Puff, huff, puff, huff," escaped from Jerry Tiger's mouth as he did jumping jacks in his backyard. "Four more, three more, two and one."

 Jerry slid to the ground and gulped air into his lungs. He hated this exercising, but pride was pride. He wanted to look his best and getting with the program would get him back into shape.

 "Why are you lying on that ground gasping air like a freight train?" asked Kate Giraffe, looking over the fence.

 I'm exercising," gasped Jerry, pulling himself to a sitting position.

 "I never have to do boring exercises," said Kate, coming into the yard through the open gate. "I gather you are trying to take off a few pounds and this is your method of doing it."

 "I'm getting with the program," said Jerry. He knew that Kate never had a problem with weight; height maybe, weight never.

 "You have to watch the things you eat," said Kate. "I bet I could go into your fridge and it will hold all sorts of things you shouldn't eat."

 Jerry thought about his fridge, and everything that was in there were his favourites. "Come and have a look if you wish," he invited.

 When Kate looked into Jerry's fridge, she let out a gasp that made Jerry think there was a big bug in there or mould growing on something.

 "Do you see a bug?" inquired a very concerned Jerry.

 "Look at this … this … den of calories," said Kate, shaking her head.

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  "Why, what is wrong?" asked Jerry, looking in and seeing the usual.

 "There is candy, pop and meat with fat on it. Did you ever think to trim the fat off meat?" asked Kate.

 "Can't say I did. I love that crisp juicy end of pork chops and bacon," said Jerry, sighing and looking dreamily at the uncooked meat.

 "That is what is causing the extra pounds. If you cut out all this chips and candy, eat healthy and do some walking around the block, you wouldn't have to be out there sweating and gasping for air," said Kate. "Get rid of all this."

 "Not my chips," gasped Jerry, seeing Kate drop the half bag of barbecue chips into the trash.

 "Yes, your chips," said Kate.

 The same fate waited for the pop, candy and everything that contained excessive calories.

 "My fridge is empty," moaned Jerry.

  "Let's go shopping and get the right things," invited Kate.

 Kate took Jerry to the store and they bought veggies, fruits and, for a treat, peanut butter. She brought them home and arranged them neatly on the shelves.

 "Well?" asked Kate. "Doesn't that look better?"

 "I guess so," said Jerry. "I'll try it."

 Try it he did and Jerry attended the dance slimmer and trimmer.

 Question abut the story: What did Kate do when she looked into Jerry's fridge?

 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. Prizes will be sent to those who send in the answer.

posted on 06/16/09