It was a bright summer’s day in Happyville, and all the animals were busy preparing for the annual bake sale. Sammy the Squirrel was scurrying around his kitchen, his cheeks stuffed with chopped nuts. He had a great idea that he wanted to share with his best friend, Lila the Turtle.
Lila was busy too, mixing a vinegary batter for her favorite treat—Seaweed Surprise Muffins. She smiled as Sammy rushed in, but didn’t stop stirring.
“Hi, Lila!” Sammy chirped. “Guess what? I want to bake goodies for the bake sale today. But I need help. Could you be my partner?”
“Of course! That’s a great idea,” Lila said. “What flavor are you thinking?”
“Banana Nut Scones! They’re my favorite.”
“Yum! But could we try my Seaweed Surprise Muffins too?” Lila asked.
Sammy’s face twitched. “Seaweed? Ewww. How about we stick to my plan?”
“But my muffins are delicious!” Lila insisted, and they soon began to bicker.
Their friend Toby the Tortoise heard them arguing and wondered what was wrong. When they told him, he thought for a moment. “Why don’t you bake one batch of each and set up a taste test? Everyone will love that!”
“But that means I’d have to taste the Seaweed Surprise Muffins,” Sammy said, wrinkling his nose. Toby shrugged.
“Okay,” said Sammy in a huff. “But Lila has to eat one of my scones too.”
“Deal!” Lila exclaimed, brightening. But soon after, Sammy wondered if Lila’s muffins would be stuck in her shell forever.
After a lot of chopping, stirring, mixing, and tasting, the two animals set off for the bake sale. Their booths were next to each other, and as soon as the bell rang, a long line formed in front of both.
Everyone wanted a piece of Sammy’s pills and scones; everyone except one very small creature. His name was Freddie, and he was a young frog. “A Seaweed Surprise Muffin, please,” he croaked.
There were still a few left, so Lila handed him one. But when he took a bite, he spat it out. “Yuck!” he said, sticking out his tongue. “What’s in this?”
Lila turned bright red. She had almost forgotten about the taste test. Were the muffins really better than the scones? Sammy looked worried. What if all of Freddie’s little friends said the same thing?
As if in answer, a gang of young frogs jumped up to see what Freddie was holding. “Give me that weird thing,” one called. Taking a muffin from Lila’s tray, he took a big bite. His eyes bulged and he started to tremble. The other frogs bounced closer.
Freddie said, “Do you like it?”
“Like it?” said the first frog, bouncing without stopping. “I love it!”
The other frogs all took muffins, and soon the tray was almost empty. Lila began to think that maybe her muffins weren’t so bad after all.
But right next door, Sammy’s scone tray was growing empty too. He looked worried.
Suddenly, a big voice called, “A toast to the two best bakers in Happyville!”
It was Mayor Owl. “Is that seaweed I smell? Delicious!” His big beak helped him eat the muffins in no time, leaving all his friends scone-crazy.
The two animals beamed with pride, and the whole crowd cheered.
After a while, Sammy turned to Lila. “You know, your muffins weren’t so bad. And some of the frogs seem to love them.”
“I thought your scones were the best!” Lila smiled. “But what do you think we should do for next year’s bake sale?”
“I have the greatest idea,” said Sammy with a twinkle in his eye.
“What is it?” asked Lila.
“Banana Seaweed Surprise Scones, of course!”