By Kathleen Myers

It was the ancient tradition among the Pots to have a great Potbellied Pig Tournament on the afternoon of the Empress' Birthday. If you looked carefully you could see the playing field from the Grand Table. The playing field was surrounded with red and yellow bleachers. In the middle of the bleachers were two thrones. One was strawberry red and the other was sunshine yellow. Oh, I failed to mention that Empress Sadie husband was Emperor Harwell. Standing right in front of their thrones at the playing field with scarves waving and cheering as loudly as any Pot could, were Empress Sadie and her Emperor, Harwell. Harwell was a very handsome boar. He had a big white collar that could be seen under his red tunic. His round potbelly only added to his regal state. Sadie stood up and again filled the air with her sunny smile. There, seated on a much smaller chair right beside Harwell, was Periwinkle. Sadie became so excited by all her Birthday celebrations that she gave Periwinkle a big hug. Looking on in total amazement, Emperor Harwell said, "Do you mind? I think you have forgotten yourself." "Oh, do not be such a fuddy duddy," laughed Sadie. "This is my Royal Birthday Party and we do have a fairy friend visiting. But, to please you, Your Royal Majesty, Emperor of all Potbellied Pigs, Keeper of the Great Eternal Truths, and Sage of all Pots, Sire, I will try to not be quite so happy," Sadie replied with a twinkle in her eye. "Well, I should hope so," Harwell said as he rose from his throne with his white tail wagging. "Periwinkle you have come at a most festive time. All the Pots of the Village are gathered for the celebration of our yearly Potbelly Tournament. Come, you will enjoy the games, too. Some of my personal favorites are the Cabbage Roll or the most famous Zucchini Cross Country Relay." "Yes," encouraged Sadie, "I am sure you will love the games as we do." "The one that sounds most interesting to me is the Zucchini Cross Country Relay, "responded Periwinkle. "Oh, that is my favorite one," exclaimed Harwell with a grin, "The Relay starts at the Grand Table in the Square. All the runners are divided into two teams, the red and the yellow. There are two courses, the red and the yellow, of course. Each one has been meticulously laid out by our Official Course Designers. They have spent months and months planning and measuring and marking, so that each course is exactly the same. It is important that the Zucchini Cross Country Relay be fair to all, since it is the last event of the Tournament. The winning team obtains two times the normal points, which I might add is exactly four," stated Harwell, as he took a deep breath. Sadie stood there silently smiling. She did so like to hear Harwell explain how the games were played. "Now to continue," Harwell said as he pointed to the starting line at the Grand Table. "One point I may have failed to mentioned. There are four runners in all. Each runner is positioned at the four tallest flags along the course. The first runner is given one of our incredibly delicious Zucchini. He then runs forward to the second runner. The second runner runs to the third. The third runs to the fourth, who then runs to the finish line, which happens to be at the Grand Table. Since the score is tied this year at 226 points for the Red, my team of course, and 226 for the Yellow, Empress Sadie's team, this event will determine the tournament winner." "Yes, it is exciting! All of our Pots have trained and prepared themselves for months. The winning team will certainly have earned their place in history." "There is time before the Relay Race to enjoy the Cabbage Roll," smiled Sadie. "I would suggest you get closer to the Relay course, so that you might better enjoy the game."

Periwinkle hurried down to the far left corner of the Playing Field to watch the Cabbage Roll. The bleachers were filled with Pots. They were waving their team colors and yelling at the top of their lungs. It was so exciting that no one even noticed the Pots selling grape ices and plum freezes. In fact every Pot, including the drink vendors, was facing the field to watch the beginning of the race. Periwinkle found an excellent seat in the front row. When she sat down, she noticed Ruth and Loolie were sitting next to her. "Ruth and Loolie, I'm so glad to see you again!" Loolie was thrilled to have a fairy sitting right beside her. Knowing this Ruth said to Periwinkle, "I am so glad you chose to sit by Loolie and me. This will make the games even better for the wee one." Periwinkle smiled as they all three turned to the playing field, because the Cabbage Roll was starting!

