"Tristan, it's almost your bedtime, and you are still eating," said Grandpa Jake.

"Eating takes so long," said Tristan.

"If you don't play with your food, eating doesn't take that long. Did I ever tell you about Manners Castle?"

"No!" answered Tristan.

"If you eat your food," said Grandpa Jake, "I will tell it to you!"

Tristan took a big bite of his food.

"Excellent," said Grandpa Jake. "If you take bites like that, you will be done in no time."

Suds had a difficult time sitting still and eating nicely at mealtimes. She would wiggle in her chair, lean on her elbows, and eat with her mouth open.

If she didn't like the food she would take a very long time to eat it. At almost every meal Suds left a big mess all over the table, her clothes, and the floor.

One evening before dinner, Suds' mother gave her an envelope.

Dear Lady Suds,

It would be our pleasure to invite you to Manners Castle for this year's banquet. It will be held two weeks from today, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Lord Manners

"How exciting!" said Suds.

"It's a special occasion, and those who attend have only the best table manners," said her mother.

"Then maybe I should not go," said Suds. "I don't have very good manners."

"This is a wonderful chance to learn! You have two weeks before the banquet to work on your manners," said her mother.

"I will try!" exclaimed Suds.

Suds made an extra effort at every meal to work on her manners. By the day of the banquet, Suds was ready.

"What a beautiful dining room!" exclaimed Suds. "Oh! There's Dixie. ..." Suds started to shout out to her friend, when she caught herself just in time. Mother told me that it's not polite to shout in company. Instead Suds walked over to Dixie.

"Hi, Dixie," said Suds. "Have you been working on your manners too?"

"Yes," replied Dixie. "I received the invitation two weeks ago, and I have been working very hard since then. Do you know who Lord Manners is?"

"No, I don't," replied Suds. "I am looking forward to meeting him."

"Dinner is served. Everyone, please be seated!" announced a waiter.

"Let's eat!" exclaimed Crispin as he ran toward the tables. He stopped himself and turned to the others. "Oops, after you!"

A long table was set with a name card at each setting.

Suds saw her name, but Dixie's place setting was in Suds' favorite color.

"I want to sit where you are sitting!" demanded Suds.

"But this is my seat," said Dixie. "My name card is here!"

Just as Dixie was about to sit down, Suds pulled her chair out from under her.

"Ouch!" cried Dixie as she landed on the floor.

The whole room fell silent.

Oh, dear! What have I done? thought Suds.

"Please forgive me," said Suds.

"Of course I will!" replied Dixie.

Just then Lord Manners entered the banquet hall. The dinosaurs quickly sat down at the table.

"Welcome, dear friends!" said Lord Manners. "I am so happy that you could come to this special dinner in recognition of your efforts."

The meal began, with everyone using his or her best manners.

"Doesn't Lord Manners look familiar?" asked Suds.

"Yes, he looks a lot like our teacher, Mr. Nuggin," replied Dixie.

The next morning at school, Mr. Nuggin entered the classroom.

"Good morning, Lord Manners!" the students called out.

"Ah! I see you've found out! Did you all enjoy yourselves last night?"

"Yes, we did!" answered the students.

"It was a wonderful idea, Mr. Nuggin! I enjoyed having a meal where everyone had good manners," Suds said.

"Maybe we can have a manners banquet like they did and invite all my friends," said Tristan.

"Good idea!" replied Grandpa Jake. "Let's make a list of the friends you would like to invite."

Moral:

When you have good manners it makes life more pleasant for everyone, including you. Good manners are a way of showing kindness, love, and respect.