Cousin Belle

[Ryanmo97]

Cousin Belle (A Facts of Life/Sing me a Story: with Belle Crossover)
By Ryan T. Morris

Note: This story is based on two of my favorite shows, The Facts of Life & Disney’s Sing me a Story: with Belle. You can watch The Facts of Life every weekday at 5 & 5:30 PM on The Hallmark Channel (Until November 1st). Unfortunately, Sing Me a Story: with Belle can’t be seen anywhere at all. If you’ve never seen the show, (which is your loss) here is a quick rundown on the plot and the major characters. (Sing Me a Story: with Belle is a live-action show)

Belle: You should know who she is, she’s the heroine of the classic Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast. On this show she runs a book and music shop, and she shares her love of music, dance, & stories (which are filled with original songs, classic Disney animation & positive values) with the children who hang out there.

Harmony: She is Belle’s cat, she is a typical cat who loves to eat and sleep.

Louis & Carroll: They are bookworms who live in she shop.

Big Book: He is a very large book who is filled with information and stories.

And now on with the story….

Belle was busy dusting the books on the shelves of her shop. She looked over at Harmony, who was sitting on the window seat, and said, “I can’t wait for Blair and her friends to get here. I can’t belive it’s only been a year since she was here last.”

“I can’t wait either, Belle,” said Harmony.

“I’m sure she’s looking forward to seeing you again, too, Harmony.”

“It’s not that. It’s the chili party we’re having for them.”

Belle rolls her eyes and continues to dust.

Meanwhile on the road to Belle’s village, Blair was looking at the map, while Jo was driving. Natalie said, “How much longer till we get to your cousin Belle’s place?”

Blair looks at the map, “It shouldn’t be to much longer… half hour at the most.”

“Good.”

“Are you sure you know where we are going?” asked Jo.

“Of course, I’ve been up here hundreds of times. I can’t wait to see Belle,” Blair smiles.

“You like being with your cousin, don’t you?” asked Tootie.

“Yes, I do. And you guys are going to love it, too. I will guarantee that you’ve never seen a place like this. Trust me, you’ll never forget this summer…”

About a half-hour later, they had arrived in front of Belle’s Book & Music Shop.

“It looks like something out of a storybook,” said Tootie.

“Yeah,” said Natalie, “Or a Disney cartoon.”

“Well, I do have to give you this much, Blair,” said Jo, “I’ve never seen a place like this before.”

“Wait until you see the inside,” said Blair as she got of the car and headed inside.

The girls followed her. And they couldn’t believe their eyes; it was the most beautiful place they have ever seen. In the center of the shop was a sitting area, with a couch and some stools and cushions. Behind the sitting area, was a grand piano, and behind the piano and up some stairs was a large window with a large window seat, and a large yellow tabby cat, asleep. To the left of the window seat was some shelves that contained musical instruments. And on just about every wall, there were shelves and shelves filled with books of all kinds.

“Hello, Blair, It’s good to see you again.” said a man’s voice.

Natalie, Tootie, and Jo looked around trying to figure out where the voice, but Blair knew exactly who the voice belong and she went over to a book stand that was next to a staircase. Natalie, Tootie and Jo followed her and couldn’t belive their eyes, on the book stand was a very large book that was closed but on the cover of the book was a face that had very large mustache and some small glasses.

“Big Book!” said Blair.

“How are you?” asked Big Book.

“I’m great how have you been?”

“Can’t complain”

“Hey, what about me?” said the yellow cat on the window seat.

“Harmony!” said Blair as when up the steps that lead to the window seat, “How are you?”

“Good.”

“Hey what about us?” said a male voice.

Blair looked over at bookshelf next to the window, smiled, and said, “I didn’t forget about, you two” She walked over to the shelf and on the shelf were two worms. One was orange with orange hair and black glasses, his name was Louis. The other was green with green hair, her name was Carroll.

“How are you guys?”

“Good,” said Louis.

“Where’s Belle?”

“I’m right here!” said a woman who was in the doorway. She was wearing a blue dress, a white short sleeve blouse, and she had an apron tied around her waist. Her hair was black and went down to the middle of her back, and in the middle of her hair was a big blue bow.

Blair ran over to Belle and gave her cousin a big hug.

“It’s so good to see you, Belle!” said Blair.

“It’s good to see you, too Blair,” said Belle. The two cousins walked together over to the sitting area.
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What do you think?

More to come...

[Shelley]

It's great.

[Ryanmo97]

They sit down on the couch next to each other, and Belle said, “You look great, Blair.”