Standing in a bright green box at the stating line was a very official looking sow with the name Lady Lucy printed in big, bold letters on her tunic. At the finish line was a handsome boar. Sir Ricky was on his tunic. He held a red and yellow checkered flag high in the air. The Pots were lined up in two teams of three players each. Lady Lucy had her whistle up to her mouth. She was waiting for both teams to make the final adjustments to their cabbages and their long handled rakes. Each Pot was almost ready. There was just one Pot out of position. There, she finally had her cabbage in the right place. Lady Lucy yelled, "All Pots to your mark! All Pots get ready! All Pots Go!!" As Lady Lucy blew her whistle, the members of the Red and Yellow Teams pushed their cabbages in the direction of the finish line. The pushing had to be done in just the right way or the cabbage would take a wrong roll. No, Pot wanted his cabbage to roll off the course or into the opposite team's rake. Because, if it did, the Pot who lost his cabbage would be disqualified. All was going well until little LuLu's cabbage hit an unexpected bump and rolled right into Harry's rake. Poor LuLu felt so badly as she left the playing field with her rake under her arm. Then, suddenly, Mark's cabbage decided for no apparent reason to begin to roll out of bounds. Mark ran to catch up with his out of control cabbage, but his cabbage had already rolled past the boundary line. That left Samantha and Matthew in the lead. Samantha was known for her skill with the rake; however, Matthew always picked the roundest and firmest cabbage. Who would win? They were neck and neck, or maybe I should say rake and rake. The finish was approaching. Sir Ricky was ready. All eyes were on the two players. Closer, closer and finally … Samantha and Matthew crossed the finish line at exactly the same time. The Pots threw their flags into the air and a huge roar went up.

Ruth and Loolie and Periwinkle were jumping and cheering as the two victors approached Sadie and Harwell. Both the Emperor and Empress rose to their feet and picked up two large baskets brimming with delectable goodies, the prizes for the winning teams. Samantha and Matthew walked up the steps. Sadie was beaming. She always liked this part the best. Smiling, too, Harwell said, "You both have accomplished a great feat today. What heroes, what champions! Samantha and Matthew, you have done your very best and you have both won!" The two Pots curtsied and bowed. With great pride they took their winning baskets back to their teams for all to enjoy.

Turning to Periwinkle Ruth smiled. "The start of the Zucchini Cross Country Relay will begin very soon. Would you like to join Loolie and me for this event, too?" "Oh, yes I do appreciate the invitation," said Periwinkle. "Well, let's hurry down to the beginning of the course," replied Ruth. Ruth led the way as the threesome walked to the Grand Table. The Pots had already begun to gather there. Lady Lucy was checking in the runners. "I see we have a couple of substitutes here. Let me see. Janie and Robert, I think. Are Janie and Robert here?" Lady Lucy asked as she looked all around. Janie and Robert moved forward. "Oh, there you are. Please take your positions. Here are your tunics." Janie took her yellow tunic, slipped it over her head, and ran to the first tall yellow flag. Robert took his red tunic stepped aboard a waiting cart, which was being pulled by two white miniature horses. As the cart moved down to Robert's starting position, he passed Mark who was at the starting line. He passed Roxanne who was at the second red flag. Then, he came to Betsy who was already at the third red flag. Arriving at the fourth and final red flag, the horses stopped. Robert jumped out, put on his red tunic and turned to watch the start of the race. On his left was Sam, who was dressed in yellow. Everyone was ready. The whistle blew. Holding tightly to their zucchini, Janie and Mark ran as fast as they could to the second flags. They passed the cheering Pots. They ran beside the neat and trim vegetable gardens on their left. In front of them was the beginning of the apple orchard. When they arrived at the second tall flags Mark was in the lead. Janie and Mark passed their zucchini on to the next runner without a hitch. Janie was breathing hard, but she didn't stop. She turned right around and ran back as fast as she could to the Grand Table. She wanted to see the end of the race.

