Andrew Cheetah was very excited as he rushed into the department store. He had only three more gifts to buy and he was finished his shopping for this year. He knew what he wanted to buy, so within minutes, he could sit down and rest his feet that ached and swelled around his sneakers.

 Andrew Cheetah's mother's gift would be an easy one. She talked of nothing else but wanting a new bonnet with little flowers on it. Andrew Cheetah looked through the hats with many different designs until, finally, a blue one with daisies was located underneath. His mother would be so happy, he thought, and he turned quickly to locate something for his father.

 The cheetah's father was always looking for a tape measure or a screwdriver. Once he found it, he lost it again when he laid it down. Andrew was getting him a tool set with a belt that had little pockets to hold everything. The brown leather holder held two screwdrivers - flathead and Phillips, a file, pliers, tape measure and hammer. His father would love it, he thought.

 Andrew Cheetah's last purchase was special. Santa, in all his pictures, rode in that sleigh high above the ground on cold winter nights. Andrew Cheetah had decided to give him, who was always giving to others, a gift to keep him warm. He had decided that a bright plaid blanket would cover his legs and keep out the icy breezes.

 Slimy Rattlesnake watched Andrew Cheetah running around making his purchases and knew this cat must have money. Slithering around a counter, he looked to see if Andrew Cheetah had a wallet in his back pocket. Andrew Cheetah didn't see him as he was so busy flipping through the blankets to get the right colour. It must be red to match Santa's suit.

 When Slimy Rattlesnake saw what he looked for, he quickly stretched up and slid the wallet out of the cheetah's pocket, while the youngster decided a red and black plaid would be his selection. Andrew Cheetah rushed to the counter where Jacob Alligator rang up his purchases.

 "That will be $60," said the alligator.

 Andrew Cheetah reached into his back pocket and his fingers closed around thin air. "My wallet is missing," he gasped.

 "I hear it all the time," said Jacob Alligator, who was tired and used to animals trying to get something for free. He signalled Mervin Mouse, captain of the police, who was selling tickets for a Christmas raffle.

 "You seem to be having a problem?" asked the police mouse.

 "This cheetah says his wallet was stolen. That is the fourth one today that told me the same story," said Jacob Alligator.

advertisement

 "Likely story," groaned the police officer. "If you didn't have money you could have used layaway before this."

 "Officer, my wallet was stolen," said Andrew Cheetah, but it didn't look like anyone believed him as the officer filled out the report.

 "He is telling the truth," spoke a voice from behind the cheetah. All turned to see who the voice belonged to. There stood Santa with his arms folded. "It was Slimy Rattlesnake who took the wallet and he is hiding behind that Christmas tree."

 Quickly Mervin Mouse arrested Slimy Rattlesnake and took him off to jail while Andrew Cheetah stared in amazement at Santa.

 "How did you know?" asked the bewildered cheetah. "Where were you?"

 "I was on watch under that treetop," said Santa. "I heard you say you were looking for a gift for me and with a heart that big, I couldn't let Slimy Rattlesnake take your money."

 "I never said that out loud," said Andrew Cheetah.

 "I know what you are thinking. This will keep me warm in my sleigh. I will visit you tomorrow night with something extra special for your kindness."

 Andrew Cheetah hurried home with his purchase.

 Winner: Emily Langdon received a prize for sending in the answer.

 Question about the story: Where did Slimy Rattlesnake hide?

 Send answers to Storytime c/o Verna Dunlop, PO Box 325, Sheet Harbour, NS B0J 3B0. A prize will be sent to those sending in the answer.

posted on 12/28/11