Franklin could count by twos and tie his shoes. He liked playing soccer and he had fun playing chess too. But one day, Franklin was too worried to enjoy playing games.
Mr. Owl.
Yes, rabbit?
How many squares can the horse move again?
The ‘horse’ is called a ‘knight’, and it can move three squares in a ‘L-shape’.
There sure are a lot of different moves to remember.
That’s for sure. And a lot of different name to remember too. I get my brooks mixed up with my ponds.
I believe you mean Rooks and Pawns, Goose.
Oh yeah, that’s what I mean.
I think this game is kinda hard too.
I think chess is really fun. I like pretending I’m the coach and this is my team. Come on pawns, work together, work together. Bishop, get there and block the Queen, let’s hustle.
Excuse me, I’m trying to concentrate.
Oops. Sorry Beaver.
Hmmm---no.
Mr. Owl, I can’t move anywhere. Franklin can capture my king no matter what I do!
You know what that means! Checkmate!
Good game, Franklin. Yes, well done!
You’re defeated everyone in the class, Franklin.
Yeah, who are you going to play against now?
I know who.
Who?
The chess champion from Cedar Brook school, that’s who!
Really?
Yes. Right here, tomorrow.
Way to go!/ hurray for Franklin!/ How exciting!/ Alright Franklin.
I can’t wait’ll the tomorrow’s chess match. You’d better practice, Franklin.
That’s right. The Cedar Brook champion is probably really good! /Huh?
Franklin doesn’t have to worry because he’s really, really good!
And tomorrow he’s going to beat the socks off the champion from Cedar Brook and show everyone that ore school is the best!
And our village is the best .
That’s right./ Franklin’ll show’em!
Hic…Hic…
Excuse hic me, hic!
I know what cures hiccups….I’ll give you a big scare!
Hic…Hic…
Try holding your breath!
Hey! It worked! Thanks snail!
You’re welcome Franklin! Bye!
Goodbye! / See you tomorrow. / see ya!
Do you want to come to my house and help me practice, Bear? /Kay! / Hic…Hic…
Up…oh. The hiccups are back?
Yeah, I thought I got hic rid of them.
I know, lets run to your house and make a peanut butter sandwich.
Hic! Does that cure the hiccups?
I dunno. I’m just hungry. Come on!
Wait up Bear! Hic…Hic…Hic…Hic…
Why don’t you have a drink of water or something?
I did… twice. Hic! Gee, Bear, is that the best move you can make?…Hic…
Well, it’s the hard to concentrate when you’re hiccupping all the time.
There goes another of your pawns. Hic… you’re going to have to try harder than that, Bear.
What do you mean? I am trying hard!
I just mean you have to play …hic… like you’re the best from another school …hic…so I can practice!
Well I’m not the best from another school. Gee, Franklin, we used to have fun playing chess. I’m going home.
Wait Bear! Uh… what if I give you my knights and bishops!
No thanks.
What if… what if we arm wrestle! That’s fun!…Bear?!
Well at least those hiccups are gone.
Hic! Awwww… no. Hic.
Awwww, I can’t believe I didn’t see that! Hic! What was I thinking about?
Don’t be so hard on yourself, Franklin. You’re playing well.
Hic! If I were playing well, Granny. I would have noticed my rook being cornered. Hic! The match is tomorrow, hic! There’s not enough time to practice, there just isn’t. hic!
Now, now, you’ll do just fine, I know you will….. would you like to take a break, have a little snack?
Uh…hic!
A big glass of milk might even cure those hiccups.
Do you think so?
Hey! My hiccups are gone again, Granny.
Hmm. That’s odd, how they start and stop that way.
Yes, it is.
Hic…hic! Uh…oh.
Hmmm….That’s interesting.
Hic! What is?
Are your hiccups gone again?
Gee … I think they are, Granny.
Hic…hic. That’s weird. Hic!
It seems that whenever you see checks, you start hiccupping!
Really? Why?
Because they remind you of chess! You’re so anxious about this chess match, that it’s giving you the hiccups!
Well I know on thing for sure I don’t have fun playing chess the way I used to.
You’ve got to remember that chess is a game, Franklin. Games are meant to be fun.
But this game is important! If I don’t win, I’ll let the whole class down!
Oh, you won’t let anyone down! They’re your friends, Franklin. They’ll like you whether you win or lose!
Franklin! What square should I move to next?
I don’t know!
If I move over there, will a knight get me?
I’m not sure.
Tell us where to move, Franklin.
We’re all counting on you!/ yeah! The whole village is counting on you!
Hic!
Sorry I got mad yesterday, Franklin.
That’s okay Bear. I’m sorry about the way I was acting too.
Are you nervous about the match?
Yeah, a little.
Don’t worry. You’ll be great.
Thanks Bear.
Hi Franklin!
Hi Franklin! Your opponent’s not here yet.
I wonder what he’ll be like!
Or she! It could be a she!
Well whoever it is, Franklin’ll show them who’s boss.
Yeah, Franklin win for sure.
Are you ready, Franklin?
Yean, I guess so.
Look, Franklin!
Tah daah! That’s wonderful!
Good work, boys!
Gee, thanks a lot, guys. Hic!
Here we go again!
Why don’t you go out and get a drink of water, Franklin? Our visitors will be here any minute.
Hic!
Welcome! Welcome! Come right in!
Ohhh. They’re here.
Ohhhh.
Are you all right?
I’ve got a stomachache.
Is it because of something you ate?
No. I’ve had it ever since my teacher told me I was playing chess against the champion of this school.
Really?
Yeah, and all my friends are expecting me to win. What if I don’t? I just found out my opponent is the best in the world!
The best in the world? Who told you that?!
Some students that go to this school.
Those guys….I’m not the best in the world.
You’re Franklin?
Yeah, and I’m not what you think, I just like playing chess—or I used to anyway before I started worrying about today’s game.
I used to like playing chess too. Now it just makes my stomach hurt.
I keep getting the hiccups.
The hiccups?
Yep. Every time I see something checkered I start hiccupping. It drove my best friend crazy!
That’s funny. I guess this big game has made us both nervous.
Let’s try to forget about everyone else and just play for fun.
Yeah, I like that idea. Let’s do that.
How’s your stomach feeling?
Fine now.
Marmot! We can start whenever you’re ready.
Thanks Mr. Wolverine. I’m ready to play, how about you, Franklin?
Huh…. I don’t have the hiccups anymore, so I guess I’m ready too.
Then let’s go have fun.