“Not even the shadow of a doubt,” said Bootsy Bat as he stretched out his wings and flew off.
Chapter 6
Getting To The Bottom Of Things
Bootsy Bat considered his conversation with Thelonious Melon as he flew to Ellington Owl's tree house. He sounded his sonar then caught and ate a few mosquitoes. He thought that it was not like Ellington Owl to forget an invitation to anyone, especially to Thelonious Melon, who was so sensitive about these things. Something else must have happened. Not to worry, he thought, for he would soon get to the bottom of things, and with haste, or Thelonious Melon would not get any rest tonight. As he approached the tree house, he spotted Ellington Owl, Reginald P. Lizard, and Lady Horse finishing an impromptu picnic. He thought, “I do so love a picnic! I sure hope it isn't over yet.”
“Hoo, welcome Bootsy Bat! We have a cake here with your name on it. Can I offer you a cup of coffee?” asked Ellington Owl who was already pouring the steaming black coffee for his unexpected guest.
Ellington Owl knew the finer points of hospitality, and he even created a set of rules.
The first rule of hospitality stated: “Always have extra cakes and coffee, just in case an unexpected guest arrives.” This rule was appropriate to this situation.
The second rule of hospitality stated: “The best coffee is the coffee shared with friends.” Another rule that applied to this circumstance.
Ellington Owl couldn't remember the third rule of hospitality at the moment, but he was sure that it would come to him.
Lady Horse greeted Bootsy Bat, and Reginald P. Lizard bowed and touched the tip of his top hat. Bootsy Bat sipped the delicious coffee and made a squeak of delight. Looking at the colorful decorations, the bat said, “It appears that you are almost ready for tomorrow.” He nibbled at a cranberry muffin—one of his favorites.
“Hoo, quite right, quite right, with many thanks to Lady Horse and Reginald P. Lizard.” Lady Horse's ears went down and she beamed with pleasure at this remark, for she was a proud horse who enjoyed acknowledgment when it was warranted. She knew that there was nothing wrong with pride—it was false pride that one must strive against. Reginald P. Lizard did not beam with pride, but he froze still in that peculiar way that lizards do.
Bootsy Bat didn't quite know how to bring up the subject of the missing invitation. He didn't want to offend or upset Ellington Owl. This was indeed a delicate matter. He started with, “I rather liked the design of your party invitation.” He continued to nibble at his cranberry muffin.
Lady Horse took the bat's cue and nodded her head up and down, “Yes, yes, yes, yes! You did a superlative job Ellington Owl! Simple yet elegant. I very much approve.” Her tiara caught the late afternoon sun.
Reginald P. Lizard nodded and said, “Just so.”
Bootsy Bat realized that both Lady Horse and Reginald P. Lizard received their invitations. However, he needed to probe further. He said, “So, did you deliver all the invitations yourself, Ellington Owl?”
“Hoo, yes . . . yes I did! Last week as a matter of fact. And I don't mind telling you that it took me all evening long, what with landing and taking off and all.”
Bootsy Bat considered the owl's statement. He knew that Ellington Owl flew quite well; it was the takeoffs and landings that proved tricky for him. Bootsy Bat was often surprised that such a round and huggable owl could fly at all; but he never mentioned it.
Bootsy Bat tried another question, “Oh, all night? How many stops did you make, then?” Here, Bootsy Bat felt that he asked the right question to get to the bottom of things. He liked getting to the bottom of things.
“Hoo, I delivered all of them, naturally!” hooted Ellington Owl with a laugh, thinking the bat was making a joke.
“Foo,” thought Bootsy Bat. Delving into the issue was taking too much time, and his melon friend was waiting. The furry brown bat blurted out, “Thelonious Melon did not receive an invitation to your party.”
Everyone at the impromptu picnic fell silent. They were so quiet that, if a pin were dropped, it would have be heard. Even the wind stopped blowing as if to hear what would be said next.
Ellington Owl's yellow eyes widened, “Hoo, what? Why . . . that cannot be!” Reginald P. Lizard looked at Ellington Owl with a curious expression. Lady Horse gasped and fretted and was beside herself—she did not know what to do. They all knew how sensitive Thelonious Melon was.
“No invitation,” repeated Bootsy Bat, although he didn't have to. The ramifications of his first statement were sinking in.
