Author Information
Happy Hiccups - published
Happy Hicccups
Clark Steven Lupton
Published in the Junior Inquirer September 8, 2001
Happy Hiccups was a toad
And he didn’t want to travel on the road
Because sometimes if the road isn’t lit
Happy was afraid of being hit
So Happy decided he would try to fly
This was his plan so he wouldn’t die
He would try to befriend the swiftest bird
This was the best way to fly haven’t you heard?
He hopped up a tree, cuz that’s what he does best
And climbed into Baldy Eagle’s great big nest,
“Hello friend Baldy, all my love and hugs!
Please fly me to where there are lots of bugs.”
“Oh hi, Happy Hiccups!” Baldy said with a stomp,
“Do you want me to fly you to Swallow Swamp?”
“Yes I do, I need your aid.
I need you to fly me to that everglade.”
“You need to swallow some bugs I see
You need to fly and you need me
Or else you’d be flattened on the street,
By a passing car and that’s not neat!”
So Baldy picked him up and flew away
And Happy was on his way to a bug buffet!
But while they flew a shot rang out!
Baldy got hit and let out a shout,
“Hunters!” he cried, “And I got shot!”
Happy said, ” We’re dead! That’s what I thought!
All this because of my eating,
And now Baldy, you are bleeding!”
Baldy said, “Worse than that my friend,
I can’t fly and this will be our end!”
Happy said, “I can’t travel by road or by air -
Now we are falling - this isn’t fair!”
Then he exclaimed, “But if it’s me you can’t carry,
Then I’ll call the good Animal Fairy!
Oh Animal Fairy, good and kind,
Make it a safe landing that we’ll find…”
They soared to the ground really fast
When the good Animal Fairy appeared at last,
“A toad and an eagle, together in flight,
What a truly awesome sight!
“What a friendship this displays!
Such I haven’t seen in all my days.
An example is set for the animal race-
But Hark! As I speak you’re losing space!
“Now what’s that spell I need to know?
The cracks on the road are beginning to show…"
Happy wasn’t happy, “Please save us soon!
We’re falling fast and there’s little room!”
So she said, “With all my powers, this I vow-
I shall save this toad and eagle now…”
“I can fly again!” Baldy did say,
“We can live to see another day!”
“Being able to live again is really neat!
Better yet, it would be neat to eat.
Imagine all those bugs I’ll munch.
Insects are good when I eat lunch!”
The Fairy said, “Well my work here is done,
Saving you has been lots of fun!”
Baldy said, “Thanks Animal Fairy, you are kind.
You really got us out of that scary bind!”
So to Swallow Swamp they finally flew.
Happy looked forward to some insect stew,
“Thanks Baldy, how can I repay you?”
“No problem Happy, just be sure to chew!
“And be joyful, because we’ll meet again someday.”
And with that goodbye, Baldy flew away…
But it didn’t mean Happy’s adventure was at an end
He could meet others and might make a friend
Swallow Swamp is big and grand!
It has more insects in all the land
From mosquitoes and beetles to flies
They come in every shape and every size
Hidden beneath the water are mosquito eggs
To a toad they taste like chicken legs!
He was about to devour them up
When saw a pretty toad he’d want to make, Mrs. Hiccup,
“For a toad, I’d say you’re one beautiful dame.
Hello there, I’m Happy Hiccups, what is your name?”
“I’m A La Mode the Toad and you’re in my humble abode.”
Happy found her so pretty he even thought she glowed
“Oh A La Mode, I love your nose.
I want to touch it before it grows.
But I also love your eyes,
They’re the ones that attract the guys.
“Below them are your green lips.
Just seeing them makes me want to do flips!
And let me praise your ears,
They are really pretty tiny spheres.
“I also have to say your skin’s so fine.
It makes your face look so divine.
A La Mode, you have an original face,
Can I adore it before it breaks?”
“Thanks a lot, you’re not bad yourself.
So now I’ll tell you to beware of the evil Tree Elf.
He’s got magical powers, and frogs are what he eats.
He’s not honest and in fact, he cheats."
“Thanks for the warning, it shows you care
And it means so much from one so fair.
You are cute and you are sweet.
And you have a personality that’s really neat.
You're also good and kind.
A toad like you is hard to find.
I’ll say it once, I’ll say it twice –
A La Mode you’re really nice!
“I say you're pretty and that makes lots of sense
You obviously got your looks from your parents
Since I haven’t seen a toad like you in all my life,
I ask you now, please be my wife?”
“Oh Happy, I’ll have to answer you a bit later,
Because right behind you is a crocigator!!!
It is the servant of the evil Tree Elf.
Once I almost got captured by it myself.”
“Snap!” Went the crocigator’s jaws
And “Slash!” went the crocigator’s claws
Happy pushed A La Mode aside!
He was determined to save his future bride
“Oh wicked beast, you better run!
I warn you now, I’ll protect my honey-bun!”
“No it is you who should flee -
We are alone now as you can see…”
Sure enough A La Mode was gone -
The elf had gotten her and had withdrawn!
So Happy hopped on to the crocigator’s snout
And jumped up and down and let out a shout,
“Do you give up, oh wicked beast?”
“No I don’t – and you shall be my master’s feast!”
“Then I leave you with no choice!”
He began to sing - and toads have no voice!
“Stop singing, I surrender now!
I ‘m stronger than you, but your singing – wow!”
“Although I know you couldn’t care,
You must help me find your master’s lair.
“Or, I shall sing into your ears
And make you suffer for many years.”
“Please no, I’ll be good!
I’ll do anything that I should!”
Happy said, “So, lead the way!”
The crocigator said, “Whatever you say!”
Soon they were at Swallow Swamp's biggest tree
Where she was trapped and needed to be set free!
The Tree Elf said, “I see you’ve come to my dinner,
I shall now eat you both and be the winner.”
A La Mode said, “Happy! Escape while you can –
Or else we'll both end up in his frying pan!”
“No my dear, I’ve come to rescue you!
I shall defeat him and that is true.
And when I do, I shall give you a ring
So now A La Mode, I’ll begin to sing…”
He sang and he sang but it had no effect
Somehow the Tree Elf could take it, that you can bet,
“What is this? I’m so scared – oh gee!
Your stupid singing has no effect on me!”
All of a sudden, music filled the tree!
A La Mode began singing happily!
The Tree Elf said, “ That was music to my ears.
I haven't felt like this in too many years.
"I can’t eat a couple like you, and that’s a fact.
My heart goes out to you, and that’s no act.
Leave soon and go in peace,
My evil doings shall now cease.”
She said, “Be well Tree Elf, we’ll leave you here.
Swallow Swamp will be happy and not live in fear.
As for us, Happy I think we can be two
So I say to your proposal, I think I do!”
So they got married in Swallow Swamp and it was legal
The Animal Fairy came and so did Baldy Eagle
It was the best wedding from the West to East!
Happy was happy, and he got to feast!
