tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432031633979092452024-03-12T18:47:49.375-07:00The Adventures of Chidester the GumberrySir Chidester's most recent adventures appear first, so to read the whole story, start at the bottom and read upwards! Jolly, wot?Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-15709074176476613192007-04-26T17:20:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:12.591-08:00Letter Five: Sad Dragon, No Tea<span style="font-size:130%;">My Dear Worried Thomisina,</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">First let me assure you that Ludwig and I are well. Our feet are freezing and our noses cold, but we are happy enough, even without hot tea.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Now I know why Boo Hoo Castle is so gloomy, Thomisina. The castle is very big and drafty; that is, cold air comes in all the time and chills everyone's toes and noses and fingertips. There are no fires in any of the fireplaces, and everyone, even Queen Clara herself, eats cold pickles straight out of a jar for supper. She cries the whole time!</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057900351514539378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNrWyX2WGOGBL110C_FczqI01ibh5ZsyaBaZ8LEFfOaXkz9gwiRSTJMM0m9e15onuV4YK4FX1-XPKQEL5ktA56TVfTl60NgLSQcJslJIC_5C05mAk5iqWSnXWVIFAPySwG51-1xCKh7wL/s400/queen+clara+eating+pickle.bmp" border="0" /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Why is Boo Hoo Castle so cold and sad? Well, dear Thomisina, it was not always this way. Once fires burned hot and cheery in every fireplace; everyone had tea three times a day and warm crumpets with raspberry jam and hot chocolate before bed. Once everyone sat in a nice warm bubblebath every night and toasted marshmallows and told stories with shining, happy faces.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Yes, once Boo Hoo Castle was the snuggest place you could imagine. People knocked at the door all day to visit and eat hot pea soup.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">But not anymore. You see, Boo Hoo Castle's dragon, Esmerelda, is sad. And when Esmerelda is sad, her breath-fire dries up. She refuses to light the fires or the stove or any of the candles. For a whole year now she has sat in the corner of the castle and cried, and not blown fire once to make Boo Hoo Castle warm and snug. Why? Nobody knows. Poor Queen Clara has tried everything: good stories, foot rubbings, and special treats like chocolate cake and vanilla pudding. But nothing works.</span></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHNP1AiBQtCMu-ZZR_2gj5u5-muOVQam3VbDcmJvVGhlbJZtBaaIPPq5hpO2lO3Xq3D1WQEvL7dGGcMNn5jceW0eWu7r9IbDXQzF_QT_kzMJ0oJrsAA6n4Ljy3V5JbP058tN6VvMHU8Fd/s1600-h/sad+dragon.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057896370079855970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHNP1AiBQtCMu-ZZR_2gj5u5-muOVQam3VbDcmJvVGhlbJZtBaaIPPq5hpO2lO3Xq3D1WQEvL7dGGcMNn5jceW0eWu7r9IbDXQzF_QT_kzMJ0oJrsAA6n4Ljy3V5JbP058tN6VvMHU8Fd/s400/sad+dragon.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As you may have guessed, Thomisina, Queen Clara has hired us with the hopes that we will be able to cheer Elsmerelda and bring back cozy fires to Boo Hoo Castle.</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I think we will succeed, though Ludwig the Noble is so grumpy without her hot tea that I don't suppose she'll be much help. But though I am cold and pink of nose, I am noble. And I am funny, too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">So do not worry, Thomisina. Tomorrow we will jolly the downcast dragon, collect our pennies, and head back to Gumberry Castle.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">I remain your confident,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><em>Chidester the Gumberry</em></span></p>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-44949262092162475732007-04-25T18:42:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:12.852-08:00Query: Does Ludwig Like Chicken Jokes?<span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><em>My Dear Sir Chidester,<br /><br />I do know some funny jokes. Here is one of my favorites:<br /><br />knock knock!<br />who's there?<br />Barbie!<br />Barbie who?<br />Barbie-qued chicken!<br /><br />Does Ludwig like chicken jokes?<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />Lady J</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Lovely Lady J:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I have been chuckling all day over your joke, and a good thing you told it to me, too, since there is nothing much to laugh about here at Boo Hoo Castle. But I will tell you more about that tomorrow.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For now, I'll answer your question: does Ludwig like chicken jokes? I am not sure. Do you know any? If you tell me a good chicken joke, then I will see if Ludwig laughs or not.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But you must not be sorry if Ludwig doesn't laugh, because Ludwig does not like chickens. I think this is because his great, great grandfather, Ludwig the Wise, was once insulted by a red chicken. This chicken called Ludwig the Wise a very rude name (a buzzard, actually, which is the worst thing you can call a noble bird!), and the line of <em>gumberius gumberius</em> has, ever since, disliked chickens. Ludwig will never eat eggs for breakfast, no matter how they are cooked. How do you like your eggs?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Ludwig did like your joke, though! She laughed and laughed until her feathers stood up straight in the air. This is a good thing, for Boo Hoo Castle has made her rather grumpy; she has had to wear her furry socks because the floors are so cold!