“Hoo, are you quite sure?”
“Yes. He told me.”
“Hoo, that cannot be!”
“Oh, but I am afraid it is.”
“Hoo, but surely . . . .”
“Surely not.”
“Hoo, he must be quite upset!”
“Well, he is up in arms about it.”
“Hoo, there must have been a mistake.”
“That's exactly what I told him.”
“Hoo, hoo, . . . .” hooted Ellington Owl who was now flustered and feeling quite awful over this new discovery. He excused himself by saying “Hoo, friends, I must take care of this urgent matter! Thank you again for all of your help, and I will see you at the party tomorrow.” Without waiting for a response, Ellington Owl ran while flapping his wings in an unusual and unseemly manner, and, when it seemed impossible for him to get into the air, somehow he did.
Reginald P. Lizard looked at Lady Horse, tilted his head to the side, waited for just a moment, then said, “Up in arms.” Lady Horse looked back at him and tried to understand what he meant.
“Up in arms,” she thought to herself. “Up in arms.” Then she repeated it aloud, “Up in arms,” to try it on for size. A smile formed upon her face. “Up in arms!” she repeated, louder this time. She nodded her head up and down while laughing, “Yes, yes, yes, yes! Up in arms about it! Melons have no arms!”
Reginald P. Lizard tipped his top hat to Lady Horse and said, “Just so.”
Chapter 7
Back At The Melon Patch
Ellington Owl arrived at the melon patch where Thelonious Melon lived. The owl dropped to the ground, hit with a “thud,” and yelled, “Hoo, hoo, ow!” then rolled about five feet. He got up, untangled himself from the green vines, brushed himself off, and walked over to the waiting Thelonious Melon.
“Hoo, Thelonious Melon! You are just the melon I wish to see.”
“Oh, hello there Ellington Owl,” said Thelonious Melon with a nothing-was-the-matter attitude. He added, “Pleasant weather we're having.” He didn't want Ellington Owl to know that he was hurt and upset by not receiving an invitation to the owl's birthday party.
Ellington Owl, for his part, did not wish to beat around the bush. “Hoo, it just came to my attention that you did not receive an invitation! When I heard I flew straight over.”
Thelonious Melon said, “Oh, is there a party? I had nearly forgotten that it was your birthday.” The melon flushed green in embarrassment, but Ellington Owl did not notice the subtle hue change.
“Hoo, I delivered all the invitations myself last week. I can only think that your invitation was blown out your mailbox. You know how the wind can get.”
Thelonious Melon did know how the wind could get, and now that they were getting to the bottom of things, he felt better. He said, “Do you know, I was just about to suggest that!”
“Hoo, suggest what?”
“Well—I was going to suggest that you know how the wind can get,” replied Thelonious Melon who was now forming a smile.
“Hoo, quite right, quite right. It would not do for a trick of the wind to prevent my excellent good friend Thelonious Melon from attending one of my parties. That is, if he still wants to come.”
Thelonious Melon said softly, “Dear friend?” and felt better still. It was not every melon who was a “dear friend” of an owl.
“Hoo, so please accept my personal invitation.”
Thelonious Melon could
not contain himself. He rolled around his mailbox in a wide ellipse. “A personal invitation!” he thought. “Personal!” He then remembered his manners, stopped rolling, and said, “Ellington Owl, I am honored to receive your personal invitation. Yes, I will indeed come to your party!”
“Hoo, then it is settled—a personal acceptance for a personal invitation. I will see you tomorrow, then. Now I must be off for we have a big day tomorrow! Until then, my friend.”
Ellington Owl ran down the melon patch flapping his wings in a ludicrous manner, and, when it seemed impossible for him to take off, he tripped on a vine and was catapulted into the air.
Thelonious Melon always thought that it would be wonderful to fly, but watching Ellington Owl's takeoffs and landings, he decided to just stay on the ground. He now felt relieved since the issue of the invitation was resolved. It must have been the wind who stole his invitation! He just knew how the wind could get. He settled down within his root system and prepared for sleep. As he dozed off, he thought, “Tomorrow will be a grand day . . . a grand day indeed . . . .”
Thelonious Melon is happy again!