“Thank you, I think so, too,” said Blair.

Belle rolled her eyes and smiled, she looked over at Natalie, Tootie, and Jo, who were standing there dumbfounded, she stood up and walked over to them, “You must be Natalie, Tootie, and Jo.”

“We are,” said Natalie

“I’m Belle.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Belle,” said Tootie.

“Blair has told us so much about you,” said Jo.

“All good I hope,” said Belle, “Well, let me introduce you to some of my friends. Natalie Tootie, and Jo, I would like you to meet Big Book…”

“Nice to meet you,” said Big Book.

They said hello to Big Book.

“Harmony, my cat…”

“Hello,” said Harmony.

They said hello to Harmony

“And Louis and Carroll, the bookworms.”

“Hi,” said Louis and Carroll.

“So, Belle, where were you when we got here?” asked Blair.

“I was out getting some of the essential ingredients for my special chili,” said Belle.

“Did you remember the cayenne pepper?” asked Big Book.

“Yes, Big Book.”

“And, the chocolate, it’s imperative that you use just a pinch of fine swiss chocolate.”

“That’s right.”

“And the beans, they need to soak over night, you know.”

“Yes, I know. It’s my recipe remember.”

“I just want to make sure that everything tastes impeccable.”

“Trust me. I’ve made this recipe a hundred times.”

“Blair told us about your chili,” said Jo, “She says it’s the best chili in the world.”

Belle laughs a little and said, “I don’t know about the best chili in the world. But it is good.” Just then some kids come in, “Hi, guys.”

“Hi, Belle,” said the kids.

“I’m sure you all remember my cousin, Blair,” said Belle. The kids all say hi to Blair, “These are her friends, Tootie, Natalie and Jo. Girls, I would like you to meet some more of my friends, Hampton, Shawn, Julie, & Jennifer.” The girls and the kids all say hi to each other.

“Oh, Belle,” Said Jennifer, “Kirsten said that she will be here in a little bit with the tomatoes for the chili.”

“Great,” said Belle, “We better get started.”

“Need any help?” asked Blair.

“Of course,” said Belle.

Soon, Belle, the girls, & the kids were setting up a table in the sitting area. Belle brought out a hot plate out of the kitchen, and Jo brought a big pot out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please let me know what you think....

More to come....

[Shelley]

Wonderful!

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

That's cool!! I remember watching that show!!Sing Me a Story: with Belle!! AH!! That's cool!! I liked it when that one girl(I don't remember names, it's been a while) dressed up like Belle and walked around acting like Belle! it was cute. But, anyway, this is a great story!!

[Ryanmo97]

A short time later, everyone was hard at work making the chili, Big Book was reciting the recipe, Louis & Carroll were in charge of making sure that the timing was perfect, Blair went to go help Kirsten with the tomatoes, and everyone else was busy chopping, slicing and dicing. Well, everyone that is except for Harmony she figured that Belle had all that help she needed, so Harmony decided to take a nap.

As they were working Tootie asked, “How did you learn to make your chili, Belle?”

“Well, I started with a recipe that I found in a book,” said Belle, “and it was good chili, but not great chili. So every time I’d whip up a new pot full, I’d start by following the recipe in the book, but then I’d add an ingredient of my own each time and some times the chili tasted great.”

Carroll turned to Louis and asked, “Do remember the time she added marshmallows?”

“And Limburger cheese?” asked Louis.

“And bubble gum?”

“And jalapeño pepper paste?”

“Magnific!” said Louis and Carroll together.

“Belle,” said Big Book, “you must admit that there were time when your chili didn’t taste so great. Ugh, I can still taste that batch you made when you thought that vinegar would be a zestful ingredient.”

“Well how else would I know if I don’t experiment, Big Book?” said Belle, “Besides, I’ve finally arrived at the perfect recipe. And now that’s the one I use every time.”

“I hope I can make chili as good as you do, one day,” said Jennifer.

“You will, just follow the recipe and your taste buds you can’t go wrong.”

“Belle, could you possibly keep it down. I’m so close to dreaming of pot roast,” said Harmony who was lying on a box in the sitting area.

“Well, I’m sorry, Harmony. But, we’re busy making chili. We’ll be as quite as possible,” said Belle, in an annoyed voice.

“Good, I need a nap to build up my appetite.”

“Let me get this straight,” said Jo, “Harmony isn’t helping and she still gets to eat the chili. Why?”

“That’s Harmony for you,” said Belle.

