"If you're going to steal them all the time, you might as well learn to bake them," Elly told her audience of four. Four pairs of eyes looked pleadingly up at her, with four matching pouts begging her to let them go. "Now, first you need to get aprons and wash your hands."
A round of groans, and Elly clapped her hands. "Scoot!" she ordered, and four normally rowdy children did as they were told.
Hours later, there were several dozen cookies and four pleased little Hobbits. "We made cookies!" Meli exclaimed and picked one up to try.
A moment later she was at the pump, sipping at water and coughing. Elly couldn't help herself and laughed and laughed. Molly put her arms around Meli and glared. "I knew having that much salt in it sounded strange."
"Can you blame me, little thieves?" Elly asked, wiping her eyes.
Four glances exchanged, and then flour, sugar, eggs and cookies started flying at the elder Hobbit.
It took another three hours to clean up the kitchen, but all five felt the punishment had been worth the crime.
~