Franklin' Rival
Franklin could count by twos and tie his shoes. He loved surprises and he loved his granny, but one day a surprise visitor came who loved Granny too.
I hope it's chocolate chip cookies! Granny!
Good morning, Franklin. You certainly got here in a hurry!
Mom said you had a surprise for me. So I came as fast as I could.
It's in the parlour.
Oh, boy!
Hmmm… Where are those cookies?
Surprise!
AAAH!
Hi! Franklin. I'm Possum!
Uh, hi… Hey, you are the one on the piano!
Yep. My Mom sends a picture of me to Granny every Christmas.
Really?
I used to babysit Possum's mother when she was little, you know.
You did?
And now you babysit me!
She does?
Yeah, only usually she comes to my house.
You do?
Hm hum...
But this time, she invited me to come here!
I just know you two will have so much fun together. Why don't we start with a picnic?
Yeah!I love picnics!
Me too!
Mmmm… delicious!
Mmmm… de… HUH? This isn't peanut butter and lettuce!?!
I know dear, Possum asked if I could make some watercress sandwiches.
My favorite! Thanks Granny!
Don't you like it? Franklin?
Oh no, it's good. But not as good as peanut butter and lettuce.
Who's ready for a cookies?
Great!
Me!
Granny makes the best chocolate chip cookies.
No, she doesn't Franklin. She makes the best walnut cookies.
MMMMMM! My favorite!
Lucky you... Chocolate cookies are my favourite...
That's the library and over there is Mr. Mole's hardware store and that's Mr. Skunk's Ice cream shop!
Home of the Sunny Sunday Sundae!
Huh? How did you know that?
Granny told me so much about the village, that I feel about I grew up here!
Hi, Mr. Mole.
Well hello everyone! And you must be Possum!
Hi, how did you know my name?
Oh, Granny's told me all about you! She is been looking forward to your visit for weeks!
She has?
Good afternoon!
Hello, Mr. Badger.
And I'll bet I know who this is. Young Master Possum of thirty-two Chestnut Crescent.
Hey. that's right!
I'm the one who delivers all the letter you've been sending to Granny.
Letters?
Granny 's read me some of the stories you've written, Possum. You're quite a talented author.
Gee, thanks.
Would you like me to write you letters too, Granny?
You don't have to write letters, Franklin. You live so close, you can just walk over to see your Granny whenever you want. You are lucky.
Yeah, I guess so. Well we should be heading home. I'll carry the basket for you Granny.
I'll help.
I've got it.
I'll take this side.
It's okay...I can do it.
Whoa! WHOOAAAAA!
Are you all right? Franklin?
Yeah… I'm sorry.
Not to worry. Heh. I'm just glad it's not windy today or these letters would have been delivered by airmail!
And I've been meaning to rearrange this rake display all week.
Thanks for being so helpful, Possum.
You are welcome, Granny.
Everything's put away, Granny.
I'll have to tell your Mom what a good little helper you've been. Franklin, would you like to play a game?
A game? Okay!.. You and I can play first, and Possum can play the winner!
What's that?
Cribbage.
Cribbage?
Granny told me how to play, it's fun.
But Granny...We always play checkers, remember?
I know dear, but today there are three of us and only two can play checkers.
But I don't know how to play Cribbage.
It's easy, and you get to race these little pegs around the board, just like a race track.
Oh. That sounds like fun.
Jack!
What?
Two for his nibs!
His Nibs?
One, two, I win again.
You've become quite good at this.
I have the best teacher in the world!
I Oh, hoh you.
And I had the best checker teacher in the universe.
Thank you, Franklin. Did you want to have a game of checkers now?
Okay! You and me first Granny.
Actually, I thought you and Possum could play while I finish some housework.
But.. I don't know how to play.
I'll teach you! it's easy!
If you thought Cribbage was fun wait till you play this.
I win. I won, Granny.
Congratulations Franklin.
Can you play me now, Granny?
Not just now, I still have dusting to do... and besides, I want you to get to know each other.
But we already know each other, and I'd like to help you Granny.
Me too.
careful! Possum!
You be careful, Franklin.
Thank you boys! You've both done marvelous job dusting...
Thanks Granny.
Now that that's done, why don't you go outside and gather some flower for the...
Okay.
Oh dear...
I'll pick the best bouquet ever!
Me too.
Aaah!
It's mine.
I saw it first!
I did!
Did not!
Here are my flowers, Granny!
And mine too.
I'll put them in water for you1
I'll put them in the vase!
I'm sorry.
Me too.
That's all right.
As long as no one's hurt, that's the main thing. The mass can be cleaned up.
I'll help you!
I can clean it up!
And no, I'll clean it up. you two look like you could use a big glass of lemonade. Why don't you and Possum have a chat and get acquainted while I clean up and finish making supper.
What's for supper, Granny?
It's a surprise.
It will probably be your favourite because Granny likes you best.
Why do you think that?
She made all you favorite thing for the picnic and she talks about you to everyone!
Whenever she comes to my house, all she does is brag about you!
Granny brag about me?
She is always telling us how good you are at playing checkers, or what a great artist you are...My mom even has one of your pictures hanging on our fridge!
Really? That's great! I was starting to get worried that Granny want you to be her favorite Grandturtle… er… Possum.
I guess I kind of wish I could be her grandpossum. You are lucky you live so close to your Granny, Franklin.
Yeah, it's great, I can visit her whenever I want.
My Gramma Possum live so faraway, and I have to take a plane ride to see her. I talk to her on the phone sometime, but that isn't the same as a real live Granny hug.
Gee...I really am lucky! I know, Possum. I can share my Granny with you!
You'd really share your Granny?
Sure! We can both be her favourite grandpossums!
All done,Granny.
Thank you boys...I'm very lucky to have such helpful grandturtles. Even if one is a grandpossum.
And...even if they picked every last flower in your garden?
Especially then!
And now it's time for ...Shoofly pie!
My favourite!