Very early one morning, Charlie Brown, being his Charlie Brown self, woke up, thinking of the day ahead of him. Thinking about all the failures he'd endured; losing a grand majority of baseball games, Lucy always pulling the football away from him before he could kick it, failing to fly a kite, only for it to be eaten by the Kite-Eating Tree, and until the end of a school year, not having the courage to talk to the Little Red-Haired Girl.
"What good is life when all you do is fail, fail, fail?" Charlie Brown sighed to himself.
As Charlie Brown said this, Snoopy got off his doghouse, put his doggy dish in his mouth, and walked up to the Brown residence. He kicked the door.
"I guess Snoopy wants his breakfast. Coming, Snoopy!"
Charlie Brown got out of bed, and dressed himself. By the time he'd come into the kitchen, he was surprised to see…..
"Sally?!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
There was Charlie Brown's favourite little sister Sally, plopping the dog food into the doggy dish, washing it, and stirring it.
"I'll feed Snoopy today, Big Brother. You just do your regular duties." Smiled Sally.
"But….. why are you doing my chores today, Sally?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Oh, it's a surprise, Big Brother!" Sally replied.
"Oh, good grief!" Charlie Brown sighed.
After breakfast, Charlie Brown heard a knock on the door, and went to get it. At the door was…..
"Linus? What are you doing here?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Hi, Charlie Brown." Said Linus. "Is Sally home?"
"Yes she is. Sally! Your sweet baboon is here!" Charlie Brown called.
"Ooh!" Sally exclaimed.
"I am not her sweet baboon! I mean babboo!" Linus shouted.
Sally walked over to the front door and saw Linus.
"Hi Linus! Did you come to take me to a movie?" Sally asked sweetly.
"No," replied Linus. "but I did come for something important. Something very important."
"What kind of something?" Sally asked.
"Can't tell you while your brother is still here." Linus said.
"I guess I'll try flying a kite or something." Sighed Charlie Brown as he left his household, and Sally escorted Linus in.
"So what sort of something important did you come here for, Linus?" asked Sally.
"Sally, don't tell your brother, but….." said Linus and he whispered into Sally's ear what his plan is.
"Ooh! That sounds exciting!" smiled Sally.
"But remember, don't tell Charlie Brown." Said Linus.
"I won't, Sweet Babboo." Said Sally innocently.
"And I am not your sweet babboo." Linus said sternly.
Charlie Brown was out in the neighbourhood, and had a thought.
"Hmm….. what should I do today?" Charlie Brown pondered. "Practice baseball? No. Batters will bat me out of my shirt and shoes. Pay a visit to Heather? No. She's probably doing something else. Go to Lucy's Psychiatry Booth? No. She'll just pull the football away from me."
Charlie Brown ponder and pondered and…..
"I know! I'll try flying a kite!"
Charlie Brown went to the backyard, and found a yellow kite with black zigzags like his shirt.
"I'm sure the Kite-Eating Tree won't like this kite. I'm gonna fly it." Said Charlie Brown. And he walked out to the park, and started flying his kite. But once the wind picked up, the kite flew into the air.
"I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm flying a kite!" Charlie Brown cheered.
But that wasn't going to last. The kite flew into the tree, and the tree ate it.
"Oh, good grief! I can't seem to do anything right!"
Whilst Linus was in the dining room, Sally went up to her room to decorate her hair. She wanted to wear a bow for the little something she and Linus were planning for her big brother.
"Hmm…. This blue bow?" Sally pondered. "No. I'm wearing a pink dress today. This purple bow? Nope…."
Sally finally settled on a pink bow that matches her dress.
"Perfect!" exclaimed Sally.
Sally put the pink bow into her cluster of hair curls and looked at herself in the mirror.
"Sally Brown, you were cute when you were a baby, you're still cute today!" she said to herself.
Sally went back into the dining room, and found Linus.
"Oh Sweet Babboo! Sweet Babboo!" Sally called.
"Oh, good grief!" groaned Linus.
"Linus. Do you like my bow?" asked Sally sweetly.
"Um….. yes I do, Sally. But….." stammered Linus.
"But?" Sally puzzled.
"Janice wears the same bow in her hair." Linus answered.
"That's alright, Linus." Said Sally. "You can still tell the difference between me and Janice."
"Yeah." Linus replied. "Janice is always kind to me, and you're always getting on my nerves."
"Isn't he the cutest thing?" Sally thought with love in her eyes.
Just as Sally thought this, a knock on the door was heard.
"I'll get it!" called Sally as she opened the door and saw…..
"Janice?"
"Hello, Sally." Janice replied.
"What are you doing here?" asked Sally.
"I went over to Linus' place, and his younger brother Rerun told me he came over here." Said Janice. "So is Linus here?"
"He is. My boyfriend always comes here to see me and my big brother." Smiled Sally.
"I am NOT your boyfriend!" called Linus.
"Yes you are!" Sally called back.
"No he's not!" Janice replied.
"Either way, come on in, Janice. He's in the dining room." Sally said as she escorted Janice in.
"By the way, Sally. Love the bow in your hair. Just like mine." Smiled Janice.
Janice went into the dining room and saw….
"Linus!"
"Janice!" Linus exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I went to your place and your brother told me you weren't home, and that you came over here." Janice explained.
"Great to see you here, Janice." Smiled Linus.
"What are you doing here anyway?" asked Janice.
"Sally and I are preparing a surprise." Said Linus.
"Really? May I help?" Janice demanded.
"Sure thing, Janice." Said Linus. "You can help by buying something."
"Something for myself?" Janice asked.
"No. Come over here and I'll whisper it." Linus said as Janice walked over to him, and Linus whispered into her ear what they were planning.
"That's a great idea, Linus!" said Janice. "I'll go to the store to buy a little something."
"And Linus, you can blow up some balloons." Suggested Sally.
"And Janice, remember. Don't tell Charlie Brown." Said Linus.
"I promise, Linus." Smiled Janice.
While Janice went to get a gift, Sally got some balloons, and handed them to Linus. As Linus picked a red balloon up and blew into it, it didn't turn round, but rather a cube shape.
"Linus, that's not how you blow up a balloon!" demanded Sally. "They're supposed to be round, not square!"
Sally picked up a blue balloon, and blew it perfectly round.
"Now you try." Sally said.
Linus picked up a green balloon, but like the other one, it was a cube.
"No, no, no! Balloons are supposed to be round!" Sally called.
"Oh, Sally! You're just like Charlie Brown!" groaned Linus.
"Now, blow it up slowly." Sally explained.
Linus grabbed a yellow balloon. He blew it up as slowly as he could, but…
"Good grief! Another square!" sighed Sally. "Oh well, better square balloons than no balloons."
Meanwhile, Charlie Brown, after failing to fly his kite, decided to try a little something else.
"I know! I'll ask Heather for some help." Charlie Brown suggested.
Charlie Brown walked over to Heather's Psychiatry Booth, and noticed the sign read:
THE DOCTOR IS OUT
"Oh, good grief! The Little Red-Haired Girl is away!" groaned Charlie Brown. "Oh well. I'll have to ask Lucy for some help, even if she does pull the football away from me."
Charlie Brown walked over to Lucy's Psychiatry Booth to get some advice.
"Charlie Brown!" Lucy cried in surprise. "I thought that Little Red-Haired Girl was your psychiatrist!"
"She's out, so I came over to ask for your help." Charlie Brown explained.
"Then you've come to the right place, Charlie Brown!" smiled Lucy.
"I want to feel confident again. I want to show the whole world I really am a changed Charlie Brown."
"Let's start with kicking the football." Lucy decided.
"Oh, no you don't, Lucy!" demanded Charlie Brown. "Every time we do this, you always pull the football away from me, and I land on my back and injure it! In fact, Peppermint Patty did this one day, and I ended up in hospital."
He remembered the time Peppermint Patty inadvertently sent him in a coma with the football trick.
"Trust me, Charlie Brown. I promise not to pull it away this time. And I mean it." Smirked Lucy.
So Lucy set up the football, and Charlie Brown walked back as far as he could.
"Hold it! We need a mat or something to stop me from injuring myself if you do pull it away." Charlie Brown demanded.
Then, a high-pitched bark was heard. Charlie Brown turned around and saw….
"Snoopy?!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Oh great! Charlie Brown's stupid beagle!" groaned Snoopy.
Snoopy wasn't alone. He, Woodstock, and the Beagle Scouts had arrived with a blue bean bag, and placed it just near Lucy.
"Ready when you are, Charlie Brown!" called Lucy.
"I'm going to do it!" Charlie Brown shouted as he ran as fast as he could towards the ball, and as always, Lucy pulled the football away, and Charlie Brown flew into the air, but landed on the beanbag. Charlie Brown, despite failing to kick the ball, didn't break anything.
"How does that feel, Charlie Brown?" asked Lucy.
"I'm alright, Lucy." Said Charlie Brown. "Thanks to Snoopy and his pals."
"Okay, Charlie Brown." Said Lucy. "We're going to do this again."
Charlie Brown ran back as far as he could, and got ready to kick the ball again.