Chapter 8
The Guests Arrive
At half past two the following day, Lady Horse and Reginald P. Lizard walked together toward the tree house of Ellington Owl. Reginald P. Lizard watched the insistent flies that always seem to follow the horse. He looked for an opening to catch a fly, but there wasn't enough time.
“. . . and that is why some animals have noses, some have beaks, some have snouts, and some have nothing at all,” said Lady Horse in her authoritative voice. Lady Horse's tail was braided all the way down, and her tiara gleamed bright in the sunlight.
“Just so,” replied Reginald P. Lizard on cue, although he hadn't been listening at all. The dapper lizard was wearing his houndstooth jacket, which was tailored to perfection, and he looked sharp.
The two friends walked to the canvas tent that covered tables full of many fine desserts and snacks including toast with marmalade and both blueberry and cranberry muffins. Bunches of balloons were tied to each corner of the canvas tent. There was also a table covered by a red and white striped cloth that held two large steaming stainless steel coffee makers and dozens of matching black mugs. The aroma of the coffee drew the horse and lizard to that particular table.
Ellington Owl was seen at a distant tree hanging several colorful streamers that shimmered in the light breeze. The Frog Quartet were not yet seen (nor heard).
Thelonious Melon arrived and rolled up to greet his friends at the coffee table. With a bright smile he said, “Good afternoon Lady Horse and Reginald P. Lizard! A delightful day for a party, don't you think?”
Lady Horse nodded her head up and down, “Yes, yes, yes, yes! An outstanding day. We heard about the unfortunate circumstance of your missing invitation, but we are delighted that the issue was resolved. It is so good to see you here!”
Thelonious Melon beamed with pride. “Thank you, thank you so very much! Did you know that Ellington Owl flew to my humble melon patch to give me a personal invitation? He's such a dear friend!” It was no coincidence at all that Thelonious Melon mimicked the exact phrase, “dear friend,” that Ellington Owl had used the previous day.
Lady Horse said, “A personal invitation? Yes, yes, yes, yes! Why that is just the thing to rectify a missing invitation.” She turned to Reginald P. Lizard and said, “Don't you agree?”
Reginald P. Lizard replied, “Just so.” He bowed toward Thelonious Melon and tipped his top hat. The lizard then pointed toward the approaching owl and said, “Host.”
As Lady Horse turned to greet her host, an audible snap was heard followed by munching sounds. Lady Horse closed her eyes and snorted, shook her head, and released an imperceptible sigh.
Reginald P. Lizard shoots Nikon.
“Hoo, ah, good! My guests are arriving! Do make yourself comfortable and enjoy yourselves. What a grand day for a party!”
Chapter 9
The Party
The well-dressed guests arrived to the party first in a trickle, then in a steady stream until there was a grand total of ninety-nine. There were one hundred guests if you count the wind with its stolen invitation.
The Frog Quartet was heard singing everyone's favorite songs. Three enormous cakes—vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—were cut, and everyone who wanted a slice could choose a flavor, or have all three! They also had their choice of ice cream on the side in flavors of vanilla, chocolate, coffee, Rocky road, butterscotch, and Neapolitan. The piñata was hit by a young aardvark with a stick, which jettisoned candy in all directions much to the delight of the younger guests who scampered to collect all they were able. Mugs and mugs of coffee were served. The coffee pots were filled and refilled. Overall, it appeared that everyone was having a wonderful time.
Ellington Owl, although elated and exuberant, was exhausted. Throwing this party was a lot of work, even with the help of his great friends. He ambled away from the party to take a short rest under a shade tree. The poor tired bird fell asleep!
It was under this tree that the dapper Reginald P. Lizard found the dozing owl. Ellington Owl started awake. “Hoo, what . . what . . . huh? Oh, dear me . . . I must have fallen asleep.” The owl stood up to greet his friend. “Hello Reginald P. Lizard. Are you enjoying the party?”
The lizard replied, “Just so,” then handed the owl a gift.
“Hoo, why you shouldn't have!” The owl looked at the strange unwrapped gift for a moment, then said, “Hoo, um . . . what is this singular and interesting device?”
Reginald P. Lizard replied, “Abacus.”
Ellington Owl said, “Hoo, what's it for?”
The lizard said, “Counting,” then tipped his head and touched his top hat. Without another word, the lizard turned and walked toward the coffee table.