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057551853573174610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDQvGKeTtvdbr4RH4_QzFjhkYbhqNOcs9XpaQ4QX9NxC8JwOpqKub9FW_W2AuE759zFazg2SKrZ0KMAbjFbgXP5_3JbsF03y75LKFtvSsWGwn4QgvzwMkrqWNS2oMh_pCuRiGm9CCVxUs/s400/ludwig+laughing.bmp" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">So my dear Lady J, thank for the good joke. I hope you have a delightful day, full of cool rainshowers and warm tomato soup.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">I remain yours most dotingly,</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Chidester the Gumberry</span>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-87872079320644128262007-04-23T11:41:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:13.243-08:00Query: What Is Inside of Boo Hoo Castle?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUvRDsZ8GDb59tCL9rG6Hcp_grFI2HI7ZfCklOGHJ_tcS1oPGPEscdlGLkaqkDQlA5HhnJ8UOO3TvlkE3qp7aaq5kbs1QFLbMCec_WuIXTkZ2QMc-RXxi_ZOE2gjNiNas-olHHx33k8e6/s1600-h/elephant+joke.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056707004235302050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUvRDsZ8GDb59tCL9rG6Hcp_grFI2HI7ZfCklOGHJ_tcS1oPGPEscdlGLkaqkDQlA5HhnJ8UOO3TvlkE3qp7aaq5kbs1QFLbMCec_WuIXTkZ2QMc-RXxi_ZOE2gjNiNas-olHHx33k8e6/s400/elephant+joke.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"><em>Dear Sir <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chidester</span>,<br /><br />I think maybe someone sad lives in Boo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hoo</span> Castle! Maybe you and your bird can make them happy or see what is wrong.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br /><br />Lady J</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">_______________________</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">My Lovely Lady J:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I think perhaps you are right. The gloomy outside of Boo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hoo</span> Castle may give us a hint of what or who might be inside!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If there IS someone sad inside the castle and my job is to cheer that person, I feel confident I will succeed. I am not boasting when I say that I, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Chidester</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gumberry</span>, am the funniest nobleman alive. (Only one funnier man existed, back in 1542: Count <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Coocoo</span>, who kept his entire court in stitches; everyone was bent over laughing so hard that nothing got done and his castle fell into ruins!)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Just to prove that I am indeed the funniest man since Count <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Coocoo</span>, here is my best joke:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><em>What did the man say to the elephant?</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ooo</span>, here is the answer, my dear: <em><span style="color:#cc0000;">Pack your trunk, we're leaving!</span></em></span><em><span style="color:#cc0000;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!</span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Not bad, if I do say so myself!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Ludwig the Noble Bird never laughs at my jokes. She thinks <em>she</em> is a rather funny bird (she enjoys dressing up and dancing):</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056704281226036370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lVNzb5KB6aISAGiAvEYSas7ZMNdOtGmStRRV1EaaiWFljL0Ji7hOO4inkzdaCRCG7PKe8yoKkLtgb4HU0goDUdf5eHYyqrEjOWT29iOi4Z7uVfT5XuuYYuwx4qeHvxrgTiAxbxBU-XYs/s400/ludwig+funny+bird.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Boo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hoo</span> Castle, here I come! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Chidester</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gumberry</span>, hilarious man, is coming to save you! Fear not!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">(Lady J, do you know any funny jokes?)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">I remain your most admiring,</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Chidester</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Gumberry</span></span></div></div>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-52458847210950263002007-04-22T18:18:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:13.442-08:00Letter Four<span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">My dear nervous Thomisina,</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When I last wrote to you, Ludwig the Noble Bird and I had lost all our pennies to a naughty man, sold Gumberry Castle to Lady Limabeard and her Awful Parrot, and had set out to find our fortune.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">So far we have not made much progress. I mean to say, my dear Thomisina, that we have not one penny except one Ludwig found on accident in the middle of a red apple yesterday at tea time.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Nobody seems to want to hire a dashing, handsome man like Chidester the Gumberry. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Then one night, after a terrible sleep (I dreamt of Limabeard wrecking Gumberry Castle and filling my noble boots with stinky lima beans!) I awakened to find Ludwig chirping loudly in my ear.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"Go away!" I shouted (I was still dreaming of Limabeard the Awful Parrot), whereupon Ludwig the Noble gave my earlobe a little bite.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"Ouch!" I yelled, jumping to my feet. Ludwig flapped her red wings quickly about my nose until I followed her down the path and around the corner.