StuffedZoo Chess Challenge
Spring is on its way, and with a new season comes a new sports schedule, in the real world as well as here at the Stuffed Zoo.
While it may be hard to top our winter competition (see: First Annual StuffedZoo Primate Snowball Fight Extravaganza), we think our Spring event will be great as well.
The animals get a little lethargic this time of year; many have been in deep hibernation. Others have stayed awake, warming themselves on large meals (yes, we’re talking about you, Mocha the TeaTodling Stuffed Frog). With that in mind, our in-house activity experts (who are part-time high school gym teachers who also have degrees in Zoology) have come up with an intense, classic, yet easy-on-the-limbs event: the First Annual StuffedZoo Cross-Continental Land-Mammal Head-to-Head Chess Showdown.
The first to volunteer to represent their home continents were Arthur the Stuffed Armadillo for North America and Toby the Stuffed Tiger for Africa.
It should be noted as well, that aside from this event, Arthur and Toby have an outstanding rivalry which began three years ago, when Arthur’s arrival at the SZ coincided with the disappearance of Toby’s secret stash of cheese-flavored crackers. Toby has since called Arthur a thief – pretty strong words, even to an animal built like a tank. Arthur retaliated by saying that Toby is simply too careless of an eater who gorges himself on salty snacks when no one’s looking. Since then, these two fluffy creatures have had it out for each other.
So now, the stage is set for their confrontation, and there is definitely something personal at stake. But who will win? Kaveri-Karka, our resident stuffed camel, believes it will be Arthur’s game. Buckwald the Stuffed Badger is likewise rooting for the armored Arthur. But the predators are all agreed that Toby, with his King-of-the-Jungle heritage, will trounce his enemy on the board.
“Look at how an armadillo eats,” says Marah the Stuffed Mountain Lion. “They dig for grubs.” Obviously, Toby will win.
“Chess is about close observation, and detail,” replies Danny the Hedgehog Puppet. “Arthur can’t be beat by some crude, impulsive cat.”
So what you you think? Who will win the showdown? What continent will have bragging rights this year?
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Find out next time on the StuffedZoo Blog!
