It may have sounded a bit silly to some that Chipper Chipmunk would go all the way to Florida for a tan, but he did.

 "There is sun right here," said his Nana. "Go out there on the lawn and soak up some rays. Florida is too far away!"

 Chipper Chipmunk wasn't listening to anyone. He had won some money and he wanted a vacation. He went to the banking machine and pushed $100 for the amount to withdraw.

 Now, it could have been the computer, or a power surge, but something caused the banking machine to keep sending out $20 bills at an alarming rate. Chipper Chipmunk stuffed them into his pocket, his hat and even his backpack. More and more $20 bills poured from the machine.

 Chipper Chipmunk should have returned the money right there and then, but the bank was closed and he was booked on a flight in an hour. He had pushed $100 and if the machine gave him all this … it was okay with him.

 Chipper Chipmunk took an Air Canada flight without a worry or a care. Who would have to worry with $1 million in his backpack? He could do what he wanted and he figured no one would know it was him that received the money.

 Wrong!

 Banks have video cameras and that afternoon the security guards got a real eyeful when they reviewed the tape. They saw the machine spitting out the money and they saw Chipper Chipmunk rushing around picking it up. Before nightfall, they knew who Chipper Chipmunk was and where he was headed. Sgt. Squirt, a cop from the 55th precinct, was dispatched to Florida on the next available flight.

 Chipper Chipmunk was having a great day on the beach. He had bought two sodas and three ice creams, because he could afford it. He even tipped the seller, too.

 Sgt. Squirt had found the hotel where Chipper Chipmunk was staying, within half an hour after arriving. The porter figured that Chipper Chipmunk would be at the beach and directed the policeman to the hotel's private beach.

 On the beach were lots of animals basking in the sun. Everyone started looking alike with only bathing trunks and sunscreen. Sgt. Squirt approached the wrong chipmunk and almost made a false arrest. It was hot work, so Sgt. Squirt went for a soda.

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 "Sgt., it's a hot day to be working," said Chipper Chipmunk, getting a popsicle. "Let me treat you."

 Sgt. Squirt couldn't believe his eyes; before him was the animal he had travelled so far for.

 "Chipper Chipmunk, is that you?" asked Sgt. Squirt.

 "One and the same," said the chipmunk, not realizing that this uniformed hyena was after him.

 "You are under arrest for the robbery of the First National Bank for the amount of $1 million," said the hyena. "I will read you your rights."

 Chipper Chipmunk was taken back home after only a few hours on the beach. He explained to the judge about the machine malfunction and the bank being closed and he returned the rest of the money. He even covered what he spent from his own account.

 He got a stern lecture and community work, but he learned that you can't get something for nothing. The bank machine was overhauled and never gave extra money away again.

 Question about the story: Where did the porter direct the policeman to find Chipper Chipmunk?

 Send answers to Storytime c/o Verna Dunlop, RR#1 Moser River, NS BOJ 2KO. Prizes will be sent out to those sending in the answer.

posted on 10/20/09