granny.

Suddenly and without any warning, the Bahena jumped out from behind the bushes and began to beat Tubblie over the head with a stick.
Granny laughed and laughed. Tubblie looked so funny dancing all over the park with a whatever-you-call-it behind him.
Granny laughed so much that she dropped her shopping and collapsed in a heap on the ground. The tears rolled down her cheeks, she spluttered, coughed and could hardly breathe.
“Thank you Tubblie!” she cried, when she managed to straighten herself and pick up all of her groceries. “That was the best laugh I’ve had in years!”

Tubblie didn’t hear Granny. He was just trying to scramble away from his Bahena.
Eventually the beating stopped. Tubblie rubbed his head. It was aching.
“What was that for Bahena?” he cried, “You were supposed to laugh at my joke, not beat me up. Probably a start-up malfunction or something. Come on, I’ve got another idea.”
So off went Tubblie in search of another victim with the Bahena trailing behind him.

“Ahh!” said Tubblie excitedly. “Here’s someone now.”
It was George. George had been the Postmaster of Acersville since Tubblie was a pup.
George had a lot of deliveries to make and the day wasn’t getting any longer.
Tubblie ran out in front of George and grabbed some letters out of his hands and ran off. But he didn’t get quite the reaction he had wanted. George looked at Tubblie and grinned. “You can be my little helper if you want, you just have to promise to wear a tiny green uniform.”
Tubblie was horrified. He was no elf! Just then, the Bahena laughed. It was first muffled and then it got louder and louder.
“Hey, wait a minute!” said Tubblie, getting quite furious, “You’re supposed to laugh at my jokes!”

He got so angry that he pulled the Bahena’s head off and to his surprise...
“Leechie! Chelsea! You were the Bahena?!”
“Yes.” They giggled, “You’re so funny Tubblie, especially when you’re angry.”
“I don’t like it when Loopies laugh at me, or beat me with sticks or make a fool out of me!” shouted Tubblie.
“Now you know how we feel most of the time Tubblie.” said Chelsea.
Tubblie looked down at the ground, “Do I really make you feel that way?” he asked sheepishly.
“Yes you do.”
“Then I will change.”

And from that day on, Tubblie really did change. He is now the nicest Loopie in Acersville, thanks to Rufus and Ruff’s Bahena!