Grandpa Charlie's Treasure Chest: Stories for Children of All Ages

By Charles Phillips

These short stories were writtewn for children and grandchildren of all ages.  As young people dream of fairies, dragons, knights, witches and other grand adventures.  It is my hope that these storuies bring joy to all who read them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charles Phillips
• Release date: Feb 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215819821

Book preview

Grace, the Serious Hyena

In the jungle there are many animal sounds, the lions roar, the tiger growl, the monkey’s constant screeching, and of course there were the hyenas.  Most hyenas could be heard laughing from morning to night.  Everything they saw or heard was worthy of a good strong belly laugh.  Then there was Grace.  Grace was the only hyena that never laughed. 

Grace was serious and full of questions.  Why do, tiger have stripes?  How can fish breathe under the water?  Why do elephants have trunks?  Her questions went on and on and on. 

Grace’s parents were concerned, but did not know what to do.  When the other young hyenas got together, they played and laughed.  All except for Grace.  The other children made fun of her and did not let her join them.

One day word reached the king of beasts.  What do you mean, a hyena who doesn’t laugh?

Just that, your highness, the monkey explained.  Grace never laughs.

She is making a laughing stock of a tradition.  Hyenas must laugh.   I must meet this Grace, the lion commanded.

The king called the royal court together and Grace was brought before them.  The lion walked around Grace several times to make sure she was a hyena, and not some other animal posing as a hyena. 

Are you really a hyena? he asked.

That’s what my parents tell me.

Then why don’t you laugh?

What am I supposed to laugh at?  If something isn’t funny, why laugh?

The king flopped down on his throne scratching his long mane.  After a few minutes the king decided to tell several jokes.  Everyone laughed ....everyone except Grace. 

She looked at the king, I don’t understand. What’s so funny?

Didn’t you like my jokes? the king asked

Those were jokes? Grace answered.  What makes them funny?

The crowd fell silent, as the king tried to think of an answer.  But he had no answer. 

After a long silence the king spoke.  Tomorrow we shall hold a contest to see who can make Grace laugh.  The winner shall share my throne for one week.

The crowd went wild with anticipation.  Each animal trying to think of how they could make Grace laugh and share the throne for a week. 

The next day the king sat on his throne with Grace next to him.  Animals crowded around with a space in the middle for the contestants. 

Waldo Water Buffalo wandered to center stage, barely able to find his way for the hair in his eyes.  Getting very close and facing Grace, he wiggled his ears.  Because of his long hair no one, including Grace, could see his ears.  To those watching it looked as if he was standing there staring at Grace. 

Burt Hippopotamus played his ukulele while his sister, Beatrice, wearing a pink tutu, danced around on her tip toes.  Everyone laughed ... everyone except Grace.  As Burt played faster Beatrice spun and twirled faster and faster.  She got dizzy and fell over onto a crowd of monkeys.  Boom... Crash... Thud...

Everyone roared with laughter.  Everyone.... except the monkeys who were scrambling to get out from under Beatrice and Grace.

Ralph Rhinoceros paraded around in front of the crowd balancing a big red ball on his horn and singing I’m a little tea cup, short and stout.... 

Everyone laughed.  Everyone ...except Grace.  She just yawned.

Sneaking out from under the king’s throne Morris Mouse asked, Your highness, may I try to make Grace laugh? 

No!  You’re just a mouse.  Go away, the king roared and Morris disappeared under the throne.

The king was sure the monkeys could get Grace to laugh.  They made everyone laugh.

Having recovered from being crushed by Beatrice they entered.  One monkey danced around balancing four monkeys on his shoulders eating bananas.  Their act was going well until the monkey carrying the others slipped on a banana peel.  Monkeys flew everywhere.  One landed in the king’s lap.  Another fell on Burt’s ukulele, breaking it.  One landed on Beatrice’s head.  One landed on Waldo’s back.  With the monkey holding on for dear life, Ralph ran off screaming, "Help me!  Help me!  I’m being attacked!"

Everyone roared with laughter ... everyone except Grace. 

Morris stuck his head out from under the throne, Can I try?  The king tried to hit him with her crown.  Everyone roared in laughter that a little mouse would even think about competing.

Boris Baboon patted his head and rubbed her stomach, while telling jokes. 

Zelda Zebra made funny faces. 

Sal and Hal Giraffe walked around with their necks twisted around each

other. 

Conrad Crocodile put his tail in his mouth and rolled around like a giant wheel.

Oliver Orangutan juggled four balls while riding a unicycle. 

With each act everyone laughed...everyone except Grace.

Morris ran out and asked if he could try.  The king tried to step on him. 

The king was becoming furious.  Grace had not even cracked a smile.  Is there no one in the kingdom who can make this hyena laugh? the king roared.

The king was about to give up when Edgar and Edna Elephant showed up.  Edna sang opera, and every time she stopped to take a breath Edgar would

jump in and tell a joke.  It was not the funniest act, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Everyone except Grace.  She was having trouble hiding her boredom.

Just as Edna was beginning a new song, Morris ran out.  With his thumbs in his ears and tongue stuck out, he made a terrible sound.

Everyone froze in surprise.  Edna screamed and jumped on Edgar’s shoulders.  She pounded on his head and screamed, "Run, fool!  Run!"  Edgar staggered around unable to see because Edna’s hands were covering his eyes. 

Everyone was silent ...everyone except Grace.  She was rolling around laughing. 

Hah... Hah... Hee... Hee... Hoo... Hoo... Hah... Hah...

No one was laughing.... no one except Grace. 

Everyone watched as Grace laughed and laughed and laughed.

The king looked at Grace then Morris. 

Morris Mouse, the king said hesitantly, you are the winner.  You made Grace laugh.  You shall share my throne.

Grace laughed for hours.  After that, she never asked why something was funny. It was like a light had come on.  Suddenly she understood every joke.  Everywhere she looked there was something funny to laugh at.  And she