"Today, I am going to let Charlie Brown kick the football. He deserves it." Lucy thought to herself.
Charlie Brown ran as fast as he could, and at last, Lucy pulled her hands away, and Charlie Brown kicked the football as hard as possible. It was going, going… gone!
"I did it! She did it! Lucy let me kick the football this time! Yes!" Charlie Brown cheered.
"Wow! I never thought he'd do it." Lucy sighed.
"Hold it! Lucy, why did you let me kick the football this time?" Charlie Brown was confused.
"Oh. It's a surprise, Charlie Brown. Now come on over to my place and I'll show you some slides." Lucy said.
Lucy brought Charlie Brown over to her place, put him in a stool, switched off the lights, and showed him the different slides she took via a projector.
"Look at that, Charlie Brown!" Lucy said. "You see. There I am holding the football, and you're running towards it, and then….."
Lucy saw the next slide had a shadow mimicking her behaviour. Lucy switched the lights back on and saw Snoopy.
"GGGRRRR! I oughta slug you!" growled Lucy as she walked up to Snoopy, and attempted to slug him, only for Snoopy to get up and lick her.
"UGH!" groaned Lucy. "I've been kissed by a dog! I've got dog germs! Get hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine!"
"Blegh!" Snoopy groaned.
Charlie Brown looked out and laughed.
"Great one, Snoopy!" Charlie Brown called as he and Snoopy both high-fived. Then, Charlie Brown got up and walked out of the van Pelt place. As Lucy returned from cleaning her face…..
"Alright, Charlie Brown! I'm back! I had to….."
As Lucy noticed that Charlie Brown had gone…..
"GRRRRRRR! AAUGH!"
Back with Linus and Sally, they'd finished blowing up all the balloons. Sally drew on the balloons she blew up. On them, she drew with a black marker, Charlie Brown's face.
"Is there any way we can let people know about this surprise?" asked Linus.
"Just ask everyone in the neighbourhood." Suggested Sally.
"Great idea, Sally." Smiled Linus.
"But remember, don't tell my big brother." Said Sally.
"Alright. I'll remember, Sally." Linus smiled as he went out and Sally sighed dreamily.
"Isn't he the cutest thing?"
The first person Linus tried was Heather.
"Come on, Linus! Pluck up courage to ask this Little Red-Haired Girl to…." Linus sighed.
Linus rang Heather's doorbell. And who should answer it but….
Heather's father.
"Oh. I'm a friend of your daughter, Mr. Wold." Said Linus.
Mr. Wold asked him about his presence.
"I want to know if your daughter's home." Linus explained.
Mr. Wold explained Heather wasn't home.
"She isn't?" exclaimed Linus.
Mr. Wold explained some more.
"She's gone? Oh, good grief! I was going to tell her about a surprise!" groaned Linus.
Mr. Wold finished.
"Oh. Thanks anyway, Sir." Said Linus.
Mr. Wold closed the door, and Linus walked away.
"Good grief! What am I going to tell Charlie Brown? Heather's gone! What if…. Oh no! She might be moving away! Hmmm….."
Then Linus had an idea.
"That'll make a good alibi for Charlie Brown when it's time for the surprise."
Later, Linus went over to Schroeder's place. Schroeder was sitting at his piano, playing his Beethoven music as always. Linus went over to Schroeder's piano.
"Schroeder. Glad to see you." said Linus.
"Good grief! It's Lucy's little brother!" groaned Schroeder.
"Relax, Schroeder. I'm not like my sister." Smiled Linus.
"That's a relief." Schroeder sighed.
"I'm just here to tell you something. I want you to come to Charlie Brown's place." Said Linus.
"Alright. What do you want me there for?" Schroeder asked.
"It's a surprise." Winked Linus.
"A surprise? Surprise what?"
"Oh, don't tell Charlie Brown, but…" Linus started and told Schroeder the surprise and then….
"Then I'd best buy a gift. Then, I'll practice some music." Suggested Schroeder.
"Great thinking, Schroeder." Smiled Linus.
Meanwhile, Charlie Brown was on his way to the baseball field. He was puzzled by Lucy's strange behaviour.
"Today's feeling strange." Charlie Brown said to himself. Lucy actually allowed me to kick the football."
Charlie Brown had reached the baseball field where Peppermint Patty and Franklin were practicing.
"Peppermint Patty! Franklin!" he called.
"Hi, Chuck! What brings you here?" Peppermint Patty called.
"Come to practice my baseball skills." Charlie Brown said.
"Then you've come to the right place, Charlie Brown." Smiled Franklin.
"Let's start with your pitching, Chuck." Said Peppermint Patty.
Charlie Brown got onto the pitcher's mound, and prepared the pitch.
"Come on, Charlie Brown. You can do it. Just aim your shot… And….."
Charlie Brown threw the ball, but as Peppermint Patty batted, Charlie Brown, as always got sent out of his shirt and shoes.
"Good grief! It happened again!" Charlie Brown sighed.
"Come on, Chuck!" called Peppermint Patty. "Try again! Focus!"
Charlie Brown prepared another pitch, and once he aimed, he pitched the ball, but as Peppermint Patty hit it, Charlie Brown didn't spin out of his shirt and shoes, but he had the glove in the way of the ball, prompting him to catch it.
"I did it! I caught the ball!" cried Charlie Brown.
"Wow! That was a great catch, Chuck!" said Peppermint Patty.
"I'll remember it for the next time I play baseball." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"That was a great catch, Charlie Brown! With a tactic like that, you'll be able to get any batter out!" Franklin said with encouragement.
"Now, practice your batting, Chuck." Said Peppermint Patty as she handed her bat to Charlie Brown and then…..
"You touched my hands, Chuck!" swooned Peppermint Patty.
Charlie Brown went to home base, held the bat, and prepared it.
"Ready, Chuck?" Peppermint Patty asked.
"But we need a pitcher." Said Charlie Brown.
"I'll pitch this time, Charlie Brown." Franklin decided as he went to the pitcher's mound, and got out a ball. He aimed it.
"Concentrate, Charlie Brown." He thought. "Look where the pitcher throws the ball."
Franklin pitched the ball, and as soon as the ball came to Charlie Brown… Charlie Brown swung his bat, and the ball went flying, flying and flying!
"I did it! I hit a home run!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Great work, Chuck!" called Peppermint Patty.
"Yeah, great work, Charlie Brown!" added Franklin.
"Thanks, guys!" said Charlie Brown happily.
"Well, we'd best keep practicing. Nice playing with you, Chuck." Peppermint Patty smiled.
"Thanks for building up my confidence even more, guys!" said Charlie Brown gratefully.
Later, Charlie Brown walked away from the baseball field, with a good feeling inside of him.
"Today is starting to get luckier and luckier for me." he said. "First it was lucky because Sally fed Snoopy, and got unlucky because of the Kite-Eating Tree, lucky again because of Lucy letting me kick the football, lucky once again because of my baseball skills improving. I know. I'll go to Marcie's. She appreciates my company."
Charlie Brown made it to Marcie's place. He knocked on the door. And nobody opened it but Marcie.
"Why, Charles! What a pleasant surprise!" cried Marcie.
"Surprise? Surprise what?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Er… it's surprising to see you at my place, Charles." Stuttered Marcie.
"Oh. Oh yeah." Said Charlie Brown.
"Come on in, Charles." Marcie said.
So Charlie Brown went into Marcie's place.
"So what brings you to my place, Charles?" asked Marcie.
"Today has been strangely lucky for me, Marcie." Charlie Brown explained. "Lucy let me kick the football, Sally fed Snoopy, and I successfully caught a flyball while practicing baseball. What is up with that?"
"It's a surprise, Charles." Smiled Marcie.
"That's what Lucy and Sally told me." said Charlie Brown. "Good grief! Everything is a surprise today!"
"It's sure to be a great surprise, Charles. You know what today is, don't you, Charles?" asked Marcie.
"Yes. It's Wednesday."
"It's Saturday, Charles. But it's something else." Marcie smirked.
Meanwhile, Lucy closed up her psychiatry booth for the day, and made her way to the store to get a gift. Much to her surprise, there, looking for something, was Beethoven's number one fan Schroeder.
"Oh! Oh, Schroeder!" Lucy swooned.
Schroeder, hearing the familiar voice, just groaned.
"Oh, good grief! It's her!"
"Schroeder! What are you doing here?" Lucy asked.
"I'm getting a gift." Schroeder explained.
"What a coincidence, Schroeder! That's what I'm doing here." Smiled Lucy.
"Lucy doing something nice? What is the world coming to?" Schroeder thought.
"Once we've gotten our gifts, how about…..?" Lucy suggested.
"If you're thinking about having a picnic with me, forget it." Grunted Schroeder.
"Rats!" huffed Lucy.
Later, Schroeder was at home, wrapping an enormous gift. He wrapped it in yellow paper and a purple ribbon. Then, he went over to his piano and started playing his music.
"Now to practice for this surprise." Schroeder said to himself.
As Schroeder played his piano, Lucy walked in to admire the music.
"Schroeder, you know who this gift is for, don't you?" asked Lucy.
"Of course I do." Said Schroeder. Is that why you were at the store earlier?"