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Before us rose a very sad castle. Though the sun had been shining brightly when I awakened, suddenly the sky was very gloomy, as if a thunderstorm might break upon us at any moment. Standing there looking at that castle, I felt like bursting into tears.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But Ludwig did not seem to be sad, and she flew over to a sign and perched on it. "Boo Hoo Castle. Help wanted," the sign said.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056434467085534338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeRArLt0bqs4-bto-vyXwCc0dM3bToha1ZFm2pQ_98udkoXa9aBKE1HjO4lIX-spb_n5SrA6Zk9m5VitVdaRkH_yfUo_CuQC1MRLcqlYoamgEeHnTLkfiNW-aFiq9uvV0BbtSOTOfotH3/s400/boohoo+castle.bmp" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"Oh, no, Ludwig," I said, "This isn't the place for us. I'll bet the people who live in this castle serve nasty, warm tea and hard biscuits. No, we'll look somewhere else."</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But then I gazed more closely at the sign. Underneath the "Help Wanted," the sign said, "MUST BE NOBLE!"</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Well! </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Who is more noble than I, Chidester the Gumberry?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ludwig and I hurried up the path to Boo Hoo Castle. What good could we possibly do in such a gloomy place?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I hate to leave you in suspense, Thomisina, wondering what might happen to us next, but I must.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;">I remain your rather sad but QUITE NOBLE,</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><em>Chidester the Gumberry</em></span>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-77469102316826538532007-04-19T16:42:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:14.497-08:00Sir Chidester: Letter Three<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8Bz9pFfUofac40WvCXsjGwnbeDkID3tZfRVO0R8oCa7ZWmbegjDHCxpnPMb_h9yRN2PoyeQRs9nJw1ITVTa85wrJcu4vdeJGq3z-Dm_h0zxuiSooBLv-706AJ6ipRBKv5I1LG7Enqumq/s1600-h/O+do+come+down+ludwig.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055294698729292882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8Bz9pFfUofac40WvCXsjGwnbeDkID3tZfRVO0R8oCa7ZWmbegjDHCxpnPMb_h9yRN2PoyeQRs9nJw1ITVTa85wrJcu4vdeJGq3z-Dm_h0zxuiSooBLv-706AJ6ipRBKv5I1LG7Enqumq/s400/O+do+come+down+ludwig.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Dear Thomisina Basilina,</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">At last I am able to sit down and write you a few words! Oh, Thomisina, do you remember when I was a wee lad and refused to eat my brussel sprouts?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Now I would give half of Gumberry Castle (were it still mine) to eat just one brussel sprout.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">What do you think? I have spent half the day trying to coax down Ludwig the Noble from the branch of a tree.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">How did this happen, you may ask.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, Thomisina, dear pink-cheeked nursemaid of mine, I will tell you.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday we ate our very last green gumdrop. "Alas, Ludwig my dear companion," I said, licking the sugar from my fingers. "There are no more gumdrops!"</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ludwig hung her red head and seemed sad. All day today, as we walked on our path in search of our fortune, I thought hard about what my good bird friend might eat for tea.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Suddenly, as I walked into the shade of a tall ginko tree, I cried: "Bingo!" Ludwig popped down from her place atop my hat and flapped her wings.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"By George," I said. "By Basil! I know what we'll have for tea!"</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">For Thomisina, I had just remembered what you taught me when I was as short as your stockings.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Birds eat worms!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And there were plenty of those about. As Ludwig prepared our tea, I pushed the toe of my noble boot underneath a rock, and then with one deft <em>FLICK</em>! I flipped the rock over. Underneath were a wealth of worms.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055293732361651250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzILYee06a7smVGtDYe2b1Ww_WBpdbPh-qINB9e5gydedskqz0Nnga0nNmslc1JqiWw7vcke0KQnsIwdpKtQmdzfXLi_8q0XKAOoi8vwTRXGYQ1_yvCxnb-JHISDG-aiGHlm5wVrgCjlSp/s400/a+chidester+w+worm+o+no.jpg" border="0" />I thought Ludwig would be delighted!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But when I presented the worm on the royal Gumberry platter, she squawked at me--<em>yes, squawked!-</em>-and flew up into a tree.</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055297752451040354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZbRA_vR2xy2BTVlOdL1ua_aAogUTpdXDGekuCGXfPpCa5QRymxdIgnq3vRwBtyZWwSktizF5fyGzwHysomBnc___VACOiMDraDKcZxBE4aMEP285a0jdBANjygLn3iUDGBKLttGzeec6/s400/a+worm+on+plate.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"Oh, DO come down, Ludwig!" I yelled up at her, but it was no use.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally I decided I would show her how delicious worms really are!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055294157563413570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uobtNS583a_78P9-sBb553dnTm6qhIQ_fg6rZCDTwcFMmrMP0N2xpPAEnukCdbYrzgApL-WOE0bsReWisdD0xbLkY87Lp8iEMUua6wup4VyYgran2e3tmHbR6vs_pLpmXqxdClGGqqP3/s400/a+chidester+with+worm+detail.