“Yeah, it’s a good job. If you can handle the hours,” said Harmony.

“That’s sounds like my kind of work,” said Shawn, “Got any room over there, Harmony?”

“Wait a minute, your not going to help either?” asked Belle.

“No, I’m in the mood to just hang out. If it’s good enough for Harmony, its good enough for me.”

“Well, I would rather you helped. But… it’s your choice, Shawn.”

“Then, I’m with Harmony,” said Shawn as he walked over to the sitting area and sat on the couch.

“Shawn, give me some paw,” said Harmony, as they hi-five each other.

“Belle,” said Big Book, “I belive that it’s time to add the tomatoes. And the timing is quite crucial you know, why delaying could mean disaster. You do remember the last time you waited, and the tomato sauce tasted like tomato soup, don’t you?”

“Thank you, Big Book, I do remember,” said Belle, as she put a towel on the table, “Tomatoes!”

“Tomatoes!” said Hampton.

“Tomatoes!” said Julie.

“Tomatoes!” said Blair and Kirsten, as they come in, each carrying a basket filled with tomatoes.

Everyone cheered as Blair and Kirsten walked over to the table with the tomatoes.

“Good job,” said Belle.

“Boy, Belle, making you chili sure is hard work,” said Kirsten.

“That’s just makes it taste so much better, Kirsten”

“How come Shawn & Harmony aren’t helping?” asked Blair.

Shawn & Harmony were now playing cards; “Got any threes?” asked Harmony.

“Go Fish,” said Shawn.

“OK, I’ll take a mackerel,” said Harmony, then she laughed.

“They decided that they didn’t want to pitch in,” said Belle.

“Wait a second. We do all the work and they get to eat?” asked Blair.

“I told them they could decide for themselves.”

“But that’s not fair. Don’t tell me you don’t know the story of The Wise Little Hen?”

“Yeah, right,” said Louis, “Like there is a story that Belle doesn’t know.”

“Actually, I don’t know that story,” said Belle.

The bookworms gasped.

“Oh Belle, you have got to hear this one, I think it would fit right in,” said Blair.

“Great, you can tell the story while we keep working,” said Belle.

“All right…”

(Blair is now the narrator)

Once there was hen that had many, many chicks. One day, she decided that the best thing to do to feed her family through the winter was to plant corn. So she and her chicks went to get some help. The first place they stopped at was the home of her friend, Peter Pig. He was outside playing his concertina and dancing.

“Would you help me plant my corn?” the hen asked.

“Who? Me?” said Peter, “Oh, No… I’ve got a belly ache.” He started to moan and groan. He then put his arms around his waist, and went into his house.

The hen shrugged and walked down the road to the home of her other friend, Donald Duck. He was outside dancing.

“Would you help me plant my corn?” the hen asked.

“Who? Me?” said Donald, “Oh, No… I’ve got a belly ache.” He started to moan and groan. He then put his arms around his waist, and went into his house.

The hen shrugged and deiced that she and her chicks would have to plant the corn themselves. So they went back home and started to work tilling the soil, planting the seeds and watering the seeds. And, a few months later, the corn started to grow, and soon the hen had a new problem, so she and some of her chicks went to see Peter and Donald to see if they would help harvest the corn. Peter and Donald weren’t at their homes, so she went to their clubhouse, sure enough they were outside playing and dancing.

“Would you help me harvest corn?” said the hen.

“Who Me? Oh, No…”said Peter groaning.

“We’ve got a belly ache,” said Donald, groaning. He and Peter started to moan and groan. They then put their arms around their waists, and went into the clubhouse. But, when Peter closed the clubhouse door, two of the boards on the front of the clubhouse fell off. Inside the clubhouse Peter and Donald were shaking hands and smiling.

The hen saw this and formed a plan. She and her chicks went home and started to harvest the corn. Then she started to make corn bread, corn muffins, corn soup, and corn on the cob. When it was all finished she went out to her porch and saw that Peter and Donald were in front of their clubhouse. The second they saw her they both started to moan and groan.

“Will you help me eat my corn?” asked the hen.

Peter and Donald stop groaning.

“Who Me?” said Peter.

“Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy. And how,” said Donald.

Peter and Donald rushed over to the hen’s house. When they got there the chicks brought out a bowl with a towel over top. Peter and Donald took the towel off and inside was a bottle of caster oil.

The hen and the chick went inside and started to eat. Peter and Donald saw them eat through a window. They shrugged their shoulders walked a little ways from the window and took turns kicking each other.