"Yes, Schroeder. I've been wondering. Why do you never give me any gifts?" asked Lucy innocently.
"I don't like you, you're always crabby, and you're too bossy. I wouldn't give you gifts unless you were the last girl in the world." Schroeder said simply.
"Did you say 'if' or 'unless'?" asked Lucy.
"I admit that I did say 'unless'." Sighed Schroeder.
"Isn't he the sweetest thing?" Lucy swooned as she climbed onto Schroeder's piano, crawled slowly and quietly, and touched his nose. Then, Lucy kissed Schroeder on his nose.
"UUUGGH! I've been kissed by a girl!" cried Schroeder. "UUUGH! I've been poisoned! Get some iodine! Get some hot water!"
Schroeder ran away to clean himself, and Lucy, in a sulky mood, went home to wrap up the gift she'd bought.
Linus made his way to Frieda's house. He rang her doorbell, and the one to open it was Frieda's mother.
"Oh. You must be Frieda's mother." Linus said.
Mrs. Rich wanted to know what Linus wanted.
"Is Frieda home?" he asked.
Mrs. Rich explained that she is.
"Good. She wouldn't mind if I paid a visit, would she?" Linus asked again.
Mrs. Rich escorted Linus into the Rich household. And Linus walked into Frieda's room. Frieda was at her dressing table, wrapping up a gift with purple paper, and tying it up with a super curly orange ribbon.
"Hi, Frieda." Said Linus.
"Linus?! What are you doing here?" asked Frieda.
"I've come to tell you…." Linus began.
"I know, Linus." Frieda interrupted. "That's why I'm wrapping this gift. Doesn't the ribbon remind you of my naturally curly hair?"
"Yes, Frieda. How did you know about….?" Linus started to ask.
"Janice told me about it when she saw me at the store. And I know what today is." Smiled Frieda.
Meanwhile, Janice was at home, wrapping her gift in pink paper, and tying it with a blue ribbon, because it reminded her of the bow her younger sister Britney wears in her hair. She'd purchased the gift at the store.
"There. All set." Said Janice.
Janice picked the gift off her table, and was making her way out of her house to the Brown residence.
Mr. Emmons asked where Janice was going.
"Just going back to Charlie Brown's place, Dad!" Janice called.
Mr. Emmons wanted to know why.
"It's a surprise." Janice answered.
As Janice got to the Browns' door, she knocked on it, and Sally opened it.
"Hello, Sally. Has Charlie Brown come back?" asked Janice.
"Nope." Sally answered.
"Good." Smiled Janice. "Because we don't want him finding out about this surprise. And where's Linus?"
"He's telling the whole neighbourhood about this surprise, and he's promising not to tell my big brother about it." Said Sally.
"That's good. Here, place this in the living room." Said Janice. So Sally took the gift off of Janice, and she placed it behind the TV.
"There. It's hidden." Said Sally.
"Good. Now, we have to wait on Linus." Said Janice.
The next person Linus talked to was Eudora. He found her at the park.
"Hi, Eudora. Do you know what today is?" asked Linus.
"No. What?" asked Eudora.
Linus whispered into Eudora's ear.
"Then there's just one thing for it." Suggested Eudora as she left the park and headed to the store.
"This surprise better be worth it." Linus said to himself.
Later, Linus returned home, and made a phone call to somebody.
"Hello. This is his best friend. I want to tell you about…"
Meanwhile, Charlie Brown and Marcie went to the library together. Marcie thought it'd be best if Charlie Brown spent some time reading.
"Let's take some time in the library, Charles." Suggested Marcie.
"The library. Well, at least I don't have an assignment on War and Peace to do." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"But a library is still a good place to find other books to read, Charles." Said Marcie.
While Charlie Brown and Marcie were in the library, they didn't notice Snoopy and Woodstock in the library reading. Snoopy was reading a book about how to prepare parties. He laughed when he saw a picture of a clown. His laugh was so loud, the librarian heard him, and kicked him out. He kicked Woodstock out of the library too. Snoopy and Woodstock looked at each other in confusion. Snoopy had a neat idea. He whispered to Woodstock, and Woodstock chittered and laughed at his friend's idea.
The next people Linus came up to were Peppermint Patty and Franklin at the baseball field.
"Hey, Linus! What's up?" called Peppermint Patty.
"Hey, Peppermint Patty! Do you know what today is?" asked Linus.
"Yes I do, Linus! It's Tuesday!" answered Peppermint Patty.
"Saturday, Patty." Linus corrected. "And…"
Linus walked over to Peppermint Patty and whispered into her ear. Then, Peppermint Patty whispered into Franklin's ear.
"And remember….." Linus started.
"Yes, yes. We promise we won't tell Chuck." Peppermint Patty interrupted.
"Anyway, we'd best go to the stores to get a gift." Said Franklin.
"Great idea, Franklin!" smiled Peppermint Patty.
Once their time in the library was up, Marcie and Charlie Brown departed.
"Well, I'd best be going. See you later, Charles." Said Marcie.
"See you, Marcie. Nice spending time with you." said Charlie Brown as he walked off and thought of a different thing he should do.
"Hmm…. I could practice sack racing."
Charlie Brown went home. Sally looked out the window and saw her big brother coming. She got to the front door.
"Big Brother! Don't come in!" called Sally.
"What?! Why?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Er….. Snoopy has made a terrible mess, and we're cleaning it up." Sally lied.
"Ugh! Well….. that's okay, Sally. I'm just going into the backyard." Charlie Brown replied.
"Alright then, Big Brother." Smiled Sally as she shut the door and breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was a close one!" Sally sighed. Now where were we? Oh yes!"
Snoopy was already in the backyard dressed as a clown. As soon as he saw Charlie Brown, he stopped what he was doing, went into his doghouse and removed his outfit.
"Snoopy! I'm glad to see you, Boy." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"Huh?!" Snoopy was confused.
"Can you find a potato sack for me please, Snoopy?" Charlie Brown asked.
Snoopy nodded, and dashed into his doghouse to find a potato sack. As he found one, he came out and gave it to Charlie Brown.
"Gee, thanks, Snoopy!" Said Charlie Brown as he left the Brown residence with the sack, and Snoopy wiped his head with a sigh of relief. Then, he got back to being a clown.
Sally looked outside to see Charlie Brown leaving. She then turned to Janice.
"He's gone!" said Sally.
Both Sally and Janice wiped their heads with a sigh of relief, pleased that Charlie Brown had left.
"Let's continue these preparations, Sally." Janice said.
Sally started to place streamers, and Janice prepared the food.
Charlie Brown had reached the park, and got into the potato sack. He was ready to practice for next time there was a sack race.
"Easy, Charlie Brown. Easy."
Charlie Brown tried to jump, but the sack felt too heavy for him.
"Rats! Snoopy forgot to empty it!"
Charlie Brown found there were still potatoes in the sack, and he emptied the sack.
"There. Now to practice sack racing."
Charlie Brown got back into the sack, and tried everything he could, but he eventually tripped.
"Good grief!" Charlie Brown sighed. "Now I'll never win a sack race! What was it Lucy told me before? Oh yeah! If at first you don't succeed, try and try again."
Charlie Brown got back up, and tried sack racing again. At last, he got the hang of sack racing.
"Alright! I'm doing it!"
Charlie Brown continued to hop in his sack, and soon…..
"I did it! I jumped in a sack without falling over!"
Charlie Brown later tried to fly a kite again.
"Come on, Charlie Brown! You can do it! You've done it before, you can do it again!"
The wind picked up, and Charlie Brown started flying the kite.
"I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm flying a kite! This is my lucky day after all!
The kite soared into the air, and it even dragged Charlie Brown along with it."
"Whoa!"
The kite continued to fly into the air, and soon, Charlie Brown had flown into Violet's house, and into her room. Predictably, Violet, who was busy wrapping up a gift with violet paper and a green ribbon, noticed Charlie Brown, and kicked him out of her house.
"No Charlie Browns allowed in my house!" Violet yelled.
"Why not, Violet?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Er…. It's a surprise, Charlie Brown!" Violet answered.
"Good grief! It's always a surprise!" Charlie Brown sighed.
"Now where was I? Oh yes." Said Violet as she went back to her room to continue wrapping up her gift.
"Everything's a surprise today! Hmm…. I know. I'll pay a visit to the Little Red-Haired Girl." Charlie Brown suggested.
Charlie Brown went over to Heather's house. He was still a bit nervous from the first time he tried talking to her, but this time, he knew he had the courage. He rang Heather's doorbell.
"Er…. Heather? Oh, Heather."
But it wasn't Heather who answered the door. It was her mother.
Mrs. Wold asked Charlie Brown.
Charlie: Oh hi! I'm your daughter's friend. Is a certain Little Red-Haired Girl home?
Mrs. Wold replied that she wasn't.
"She's not home? Good grief! Oh don't tell me…"
Charlie Brown then walked home, feeling dejected.
"It's too bad that Little Red-Haired Girl isn't home. I was going to spend some quality time with her today." Sighed Charlie Brown as he went back to the Kite-Eating Tree to drown his sorrows.
