Michael Underwood - Snappy Birthday CBeebies Bedtime Stories

HONK! I love birthday parties, don't you?

My name is Michael and we've been having a birthday party.

Mr Crocodile looks better in his hat than me,

so I think I'll take mine off.

Would you like to hear a story about a party? You would? Fantastic.

It's called Snappy Birthday

and it's by Mark Sperring and Laura Ellen Anderson.

One day, an invitation came to number 24.

It was from a next-door neighbour who they'd never met before.

It said, "Come to my birthday party, it's at number 22.

"I really, really, really want to celebrate with you.

"So, please, just bring your little selves, don't bring a thing for me.

"The nicest gift of all would be to have you all for tea."

There wasn't much to think about. Of course they had to go!

For who doesn't like a party? Well, nobody I know.

So, they ran up to their bedrooms and pulled out things to wear,

with stripes and spots and lots of dots and ribbons everywhere.

And while they all got ready, they chatted merrily,

about the treats that lay in store and who their host could be.

Yes, who had sent that invite and what would they be like?

It must be someone lovely, but, hmm - would they be right?

When they arrived that afternoon at number 22,

the front door swung right open and a voice cried out, "Yoo-hoo!"

And there he stood, their neighbour, a green and tallish chap.

He bowed and said politely, "Pleased to meet you, my name's Snap."

He beckoned to them sweetly with a newly sharpened claw

and said, "Come in, my cherry plums, don't linger at the door!"

Once ushered in, the children did their best to be polite,

but the crocodile birthday boy was quite a shocking sight.

Snap smiled, "Don't look so worried, we'll have fun, without a doubt.

"Now, how about a party game?"

Then, "RAAAAAH!", he chased them all about!

They ran until they grew tired, till their little legs grew weak.

Cried Snap, "I cannot find you! Are we playing hide and seek?"

He hunted high and hunted low, oh, what a thrilling game!

Then suddenly, he found them - "Boo!" Which was an awful shame.

For Snap led them to his table, where there sat one single plate,

and when the clock struck tea-time, said, "I think it's time I ate."

He told those dear, sweet children, "Yes, it's you I'm going to eat.

"For nothing could taste nicer, you're the perfect birthday treat!"

"But Snap," their little voices cried, "how very wrong you are!

"On special days like birthdays, there's a nicer treat by far."

And suddenly, the room went dark. Snap heard a birthday cheer.

"Hip, hip, hooray!" the children cried.

"We've brought you something - here!"

And almost out of thin air came a cake, all pink and green,

with chocolate drops and candy hearts,

the biggest cake you've ever seen!

Snap gulped it down in one great gulp,

and, "Yum! Who would have guessed?

"On special days like birthdays, children really don't taste best!"

Snap licked his lips and thanked them, "What a lovely thing to bring.

"Yes, it's been fun, now, off you run. I couldn't eat another thing."

That story was called Snappy Birthday.

Even a hungry crocodile couldn't resist birthday cake,

so, Mr Crocodile, you can have some, but not right now. I'll tidy this up

and we'll save our cakes for tomorrow instead.

Off you go to bed. Night-night and I'll see you again very soon.