It’s that time of year when the Lemonade Stand has reopened in Honeysuckle Hollow! Unfortunately, this year the Cottonball Rabbit family have misplaced their original recipe for the lemonade stand. Oh dear! Chuck Cottonball has an idea. Because when life gives you lemons… lemonade is the only way to go!
On the first day of opening, Chuck had prepared his set up as usual. In front of his stand, he had lots of crates with sliced lemons and many empty cups prepared. He had prepared a base for his lemonade with just water and lemons when his first customer arrived.
“Why hello Chuck!” Angus FitzMoo called out a greeting. “It looks like I am your first customer today!
“Yes, you are! So happy to greet you and serve you a fresh lemonade,” Chuck said but he was a touch nervous not knowing how the next part would go. He poured a big glass of the lemon water. Angus gulped it down.
His face was very still at first and then he sucked his cheeks in and let out a long whistle.
“Ohhhhh my! That is very tart! Very sour! I have never had a lemonade quite like that before. Thank you – Chuck!” Angus continued on his way.
Chuck was a bit confused. He was not sure if that was a good review or a bad review. Was it too sour? Or did Angus Fitzmoo like the fact it was tart? Just to be sure, Chuck took out his sugar scoop and put in two heaping spoons of sugar. But he forgot to stir because he got a bit distracted when Peggy McBristly appeared as his second customer.
“One glass of lemonade please!” Peggy asked.
“Coming right up!” Chuck said as he poured a big cup of the newly sweetened lemonade. He didn’t notice as the unstirred sugar slide into Peggy’s glass.
Peggy took a big sip. Her nose twitched. She clenched her teeth and let out a small squeal.
“Wow! That lemonade is sweet!! Just like you Chuck!” Peggy waved good-bye and headed down the street.
Chuck thought how could that be that Angus found it sour and Peggy found it sweet? He did not know what to do next. How could he get to his perfect lemony blend? He sat down and thought and thought when his third customer came walking down the Honeysuckle walkway. It was Libby Croaklily approaching the Lemonade Stand.
“Hello Chuck! How are you doing there? You look like you have something on your mind?” asked Libby.
“Well, it just so happens I lost my original lemonade recipe. And now I have been trying to perfect the taste but I can’t seem to nail it. First, Angus Fitzmoo stopped by and he had a big glass. And although he did not complain – he said it was sour. Next, Peggy McBristly came by and she had a glass. By that time, I had added two heaping spoons of sugar. But this time it was too sweet.” Chuck let out a big sigh as he stared at the large jar of frosty lemonade in front of him.
“I think I can help!” said Libby. “Sometimes the secret is not just in the ingredients but in the blend! You have to give things a good mix so the flavors have a chance to combine together.” Libby smiled and in her eyes was just a twinkle of mischief.
Libby picked up the jug with both hands, gribbed it tight and began hopping up and down the sidewalk. She hopped and hopped and hopped and hopped. And jumped and jumped and jumped and jumped. Just when Chuck thought she was done – she threw in a few extra large leaps for good measure.
After Libby had set the lemonade jug back down, she sat to catch her breathe.
“You must be thirsty from all that jumping!” said Chuck.
“I am! I am very thirsty. Shall we try it?” Libby said with a smile.
Chuck poured two cups of lemonade – one for Libby and one for himself.
They both took a sip at the same time and looked at each other.
“Yummmmmm!” they both exclaimed.
“It is just perfect – not too sweet or sour. You were right, it just needed a good stir.” said Chuck.
“And a few good hops!” said Libby as she raised her lemonade glass to toast Chuck in the sunshine.
Tune in next week!