Meanwhile, as Peppermint Patty and Franklin were in the department store, they found Marcie.
"Marcie! So surprising to see you here!" cried Peppermint Patty.
"What are you doing here, Marcie?" asked Franklin.
"I'm finding a gift." Marcie answered.
"What a fun coincidence, Marcie!" exclaimed Peppermint Patty.
"That's what we're doing here!" said Franklin.
"May I suggest finding a book, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"Books? Don't be silly, Marcie! I have no time to read silly books!" chuckled Peppermint Patty.
"It's not for you, Sir." Marcie explained.
"Then, may I suggest buying a new baseball bat?" asked Peppermint Patty.
"I don't think so, Sir. Baseball's just not my thing, Sir." Explained Marcie.
"Marcie, for as long as we're shopping for gifts, now is not the time to call me Sir." Said Peppermint Patty.
"If you say so, Ma'am." Marcie replied.
Peppermint Patty simply winced at this.
Linus later came up to Pig-Pen, who was bathing himself in mud.
"Pig-Pen!" cried Linus.
"Linus!" Pig-Pen cried back.
"Pig-Pen. I have something to tell you!" said Linus as he whispered into Pig-Pen's ear about the surprise.
"Alright! I'll get him something!" cheered Pig-Pen.
Then, Shermy came up to Linus.
"Linus!" exclaimed Shermy.
"Shermy! What's up?" asked Linus.
"What were you telling Pig-Pen about?" Shermy asked.
Linus whispered to Shermy about what was going on.
"That sounds exciting!" said Shermy eagerly.
At last, the party was ready. Sally and Janice had finished decorating. They heard a knock on the door. Janice opened it and it was…..
"Lucy?!"
Lucy was holding in her hands a box wrapped in blue paper and a black ribbon.
"Lemme in, you creepy blockhead!" demanded Lucy.
"Hey! That wasn't very nice!" shouted Janice.
The next person to come in was Linus. He was holding a gift wrapped in red paper and a black ribbon.
"Hi, Linus! Did you tell everyone?" smiled Janice.
"Yes. I sure did, Janice!" said Linus.
"Did you tell Charlie Brown about it?" Janice asked.
"Nope."
"Good, because your crabby sister just came in." Janice replied.
"Oh, good grief!" Linus sighed.
After Linus came Frieda with her naturally wrapped gift.
"Frieda! Come on in!" Janice cried.
"Oh, I hope the guest of honour likes my naturally wrapped gift, which of course reminds me of my naturally curly hair." Frieda boasted.
"O…kay." Janice sighed.
After Frieda came, Violet and her friend Patty arrived. Violet was carrying the gift she wrapped up earlier, and her friend Patty was holding a gift wrapped in green paper and a violet ribbon.
"Oh. It's you, Violet and Patty. Come on in, I guess." Said Janice.
"Oh, I just can't wait to see the look on his face!" grinned Violet.
"Yeah! Good one, Violet!" chuckled Patty Swanson.
Violet and Patty just walked in, laughing to each other.
The next guests to arrive were Peppermint Patty and Marcie. Peppermint Patty was carrying a gift wrapped in green paper and a brown ribbon, while Marcie had in her hands a gift wrapped in red paper and an orange ribbon.
"Hey, Jan!" Peppermint Patty said.
"Hello, Peppermint Patty. Hello, Marcie. Here for the party?" asked Janice.
"We sure are! Come on, Marcie!" Peppermint Patty called.
"I'm right behind you, Sir." Replied Marcie.
So Marcie and Peppermint Patty placed their gifts along with the other gifts.
"Do you think the guest of honour will like my gift, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"Maybe. Only one way to find out." Peppermint Patty said.
Next, Schroeder arrived, carrying his large gift.
"Schroeder! What a lovely surprise!" Janice said.
"Nice to see you here, Janice." Said Schroeder.
"Come on in, Schroeder. Lots of food." Janice said.
After that came Rerun. He was carrying a gift wrapped in blue paper and a red ribbon.
"Hello, Janice!" said Rerun.
"Hello, Rerun. Oh, that's a neat looking gift." Said Janice.
"Thanks, Janice. Oh, the guest of honour will love it!" smiled Rerun.
Everyone else had arrived. Franklin's gift was wrapped in orange paper and a blue ribbon. Pig-Pen's gift was wrapped in brown paper and a blue ribbon, but it was covered in dust. Shermy's gift was wrapped in green paper and a yellow ribbon. Eudora's gift was wrapped in blue paper and a purple ribbon. But there was someone missing. Janice heard one more knock on the door. And as Janice opened it…..
"Well I never!" exclaimed Janice.
"But there's someone else missing! Oh good grief! Charlie Brown!" Linus exclaimed.
Linus ran out of the Brown residence, and was on the search for Charlie Brown.
"Charlie Brown! Charlie Brown! Where are you?"
Linus soon spotted Charlie Brown under the Kite-Eating Tree, thinking about everything he did today.
"Charlie Brown! What are you doing?" asked Linus.
"Linus! I'm just thinking." Said Charlie Brown. "What are you doing here?"
"Charlie Brown. I should have told you." said Linus.
"What?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Heather's moving away." Linus lied.
"What?! The Little Red-Haired Girl is leaving?! Oh good grief!" Charlie Brown groaned.
Charlie Brown started to feel down in the dumps hearing this. Of course, this was just an alibi Linus made up to get him home, but Charlie Brown didn't know.
"Come on, Charlie Brown. Let's get you home to drown your sorrows." Said Linus.
With that, Linus walked with Charlie Brown, all the way to the Brown residence.
"Charlie Brown's coming! Everyone! Turn out the lights and hide!" Janice called.
Sally turned off all the lights, and everyone hid.
"Charlie Brown. Let me go in first." Said Linus.
"If you say so, Linus. I just can't bear to lose the Little Red-Haired Girl." Groaned Charlie Brown.
"She's here. Just your chance to say your goodbyes before she moves away forever." Linus said. He just winked and went inside.
"Alright, Charlie Brown. It's time to step inside." He said to himself.
Charlie Brown stepped into his house, and was surprised to see how dark it was.
"Huh?! Why is it so dark?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Charlie Brown. Go to your room and dress in your best suit. I'll escort you there." Said Linus as he turned on the lights, and Charlie Brown covered his eyes with his hands. Charlie Brown walked up to his bedroom, and changed out of his normal clothes. A couple of minutes later, he came out, dressed in a black dinner suit, a white dress shirt, and a black bow tie.
"Charlie Brown. You handsome blockhead." He said to himself in the mirror.
"Are you ready, Charlie Brown?" asked Linus.
"Just coming, Linus!" called Charlie Brown.
Linus turned the lights back off, Charlie Brown came back and flicked on the light switch and suddenly…
"SURPRISE!"
Inside the house, there were streamers, square balloons, round balloons with Charlie Brown's face on them, square balloons that also had Charlie Brown's face on them, and a banner that said…..
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHARLIE BROWN!" everyone yelled.
"Wha?! Good grief!" Charlie Brown cried in surprise. "I was so busy, I forgot it's my birthday today!"
"This is why I'm being nice to you today, Charlie Brown." Lucy said.
"So that's why you let me kick the football, Lucy!" Exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"And I told everyone about this party, and told them not to tell you." Linus added.
"And that's a great job you did, Linus." Said Charlie Brown.
"Happy birthday, Big Brother." Smiled Sally. "Hey, what are we all waiting for? Let's have a little comedy? Let's go into the backyard!"
So everybody went into the backyard for a special performance right on top of Snoopy's doghouse.
"Let me present to you…. the Hound Clown!" Sally called.
Woodstock pulled the string of the curtains, and there, standing on top of the doghouse, was Snoopy, wearing red makeup around his mouth, a red nose, and a yellow and blue clown hat, as well as a green clown suit, going under the guise; The Hound Clown.
Woodstock flew down, and gave the Hound Clown a juggling ball. Woodstock continued to give the Hound Clown juggling balls, and the Hound Clown juggled them. Woodstock kept giving the Hound Clown juggling balls until he got exhausted. All the party guests cheered.
Mrs. Brown called everyone for cake.
"Yay! Cake time!" Everyone cheered and they gathered round the table, where there were all kinds of food, and a cake decorated with yellow icing, and a black zigzag right around it. And nine candles on the cake. Snoopy held the matchbox, opened it, and Woodstock flew down and picked one up. Then, he scrapped the match and the match caught fire. Woodstock lit the candles, and waved the matchstick.
After their birthday song, Charlie Brown got ready to blow out the candles.
"Blow 'em out, Chuck!" called Peppermint Patty.
"Hold it, Charles! You need to make a wish first!" Marcie demanded.
"Oh, I don't need to make a wish." Lied Charlie Brown. "I have all I need. A faithful dog, his faithful bird friend, a loving little sister, and the best friends a blockhead could ever have."
"Oh, that's so sweet, Big Brother!" smiled Sally.
"That's tellin' us!" added Lucy.
"But then again….." Charlie Brown added.
"Then again what?" asked Janice.
"I wish….!" Charlie Brown began.
"No, Charles!" exclaimed Marcie. "You're not supposed to say your wish out loud! Try again!"