(Back to normal narration)

“I bet Peter and Donald never refused to help again,” said Jennifer as she stirred the chili.

“That’s right, Jennifer,” said Blair, “They learned if you pitch in, you might feel good about it, and you might get a reward, like corn.”

“Or Chili!” said Hampton.

“Thanks Blair, that was a good story,” said Belle, “But now, I fell kind of bad that Shawn and Harmony deiced not to help.”

“I know,” said Julie, “since the chili is just simmering why not ask them to do some thing else, like, set the table.”

“That’s a good idea. What do you think, Blair?”

“Sounds fair to me,” said Blair

[Shelley]

Great!

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

Awesome!!

[Whoop]

Wonderful!

[Ryanmo97]

Belle dished up a bowl of chili and walked over to Big Book, and he said, “Well, Belle from the smell of things, you’ve done it again.”

“It does smell good,” said Belle, “and everyone’s done a terrific job pitching in. Well, almost everyone.” Belle looked over at Shawn and Harmony, then back at Big Book. “So, what do you say, Big Book? Care for a taste?”

Big Book stuttered and stammered a little as Belle passed the bowl of chili, then he asked, “May I?”

“I’d be honored by your opinion,” said Belle, as she scooped up a spoonful of chili and placed it in Big Book’s mouth.

Steam came out of the sides of him where his ears would be and he gasped, “Perfect.”

Everyone laughed, and Natalie asked, “How much longer till we eat, Belle?”

“Let me check,” said Belle, as she walked back over to the table, “How are we doing on time, Carroll?”

“I’d say we’ve got about 30,000 grains of sand to go, Belle,” said Carroll.

“Great! The chili will be ready in a few minutes. Now all that’s left is to set the table, and I know the two perfect helpers for the job.”

Belle walked over to the couch and sat down next to Shawn, Shawn asked, “Hi, Belle is it time to eat yet?”

“Not quite,” said Belle, “I came over to see if you two wanted to help set the table?”

Shawn and Harmony looked at each other and said, “Nah, too busy.”

“But wouldn’t you feel better if you pitched in and helped with some of the work?” asked Belle.

“Well,” said Shawn, “Everyone else did help, right?”

“That’s right,” said Belle.

Shawn turned to Harmony and said, “Maybe we should lend a hand… or a paw”

“No way!” said Harmony, “Let them do all the work! I mean they are all so good at it.”

“You know I never force you to do anything around here,” said Belle

“And, I love you for that, Belle.”

“But, maybe, there’s a story you’d let me sing to you.”

“Yeah sure. Whenever you find one give me a holler”

Belle gasped and said, “Well, what is this?” She reached down and picked a book up off the floor, “A book! I can sing you that story right now.”

“Your so sly, Belle,” Said Harmony. Belle looked at Harmony with a sly grin on her face, and Harmony said, “Sing away.”

“What’s about?” asked Shawn.

“Well, this story is about three hard working pigs. Well, not all of them were hard working, you see two of them thought it would be more fun to sing and to play then prepare…”

(Belle is now narrating)

You see one pig wanted to build his house from straw, and as he worked he sang, “I build my house from straw. I build my house from hay. I play my flute and don’t give a hoot, and play around all day.”

And another wanted to quickly build her house from sticks, and as she worked she sang, “I build my house of sticks, I build my house with twigs. With a hey-diddle-diddle I play on my fiddle and dance all kinds of jigs.”

But the third pig to the time to build his house from something much sturdier, and as he worked he sang, “I build my house of stone, I build my house of bricks. I’ve had no chance to sing an dance, for work and play don’t mix.”

But even though their brother warned them of The Big Bad Wolf, they couldn’t give an oink, so they went of to sing and play in the forest. And as they went along, they sang about what they would do if they met the wolf. But they changed their tune when they saw that the wolf was watching them. And they ran for their houses with the wolf close behind. The first pig ran and hid in his house of straw hoping it would keep him safe.

“Open the door and let me in!” said the wolf.

“Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin! “ said the pig.

“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in!”

And, soon there was nothing left of the house of straw. The pig saw the wolf and ran to his sister’s house. Now both pigs had to hope the house of sticks would be strong enough to hold back the wolf.

“Open the door and let me in!” said the wolf.

“Not by the hair of our chinny-chin-chins! “ said the pigs.

“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in!” And, soon there was nothing left of the house of straw, but the door. They looked out the door, saw the wolf, and ran to their brother’s house.

