Katie and the Grue

One day, a Grue jumped out on Katie from under the bed.

“Rargh!” said the Grue.

“Hello,” said Katie. “Do you want to play tea parties?”

“No,” said the Grue, “I want to eat a crunchy, tender, juicy, little girl.”

“We’ll play tea parties first,” said Katie and led the Grue downstairs.

“Rargh!” said the Grue. “Now I’m going to eat you.”

“No snacks between meals,” said Katie, “and you’ll have to wash your hands first.”

“Can I eat you after I’ve washed my hands?” asked the Grue.

“Only if you eat all your vegetables,” said Katie.

“But grues don’t like vegetables,” said the Grue.

“Then grues don’t get any pudding,” said Katie.

At the table, Jeffrey was crying. He didn’t want to eat his vegetables either.

“Can I eat your little brother?” whispered the Grue.

Katie thought about it.

“I don’t think he’d taste very nice,” she told him. “Why don’t you wait till after dinner?”

The Grue was very good at dinner.

He didn’t put his elbows on the table…

He passed the salt whenever he was asked…

And he ate all of his vegetables.

Then pudding arrived.

“What’s that?” asked the Grue.

“Chocolate cake,” said Katie and cut him a slice,

Which the Grue ate in one gulp.

The Grue was amazed. He’d never tasted real food before.

After dinner, the Grue helped with the washing up

While Katie got ready for bed

And then it was time to go.

“Thankyou for having me,” said the Grue. “And thankyou for the chocolate cake. Chocolate cake is lovely. Better than fried snot; better than rat’s entrails; better, even, than crunchy, tender, juicy, little girls.”

“You’re welcome,” said Katie. “Would you like to come again?”

The Grue was shocked. “Really?” he whispered. He’d never had a friend before.

“Really,” said Katie, and gave the Grue a big hug.

Which lasted all…

…the way…

  …home.