"I wish to become a success for the rest of my life." Charlie Brown thought. Then, he finally blew his candles out. Everyone then cheered.
"Alright! It's present time!" Sally cheered.
Everybody lifted Charlie Brown, and brought him into the living room, ready for the gifts. They all formed a circle, and Charlie Brown was placed in the middle. The first gift was from Lucy. She got out her gift.
"Charlie Brown. This gift is from me." smiled Lucy as she handed her gift to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown untied the ribbon, and inside the paper was…..
"A football? Really, Lucy?" Charlie Brown said.
"Look on the sides, Charlie Brown." Said Lucy.
On the sides of the football were pictures of Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown.
"Good grief. Well, thanks, Lucy, for the nice present." Charlie Brown said simply.
"I'm next, Charlie Brown." Said Linus as he got out his gift, and handed it to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown opened it up, and inside was…..
"A blanket? Really?" said Charlie Brown.
"Not just any blanket, Charlie Brown." Said Linus. "It's a security blanket. And look, it's coloured like the shirt you normally wear. Use it whenever you're feeling insecure."
"Thanks, Linus." Said Charlie Brown.
"Good grief!" groaned Lucy. "My stupid brother giving Charlie Brown a blanket?"
"Mine next." Said Rerun.
Rerun picked out his gift, and handed it to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown opened it, and…..
"A new football helmet, shin guards, a back guard, and thigh guards!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"My sister told me about your incidents with the football, Charlie Brown, so I got you these." Rerun explained. "Next time my sister does the football thing with you, wear those just in case."
"Well, thank you, Rerun." Said Charlie Brown.
"I'm surrounded by blockheads!" groaned Lucy.
"Me next!" cried Frieda as she got out her gift, and handed it to Charlie Brown.
"Here's your gift from me, Charlie Brown. Careful when you untie the naturally curly ribbon. I want it to stay curly like my naturally curly hair." Frieda said.
Charlie Brown opened the gift and inside was…..
"A comb?" Charlie Brown said.
A yellow comb with black zigzag.
"You can use it to comb your hair." Smiled Frieda.
"But…. I don't have much hair to comb!" Charlie Brown said.
"No, but you do have a naturally curly hair." Frieda explained.
"Well…. Thanks, Frieda." Said Charlie Brown, knowing that the though counts.
Schroeder came with his rather large gift.
"Whatever Schroeder is giving me, it must be huge." Charlie Brown thought.
"This is from me, Charlie Brown." Said Schroeder.
Charlie Brown opened the big gift, and inside was…..
"A toy piano?!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
It was a large yellow toy piano.
"Now you can play Beethoven like yours truly!" Schroeder cried.
"Well….. thanks, Schroeder." Said Charlie Brown.
"Oh, good grief! My future husband giving this blockhead a piano?!" Lucy groaned.
Schroeder winced at what Lucy just said.
"So, who's next?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Um….." Peppermint Patty stammered.
"Your turn, Sir." Said Marcie.
Peppermint Patty picked up her gift, and gave it to Charlie Brown.
"This gift is from me, Chuck." Said Peppermint Patty. "Hope you like it!"
Charlie Brown put his hands on the gift, even touching Peppermint Patty's hands in the process.
"You touched my hands, Chuck!" swooned Peppermint Patty. "You sly dog!"
"Ooooooh!" everyone else cried.
Charlie Brown opened the gift up, and inside was…..
"A pair of sandals? Really, Patty?" said Charlie Brown.
"Not just any sandals, Chuck." Said Peppermint Patty. "They're coloured like the shirt you normally wear. I got 'em for you because you're a rare gem, Chuck."
"Well, thanks, Patty." Smiled Charlie Brown, hearing the word "Gem".
Marcie was next. She handed Charlie Brown her gift, and as Charlie Brown opened it…..
"Leo's Toy Store by Warren Peace?" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"It's the book you wanted to do a report on, Charles." Marcie said, remembering Charlie Brown's book report that got destroyed.
"So there is a book called Leo's Toy Store by Warren Peace!" exclaimed Peppermint Patty.
"That there is, Sir." Marcie said.
"Well, thanks, Marcie." Said Charlie Brown.
The next person to give Charlie Brown a gift was Franklin.
"Here, Charlie Brown. A gift for you from me." said Franklin.
Charlie Brown opened the gift, and inside was…..
"A baseball!" Charlie Brown said.
"Not just any baseball. Read the writing." Franklin said.
Charlie Brown looked at the baseball, and read:
"Joe Shlabotnik."
"I know about Joe Shlabotnik, so I got a baseball signed by him." Franklin said.
"Gee! Thanks, Franklin." Said Charlie Brown.
The next person to give a gift to Charlie Brown was Shermy.
"Here's my gift to you, Charlie Brown." Said Shermy.
Charlie Brown opened the gift right up and inside was…..
"The rare Joe Shlabotnik baseball card!"
"I know how much you love Shlabotnik," said Shermy. "so I got you this rare card."
"Thanks, Shermy." Said Charlie Brown.
"Patty, let me give Charlie Brown his gift next." Said Violet.
"No. me next!" argued Patty Swanson.
"Me next!"
"No. Let's give our gifts to him together." Patty Swanson decided.
Violet and her friend Patty walked over to the gifts, and they both handed them to Charlie Brown.
"Violet and Patty being nice to Charlie Brown? Good grief! What is the world coming to?" Lucy thought to herself disdainfully.
Charlie Brown opened Violet's gift, and inside, he found…
"I got a rock."
"That's not just any rock, Charlie!" smirked Violet. "Look at the shape it's in!"
Charlie Brown looked more carefully at the rock, and he noticed…
"It's shaped like my head!
"That's because you're not a blockhead. You're a rockhead!" Violet cried, and both she and Patty laughed.
"You rockheads!" shouted Lucy.
"Well, thanks, Violet." Charlie Brown said. "A rock I can actually appreciate."
"Now open mine, Charlie Brown." Patty Swanson said.
Charlie Brown opened the gift from the other Patty, and inside was…..
"AAUGH!"
Inside was jack-in-the-box shaped like Charlie Brown.
"Good grief! What a surprise!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"I really surprised you, didn't I, Charlie?" chuckled Patty Swanson.
"You did. Well, thanks, Patty." Said Charlie Brown.
The next to give a gift was Eudora.
"Here, Charles. This one's from me." said Eudora.
Charlie Brown took the gift from Eudora, opened it, and inside was…..
"A knitted cap. Kind of like yours." Said Charlie Brown.
"Not just any knitted cap, Charles. It goes with your shirt." Eudora explained.
"Well, thanks, Eudora." Said Charlie Brown.
Up next was Pig-Pen. He picked up his dust-covered gift, and gave it to Charlie Brown.
"It's a bit dusty, Pig-Pen." Said Charlie Brown.
"Well, aren't you gonna open it?" asked Pig-Pen.
I guess so." Said Charlie Brown as he unwrapped the gift, and out came…..
"I got some rocks."
"Not just any rocks. They're dust rocks." Said Pig-Pen.
"Well, thanks Pig-Pen." Said Charlie Brown.
The next person to give a gift was Janice. She took out her gift from behind the TV.
"This one's for you, Charlie Brown." Said Janice.
"Janice? I didn't expect you to give me something!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"This is what friends do for friends, Charlie Brown. Open it up!" Janice cried.
Charlie Brown opened the gift and…
"A new cap!"
"It's a lucky red hat, Charlie Brown." Said Janice. "I wore a cap when I lost my hair from chemotherapy, so I thought you'd need a cap like that to boost your luck."
"But…. I'm not really bald. I just….. have extremely fine hair." Charlie Brown stammered.
"Oh. So, do you like my gift, Charlie Brown?" asked Janice.
"Of course I do. Thanks, Janice." Said Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown looked around, and noticed…..
"Good grief! There are no gifts left!"
"Oh, I don't know about that, Big Brother!" exclaimed Sally as she went up to her room and got something from inside her closet. Then, she returned with an enormous gift wrapped in blue paper and a pink ribbon.
"I believe this is for you, Big Brother!" smiled Sally.
"Really? For me, Sally? It's so huge!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"It's your birthday, and what better day than today to give this gift to my favourite big brother?" Sally said.
"Sally, he's your only big brother!" called Lucy.
"Yeah, yeah! Whatever!" sighed Sally.
Charlie Brown opened the gift, and inside was…..
"A beanbag?!"
Yep. A large yellow beanbag. Sally didn't want her brother hogging hers all the time, so she bought him his own.
"My very own beanbag! Thank you, Sally! Now I won't have to take over yours anymore!" smiled Charlie Brown.
"Anything for my favourite big brother." Said Sally.
"You know, I am proud to have a little sister like you, Sally." Said Charlie Brown.
"And I am proud to be your little sister, Charlie." Smiled Sally.
And both Charlie and Sally Brown hugged. Everyone else watched in adoration.
Next, they heard a howl. The howl came from Snoopy.
"Snoopy?" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
Snoopy came in with a gift wrapped in white paper and a black ribbon.
"For me, Snoopy?" asked Charlie Brown.
