0:00:07 > 0:00:11HONK! I love birthday parties, don't you?
0:00:11 > 0:00:15My name is Michael and we've been having a birthday party.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Mr Crocodile looks better in his hat than me,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20so I think I'll take mine off.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Would you like to hear a story about a party? You would? Fantastic.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26It's called Snappy Birthday
0:00:26 > 0:00:30and it's by Mark Sperring and Laura Ellen Anderson.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34One day, an invitation came to number 24.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38It was from a next-door neighbour who they'd never met before.
0:00:38 > 0:00:44It said, "Come to my birthday party, it's at number 22.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48"I really, really, really want to celebrate with you.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53"So, please, just bring your little selves, don't bring a thing for me.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56"The nicest gift of all would be to have you all for tea."
0:00:58 > 0:01:01There wasn't much to think about. Of course they had to go!
0:01:01 > 0:01:05For who doesn't like a party? Well, nobody I know.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09So, they ran up to their bedrooms and pulled out things to wear,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13with stripes and spots and lots of dots and ribbons everywhere.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17And while they all got ready, they chatted merrily,
0:01:17 > 0:01:22about the treats that lay in store and who their host could be.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27Yes, who had sent that invite and what would they be like?
0:01:27 > 0:01:32It must be someone lovely, but, hmm - would they be right?
0:01:32 > 0:01:35When they arrived that afternoon at number 22,
0:01:35 > 0:01:40the front door swung right open and a voice cried out, "Yoo-hoo!"
0:01:41 > 0:01:46And there he stood, their neighbour, a green and tallish chap.
0:01:46 > 0:01:52He bowed and said politely, "Pleased to meet you, my name's Snap."
0:01:52 > 0:01:57He beckoned to them sweetly with a newly sharpened claw
0:01:57 > 0:02:02and said, "Come in, my cherry plums, don't linger at the door!"
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Once ushered in, the children did their best to be polite,
0:02:06 > 0:02:11but the crocodile birthday boy was quite a shocking sight.
0:02:11 > 0:02:17Snap smiled, "Don't look so worried, we'll have fun, without a doubt.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20"Now, how about a party game?"
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Then, "RAAAAAH!", he chased them all about!
0:02:23 > 0:02:27They ran until they grew tired, till their little legs grew weak.
0:02:27 > 0:02:33Cried Snap, "I cannot find you! Are we playing hide and seek?"
0:02:33 > 0:02:38He hunted high and hunted low, oh, what a thrilling game!
0:02:38 > 0:02:43Then suddenly, he found them - "Boo!" Which was an awful shame.
0:02:43 > 0:02:49For Snap led them to his table, where there sat one single plate,
0:02:49 > 0:02:55and when the clock struck tea-time, said, "I think it's time I ate."
0:02:55 > 0:03:00He told those dear, sweet children, "Yes, it's you I'm going to eat.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06"For nothing could taste nicer, you're the perfect birthday treat!"
0:03:06 > 0:03:10"But Snap," their little voices cried, "how very wrong you are!
0:03:10 > 0:03:15"On special days like birthdays, there's a nicer treat by far."
0:03:15 > 0:03:20And suddenly, the room went dark. Snap heard a birthday cheer.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23"Hip, hip, hooray!" the children cried.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26"We've brought you something - here!"
0:03:26 > 0:03:30And almost out of thin air came a cake, all pink and green,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33with chocolate drops and candy hearts,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36the biggest cake you've ever seen!
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Snap gulped it down in one great gulp,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and, "Yum! Who would have guessed?
0:03:43 > 0:03:48"On special days like birthdays, children really don't taste best!"
0:03:48 > 0:03:54Snap licked his lips and thanked them, "What a lovely thing to bring.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59"Yes, it's been fun, now, off you run. I couldn't eat another thing."
0:04:02 > 0:04:05That story was called Snappy Birthday.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Even a hungry crocodile couldn't resist birthday cake,
0:04:08 > 0:04:13so, Mr Crocodile, you can have some, but not right now. I'll tidy this up
0:04:13 > 0:04:16and we'll save our cakes for tomorrow instead.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Off you go to bed. Night-night and I'll see you again very soon.