The Tales of Huckleberry Hound: Season 4

24. A Visit From Cousin Juniper

Huckleberry Hound woke up one fine morning and prepared to head to the studio to film another episode of his show. As he sat down for breakfast, he was taking a glance at the morning paper when he heard a knock at his door. He turned, and saw a letter being pushed through the mail slot. Immediately, his puppy dog Pudgy wandered over to fetch the letter, and brought it to him.

"Thanks, boy!" Huck smiled, taking the letter. "Hmm...I wonder who's writing to me?"

He opened up the letter and began to read.

Dear Huckleberry.

I'm coming to visit you in a few days while I spend some time in Southern California. I hope you don't mind. I always find a nice cozy place to stay, even if it's outside under the stars, so you don't have to worry about saving a spare room for me if you don't have one. But I thought I would drop by and see how you're doing. I haven't seen you since I came for the family reunion after your twenty-first birthday! I hear you're starring in your own television show now. Congratulations! I admit, I haven't gotten a chance to see it yet, since I've been spending more time outdoors than in. But I'm more than willing to sit down with you for an evening to watch. I'm really looking forward to seeing you. I have the address to your home thanks to the phone book, so I should be arriving soon. I'll see you then, cousin!

Love, Juniper

"Well I'll be!" he grinned. "Cousin Juniper's coming! First Dusty moves in, and now Juniper's comin' to visit! Hot diggity!"

He went outside, jumped in his car, and drove all the way to the malt shop to meet up with his friends so he could tell them the good news.

"Boy, is Snag gonna be surprised!" he said.

Snagglepuss was Huck's best friend who had recently moved into the neighborhood. He was starring with Yogi Bear in his show, but also spent a lot of time hanging out with Huck and his co-stars when he wasn't working. In fact, the two lived next door to each other.

When he got to the malt shop, there stood his buddy, waiting in line to get a milkshake. Huck knew the rest of his friends wouldn't be far behind. He immediately walked inside and waved hello to the pink mountain lion.

"Howdy, Snag!"

"Ah, Huck! Good to see you as usual!" Snag smiled, waving back. "How are you on this fine day?"

"I'm fine! In fact, I have some good news to share!"

"What is it?"

"My cousin Juniper is coming to visit!"

"Who is she again?" Snag asked.

"She's my uncle Boysenberry's middle daughter," he explained. "She's been traveling all over the country, and I ain't seen her since the last family reunion! I'm glad she's comin' to visit, 'cause I missed her something awful!"

"Does she travel often?" Snag asked.

"All the time. She can never seem to stay in one place!" Huck laughed.

"That actually reminds me of Dusty," Snag chuckled.

"Yeah, but unlike Dusty, Juniper is a vegetarian."

"Vegetarian?" Snag echoed. "She doesn't eat meat?"

"Nope. She's been that way for a long time."

"Ohhhhh." Snag scratched his head. "Heavens to Murgatroyd, I wonder how the others would feel about that, when we eat so many hamburgers and chicken tenders...salmon steaks...turkey cutlets, even!"

"I don't think she'd mind, Snag. She just chooses not to eat meat is all."

"I see...I see. Oh, here come the others now. Do you suppose we should tell them everything?"