"Come on, let's go see what Snoopy and Patty are doing." Alice said, as she led her new group of friends back to where they left Snoopy an Patty.
As they walked back, Sally could see the Hare walk by. "It's the March Hare and the Mad Hatter. HI!" she waved, as they waved back. "They must have a big tea party planned."
"Here's the grocery list." The Mad Hatter told the March Hare.
"I really think you ought to do the grocery shopping."
"Think of how much fun you'll have." Hatter said, handing the list to the Hare.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no. I insist YOU do it!" March Hare said.
"I'd feel just terrible to deprive YOU of the PLEASURE."
"I'd feel awful for taking a task from you." Hatter insisted.
"I'd feel dreadful." Hare shook his head.
"And not at all glad." Dormouse noticed, from his teapot home.
Sent by you
9:17 AM
"Do they always have this kind of trouble when doing the shopping?" Lucy asked.
"Kind of." Alice smiled.
Hatter:
After you
Hare:
No after you
Hatter:
By all means after you
I wouldn't want to deprive you
Or take away the pleasure
So here's the list
I insist
Do it at your leisure
Some caviar
Hare:
an ice cream cake
Hatter:
potato chips
Hare:
chocolate shake
Hatter:
Some hot dogs, a pizza pie, and anything else you wanna buy
Hare:
Well here's the list
I insist
A map and compass too
It'll guide you through so don't get lost
Hatter:
At any cost be back by two
"Two?" Hare asked. "Yes, two." Hatter confirmed. "Well, I thought you needed four of everything." Hare said.
Hatter:
You're very wise to compromise
Hare:
It's written here
Hatter:
It's very clear
Hare:
So take the list
I insist
Hatter:
It's such a thrill
All downhill
Hatter and Hare:
So hurry up
There's not much time
Be back soon
Let's end this rhyme
The two then noticed Alice and the rest of the Peanuts Gang. "Why Alice. You're back!" Hatter smiled. "And you brought friends!"
"My goodness. We haven't even finished setting everything up, let alone to do the shopping." Hare said.
"Hatter, Hare, these are my new friends Charlie Brown, Heather, Lucy, Linus, and Sally." Alice smiled. "Peppermint Patty, Snoopy, and Woodstock are out somewhere. We were going to find them when we ran into you."
"Well, this is a swell treat." Hatter smiled before he noticed Charlie Brown's sad face. "Gee, your friend Charlie looks a little down in the dumps." They then spotted Peppermint Patty approaching them.
"Actually, he's sad." Peppermint Patty said.
"Where's Snoopy?" Alice asked.
"He went to go find the Cheshire Cat." Peppermint Patty said.
"I have a big problem. I'm supposed to do something that I'm not sure how to do." Charlie Brown said.
"We can help with that!" Hare smiled.
"Exactly! We hardly know how to do what we're doing." Hatter smiled.
"Or even what we're doing." Hare added. "So I'm sure we could help."
"Well..." Charlie Brown began.
"I'm supposed to write an interesting story for homework."
"Excuse me, young man, but I DON'T think writing a story WILL get your house clean." The Mad Hatter said.
"You're thinking of housework."
"No, I'm thinking of your story."
"Oh, yeah. My story." Charlie Brown said. "I guess I'm no good at writing stories."
"Don't be like that, babe." Heather smiled.
"We're quite good at writing stories. We could write it for you." the Mad Hatter smiled.
"Really?" Charlie Brown asked, perking up a bit.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Charlie Brown." Alice said.
"Alice has a good point. You should really apply yourself." Linus said.
"Well, we could help you apply yourself by helping you." the Hare said.
"Really?" Charlie's eyes widened.
"I don't think it works like that." Linus shrugged.
"Around here it does." the Mad Hatter said. "In fact, applying yourself is my middle name."
"I thought yours was Melvin." the Hare commented.
"I don't know about it Charlie Brown." Alice said.
"Me neither. But I guess I could some extra. Just once." Charlie Brown said. "What do you want in return?"
"Not much. Just one tiny thing." the Hatter said.
"A teensy tiny favor." the Doremouse said.
"What would that be?" Sally asked.
"Simple. Just do our grocery shopping." the Hatter said, handing him the list.
"Okay!" Sally smiled.
"Wait a minute. I know these two longer than any of you have, so I don't think it's a good idea." Alice said.
"Why must you question the easy path?" Peppermint Patty asked. "You're just like Marcie."
"Who's Marcie?" the Hare asked.
"We'll save that for another time." Lucy said. "What's on the list?"
"Oh no!" the kids said, as they realized how long the little list was.