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">My dear Thomisina, worms are NOT delicious. Even though I pretended I was a bird, the worm was NOT delicious.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And to make matters worse, Ludwig the Noble sat up in the tree and laughed at me.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"Our tea is getting cold!" I shouted up at Ludwig, in a very un-noble way. I did not feel happy.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I did think tea time was ruined, and an adventure is no fun at all without a good cup of hot tea.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But just as I was bowing my handsome head, Ludwig remembered she was a noble bird.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She flew away for a minute--<em>I thought perhaps she would not come back!--</em>but then she came back.</span> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055298229192410226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMuRHDgyEA1rT2JNFf7I4C14vdXt-gvHFjB80kwDYb8ETlpo3nrqL_7oUmUdk9II3_pJnIbiU2zydqwXQLUqwDdpr9v6eA2P-L2z1ih9RVJwQTdtaTlqwbWAEARzGEKdbM0xi4Y9ChVh1/s400/aludwig.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ah, Thomisina, the tea was still warm. And though carrots are not quite as sweet as gumdrops, Ludwig and I enjoyed the <em>crunch!</em> for a change.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">And as you know, the most humble of food is delicious when it is eaten with a friend.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">I remain your well-fed and well-dressed,</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Sir Chidester the Gumberry</span></div></div>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-22554714801377825562007-04-19T06:53:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:14.768-08:00Query: Lady Limabeard<span style="color:#3333ff;"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Dear Sir Chidester,<br /><br />Does Lady Limabeard have a beard? Is she nice? Will she keep Gumberry Castle clean and pretty? I hope you find some pennies soon.</span><br /></em></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">_____________________</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">My superb Lady J,</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">As usual, a pertinent question! ("Pertinent" means just the right one! Spot on!)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I cannot complain about the lovely Lady Limabeard herself. To all my jokes (and I, Chidester the Gumberry, always tell funny jokes), she laughs like this: <span style="color:#ff0000;">Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha! </span>In a very pleasant way, as you can see.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">In fact, since I had to leave Gumberry Castle, Lady Limabeard would have been the perfect person to take care of its aged and beautiful towers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">But there is one terrible thing about the dear Lady. This one terrible thing makes me very worried about Gumberry Castle.</span><br /><br />~<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">My dear Lady J, I am a neat person. Like you, I like my floor clean, my toys put away, and I line up my 595 shoes in a perfect row.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Lady Limabeard herself is tidy, too. She always washes her hands before meals and she always wipes her chin after she eats mashed potatoes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">And no, she does not have a beard, and in fact she hates lima beans (can you imagine? I <em>adore</em> lima beans, almost as much as I love macaroons).</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Lady Limabeard owns a terrible, messy, grumpy, absolutely AWFUL parrot. This parrot is very old, and it is he who has a beard! Limabeard the Nasty Parrot once belonged to Lady Limabeard's Great, great, great, great, great, great, Greatgrandmother about 500 years ago.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Perhaps Limabeard the Parrot was not always messy, but with every birthday he becomes grumpier and grumpier. Every candle added to his green birthday cake just adds to his bad temper and sloppiness.</span></span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055144860205237266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhkO3VZVb1eCIAeTwpmpzqP88HUMwVqxM7H6JhvZMM312-RHnel_NtsnraK_gyo2grN76tnHNsB4iCLiggD-oEQk4zH4irHmTyGbP3zfiE6xZqf5gYOlPs3TivblVexmT8fOp_zwQ0hFW/s400/Lady+Limabeard.bmp" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Limabeard the Parrot loves lima beans, and these he eats for breakfast, lunch, tea, and supper. Lady Limabeard must feed him lima beans exactly on time, or he becomes quite crotchety and beats his wings hard, knocking vases, books, and dishes to the floor.</span></span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">What a mess! Limabeard the Parrot made such a mess in Lady Limabeard's castle that she moved out and bought mine instead. O, dear, dear, me. I become nervous just thinking about that grouchy bird in my home! </span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I fear that Limabeard the Parrot may <em>wreck</em> my dear, sparkling Gumberry Castle.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">You see why I <em>must</em> hurry to find more pennies! Ludwig and I must return to Gumberry Castle as soon as we can--before the Castle is in such a tiff it will never be clean again!</span></span></p><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Thank you for your well wishes, dear Lady J. I do hope <em>your</em> day is splendid, filled with sunshine, lots of tulips, and a nice hot bath.