Reginald P. Lizard gives Ellington Owl his birthday present.
Bootsy Bat saw Ellington Owl under the shade tree with the abacus, so he flew over and landed next to him. “What ever is that thing?” asked Bootsy Bat with a quizzical look upon his face.
“Hoo, I have no idea,” replied Ellington Owl. “He said it is an 'abacus.' It's used for counting, although I don't know how. I do have a strange feeling that this device will play a major role in my life, though.”
Bootsy Bat shrugged his shoulders. Gifts from Reginald P. Lizard were often eccentric and esoteric. The bat then said, “Let's join the next cake walk!” Ellington Owl liked that idea, so they both made their way toward the cakes.
Chapter 10
The Dunk Tank
Ellington Owl, against his better judgment, sat upon the narrow platform above the water tank. Despite not liking to get wet, the owl was a good sport enough to take a turn. Reginald P. Lizard held a regular baseball, but in a curious strange way. He looked at it with his head turned to the side as though he didn't understand what to do with it.
Lady Horse snorted a quiet chuckle, and although she nodded her head up and down four times, she kept quiet. She tried, but could not, suppress her smile. She knew what was coming.
Ellington Owl gave a light taunt to the lizard, “Hoo, you'll never dunk me! I am still dry! Look at me! I have nothing to worry about. Hoo, hoo!”
Reginald P. Lizard poised to dunk an owl.
Reginald P. Lizard stood as still as a statue. The baseball was in his right hand, and both of his arms were hanging straight down. His head snapped up, which made the owl flinch. The owl laughed and continued his light jibes. “Hoo, I'm still dry as a bone here! You throw like a lizard. No one can hit that little target! Are you going to throw the ball or what?”
Reginald P. Lizard continued to wait in that unmoving patient way that lizards do. Ellington Owl continued to hoot. Lady Horse continued to nod her head and scraped her hoof in the dirt.
Thelonious Melon rolled round and round in elliptical anticipation. He was a bit anxious, but he was always anxious, and he was smiling as he said, “Oh dear, oh dear, a wet o
wl I do fear.”
The Frog Quartet sang the song “Oh My Darling, Clementine” in perfect harmony. The wind blew through the trees like a snake, and it became louder and louder in an eerie sort of way. Out of the corner of the lizard's eye he spotted something white fluttering in the breeze. The sound of the wind blended with the singing of the frogs, louder and louder, until at last, at the end note, within the blink of an eye:
1. Reginald P. Lizard's arm shot out as fast as lightning.
2. The ball slammed against the target.
3. The platform under Ellington Owl released.
4. The lizard snatched the paper out of the air.
5. And the good owl was dunked into the tank.
Lady Horse was beside herself with laughter. She nodded her head up and down and snorted in a most unladylike fashion. Other guests laughed and clapped. Even Thelonious Melon stopped rolling to laugh a hearty laugh at the poor owl.
Bootsy Bat said, “This party only gets better and better!” He assisted the wet owl out of the dunk tank then handed him a thick cotton towel.
After drying himself off, the owl, too, laughed. “Hoo, that water is cold! I sure didn't see that coming!”
Bootsy Bat then flew over to Reginald P. Lizard to see what it was that the lizard had snatched from the air. “What have you got there?” he asked.
“Invitation,” said Reginald P. Lizard who then pointed to Thelonious Melon. Lady Horse and Ellington Owl moved in to take a closer look.
Lady Horse said, “Why, it is your invitation, Thelonious Melon! To this party! So that rascal, the wind, did have it!”
The good-natured Thelonious Melon smiled and said, “Well, you know how the wind can get.” Everyone had a chuckle at this remark.
Ellington Owl then said, “Hoo, I just remembered the 3rd rule of hospitality! You always send an RSVP to a formal invitation. So, Thelonious Melon, will you attend my party?” Everyone laughed while Thelonious Melon beamed green with pride at receiving both a personal and a formal invitation, for he was the only one who did.
Chapter 11
Conclusion
The celebration lasted well into the evening. Guests left full of food, happy, and a little tired from all the excitement. Ellington Owl was already in his tree house fast asleep—he made sure to chat with each guest, which was a big effort with ninety-nine guests (one hundred, if you count the wind). The final guests were Reginald P. Lizard and Lady Horse.