The Tillyville Times

Skinny McKinney was so sure he could beat that Warren Rabbit in a footrace. "But he's so fast," Tilly Squirrel said.

"Fast isn't everything," Skinny said.

"Yeah, but in a footrace it beats whatever comes in second," Tilly replied.

"I admit, Warren is fast," Skinny said, "but I have a plan."

"A secret plan?" Tilly asked.

"Wait and see," Skinny said.

The race would be three times around Niel Lake on Swan Circle Road. Old Herbert Swan himself fired the starter's gun. Only it wasn't a gun, it was a trumpet. Runners ready. Get set. BRRRAPPPP!

At the blare of Herbert's trumpet, Skinny took off fast. Warren Rabbit took off faster.

"Look how far behind Skinny is already," Geneva Owl said to Tilly Squirrel.

"Don't worry, Skinny has a plan," Tilly said. "A secret plan."

"Is it working?" Geneva asked.

Tilly shrugged. "I hope so."

This Week in Tillyville

Tilly Squirrel can't read his shopping list. This is a job for the mysterious Dr. Molé Molx. Monday.

On Tuesday Skinny and Tilly battle over the Scrabble board. Skinny seems to be getting all the good letters, but Tilly has a trick or two up his sleeve. Or does he?

Skinny McKinney tries out his new digital camera. What's wrong with this picture? Find out Wednesday.

Thursday, night of the big dance, but Tilly Squirrel isn't much for dancing. Geneva Owl has other ideas.

This Friday, Dorian serves up the Dark One. 'Nuff said.

The strangest things can happen when you rub the Hm. This Saturday, a boy gets a new bike, takes a field trip downtown, and meets the mayor ... and a monkey?

By this time Skinny had almost completed the first lap. Yup, there was Frog and Duck's new house just ahead. What a beauty!

Warren Rabbit rushed past the starting line. The crowd clapped. A few moments later Skinny McKinney passed. "He does run very gracefully," Geneva Owl said.

"Yes, but you don't get style points in a footrace," Tilly told Geneva. They watched the runners. Warren Rabbit's lead seemed to be increasing. "Come on, Skinny," Tilly yelled to his pal. "Remember your plan!"

Skinny smiled to himself. What a great plan it was.

The second lap was almost finished. Skinny kicked it up a notch. There was the Frog and Duck house again. Good. But no sign of that pesky Warren Rabbit, Skinny noticed. No sign, ha ha! Won't be that way for long. Passing the pile of discarded lumber from the newly built house, Skinny gave the agreed upon signal. From the corner of his eye, Skinny thought he saw the nod of a big straw hat.

"Here comes Skinny," Tilly said to Geneva.

"He's so far behind," Geneva said. "And only one lap to go. No way can Skinny catch Warren Rabbit now."

Skinny waved to the crowd. And then he set off around Niel Lake for the last time. Skinny lengthened his stride. He pumped his arms. He took his breaths deep and fast. He said to himself, "More ways than one to skin a rabbit." And then he thought about what he said. "Skin, ha ha. Rabbit, ha ha. Ways. Ha ha ha." Sure enough, there was the sign, just as he'd ordered it. DETOUR. And an arrow pointing off into the middle of Niel Lake. Oh, that poor Warren Rabbit. That sad and soon-to-be-if-not-already-soaked-soggy-and-second Warren Rabbit. "Whew!" Skinny panted. "So many hyphens nearly take my breath away. Nevertheless, Skinny upped his pace. Give the race fans a good show. He streaked past the Frog and Duck house one final time.

There was the finish line just ahead. And there was Herbert and Geneva and Tilly talking to … oh, no! How could this be? Warren Rabbit.

"Hiya, Skinny," said Warren. "What took you so long?"

"What took me so long!" Skinny sputtered. "Didn't you see the sign? The detour sign? Back down the road aways?"

"Is that what that was?" answered Warren. "I was running so fast, I couldn't really read it. The letters were just a blur."