You may recall that Sgt Stripes is on Thomas Tabby’s Communications Team. He is trying to figure out how something that sounded so good could be this far off track. He’s reading through a recent chain on the official Cheeseland social media account @CheeselandHappenings.

@cassiecat Can you believe what they’ve put up on the community bulletin board? It’s an ad for a Flea Market!

Cheeseland Sale

Do they really think any of us will go to an event sponsored by fleas?

@rexrover This is a terrible idea. Do you have any idea how many animals have suffered with flea bites? Or how many of us have suffered through an infestation?

@mimiminx I know we’re supposed to be some kind of ultra-tolerant, open-to-everyone kind of place, but this is ridiculous. Fleas are parasites. Why would we want to get anywhere near a flea?

@goofygiraffe It’s kind of confusing. Is a flea market a place where fleas sell stuff or a place to buy fleas?

@dabears It sounds like they’re running the thing, so I guess they’re selling stuff. But what would a flea have to sell?

@gingertom I’ve heard that they make flea farms so you can grow your own fleas.

@redthedog That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Who wants to grow fleas?

@cassiecat That’s probably why they want us to bring stuff to sell. They know no one would come to their lame sale otherwise.

@pussinsandals I bet they’re trying to infiltrate Cheeseland to take it over. If they get enough of us there, they can jump on us while we’re busy looking at other animals’ stuff. They’re probably going to bring lots of pregnant lady fleas. We’re looking at a total infestation if we’re not careful.

@dambuilderbeaver Maybe the doctors are in on it too. They’ll make a fortune helping us get rid of the fleas.

@alexbear And some of us are allergic. They’re probably trying to ruin our entire way of life.

@alligatore They’re not even animals. I don’t think they should even be allowed in Cheeseland.

@fabfeline You’re right. We need to stop this madness before it gets out of hand. Our very existence may be at stake.

Moderator: Please do not make unsubstantiated accusations on this site. As a point of reference, the term “flea market” refers to a busy second-hand market where previously owned items are resold. The French humans have been having them for over 100 human years.

@fabfeline So why is it called a flea market if the humans invented them?

Moderator: No one knows for sure. Probably because used upholstered furniture would likely have contained fleas. France and other places humans have had fleas in their furniture. It’s actually kind of disgusting. Humans always blame us for fleas.

@roborobert That doesn’t make any sense. Why would human fleas be showing up at our fair? I think we need proof that there won’t be any fleas before we set up any tables there.

@artsyaardvark We need to talk to whoever put this thing together. How dumb is it to bring fleas to something that’s full of animals?

@supersquirrel Maybe we could invite some lizards for flea control.

@cassiecat I don’t think I want to be a part of something where I have to hire protection.

@dabears Agreed. We don’t want to be a part of anything that has fleas.

@gingertom Who’s responsible for this awful idea? I’d like to have a talk with them.

@tabbytude Isn’t Thomas Tabby responsible for anything that’s between the animals and the humans?

@elephantal I don’t think that includes animals vs parasites.

@tabbytude Maybe not, but I’m not going until someone guarantees there won’t be fleas everywhere.

Sgt Stripes calls an emergency meeting of the Communications Team. They need to save the flea market.