Snoopy nodded, and handed the gift to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown opened the gift, and inside was…
"Snoopy! You shouldn't have! A sculpture of me hugging you! It's so beautiful! Thank you, Snoopy! With a talented dog like you, I don't need a normal dog." Smiled Charlie Brown, and he hugged Snoopy. Everyone was moved to tears.
"Well, that's all the gifts I got today!" sad Charlie Brown.
"Oh, I don't know about that!" called a voice.
The voice came from a girl who had just arrived. This girl was the brunette that Charlie Brown met at Summer Camp. The girl was wearing a purple dress, a purple bow in her hair, matching socks, and white sneakers. This girl was carrying a gift wrapped in purple paper and a green ribbon. This girl was none other than….
"Peggy Jean!" called Charlie Brown.
"Heard it's your birthday, Brownie Charles!" smiled Peggy Jean.
"Brownie Charles?!" Lucy exclaimed.
"But….. how did you know?" asked Charlie Brown.
"A friend of yours told me." said Peggy Jean.
Linus chuckled at this as Peggy Jean handed the gift to Charlie Brown, and as Charlie Brown opened it…
"Spin the Bottle?!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Just thought I'd bring a game for everyone to play, Brownie Charles. Use it when it's time to play games." Peggy Jean explained.
"Well, thanks, Peggy Jean." Said Charlie Brown.
"Oh, that's not all!" came a voice.
The voice came from another girl. This girl had long blonde hair, and was wearing a rose pink bow in her hair, a rose pink sleeveless shirt, a rose pink flouncy skirt, rose pink socks, and black Mary Jane shoes. In her hands was a flat gift wrapped in red paper and a pink ribbon.
"Is that?" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Who is that?" asked Linus.
"She's beautiful!" exclaimed Schroeder, admiring the girl's long blonde hair.
"She's not that beautiful." Lucy sighed.
"Emily?!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Hi, Charles! Happy birthday!" Smiled Emily.
"But… how did you know?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Let's just say a little bird told me." smirked Emily.
Then, Woodstock flew onto the bow in Emily's hair. Woodstock chuckled, admitting he was the one who told Emily about it.
"Woodstock?" Charlie Brown exclaimed. "You mean….?"
Woodstock just chirped his normal bird sounds.
"One thing's for sure, he's not a parrot." Charlie Brown said.
"Oh, your dog isn't the only one who can understand this bird, Charles." Smiled Emily.
"So….." Charlie Brown began.
"I came here because I heard there'll be dancing at this party, and I got you a gift." Said Emily as she handed the gift to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown opened the gift, and inside was…..
"It's just a record."
"It's not just any record, Charles. It's a record containing all kinds of songs. When it's dancing time, I want you to use it." Emily explained.
"Gee, thanks, Emily." Said Charlie Brown. "Well, these are very nice presents. However, I still wish the Little Red-Haired Girl was here to give me a gift."
"Oh, but I am!" came yet another voice.
The voice came from a certain girl with red hair.
"The….. the Little Red-Haired Girl! Heather's here!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
And there was Heather, dressed in a pink dress, pink bow in her hair, pink socks, and white Mary Jane shoes. She was holding two gifts. One was wrapped in turquoise paper and a red ribbon. The other was wrapped in red paper and a turquoise ribbon.
"Sorry I'm late!" said Heather. "I was too busy wrapping these gifts up. They're very special ones."
"Heather! So….. you're not moving away?" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Of course not, Charlie Brown! Why would I do that?" Heather asked in confusion.
"Linus told me." said Charlie Brown.
"Um…. I said that just to bring you here, Charlie Brown." Linus said sheepishly.
"And besides, I don't wanna move away. Not when I have great friends in this neighbourhood, especially you, Charlie Brown." Smiled Heather.
"Are those?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Yes. For you, Charlie Brown." Heather said.
Charlie Brown was about to take the gifts off of Heather, until…..
"Um…. Wait until the party's over, then I'll give you my gifts." Heather decided.
"Oh, good grief!" sighed Charlie Brown.
"Not to worry, Charlie Brown! We can still have fun!" smiled Heather.
Mrs. Brown called out for games.
"Yay! Game time!" everyone cheered.
The first game the kids played was Pin the Tail on Snoopy. In the backyard was a picture of Snoopy without a tail.
"Who's first? Who's first?" asked Sally.
"Me first! Me first!" Charlie Brown cried.
Sally handed Charlie Brown the pin with the tail at the end, and then Charlie Brown simply put the tail at the end.
"I won!" cheered Charlie Brown.
"No, it's not that easy, Big Brother!" said Sally. "You have to wear a blindfold! Snoopy!"
Snoopy got out a blindfold, and put it around Charlie Brown's eyes. Charlie Brown spun round and around, and then he pinned the tail.
"Oh good grief, Big Brother!" sighed Sally.
Sally pulled the blind fold off of Charlie Brown's eyes.
"You pinned the tail on Snoopy's nose!" Sally called.
Snoopy noticed, and thought that looked like his desert-dwelling brother Spike.
"Hey you know, Sally. That looks like Spike." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"Alright, who's next?" asked Sally.
"Me next! Me next!" called Lucy.
"Alright, Lucy!" said Sally as she gave Lucy the tail, and Snoopy blindfolded her.
"Just got to get it right!" said Lucy.
And then she thought:
"Going to get my revenge on Snoopy for all the times he's given me dog germs! It's payback time!"
Lucy pulled the blindfold off briefly.
"No peeking, Lucy!" called Sally.
Lucy found the real Snoopy, and pinned the tail on his tail.
"AAUGH!" Snoopy screamed.
Lucy removed her blindfold and saw where she'd pinned the tail.
"I did it!" cheered Lucy.
"No, Lucy! You're not supposed to really pin the tail on Snoopy! It's a game!" Sally explained.
"Oh, really? But….." Lucy stammered.
"Lucy, you're disqualified. Who's next?" Sally said.
"Me next, Sally!" called Marcie. "Oh, and I won't need a blindfold. Sir, if you would kindly remove my glasses."
"Alright, Marcie." said Peppermint Patty. So she pulled off Marcie's glasses, and Marcie was ready to play. Sally walked over to Marcie, and handed her a tail.
"I can't see a thing!" Marcie groaned.
Marcie did her best to pin the tail on Snoopy, and she did pin the tail.
"Er, Sir. Could you please give me back my glasses?" asked Marcie.
"Coming, Marcie." Said Peppermint Patty as she gave Marcie back her glasses, Marcie put them back on, and saw…..
"Good grief! I pinned the tail on Snoopy's ear!" Marcie exclaimed.
"Huh?! AAUGH!" Snoopy screamed.
Though Snoopy wasn't really pinned in the ear, he could feel it. How painful that must be.
The game went on and on, and many guests failed to pin the tail on Snoopy. The last contestant was…..
"Heather!" Sally called.
"Me?" asked Heather.
Snoopy put the blindfold on Heather's eyes, and spun her round.
"Oh, I can't see a thing!" Heather giggled.
"Hmm…" pondered Charlie Brown.
Heather was walking dizzily towards the picture. And she pinned the tail. Once Heather removed her blindfold…..
"I did it! I pinned the tail on Snoopy!" cheered Heather.
And she did, in the right spot.
"We have a winner!" Sally announced.
"She did it! She actually won!" cheered Charlie Brown.
"Who's up for a game of Spin the Bottle?" called Peggy Jean.
"I am!" cheered Sally.
"Me too!" added Lucy.
Schroeder, not liking the point of Spin the Bottle, rolled his eyes in disbelief.
"Oh, good grief!" Schroeder groaned.
"I'm up!" Charlie Brown said.
So, everybody went into the living room, and formed a circle. Peggy Jean placed the bottle in the middle, and explained.
"Now the point of this game is this; spin the bottle as fast as you can, and whoever the top points to, you have to kiss."
"Oh, gross!" Schroeder shuddered.
"Come on, Schroeder! It'll be fun!" Lucy said sweetly.
"Who's first?" Peggy Jean asked.
"Me first! Me first!" Frieda cried.
Frieda went to the centre of the circle, put her hands on the bottle, and spun it as fast as she could.
"Round and round the bottle twirls, this reminds me of my hair curls. This bottle spins, it's such a joy, I really hope it stops at a boy."
The bottle stopped spinning, and the top of it pointed at Schroeder.
"Oh good grief no!" groaned Schroeder.
"Oh, Schroeder!" said Frieda as she crawled up to Schroeder, closed her eyes, and prepared to kiss him. At last, Frieda had kissed Schroeder's nose.
"UGH! A girl kissed me! YUCK! I'm poisoned!" screamed Schroeder as he ran away, disgusted by Frieda's kiss.
"Poison?" Frieda pondered.
"Me next! Me next!" Sally cried.
Sally walked to the centre of the circle, and spun it as fast as she could.
"The bottle will stop at who knows who? I hope it stops at my sweet babboo! If it does, it's not a minus, I want the top to stop at Linus."
"Oh, good grief!" groaned Linus.
The bottle spun and spun, and it stopped at Linus.
"Oh no!"
"Oh, Linus! Sweet Babboo!" Sally swooned.