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Now I must find something to feed poor Ludwig the Noble for morning tea. The poor fellow does miss his green gumdrops!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">I am as always your true admirer,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;">Sir Chidester the Gumberry</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><em>PS. What do you think? Does Ludwig the Noble like Limabeard the Parrot?</em></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-39695150396641785442007-04-18T06:59:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:16.293-08:00Sir Chidester: Letter Two<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000099;">My dear Thomisina (who always smelled of peppermint sticks):<br /><br /></span>Yesterday I left you in suspense, gazing at the bad watch Mr. Charlatown made with my money. Of course you will have noticed that this watch has no hands! Who wants a watch that doesn't tell time? Truly, Thomisina, what good is it? </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I was so terribly upset, thinking of the sneaky way Mr. Charlatown took all my money, that I had to stop writing immediately and stomp my noble boots into the grass. Even a noble Duke, Lord, Count, etc., has his moments of frustration, Thomisina, though I try to be as patient and gentle as possible.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I was so sad, thinking of Gumberry Castle, that I had to console myself with a scalding cup of tea. Since I lost my pennies, I have started making dandelion tea, which after all is not so bad. The trick is to pick the dandelions before they get white and fluffy. Chop them small, add boiling water--and presto! Ludwig the Noble Bird refuses to drink anything but Earl Grey, but she will come around. I hope. She is still rather upset about how I lost all our money to that naughty Mr. Charlatown.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054771768677519634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhochhBRNwem19ba9pBVw_XRxo4h_alYjkf3-LzgvkfCU0DE9Gnbm-tWW4dJ3uNiVVImTcEzQmeu6HExwCl73egd23R4Ie474tkvzu5NXsPbouq1qXjZ3cJaosC_Kwd1fhQCcIsuGcApPYN/s400/ludwig+hates+dandelion+tea.bmp" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But where were we?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Ah, yes. I had lost every last cent. Lady Limabeard bought Gumberry Castle, and I packed my royal suitcase.</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The Royal Gumberry Cat refused to come with me. She meowed loudly when I invited her to come on my adventures. She is a lazy cat.</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054774208218943794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEkyoVAfasG7qwtU_PxwAFWRz7b-e0goN9jhdaXsw_xawk8u6g8WAqtj6sN-bF2iEkLI0hyphenhyphencXl7xjwrbOvUL4p7wzta_AYa817dmS7KeOyJgjLTVrBfvFg21eZVR8TjfyX4H4pK7t6jRw/s400/a+royal+gumberry+cat.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wanted to take along some Gumberry biscuits for a picnic, but Mr. Charlatown had eaten every last one!</span><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054774556111294786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIujp_wEBxyzcUm8M8U7kPtISmdIwWAs0O_jQYE6bKK5grln7NcK18Tauu6qOa99YtUkMEjgy6Fz6wz_eywJiclT5K_6gCu5ig6EL1vfPdsTep2KORX4Ypuii0-kDef7cEQhPoRy7Y2QOm/s400/agumberrybiscuits.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">So here is what I took with me:</span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054773851736658210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtWb20CIp1GZi1XaJu-ILi2auUU_Ggn1YTuG8T_YNn4m5HyZGkfFEJAanbZ89h_YO6wyS-1PYafhGVpyiDd4oan0H9Z8yIHY-qQ5M2Miz3a8va0y_EAVi4VgyU0nXhQ2YfcxgANvsmlUL/s400/a+tea+cup.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">My royal Sir Chidester teacup, of course.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV_2z7M8ydjfC04Vdu8f7HMfEdlC527A1gXgfx_7zLpsSi3LiNdzWIn73G5dBlI-ZZEb0l3GrESmiwmA2m85GvJimxg-8XjKtQGCXBiWjclAZNezrY21RGUmRt6zxx37EBRmqzhaLdBUn/s1600-h/acastleofgumberrydetail.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054774998492926290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV_2z7M8ydjfC04Vdu8f7HMfEdlC527A1gXgfx_7zLpsSi3LiNdzWIn73G5dBlI-ZZEb0l3GrESmiwmA2m85GvJimxg-8XjKtQGCXBiWjclAZNezrY21RGUmRt6zxx37EBRmqzhaLdBUn/s320/acastleofgumberrydetail.jpg" border="0" /></a>A picture of dear Gumberry Castle, to remind me that I must find my fortune so I can one day return.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I took along my spiffy suitcase, packed with an extra set of clothes in case it rains while we are adventuring. And of course accompanying me was my faithful friend, Ludwig the Noble.</span><br /><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I shed many tears as I stepped down the stairs of Gumberry Castle.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">So long! <em>Adieu!</em> <span style="color:#000000;">I called.</span> <em>Hasta la vista! Kwaheri! Toodle-pip!</em></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">At first I didn't know where to go, but Ludwig chirped in a southeasterly direction, so we followed the path in that direction.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">What will we find? Who will we meet? How will we earn enough pennies so we can buy back Gumberry Castle?</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And what in the world will we eat for our teatime now that all the gumdrops are gone?</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">But for the present I remain your handsome and adventurous,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><em>Sir Chidester the Gumberry</em></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054777700027355490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiy8t9k7H0keXWcmWWriE4f4UcHusidXffAPLsq1VV9ufuYzfXkcVVJ6f8irOgyzYI6LO8levO9C1_RmFrYAGuRfyyzGZmzkca2URqlWRaEu-fstiPv3FKYpqK7hMG0pTTeazeZpN2XiA/s400/achid+himself.