Toby's Muddled Mix-up

After a bitterly cold winter, it was finally springtime in Nandanvan.

- Alka Jain

King Toby tiger was back to his favourite routines, one of which was taking brisk walks. One morning, as he was walking, he caught the heavenly smell of freshly baked cheese sticks in the air.

His mouth began watering, and he looked around, but couldn't identify where it was coming from.

"Hello there! Where are these cheese sticks being made?" Toby called out.

Hearing this, Savio squirrel popped out of his home in the nearby almond tree.

"Your Majesty, I am making the cheese sticks," he said cheerfully.

"It smells absolutely wonderful, and is making my tummy growl!" King Toby said, looking tempted.

"May I serve you a plate?" Savio offered.

King Toby nodded eagerly, and Savio brought out a small plate, just his size, with a heap of hot, crisp, flaky cheese sticks.

King Toby polished off the cheese sticks in seconds and asked for more. Soon, he had finished two more plates of cheese sticks, but was far from satiated.

"I need more cheese sticks," Toby grunted, licking the buttery crumbs off the fourth plate.

"Your Majesty, I've run out of all-purpose flour," Savio said, trembling. "I'll get more from the grocer's and make some for you tomorrow!" Hearing this, King Toby sobered down.

"Oh no, I've finished all your cheese sticks! What will you have then?

To make amends, I'll host lunch for everyone this afternoon. We will serve piping hot cheese sticks that I will bake myself," Toby said to Savio, who cheered up instantly.

""Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll be there," Savio said.

King Toby hurried back to the palace and summoned his personal secretary, Olga ostrich.

"Olga, the weather is pleasant for some delightful sancks. Set up two large ovens in our courtyard kitchen. I will need oven mitts, baking trays, piping bags, parchment paper and muffin tins as well.