Robert waited impatiently as he strained to see the runner coming over the hill. In the distance Robert thought he caught a glimpse of something red. Yes, it was Betsy running full speed. Right on her heels was the Pot in the yellow tunic. Betsy was almost there. It was very important that the zucchini not fall to the ground. Because, if the zucchini fell his team would be disqualified. Betsy leaned forward and Robert leaned back. The zucchini was safely in Robert's hand. He immediately took off to the Finish line. As he ran over a small hill, Robert looked back. He saw Sam reach down to pick up his fallen zucchini. Robert knew that the Yellow Team would be disqualified because Sam had dropped his zucchini. Since Robert wanted to do his best, he ran and ran and ran. He didn't look back again until he was almost at the Grand Table. To his surprise, Sam was still running the race. Since the whole town of Pots was gathered for the finish of the race, no one but Robert and Sam knew that Sam had dropped his zucchini. Robert was almost there! The roar of the Pots was deafening. Sir Ricky had the red and yellow checkered flag high above his head. Robert was only feet away! To his surprise, Sam passed him by and sped across the finish line first. Robert was so shocked to see Sam go by that he didn't even notice when he crossed the finish line himself. The Pots gathered around Sam and lifted him high into the air. They cheered and cheered as they carried Sam to Sadie's and Harwell's thrones.

Sam should have looked happy. He had a very sad look on his face. So sad that everyone wondered why he wasn't celebrating too. Sam and his team had finished first in the Zucchini Cross Country Relay! The Yellow Team had won the most extraordinary basket of goodies to have ever been put together. Sam slowly walked up the steps to the royal couple. Emperor Harwell lifted his strong arms to hush the crowd. Clearing his throat and raising his voice above the excited crowd, he said, "Even though both the Red and Yellow Teams have worked very hard during the last several months to prepare themselves for this Tournament, Sam, you and your team have performed a great deed today. You personally carried the last leg for the winning team. The final score is Yellow 230 to the Red Team's 226." Just as Harwell was about to declare the Yellow Team the winners of the Potbelly Tournament, Sam raised his head and said very quietly, "But, Sire, I dropped the zucchini. I did not hold it tightly enough after Arlo passed it to me. I did not want to loose, so I just picked up the zucchini and kept on running." Robert had been trying for a long time to work his way up to the throne. He had been left at the back of the crowd when Sam was carried to Sadie and Harwell. Just as Robert made his way to the steps, to his surprise, he heard Sam continue, "Sire, I am so sorry I cheated and did not quit the race, as the rules said I should. I am sorry I let my team down. And, most of all, I am sorry I did not do my best. Oh, your majesties, please forgive me."

Harwell sighed a heavy sigh. Sadie stood there quietly watching. A silence fell over all the Pots as Harwell began to speak, "Sam, you have done a grave thing today. You cheated so your team would win. Now, I know at times it is hard to accept the fact that defeat is upon you, especially after you have worked for so many months to do your best. Also, I am certain you were thinking about your whole team depending on you to win. Sam, even though you made a mistake to even attempt to cheat, you are truly a Pot with courage and honor. You confessed your mistake so that it can be corrected. I am proud of you! I do believe that in the end you did do your best. Now to the Yellow Team. Take heart! Be proud of Sam for his honesty and courage. Applaud the Red Team who also tried as hard as they could. Robert approach the throne. As the representative of the Red Team, I do hereby award to you this delectable basket of goodies to be shared by all your team. This has been a great day! All the players had done their best, win or loose. In doing this you are all winners, no matter what team you are on. Empress Sadie let us bow to our winners." To the amazement of everyone there, Sadie and Harwell slowly bowed their heads to all the players in the Tournament. A great cheer went up, as Robert and Sam stood arm in arm.

The day wore on and all the Pots were happy. Empress Sadie's Birthday was a great success. As was the tradition of the day, the fairy representative was invited to stay the night, so that she might enjoy the final banquet. This was a most fitting finale for the day. There is not much a Pot likes more than eating. And, to have a Birthday Banquet was extra special. They Grand table was again set with wondrous foods from the Pots very own gardens, platters of corn, bowls of beans and carrots and beets and broccoli. Not to mention the baskets of apples, and pears, and plums, and peaches, which were there on the table too.. All the Pots ate until their tummies could hold no more. When the last bowl was emptied of the delectable goodies, the sun was beginning to set. The celebration of Empress Sadie's birthday was over. What a glorious day it had been. With droopy eyes and full tummies, the last of the Pots found their way back to their homes. Sadie and Harwell took Periwinkle to their castle and showed her the Fairy Bedroom. This bedroom was only used by visiting fairies. The bed, which was made of the purest silver, was smaller than any other in the castle. This made Periwinkle feel right at home. After bidding Sadie and Harwell good night, Periwinkle settled into a peaceful sleep right away.

Copyright © 1996. Kathleen Myers. All rights reserved worldwide