"I am NOT your sweet babboo!" Linus cried as he got up and ran away.
"Come back here, my sweet babboo!" Sally called as she got up and chased after Linus.
"AAUGH!"
"Me next!" Peppermint Patty called, and she walked over to the bottle, and spun it really fast.
"Round and round the bottle will spin, if it stops at who I want, then I will win. This fun game is based on luck, I hope the top stops right at Chuck."
Peppermint Patty watched the bottle spin, and much to Peppermint Patty's dismay, the top stopped right at…
"Marcie?!"
"Don't even think about it, Sir!" Marcie said sternly.
"I'm not going to, Marcie." Said Peppermint Patty.
And then she whispered…
"I wanted it to stop at Chuck."
"Let me have a go!" called Charlie Brown as he walked right to the bottle, and he spun it as fast as he could.
"Round and round the bottle twirls, I hope it stops at a Red-Haired Girl. If it does, then truth be told. I'll have to kiss cute Heather Wold."
"Oh, he called me cute!" Heather swooned.
Charlie Brown watched the bottle spin and spin and spin. The top of the bottle stopped at…
"Heather?!"
"Go ahead, Charlie Brown." Smiled Heather.
"Don't mind if I do!" smirked Charlie Brown as he crawled up to Heather, and then kissed her. Unlike the boys, Heather reacted to the kiss in delight, and blushed redder than her hair.
Schroeder had soon returned, much to Lucy's delight.
"Alright. Let me have a go." Said Schroeder as he got to the middle and spun the bottle.
"Round and round the bottle spins, don't stop on a girl, if not, I'll win."
The bottle did stop, and the top pointed at…..
"Oh good grief! Lucy?!"
"Oh, Schroeder!" Lucy called sweetly.
"Alright. If I must." Schroeder sighed as he crawled up to Lucy, and then…. Schroeder kissed Lucy's cheek. Lucy was delighted to get kissed. Lucy, feeling the kiss, simply felt on top of the world. Then…..
"Step aside, Schroeder! It's Lucy van Pelt's turn!" Lucy demanded and she went to the bottle, and spun it.
"Please don't stop at me!" Schroeder begged.
The bottle spun and spun, and the bottle stopped at…
"Schroeder!" Lucy cheered.
"Oh good grief!" Schroeder groaned.
Lucy closed her eyes, and puckered up. Schroeder knew just what to do. He found Snoopy, and put him in front of Lucy. Snoopy stuck his tongue out, and Lucy, not realising until too late, kissed Snoopy's tongue. As Lucy opened her eyes…..
"UUUUGGGGH! I kissed the tongue of a dog! GROSS! My lips touched the tongue of a dog!" Lucy screamed. She ran away to wash her mouth out.
"I've been poisoned! I'm poisoned! I'm poisoned! I'm poisoned!"
"Blegh!" Snoopy retched.
Schroeder looked at Snoopy and laughed.
"Great job, Snoop!"
Meanwhile, Linus, who was still running away, returned to the game. Sally was still chasing after him. At last, she found Linus, and glomped him really hard.
"Thought you could get away, didn't you, Sweet Babboo!" Sally smiled. Then, she kissed Linus' cheek.
"Ugh! My turn!" Linus said as he got up and spun the bottle.
"This game was played by a pianist, I want the top to stop at Janice."
The bottle spun and spun, and fortunately for Linus…..
"Janice!"
Linus puckered up, and crawled towards Janice. He kissed Janice's cheek. Janice, feeling the kiss, blushed.
"Thanks for that, Linus!" Janice swooned.
"Anything for you, Janice." Smiled Linus.
"Since I gave Brownie Charles the gift, let me have a go!" Peggy Jean cheered and she went to the centre, and spun the bottle as fast as she could.
"The place we met was free of gnarls, I hope this stops at Brownie Charles."
The bottle spun and spun, and the top stopped at…..
"Brownie Charles!"
"Forget it, Peggy Jean." Said Charlie Brown. "After you mentioned your boyfriend, you broke my heart."
"Oh, come on, Brownie Charles!" Peggy Jean begged.
"Alright. Just this once." Said Charlie Brown.
Peggy Jean made sure the other girls weren't looking. She saw they were looking away, she kissed Charlie Brown's right cheek.
"How was that, Brownie Charles?" asked Peggy Jean.
"Hmm… it was decent, I guess." Charlie Brown said.
"Don't tell my boyfriend, alright?" asked Peggy Jean.
"Alright, Peggy Jean."
"My go! My go!" Heather cried as she walked over to the bottle, and spun it.
"This bottle spins right round and round, I hope it stops at Charlie Brown!"
The bottle spun and spun and spun.
"Oh, please be me! Please be me!" Charlie Brown begged.
The bottle continued to spin, and the bottle stopped with the top pointing at….
"Charlie Brown!"
Heather crawled up to Charlie Brown, closed her eyes, puckered up, and kissed Charlie Brown's nose. Charlie Brown, feeling his nose, just blushed as red as Heather's hair.
"How's that, Charlie Brown?" Heather asked sweetly.
Charlie Brown didn't reply. His face was so red from Heather's kiss, he couldn't speak.
"Okay, maybe this game wasn't a good idea. Anything else?" asked Peggy Jean.
"So, who's up for dancing?" Sally asked.
"Us!" everyone cheered.
"Charles, remember that record I gave you." Emily said.
Huh? Oh yes!" said Charlie Brown as he walked over to the record, picked it up, and walked over to the gramophone. He put the record onto the gramophone, and the record started playing music. The first song to play was Linus and Lucy.
"So what are we waiting for? Let's dance!" Emily cried, and everyone went into the living room to dance.
Charlie Brown pointed his fingers to one side and pulled his foot up, then the other side, Sally just moved her feet while swaying her arms up one by one, Frieda swayed her arms about, Violet and Original Patty moved their right arms up and turned to their side, then moved their other arm up and twirled to the other, Schroeder played the piano he got for Charlie Brown, Janice had her arms up while moving her feet, Linus just did a simple dance while holding the blanket he got for Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty twisted her legs, Marcie did a simple dance, Peggy Jean and Heather stood and swayed their hips while their arms were spread out, Franklin did a simple dance, Shermy had his arms up and did a moonwalk, Eudora danced the same way as Sally, Rerun did the same dance Linus did, and Pig-Pen did a simple dance too. The only ones to not join in the dance were Lucy and Emily. Lucy thought this the perfect opportunity to grab Schroeder's attention. Whilst the others were dancing, Lucy snuck up on Charlie Brown's piano, and prepared to grab Schroeder's attention.
"Oh, Schroeder!" Lucy swooned.
Lucy closed her eyes, and puckered up. But Schroeder, who had noticed Lucy, got off the piano to dance with the others. This was when Snoopy came to the piano, and Lucy, not noticing until too late, kissed him. As soon as Lucy opened her eyes…
"STOP THE MUSIC!" she shouted.
Emily turned off the gramophone, and everyone stopped dancing to look at Lucy.
"UUUUGH! I kissed a dog! I've got dog germs!"
Lucy ran off to the bathroom to wash her mouth. Everyone watched and laughed. With Lucy gone, Emily turned the music back on, and everyone continued to dance.
Once the song was over, and Lucy had returned, it was time for the next song. This was a very special one. The song was: Let's Have a Party.
"What's everyone waiting for? Let's party!" Charlie Brown cheered.
And everyone started dancing. Linus and Woodstock danced together, Violet grabbed Schroeder's hands, ready to dance with him, much to Schroeder's dismay, Marcie danced with Peppermint Patty, Frieda danced with Franklin, Sally, Eudora, Peggy Jean and Janice danced a dance together, Snoopy did his trademark jig, Patty and Pig-Pen danced together, Shermy grabbed Lucy's hand and started to dance with her, much to Lucy's dismay. Rerun walked up to Snoopy to dance with him. Because Heather was in the dining room cutting the cake into many slices, Charlie Brown decided to dance with Emily until Heather got back. But once Heather returned…..
"Heather?" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Well, have fun dancing with that Red-Haired Girl, Charles!" smiled Emily as she returned to the gramophone, and Heather walked up to Charlie Brown, and they both danced together.
Once the dancing was over…..
"Oh, Schroeder!" swooned Violet as she kissed Schroeder's left cheek.
"UUUGGH! I've been kissed by a girl! UGH! Gross! Poison girl lips!" Schroeder screamed as he ran off to wash his face, only for Violet to watch in disbelief.
"What's wrong with girl lips?" asked Violet.
Mrs. Brown called out for the food to be eaten.
"Yay! Eating time!" Everyone cheered.
"All this dancing has made me hungry!" cheered Sally.
Everyone came to the table, and got their piece of cake as well as another piece of party food to eat along with the cake. But no party could be complete without fruit punch.
Soon, the party was over. And as everyone was leaving, Charlie Brown stood at the door to hear what they thought of it.
"That party was pretty fun, but my mouth is still poisoned by your stupid hound!" said Lucy.
"Great party, Chuck! Great food, great games, and great dance!" Peppermint Patty smiled.
"It was fun while it lasted, Charles." Smiled Marcie.
"Glad you enjoyed it." Said Charlie Brown.
