2007-09-16 SMILE PROVOKING FAMILY STORY

Young David, like many other little boys, loves to go and visit his grandmother, his bubbie. While her apartment is small it always smells of cinnamon, is above an excellent bagel shop, and is spotless. As his mother says, "Bubbie makes cleaning an art," and his father says, "...germs are even afraid to try and come in."

Now, the one day that David does not like to visit Bubbie is his birthday because on every birthday since the day he was born Bubbie has given him a white shirt. It is a stiff white shirt that his parents say makes him look like a gentleman, but it's the sort of shirt that makes him "squirm and pull and shift and twist."

On this birthday David tries very hard to be polite and obeys when he is asked to try it on. However, his good intentions go awry when he closes his eyes and suddenly the shirt is out the window.

What follows is a smile provoking chase throughout the neighborhood as his little dog Pupik runs with the shirt firmly between his teeth.

Youngsters will enjoy the family's antics as they try to catch Pupik and retrieve the shirt. They'll also be pleased with Bubbie's final declaration.

- Gail Cooke