The Tales of Huckleberry Hound: Season 1

18. Squeal of Fortune

Summer was nearing and Huckleberry Hound was thinking hard about how he wanted to celebrate the coming of the season as he sat in his favorite chair that night watching TV. He spent summer last year making episodes for his show, as well as hosting parties, and going to Super Family Funland, but what could he do this year? He was in thought as the TV show he was watching went to a commercial break, and he heard an announcer speak.

"Introducing the Heat-o-Matic Grill! The faster, newer way to get cooking!"

Huck's eyes lit up as he knew what he wanted to do. "I got it! I'll hold a backyard barbecue for me and all my friends! And I know just the thing to fix for em'!"

He remembered how his father used to cook pork ribs over an old-fashioned barbecue pit when he was a young pup. The memory of how tender and tasty they had been made him lick his lips hungrily. He ran over to the kitchen to look for some ribs, but when he looked in the fridge, there weren't any ribs!

"Shucks! I plumb forgot, I ain't got no pork ribs!" he said to himself, frowning in disappointment. "Oh well, first thing tomorrow I'll head over to the store and buy some."

And that's just what he did. The next morning, after having a big bowl of cereal for breakfast, he made his way over to the supermarket, but he was in for some bad luck when he arrived there. He looked all over the meat counter, and he saw all kinds of things: steaks, chops, chicken legs and wings, but no ribs! He looked up at the man behind the counter.

"Excuse me, sir, but uh...what happened to all the ribs?"

"Sold out," the man replied. "We had a sale yesterday and they were picked clean. But if you like, I can interest you in some steaks, maybe."

"Well, as much as I love steak, I'm afraid it's the ribs I'm after." Huck sighed.

"Why don't you try the butcher shop? Mr. Bloggs might have some in stock."

"Hmm, now why didn't I think of that before?" Huck muttered to himself. "I'll head on over there now. But they better have the ribs."

But when he got to the butcher shop, no such luck. Mr. Bloggs told Huck that for some reason, it seemed like everyone in Hill Street Neighborhood was eager to buy pork ribs.

"Memorial Day weekend is a busy time for me," he said. "My ribs are really popular with all the locals, and I'm afraid I won't have any more until next week."

Huck sighed. "Doggone! I wanted to throw a barbecue for my friends! But I can't do it without the ribs!"

"Well, tell you what, Huck...I've got a nice juicy marrowbone in back. I'll let you have it for nothing as my way of saying sorry."

"That's nice of you," Huck said, sadly. "But without ribs, I won't be able to throw a barbecue!!!" Then he threw back his head and bawled.

Mr. Bloggs shook his head. "Tsk, tsk...I'm really sorry, Huck. Here, take the marrowbone. I'll wrap it up for you so you can bring it home. It's on the house. And while I'm at it, I think I might have an idea how I can help you."

Huck sniffled and wiped away his tears. "Y-you can?"

"Yeah, I've got a friend who runs a farm about three miles outside of town. He supplies me with a lot of the chickens and cows that are butchered for the meat I sell. I hear he might have some pigs now. Perhaps you could pay him a visit, and if you find a pig, you can bring it back here to me. I'll fashion some nice ribs out of it just for you!"

Huck's eyes lit up with joy. "Oh goody!! I'll head over there right away!!" He started to head for the door, but stopped and blushed. "Uh, where can I find this farm, Mr. Bloggs?"