The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera

48. Spice of Strife

May, 1992

One morning, Huckleberry Hound and Yogi Bear were out for a walk, when they saw a sign posted near the entrance to the fairgrounds.

"Oh my darlin'...oh my darlin'..." Huck was singing. "Oh my darlin' Clementine..."

"Hey, hey!" Yogi suddenly cried when he saw the sign. "Take a look at this, Huck! We're in luck!"

"What makes this a lucky day, Yogi?" Huck asked curiously.

"See for yourself!"

Huck walked over to the sign to read it. "'Come one, come all to the annual Spice Celebration! All the free food you can eat, but beware, you might find it a little hot to your liking.' Well shuckins...sometimes food ain't so good without a little heat! After all, who wants to eat cold soup?"

"Good point!" Yogi replied. "Let's go check it out!"

"Did you say Spice Celebration!?" a voice called from behind.

Shaggy Rogers and Scooby-doo came running down the block. "Like,we'd love to join you for the Spice Celebration!"

"Well, Shaggy, you and Scooby can come with us!" Huck grinned. "There's gonna be a lot of food there! Come on!"

And off they went into the fairgrounds. There were a few rides set up, but there were mostly rows and rows of food stands lined up every which way. The air was filled with the scents of tangy spicy foods, smokey charcoal and even some of the more familiar scents of the fairgrounds, like hot dogs and popcorn. As the gang walked along, they could hear the vendors calling out to them, trying to beckon customers to their stands.

"Fresh samples! Tacos with cilantro! Taquitos, empanadas and nachos!"

"The finest samosa and curry straight from India! Do you have the palate?"

"Couscous from Morocco! Tagine made with love and care!"

"The best Chinese sweet and sour pork with a spicy touch! Come and try it! You won't be disappointed!"

Huck blinked. "Curry? Nachos? Oooooh! This is gonna be real hot!"

"Like...I like hot stuff!" Shaggy grinned.

"Re too!" Scooby chimed in.

"Of course, I've seen you fellers eat a whole jar of hot peppers just for fun!" Huck chuckled.

"But we can eat more than just hot peppers! Let's show him, Scoob!"

"Rokay!"

Shaggy and Scooby bought five large trays of hot wings, and gobbled them down. But they soon felt their mouths burning. They had steam coming out of their ears and their faces were bright red! But they were laughing!

"That good, huh?" Yogi asked. "Shee...I dunno..."

The vendor then noticed Huck. "Hello, good sir!" he said. "How are you enjoying the celebration?"

"Well I just arrived, but uh...I'd like to try something," Huck replied. "It looks pretty tasty!"

"Then, you'll be interested in some hot wings! They're our best seller!"

"Great!" Huck smiled. "I love chicken wings!"

The vendor handed Huck a small serving of hot wings in a paper tray. The hound paid a small fee for the wings, then he took a moment to admire how beautifully they were fried and sauced.

"Looks good alrighty!" the hound said.

Yogi nodded. "Try one, Huck!"

Huck grabbed one of the wings and stuck it in his mouth, and with a pop, he pulled it out leaving nothing but a bone in one gulp. But suddenly, his face turned to an awkward look as it became red, then steam shot out of his ears, and he opened his mouth and started to spew smoke!