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The Story Starts Here___________________________

Pages 1 & 2 - illustration pages.

Page 3

"My Birthday Surprise"

was created especially for

Michael Jeremy Smith

from Dan

2000

Page 4

Yes, it was birthday time again, November 9th. Mike Smith of Ft. Smith, had reached yet another major plateau in his life - age 80.

Mike was a high flier, a born leader, and a man of many accomplishments. There was no doubt about it -  Mike was a legend in his own mind.

Pages 5 & 6 - illustration pages.

Page 7

Larry, Wayne and Bob had planned a big birthday bash for Mike this year. Hand-written invitations had been sent to all his friends.

Fortunately for Larry, Wayne and Bob, the job had been very easy.  Only a few invitations had to be written.

Page 8

Larry, Wayne and Bob had spent a lot of time developing a theme for this special birthday party.

It was:

Mike Smith

The ten keys to success in your life

Obviously, the theme was a very popular one. The party room was packed.

Pages 9 & 10 - illustration pages.

Page 11

Larry, Wayne and Bob started his success story by explaining that the path Mike had followed through life had been met with a series of closed doors. Over the years, judging from the shape of his beak, many of these doors had been slammed in his face.

Despite these setbacks, Mike had still managed to become a success in Ft. Smith.  It was evident that these ten keys had worked a miracle for Mike.

Page 12

Mike and the rest of the party group were quiet when Larry, Wayne and Bob announced the first key to his success.

"Always be full of hot air."

Mike had devoted much of his life to achieving this goal.  Those who knew him agreed that he was definitely full of it.

Pages 13 & 14 - illustration pages.

Page 15

The second key of success was.

"Stay young."

Mike maintained his youthful appearance by following a strict exercise program.  His favorite activity seemed to be jogging to the refrigerator.

Unfortunately, staying young was difficult after 80 birthday celebrations.  In fact, lighting the candles on his birthday cake was considered a fire hazard for Mike and everyone else present at the party.

Page 16

Believing that:

"No mountain is to hard to climb"

was another component of the success formula for Mike.

Anyone who had ever seen Mike demolish a mountain of ice cream topped with whipped cream and a cherry realized the truth of this statement.  He could whittle it down in seconds.

Pages 17 & 18 - illustration pages.

Page 19

The fourth key was a critical factor in making Mike the success he is.

"Surround yourself with intelligent, responsible people."

Mike always kept snapshots of his trusted friends in his wallet.  Come to think of it, that was about all you could ever find in his wallet!

Page 20

The excitement of the party had almost been too much for everyone.  They decided to briefly interrupt this spell-binding "Success Story" and have Mike open his many gifts.

Nobody had trouble buying Mike a present.  After all, what can't you buy for a man who needs everything?

Pages 21 & 22 - illustration pages.

Page 23

After watching Mike open his gifts, the anxious crowd was eager to hear the fifth key to his success.  It was:

Don't be a horse's ... behind.

Unfortunately, Mike couldn't help himself.  It was just his nature.

Page 24

The saga of Mike continued.  The next key to his success was

"Enjoy the sweet things in life."

There are many sweet things in life: the presence of a wonderful companion, adventure-filled vacations and lots of money.

Whenever Mike wanted to enjoy sweet things, he went to his pantry.  This was the only source of sweet things for Mike.

Pages 25 & 26 - illustration pages.

Page 27

The seventh key was vitally important for social climbers like Mike:

"Don't forget from whence you came."

On his long climb up the ladder of success, Mike never once forgot his roots.  He was so very proud of all his ancestors.

Page 28

To really be successful, you must

"Only play games you can win."

Talented individuals like Mike pride themselves on their athletic and business prowess.  Very few adults had ever beaten Mike at any of his favorite games.  Everybody knew he would have a temper tantrum 
if they did.

Pages 29 & 30 - illustration pages.

Page 31

"Blow your own horn" was certainly another vital part of his success formula.

Everyone agreed that if Mike didn't blow his own horn, nobody would do it for him.  In fact, he kept stacks of horns and whistles handy for all the important moments in his life.  Mike would do almost anything to call attention to himself!

Page 32

Mike always maintained that, to be successful, you must

"Picture yourself as you want to be."

Mike thought that once he was successful, his portrait would be hung in the homes of all of his friends.

Pages 33 & 34 - illustration pages.

Page 35

Dear Mike:

Now you know the ten keys to the success in your life.  We had originally planned to have you say a few words, but we remembered that brevity is not one of your ten keys.

Congratulations on yet another "successful" year.  Happy Birthday!

Dan

2000