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000099;"><em>P.S. Dear Thomisina Basilina, I am enclosing a small token of my love for you: a picture of myself and Ludwig when we first embarked on our adventures. I hope, when you see it, you will utter good wishes for your handsome Chidester. Adieu for now!</em></span><br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-78944432835934480072007-04-17T11:55:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:16.481-08:00Query: No Job, No Gumdrops<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"><em>Dear Chidester,<br /><br />What do you do all day? How do you feed Ludwig gumdrops if you don't have any pennies? Maybe you could get a job in a candy store and get gumdrops for your bird and save up your pennies to buy your castle back.<br /><br />Lady J</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333399;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">My dear, what a good question. Lady J, when Ludwig the Noble Bird and I lost every last penny--NOT EVEN ONE LEFT IN THE ROYAL PIGGYBANK!--I wondered what I would do!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Ludwig the Noble was worried, too, for she began chirping loudly in my ear every time we sat down to tea. The Royal Green Gumdrops were almost gone. Poor Ludwig! And it was all my fault. I had insisted on being noble and where had that left me? Without a penny.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">My poor castle was now for sale. There was only one green gumdrop left for Ludwig.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">So one morning, I took my blue polkadotted umbrella and Ludwig the Noble and I went searching for a job.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">I thought just what you did, dear Lady J: why not work in a candy shop? What better place to work? Wouldn't you love to live in a candy shop? And wouldn't you love to eat lollipops for breakfast, and gobstoppers for lunch, and swedish fish for dinner! Like the rest of the noble Gumberry family, I LOVE macaroons. . .</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">During our walk, I thought about working at the candy shop and eating macaroons all day. And Ludwig had started to become very excited about munching gumdrops again! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">But when we reached the store, this is what we saw:</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054475801999858738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EMo2O4cDv4Goq-FpTpcvbjwytgNEAcN71X2ylo5eS6NXTWhor_I108yqPTWUHkGsSCp402BxzRakVghQEPwhKljlXURrEmCLwv90lGLFHPhN11pXcC88TsA2RSJUp1uTwL0gptm3a4qJ/s400/no+job+at+candy+store.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Oh, dear! What would we do?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">It was then I decided I must embark on a journey, a journey full of adventure. I, Chidester the Gumberry, would travel the world in search of my fortune! And then I would someday return to buy back Gumberry Castle!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">But I'll tell you more about the beginning of my trip tomorrow.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Thank you, Lady J, for your lovely letter. What a perfect lady you must be--do you always finish your <span style="color:#009900;">broccoli</span> at dinner? I hope so!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Sincerely,</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><em>Chidester the Gumberry</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">PS. Ludwig the Noble chirps hello!</span></div>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-22092071049822079982007-04-17T10:00:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:17.824-08:00Sir Chidester: The First Letter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3fdkiAGlcO6P6fg9KTPCihSLvJ6R92jYaQB5g463ab4yeNimpvB6UflMfdL0ADY6Oc9Ot5rpVgwymuGFClor_grpjRpMm9puMMZUgA_UeYNgf-yuH1tdAOMGMBn3Xmh5B0q1CO_HssOx/s1600-h/a+dear+thomisina.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054038466954943426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3fdkiAGlcO6P6fg9KTPCihSLvJ6R92jYaQB5g463ab4yeNimpvB6UflMfdL0ADY6Oc9Ot5rpVgwymuGFClor_grpjRpMm9puMMZUgA_UeYNgf-yuH1tdAOMGMBn3Xmh5B0q1CO_HssOx/s320/a+dear+thomisina.jpg" border="0" /></a> Stop worrying, my dear fragile nursemaid! Your sweet, handsome Chidester is alive!<br /><br />Yes, I Chidester the Gumberry am alive, good Thomisina. Alive, but sad. Breathing, but bereft, for I have lost the strong towers of Gumberry Castle.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054039188509449170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdp5eskQyDY_edcrvh-qFMOHofsbg-ON4BNPFyzRjLih-duMchvR4fR7XdGhEbIPCSq_Rp19Vu3FXYLMfbSpL2KgJlnVJ_AHgKEgsv80qa7xnCGLWUFdisbfoDyIky2pZCeoKJrmLwIl9/s320/a+gumberry+castle.jpg" border="0" /><br />How can a person lose a castle? Well, I have not lost it through a hole in my pocket, nor have I dropped it in a corner, like an apple core. Chidester the Gumberry never has holes in his pockets! Chidester the Gumberry always eats his apple cores!<br /><br />I feel very, very sad, Thomisina, when I think of Lady Limabeard living in the large, damp rooms of Gumberry Castle.<br /><br />Here is how I lost my home.<br /><br /><br />I have a good friend, Mr. Charlatown. Mr. Charlatown and I play games every evening together, or at least we used to. Often we played Twister or Gumberry Land together, and no matter how hard I tried, Mr. Charlatown always won! <div><div><br /><div>As you said, dear Thomisina, NEVER TRUST A MAN WHO WEARS BANANAS ON HIS HAT!