When they got to the brother’s house they pounded on the front door. The brother opened the door and the two pigs ran and hid under their brother’s bed. The wolf pounded on the door and the pig said, “Who is it?”

“I’m going to huff and puff and blow your house in!” said the wolf. And the wolf huffed and he puffed, but he couldn’t blow the house in. So he deiced if he could blow the house down, he’d sneak in through the chimney. But the smart pig had planed for this too. And, the wolf got a big surprise when he landed in a big pot of boiling pot of water. Well, the wolf jumped back up the chimney and was never heard from again.

(Back to normal narration)

“And so you see,” said Belle, “the pigs who just wanted to sing and dance wished they had taken their work more seriously.”

“Instead of just goofing around,” said Julie.

“That’s Right,” said Belle, as she looked over at Shawn and Harmony. Shawn & Harmony looked at each other, and Belle looked over at Carroll and Lewis, “ Carroll, how much time is left?”

“Almost ready, Belle,” said Carroll.

“Well, I guess I better go set the table,” said Belle.

“Wait a second, Belle, we’ll do it,” said Shawn.

“Uh, which ‘we’ is that?” asked Harmony.

“Us ‘we’. You and I.”

“Sorry, Shawn. Your flying solo on this one. I’m stayin’ right here.”

“Well, I’d feel better if I helped out. See ya, Harmony,” Shawn stood up and went to go set the table.

“Are you sure you don’t want to pitch in, too?” asked Belle.

“Sure as kittens love yarn,” said Harmony.

“OK, it your decision, Harmony,” Belle stood up and the kids and the girls followed her.

Shawn set the table then Carroll said, “OK, Lewis now!”

“Come and Get it!” said Lewis as rang a gong. The bookworms laughed and giggled.

Everyone sat down at the table, while Shawn was setting the table, some of the kids moved Harmony’s box closer to the table.

“Mmmm mmmm. I know that smell,” said Harmony, “I’ll take my bowl over here, Belle.”

“Sorry, Harmony, but I don’t think so,” said Belle as she was dishing up the chili, “You chose not to help, remember.”

“Hey! Knock off the jokes, Belle. I’m Famished!”

“We all helped Harmony,” said Big Book, “You chose not to. Therefore, you didn’t earn a bowlful of this zesty indescribable concoction.”

“But… But, I’m hungry…” said Harmony.

“But it isn’t fair to let us do all the work,” said Blair.

“Yeah, even I realized that I needed to help out to earn a bowl of chili, Harmony,” said Shawn.

“You’re all just being mean,” said Harmony.

“I don’t think we were being mean,” said Belle, “You chose not to help. You were maybe thinking a little bit about yourself.”

“Me? Just because I didn’t want to help everyone? That’s-- That’s-- Hmm. Maybe I was a little selfish.”

“Maybe you should have thought about what you’d be missing before taking the easy way out,” said Jo.

“I have an idea, Belle,” said Blair, “I know something she could do. Something she very good at.” Blair whispered the idea in Belle’s ear.

“That’s a great idea, Blair,” said Belle, she turned to Harmony, “Harmony, if you help with the meal you can join us. Sound fair?”

“Yes! Very Fair! I‘ll do anything!”

“Terrific! Then, welcome to our chili party,” said Belle, as she set a bowl of chili in front of Harmony.

“Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy,” said Harmony, then she took a big sniff, “Ahh, heaven. By the way, what do you have for me that I‘m such a wiz at.”

“You get to do the dishes,” said Blair, “Since, she’s so good at cleaning her own plate she might as well clean everyone else, too.”

“I’d love to,” said Harmony, “And, next time, I’ll lend a paw at the beginning, I’ll do my share and that’s a promise.”
“Thanks, Harmony,” said Belle, “I propose a toast.” Everyone raised their glass of milk, Belle continued. “To The Wise Little Hen, The Three Little Pigs, and everyone who helped put this chili party together. To us.”

“To us!” said everyone as they clinked their glasses together.

THE END

This story was based on the episode of Sing Me a Story with Belle, titled ‘Rep What You Sow’ written by Patrick Davidson & Alan Silberberg. I own none of the characters. The Facts of Life characters are the property of Sony Pictures Television. Sing Me a Story with Belle characters are the property of Walt Disney Television.

So what do you think? Do you think I should write another one? Also, I will be writing a story about how Blair and Tad met.

[Shelley]

It was great. Yes, you should write another one.

[MrsGarrettRocksMySocks]

Awesome!! I'm looking foward to the Blair and Tad one, also!