The Hopsibal Commitee Meeting

Late in the evening, the cubs had to have an Extraordinary Chess Committee Meeting. (Mum Lioness took care of Catering for such meetings. Uncle Stripes took the Minutes of the Meeting) The chess game had not gone too well. Or let's say there were some major design flaws in the board.

The most glaring problem they had faced was that Rumple and Crumple occupied two squares on the board. Four, if they sat off center. And once they parked themselves in one square getting them to move was difficult. And when they wanted to move, getting them to stop was impossible. They were growing into big bullies.

On the opposite end of the spectrum was Skippy the Snail. It took him ages to move one square. And when he got knocked off by a knight, it took him the rest of the day to get off the board. Now Skippy did not like the idea of anyone picking him up with their teeth and moving him around.
So the cubs had a brilliant idea of placing him and other small creatures in little baskets with handles. They could pick the handles with their teeth and move the creatures around. Either they agree to be picked directly, or else the basket. There were no other choices, if they wanted to play.

The peacocks were another story altogether. Knocking everyone off whenever they opened their plumes. The game had to be started over twice thanks to confusion caused by the peacocks and the hippos.

The skunks had a bad case of indigestion today, and everytime they let off their dainty scent, the other pieces had to run for cover. Om cub was suggesting that the skunks could be given a special "Stink timeout". They had to go into the toilet, no, the bushes yonder, to let off, or else they would be disqualified.

Then Om cub reminded the elder cubs that some of the really young players got bored and fidgety if they were not moved around often enough. Tiru added that they could not understand the rules of the game and often wandered about the board by themselves.

Should we put a minimum age?, asked Arunacub.
NO, protested Spotty and Omcub together, for they were the youngest and would get excluded if a minimum age were set.

Mum Lioness tried suggesting that some other game be invented for the toddlers. But the cubs curtly told Mum Lioness that she was in-charge only of Tasty Treats, and not part of sub-committee meetings!

Uncle Stripes tried suggesting that little ones could be put on the shoulders of larger pieces, but was told (by moderator Om) that he was only to take meeting minutes and not over-step his boundaries!

Later the cubs decided that the little ones would have the option of sitting on shoulders (if they behaved) or else play another easier game, which was to be invented.

After that the cubs felt that all issues had been addressed. Except for the hippos, reminded Uncle Stripes checking his minutes.

Maybe, suggested Omcub, we could give them the responsibility of guarding the magic food machines. If anything went wrong with the machines, they would be held responsible. Similarly if anyone complained that they were not given any food, the hippos would lose this privilege. This would ensure that the hippos allowed others to eat, too.
We could add one more rule, suggested Arunacub, that if anyone sees the hippos eating outside of break hour they can lose this privilege. The cubs laughed at that devilish idea but decided to use it only if really necessary.