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054046133471566818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e1FRzGRbQkkJgQShl651EQuq3OhOvj17OfDLqm54QZsDhf-X8gSySSXk6T5Kf4N7JR1hg_DSpc-RnDGdOOejCWX7nigYC7Hu8oYskYs3_9_fN2tldOBmynXDUw2XqQTjm1SqRX_TuZ07/s400/a+mr.+charlatown.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div>If only I had listened to you, my dear, plump nursemaid!<br /><br />One night, after he had won the fifth game of Gumberry Land in a row, Mr. Charlatown sat back in his chair and said,<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Chidester, old boy!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">SIR Chidester to you!</span> I said. I was feeling rather grumpy about losing for the 1,002nd time.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">SIR Chidester, old boy!</span> Mr. Charlatown started again. (Mr. Charlatown has a very LOUD voice!) <span style="font-size:180%;">I have a great business venture for you!</span> </div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">~</span></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">(At this point, Ludwig the noble bird began beating her wings around Mr. Charlatown's odd hat. I thought she wanted to eat his bananas, so I said, "Ludwig! Behave!" She settled on my top hat, but not before she glared at Mr. Charlatown.)</span> </div><div></div><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">~</span></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I noticed Mr. Charlatown was eating all of the Royal Gumberry biscuits out of the jar. But you, dear Thomisina Basilina, always told me that I should never complain, and so I watched quietly as Mr. Charlatown stuffed his great red face with my delicious Gumberry biscuits.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">~</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">What is a <em>great business venture</em>? Well, dear Thomisina, what Mr. Charlatown meant was that he should make something useless and use my all my money to make it. Of course I didn't know he meant to STEAL all my money. I have always been a trusting sort of chap, since I am noble.</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">~</span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMbrQB_G3X_eqhKmiDtnwi98AU1FVkSbFCy2sOKMah88eXyJDziBtZjZ_FSvl1qhyrH5PpqX42JCiE3Az2A-O02qGGoS-b55TNN55covfCIpANGGZEgHF-ci-WBNf5xAHhZ89kb-bL8Dv/s1600-h/aludwigwithwormdetail.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054048096271621106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMbrQB_G3X_eqhKmiDtnwi98AU1FVkSbFCy2sOKMah88eXyJDziBtZjZ_FSvl1qhyrH5PpqX42JCiE3Az2A-O02qGGoS-b55TNN55covfCIpANGGZEgHF-ci-WBNf5xAHhZ89kb-bL8Dv/s320/aludwigwithwormdetail.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ludwig the noble bird tried to warn me, Thomisina! Ludwig the Noble flew onto my shoulder and peeped loudly. He was trying to warn me. But I thought Ludwig was just after Mr. Charlatown's bananas, and so I shooed her away! </div><div><br /></div><div>I should have listened to Ludwig! But I only know that now.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">So Mr. Charlatown took all my money--every last penny! And he ate every last Gumberry biscuit! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Then the next week Mr. Charlatown came back with something in his pocket.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">LOOK AT THIS, he said, and he was so excited to show me what was in his pocket that one of his bananas fell to the floor and split open. Ludwig did not eat the banana like I thought she would. And then I realized--Ludwig wasn't interested in</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">bananas!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">Ludwig was interested in being my friend! And I hadn't listened to her when she tried to warn me. Suddenly,</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I knew I was in trouble.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">And when Mr. Charlatown showed me what was in his pocket--what he had used all my money for--I KNEW I was in trouble.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh, dear, Thomisina. Here is what Mr. Charlatown spent every last Gumberry penny on. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"We'll sell millions of them, Chidester old chap!" he said.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"SIR Chidester the GUMBERRY to you," I said. In Mr. Charlatown's hand was a watch. And it was a handsome watch. But I knew right away we would never sell millions, and I knew right away I was in trouble.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyhgTmOAd9BMDzbA7lU4X7O7hPC8rRYdP0h8sb4hJagHuk1gymZhY0AZ0qcOcTbb4zjAfRQCPwdLaiFWbKykuJ2NesaQCPxI87_YAYuwk6nx59v2mOB2SUUyUYePLLtTfd1Xz9gvEkKQ0/s1600-h/a+bad+watch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054049917337754626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyhgTmOAd9BMDzbA7lU4X7O7hPC8rRYdP0h8sb4hJagHuk1gymZhY0AZ0qcOcTbb4zjAfRQCPwdLaiFWbKykuJ2NesaQCPxI87_YAYuwk6nx59v2mOB2SUUyUYePLLtTfd1Xz9gvEkKQ0/s400/a+bad+watch.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Can you tell why, Thomisina?</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Look closely with your old eyes, and then you will know why I felt so awful.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I knew I would not be able to keep Gumberry Castle. I was all out of pennies, and my noble piggy bank was empty.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">What would I do?</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I will tell you in my next letter.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">But for now I remain truly your sweet and handsome</span></div><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Chidester the Gumberry</span></em></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-52415938911171096332007-04-16T13:04:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:18.024-08:00Query: What sort of bird is noble Ludwig?