"That was a great party, Charlie Brown." Said Linus.
"Thank you for not telling me, Linus." Said Charlie Brown.
"It was great seeing your dog again, Charlie Brown." Said Rerun.
"Glad you enjoyed it, Rerun." Charlie Brown said,
"It was great, Charlie Brown!" Franklin cheered.
"Glad to have you over, Franklin." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"This party was awesome, Charlie! And I got to dance with Schroeder!" Violet swooned.
"And I got to dance with Pig-Pen!" Patty Swanson said.
"It was a fun party, Charlie Brown, but next year, don't let Lucy, Violet or Frieda come. I don't want any girls bugging me." Schroeder demanded.
"Um…. I'll think about it, Schroeder." Charlie Brown said.
"Well, happy birthday, Charlie Brown." Said Schroeder as he left.
"Thanks, Schroeder." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"That was a fun party, Charlie. It was just as fun as my naturally curly hair." Smiled Frieda.
"Glad you enjoyed it, Frieda." Said Charlie Brown.
"Well, goodnight, Charlie." Frieda said.
"Good ol' party, Charlie Brown. Glad to be here." Said Shermy.
"Fun party, Charles." Added Eudora.
"Glad you liked it, Eudora." Said Charlie Brown.
"That party was just as fun as dust, Charlie Brown!" Pig-Pen said.
If you say so, Pig-Pen." Charlie Brown said.
And the only four guests who were still at the Brown house were Peggy Jean, Janice, Emily, and the Little Red-Haired Girl.
"Charles, before I leave, there's something I want to say." Emily said.
"Yes, Emily?" asked Charlie Brown.
"That was a wild party," said Emily. "and you danced so well with that Red-Haired Girl!"
"Well, thanks, Emily. Glad you enjoyed it." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"Well, goodnight, Charles." Emily said as she departed the Brown residence.
"Goodnight, Emily!" Charlie Brown called.
"It's a good thing a bird told me about Charles' birthday today." Emily thought.
"Brownie Charles!" Peggy Jean called. "This party was fun! It's been a while since I attended a birthday party like this."
"Glad you enjoyed it, Peggy Jean. Of all the people who'd come to my party, I never thought it'd be you. I also didn't expect Emily, but that's besides the point. But I'm still glad you came." Charlie Brown said.
"Well, goodnight, Brownie Charles." Peggy Jean said, and then departed to see her boyfriend.
"Goodnight, Peggy Jean!"
"Charlie Brown. I just want to say….." Janice began.
"Yes, Janice?" asked Charlie Brown.
"This party was fun! And I'm glad you like my gift!" Janice said.
"Thanks, Janice. Glad you enjoyed your time here. Goodnight, Janice."
"Goodnight, Charlie Brown."
Janice then departed the Brown residence for home.
"That was a fun party, Big Brother!" Sally cried. "My best friend came, and best of all, my boyfriend came! Aren't you glad my boyfriend and I thought it up?"
Just then, the telephone rang, and Sally went to answer it.
"Hello?"
"I am NOT your boyfriend!" Linus yelled, and then, he hung up, and Sally just swooned.
"Isn't he the cutest thing?"
"Um…. I am glad, Sally." Charlie Brown said.
"Now there's just one guest who hasn't left." Charlie Brown then added.
Then, Heather walked over to Charlie Brown. She was holding the gifts she got for him.
"Heather? You're still here?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Of course, Charlie Brown." Smiled Heather. "I'm waiting for you to open my gifts. Since everyone else is gone, I want you to open them now."
Heather handed the gifts to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown opened the red paper gift, and inside was…
"I don't believe it!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"What is it?" asked Heather.
"A lunchbox!" Charlie Brown said.
"Not just any lunchbox. Look!" Heather smiled.
Charlie Brown looked on the sides of the lunchbox, and on both sides was a picture of Charlie Brown with Heather Wold, smiling at each other and holding hands.
"I personalised it myself." Heather explained. "Just for you, Charlie Brown. Now you can carry your lunch without it getting ruined. You like it?"
"I love it, Heather! Now I won't need a lunch bag for my lunch anymore!" Charlie Brown smiled.
"Now open my other gift, Charlie Brown." Said Heather.
Charlie Brown opened turquoise paper gift, and inside was…
"Well I never!" Charlie Brown exclaimed again.
"What is it?" asked Heather.
"A plush Little Red-Haired Girl toy!" Charlie Brown explained.
It was indeed. A plush doll that perfectly resembled Heather. Same hairstyle, same coloured hair, same turquoise dress, same aquamarine bow in her hair, same turquoise socks, and same white Mary Jane shoes.
"I was at the store buying materials to make that doll." Heather explained. "And when you came over, I told my parents to pretend I wasn't at home, because I was too busy making the doll. I had a photo of myself beside me to use as references in order to make it perfectly like me."
"So that's why you didn't answer!" Charlie Brown realised.
"That's right, Charlie Brown. Do you like that doll?" asked Heather.
"I…" Charlie Brown stammered.
"So, do you like it or not?" Heather demanded.
"No."
"What?!" Heather was most surprised. "You don't like that doll I made for you?"
"Good grief no!" said Charlie Brown.
"Why not?" asked Heather, surprised.
"I love it!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
Heather, hearing this, just blushed.
"Heather, these are the best gifts a born loser like me could ever receive!" Charlie Brown smiled.
"You're no loser to me, Charlie Brown. You're a winner." Smiled Heather.
"Thank you, Heather! Thank you so much for these gifts!" Charlie Brown smiled. He closed his eyes, and kissed Heather's left cheek. Heather, feeling the kiss, chuckled and blushed redder than her hair.
"Oh….. you're welcome, Charlie Brown! Mind if I stay a little longer?" Heather smiled.
"Not at all!" smiled Charlie Brown.
"So, wanna dance again, Charlie Brown?" Heather asked.
"Would I?" Charlie Brown exclaimed. So he went to his room and put his Heather doll on his bed. Heather went to the gramophone. She made it play a jazzy version of Linus and Lucy.
"Come on, Charlie Brown!" Heather called. "One more dance while the evening's still young!"
Charlie Brown walked up to Heather, who had her arms spread out, both Charlie Brown and Heather hugged. Then, they held each other's hands, and danced a gentle and slow waltz.
Once the record was over, Heather looked at the clock. The long hand was pointing towards the 3, and the short hand was past the 8.
"Oh good grief!" cried Heather.
"Good grief what?" asked Charlie Brown.
"I'm sorry, Charlie Brown. I have to go home now." Said Heather. "Walk me to the front door please."
Charlie Brown grabbed Heather's hands and walked her to the front door.
"Well, this has been the best party ever, Charlie Brown!" said Heather.
"I think so too." Said Charlie Brown.
Heather gave Charlie Brown a hug. The hug made Charlie Brown blush as red as Heather's hair.
"Well, goodnight, Charlie Brown." Said Heather.
"Goodnight, Heather." Charlie Brown replied.
"But Charlie Brown. Before I leave…" Heather added.
"Yes?"
Heather held both Charlie Brown's hands, and then, she kissed his left cheek. Then, she kissed his right cheek. After that, she kissed his nose. Charlie Brown, feeling the kisses, blushed redder than Heather's hair.
"Happy birthday, Charlie Brown!" Heather called out as she walked out of the Brown house, waved to Charlie Brown, and then walked across the street to her house. Charlie Brown watched Heather return home, and he still stood where he was, still red in the face from Heather's kisses.
"Wow!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
Charlie Brown, still red in the face from Heather's kisses, went to his room to change into his pyjamas, then he went to the bathroom to clean his teeth, and afterwards, he hopped into bed with his plush Heather and the security blanket Linus got for him. Charlie Brown wrapped his left arm around his security blanket, and his right arm around his plush Heather.
"Whenever I'm feeling insecure about myself, I'll use this blanket Linus got for me." Charlie Brown smiled. "And whenever that Little Red-Haired Girl isn't here to cheer me up, I'll have this doll she made for me as a comfort toy."
Sally walked into her brother's room, only to see him in bed with his plush Heather and his security blanket.
"Aw, what a day for surprises, right, Big Brother? Big Brother?" Sally asked.
Charlie Brown didn't answer. He was so happy with his gifts, especially the security blanket from Linus and the plush Heather from Heather, that he fell asleep with them.
"Ah well." Sally smiled.
Charlie Brown thought this to be the luckiest day of his life since the day he first got to talk to Heather. He even got a rock that was worth receiving, a lunch box worth owning, and a doll that perfectly resembled the girl of his dreams. Because of all the gifts he had received, Snoopy's entertainment, the party games, the dance, everything at his party based on his likeness, and having his dance tutor, his ex-girlfriend, and the girl of his dreams come to his party, even getting kissed by the girl of his dreams, Charlie Brown thought this to be the best birthday he'd ever had and the best surprise he'd ever had.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I submitted this story back in 2 October 2021 to celebrate Peanuts 71st anniversary. And I feel it was fitting I submit it here to celebrate a decade of being on Fanfiction. And yes apparently, I've been on Fanfiction for 10 years as of today. Goodness! Time flies really fast.