That's What Friends Are For (3 page)

“Then we have finished painting just in time,” said Teeny, smiling.

“One more thing, Teeny,” said Tugg. “Please paint the picnic table bench but be quick about it. I'll go tell all our friends while you are finishing up.”

But Teeny thought to herself,
Sometimes monkeys just need to rest
.

So she took out her notepad and began to write a poem— “Housepainting = Hard Work.”

Then she practiced playing a song on her music stick— “Ooga-Chaca-Ooga-Ooga-Ooga-Chaca.”

Next she painted a picture on her easel—
A Rose for a Gorilla
.

So it was quite late by the time Teeny finally got around to painting the picnic bench.

The next day friends from all over the jungle arrived for the potluck.

Flap the Elephant said, “Love the new paint job, Tugg. Your house sparkles!”

“Yes, it does, and what a beautiful shade of violet,” said Violet.

“Thank you,” said Tugg and Teeny.

Everything looked and smelled so tasty.

“Happy Good Neighbor Day to one and all!” Tugg said. “Let the potluck begin!”

And so it did.

But after they had eaten, and the guests got up to leave, Teeny nearly fainted. Everyone had a big violet stripe on his or her bottom!

“Oh no!” Teeny whispered. “Look, Tugg! The paint on the bench did not dry.”

What a mess!
Tugg thought.

Thinking quickly, Tugg said, “Dear friends, we wanted this to be a day to remember. So Teeny and I decided to give each of you a special gift. Please look behind you. It is your very own tattoo.”

The animals stared at each others' backsides in silence. Then …

Rory Lion roared, “
Grooovy!
”

Tina Hyena laughed, “
Sweeeet!
”

And everyone hooted and hollered all the way home.

Later that night, when the guests were gone, Teeny said, “I waited too long to paint the picnic bench, didn't I, Tuggboat?”

“Yes, you did, Monkeyface,” said Tugg, “but everyone had fun at the picnic, and thanks to you, they went home with a pretty painting that they will enjoy for a very long time.”