The Tillyville Times

Cashew hopes the cards, fresh from a two week stint on eBay, will become best sellers. "We're packaging them in sets of four," Cashew said. "We've got Winter, Halloween, High Noon, and Fourth of July. The $8 price includes envelopes and shipping. And we're so convenient," Cashew continued. "We're open Internet hours seven days a week." He went on to say that he hoped to have other items in the story in the near future. "More cards, story books, audio books—whatever people are interested in," he said.

"Ice cream!" shouted Skinny McKinney, one of the first visitors to the store. "I'm interested in ice cream. And, um, fireworks! Ice cream and fireworks—that's a good combination." Skinny looked arournd. "Gloves, boots, ropes. Tennis rackets. Tires. Um, um, um motorcycles. That's it! Motorcycles!" Once Skinny calmed down he admired the cards, but suddenly he became agitated again. "I think there's been a mistake. Hold everything. Stop the presses!"

"Mistake? What mistake?" Al Cashew wanted to know.

"Look inside the cards," Skinny said. "They're blank. They're all blank. The messages are missing. Somebody made a boo boo."

Cashew Chuckled. "They're supposed to be blank. You're supposed to write your own messages."

"Oh," said Skinny, scratching his head. "Well, what should I say?"

"I don't know," Cashew answered. "Something heartfelt and personal. Maybe in the Halloween card you could say, 'Trick or Treat!'"

"Good idea," Skinny replied. "I'll take sixteen packs. I'm going to say Trick or Treat in all of them. All except the one for Chocolate Rat."

"What are you going to say in Chocolate Rat's card?" Cashew asked.

"Boo!" Skinny said.

This Week in Tillyville

This Sunday, meet C.J. Walker and Stefanie Kwolek, women inventors who changed the world. Second in a series.

Monday's story is called Frisbee Golf. The best thing about Frisbee golf is the pie.

Tuesday Mrs. Hutchbottom has baked two special pies. One is cherry and the other is whoo-whoo-whoops. Oh oh.

What good is an automatic race car controller without a race car? Wednesday's story holds the answer.

Thursday Sunspots come home to roost.

Audrey and Dorian add a secret ingredient to make their Better Than Absolutely Best Guacamole. On Friday you get to find out what it is. Shhh.

Saturday, you'll meet Mustache Bob, Chassis the clown and Bunny the whistling alligator. Really.