Once upon a time, there was a group of friends who loved to play tricks on each other. One day, they decided to have a picnic and each brought a special treat to share. The first friend brought a big bowl of fruit that was so sweet, it almost made you beat your chest with joy. The second friend brought a hot pot of soup that was so hot, it made you break out in a sweat just from the heat.

The third friend brought a basket of sandwiches that were so delicious, you just had to eat them all up. But the fourth friend had a trick up his sleeve and brought a plate of cookies that were actually made of sawdust! When everyone took a bite, they all started to cheat and pretend they liked them.

Just then, a little mouse appeared and said, "I don't want to cheat, but those cookies are not very neat. May I have a seat and try one of your treats?" So, the friends offered the mouse some of their food, and he loved it so much that he wanted to share the good news with all his mouse friends.

And so, the friends had a big feast, with lots of yummy food to eat, including the best meat ever: juicy and tender, it was the perfect treat for everyone. And from that day on, they all agreed that honesty is always the best cheat, and that sharing a meal with friends is the neatest seat in the world.

Reflections

1. Why did the friends pretend to like the cookies made of sawdust?
2. What did the little mouse teach the friends about honesty?
3. What is the main message of the story "The Picnic Treat Cheat"?
4. How did the friends feel after they shared their treats with each other?