The Tales of Huckleberry Hound: Season 4

8. Huck Taps Out!

One morning, Huckleberry Hound had just gotten a package from Mr. Post, the mailman. He quickly brought it inside his house and went to work opening it up quickly. His puppy dog Pudgy came scampering over to see why he was so happy.

"Look, Pudgy!" he cried. "I got something in the mail! Wanna see what it is?"

Pudgy barked and wagged his tail. Then he went over to the box as Huck opened it. Inside was a shiny black pair of shoes with silver metallic heels on them.

"Leapin' lizards!" the hound dog cried. "It's a new pair of tap shoes! Oh, I've always wanted to wear a pair of shoes like these! I can tap dance in the jazz club shows!"

He took the shoes out of the box, and put them on his feet. They fit him perfectly! When he got up, he took a step. Click! The shoes made a clicking noise whenever he walked!

"Made with the finest reinforced steel to give your toes a clickety clack!" he read from the letter in the box. "Hot dog!"

He kept on stepping and tapping as the shoes went clickety clack! Clickety clack! Huck couldn't help but giggle as he kept on stepping. "Hey, this is pretty catchy!"

So, he went outside to show off his new shoes. As he went, he danced down the block as the shoes kept clicking. But then, he saw a poster on a building that read, "Show your best moves! Hill Street Jazz Club presents the Tapping Out Contest! The best tap dancer will win a movie pass at the Fleming Theater for five people plus 150 dollars!"

Huck felt his heart soar. A song and dance routine that would win him money and a chance to take his friends to a movie? He couldn't say no to an opportunity like that!

"WHOOPEE!!!" he cheered. "A tap dance contest!! This is my time to shine!!"

He continued to dance down the block to look for his friends and tell them the exciting news. He soon found them at the malt shop, ordering milk shakes. When he entered, he did a little pose, showing off his tap shoes.

"Woah!!" Hokey Wolf cried. "Look at that! Ol' Huck's got some spiffy new tap shoes!"

"Nice shoes, Huck!" Dixie shouted.

"Yeah, you look real spiffy!" Pixie added.

"You look fabulous!" Snagglepuss beamed. "Stylish, even!"

"Thanks, fellers!" Huck replied. "I just got them in the mail! You like em'?"

'You bet we do!" Mr. Jinks grinned. "Hey! You could be the one to beat Allistair Fredricks!"

"Allistair Fredricks?" Huck asked. "Who's he?"

"He's the reigning champion of the tap dance contest!" Hokey explained. "Three years running, in fact!"

"Three years!?" Huck cried. "Golly! That's mighty impressive!"

"I'll say!" Ding-a-Ling replied. "The man must be a master tap dancer!"

But then, a tall man entered the malt shop, and looked directly at Huck.

"That's him!" Snag cried.

Huck stepped up to the man. "So, you must be Alistair Fredricks, huh?"

"Yep! And you're Huckleberry Hound! I've heard of you! You got your start at the jazz club just like me, didn't you?"

"Yep!" Huck replied.

"You stole my spotlight!!" Alistair growled. "I was Hill Street Neighborhood's biggest star until you showed up!!"

Huck turned to his friends. "I think he's jealous," he whispered. Then he turned back to Alistair. "Well, Alistair, what are you gonna do?"

"Well, Huckleberry, I'm gonna beat you in the competition!"