<span style="font-size:180%;"></span><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:180%;">My dear Lady J,</span> (<em>for I feel I may call you so</em>:)</span><br /><br />You asked, what sort of bird is good, noble Ludwig?<br /><br />He is not, as you were brilliant to guess, a cardinal, though he is indeed as red as cranberries.<br /><br />Ludwig is not <em>cardinalis cardinalis.</em><br /><em></em><br />Ludwig is <em>gumberius gumberius</em>. In other words, he started as a bright <span style="color:#3366ff;">blue</span> egg. I found this egg nestled in my tea cup at Gumberry Castle one morning. I was about to crack it with my spoon, thinking it was an ordinary poached egg, when I heard a <em><span style="color:#ff0000;">CRACK</span> !</em><br /><em></em><br />And out peeked a small pink bird with big, coal-black eyes. Yes, all gumberius gumberius begin a rather watery pink. Only as they age and have their tea every day do they begin to turn bright red.<br /><br />I looked into my tea cup and said, "<em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Good Gumdrops</span></em>!"<br /><br />And Ludwig the pink bird said, "<em><span style="color:#ff0000;">To-eat, to-eat</span></em>!" </span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054127467267251234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2CsDfUk4DvPcIQyTvk7D4c9n4ko6y6EZDr8ZvlCNiXya-JVDjx3uYuHjc6WJOb0SZMDbfSRVCvLtecVlxnHyE42dF1RqFYmqZDIe-QPi073Y6YiItDCS5LTPJL6ErqFx4lmAK6Ts6sQO/s400/ludwigsbirth.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">It was then I realized that this little pink chick was peckish, and so I fed him the nearest thing I could find--a sip of Earl Grey tea and a sugary <span style="color:#33cc00;">green gumdrop</span>.<br /><br />Because indeed, Lady J.--correctly guessed--he eats piles of <span style="color:#33cc00;">green gumdrops</span> for tea every day on a china plate.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Of course this is all before we had to leave the grand estate of Gumberry Castle.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">But I will tell you that sad tale tomorrow.</span></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Thank you, dear lady, for writing!</span></em></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Sincerely,</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Sir Chidester the Gumberry</em></span></div></div>Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243203163397909245.post-8684887931882477132007-04-15T20:16:00.000-07:002008-12-11T07:24:18.415-08:00The First Note from Thomisina BasilinaMy dear friends:<br /><br />I know you have been worried about Sir Chidester, noble duke, etc. of Gumberry Castle. Only last week, as I was eating my spaghetti, I dropped my fork in surprise as I read:<br /><br /><strong>MISSING! </strong><em>NOBLE CHIDESTER THE GUMBERRY disappears from Gumberry Castle! Castle has been put up for sale, and has been bought by Lady Limabeard. Where has Chidester the Gumberry gone? NOBODY KNOWS.</em><br /><br />I have been unable to sleep, even though I drink lots of warm milk before bedtime. Where has Sir Chidester gone? I often wonder as I lie in bed, counting mice as they skitter across my floor. <em>One, two, three--oh, where can Chidester be?</em><br /><br />I was his nursemaid. Perhaps you have heard of me. My name is Thomisina Basilina. I taught the noble boy how to add two and two.<br /><br /><strong>2 + 2 =</strong><br /><br />I taught dear Chidester how to fold his socks and put them neatly away in his drawer. It was I, Thomasina Basilina, who patted Sir Chidester on his neatly combed head when he ate all his peas. And where is he now? <em>Three, four five--is Chidester alive?</em><br /><br />And then, one bright spring morning when the mice were hanging their wash out to dry in the sunshine, I reached into my post box and pulled out a letter. I held it with shaking hands.<br /><br />I would know Chidester's handwriting anywhere! (Wasn't I, Thomisina Basilina, good nursemaid, the one who taught him to curl his Bs just so?)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqSF3QqB5kHfX1fTUINnxXRfxZDnxLuLV38pI6x_ooACKC6Rne6PDSj-9jt4jcZ0vTvz__K7kwqzxFg68yyhaNi2aQHPNXkEC-Obo6koc0U78h8r7Jmk9aQDmrXsvRMnGeAHPnqKqeZ0/s1600-h/Dear(est)+Thomisina.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053851865536798290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqSF3QqB5kHfX1fTUINnxXRfxZDnxLuLV38pI6x_ooACKC6Rne6PDSj-9jt4jcZ0vTvz__K7kwqzxFg68yyhaNi2aQHPNXkEC-Obo6koc0U78h8r7Jmk9aQDmrXsvRMnGeAHPnqKqeZ0/s320/Dear(est)+Thomisina.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just to be sure, I flipped the envelope over and read the return address:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ud-uK-nPz73Ut1ZvI4aNW9ySmizq-QTPjB8PvZNOPW9lbHPi4dwWQuRSNfJ7T4-ankiOImk6qoQ_vY548p8AevL4yB9WP3E-rlxBfWH2Y2Y9SDvZNvhyphenhyphenzOIZfIPCwF_m6OLLi3dVx98/s1600-h/Chidester's+signatu.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053852260673789538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ud-uK-nPz73Ut1ZvI4aNW9ySmizq-QTPjB8PvZNOPW9lbHPi4dwWQuRSNfJ7T4-ankiOImk6qoQ_vY548p8AevL4yB9WP3E-rlxBfWH2Y2Y9SDvZNvhyphenhyphenzOIZfIPCwF_m6OLLi3dVx98/s400/Chidester's+signatu.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><em>It's Chidester!</em> I cried. The mice dropped their nice clean tablecloth into a mud puddle in surprise.<br /><br /><em>Six, seven, eight!</em> I swung open the gate and hurried into the house to make myself a nice cup of basil tea. Then I sat down to open Chidester the Gumberry's letter.<br /><br />Would you like to know what it said?Chidester the Gumberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03450097510214801674noreply@blogger.com0