One thing about big department stores is that they are supposed to carry everything. One would expect to see something in the flyer on sale, arrive at the location and the item would be there. One would think that, but one could be wrong.

  "Kibbles and bits, kibbles and bits, I'm going to get me some kibbles and bits,"  Scar Eye Fox sang at the top of his voice as he wandered down the path. He had received his flyer and imagine how happy he was when he saw that Kibbles and Bits were on sale. Kibbles and Bits were like honey to a bear, sweet clover to a bunny or sweet grass to a cow.

 He checked again to see that his money was safe inside his jacket pocket as he topped the hill overlooking the store. Below were lines of poodles, collies, German shepherds and every animal that had had the pleasure of tasting Kibbles and Bits at one time or another. Suddenly the manager opened the door and the mass moved forward as one, causing the poor manager to jump on a display of kitty food to get out of the way.

 Scar Eye rushed up and tried to get ahead in the line, but those ahead were determined to keep the places they had acquired. They weren't giving up even an inch of territory that was staked out. No matter how much he tried, Scar Eye was at the back of the line.

 Within minutes boxes and bags of Kibbles and Bits were being carried on the backs, under arms and upon heads of every animal emerging from the store. Scar Eye eyed each container with dread. Would there be any left when he finally got to the front?

 By now, Scar Eye was standing in the entryway. Behind him were animals stretching their necks to see if they could see who was in front. One by one in a painfully slow pace, it seemed, Scar Eye could see the front person waiting to be allowed to go down to the aisle by the staff person holding a rope across the door.

 When it seemed like it would never happen, Scar Eye and Sky Eagle were at the front of the line. They both raced as if a herd of elephants were after them toward the Kibbles and Bits display. Rounding the corner they saw two more animals carrying boxes of merchandise toward the cash counter.

 The display had taken up a large area in the centre of the store, but now only a few stray pieces of Kibbles and Bits lay on the floor swished by feet and pounded into dust. Not a full box or bag lay anywhere. Scar Eye and Sky Eagle searched eagerly on surrounding shelves, hoping against hope that more product was available.

 NO KIBBLES AND BITS!

 "I've waited all this time and I'm not going home empty-handed," said Sky Eagle.

 "Me either," said Scar Eye.

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 The only thing edible in sight was boxes of popcorn. Popcorn light, for those health conscious; popcorn regular, for die-hards; and popcorn with butter, for those who liked the movie popcorn taste.

 "Shall we?" invited Sky Eagle.

 Both grabbed bags of popcorn and placed them in the microwave nearby. Four bags in all went in and when the kernels felt that heat, they all started jumping at the same time. There was popcorn in the aisles, popcorn on the shelves and popcorn flying through the air.

 Those who knew they weren't going to get Kibbles and Bits grabbed the kernels as they drifted like flakes of snow to the ground.

 "Quick, get some or we'll end up with nothing," said Sky Eagle, but alas, it was too late.

 No popcorn and no Kibbles and Bits.

 "Sirs, would you be interested in a rain check?" asked the manager.

 "What's that?" both asked.

 "Tomorrow morning when my new shipment comes in, you will have whatever amount of Kibbles and Bits set aside for you that you want. You just fill out the rain check," said the manager, getting out the required form.

 Tomorrow wasn't that long to wait and then they would have the product they looked for. Tomorrow would be Kibbles and Bits day.

 Question about the story: Where was the display of Kibbles and Bits located in the store?

 Send answers to Storytime, c/o Verna Dunlop, RR#1 Moser River, NS BOJ 2KO or e-mail the answer to the question to vernadunlop@yahoo.com. Names will be drawn for prizes.

posted on 04/07/09