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The Song Challenge:   The Case of the Cheerio Highwayman -- TACOMA, Washington (AP) -- Seven-yeaar-old Perley King got into big trouble for driving off in his sister's car in search of his favorite cereal. But he's getting his Cheerios.  Early on April 1, while other family members slept, Perley and his dog, Bear, climbed into the car. Relying on skills learned at a computer game, the boy drove three miles in search of a food store.  In his drive to fame, Perley navigated some of the city's busiest streets by alternately stepping on the gas pedal, then climbing on the seat to steer, chugging along toward the food store.  The spin landed Perley in hot water, but also earned him television appearances and buckets of newspaper ink. His single-minded devotion to his favorite breakfast cereal will also have material rewards.  Representatives from Minnesota-based General Mills planned to visit Perley, his parents, Dwayne and Jeanne King, and six brothers and sisters at their Tacoma home this week. It means Perley can look forward to a year's supply of Cheerios and other surprises. He also may receive a new bicycle.  "So he'll never have to drive to the store again," said General Mills spokeswoman Liv Lane.


Under the Table and Scheming by JenEllen

That little squirming crying thing
I was here when he was born
He didn't move or play tug-of-war
His howl was so forlorn
Now he's grown into a boy
The bravest boy I know
We run and play and throw the ball
And share the milk in the Cheerios

Early that morning I followed him right down
Into the kitchen, there wasn't a sound
Except my toenails on the kitchen floor
And the boy scooting the chair across to reach the cabinet door

He got the bowl, he got the spoon, and then I heard him sigh
It seemed our favorite cereal had all gone 'bye-bye'
The two of us sat on the floor, breakfast, it was through
But then my boy, my brave brave boy, he knew just what to do

That little squirming crying thing
I was here when he was born
He didn't move or play tug-of-war
His howl was so forlorn
Now he's grown into a boy
The bravest boy I know
We run and play and throw the ball
And share the milk in the Cheerios

He scooted his chair to mommy's purse and got out Mommy's keys
He jingled the little shiny things as my big brown eyes said 'ride? please?'
I love to go for rides, you know, and as he opened up the door
I wished he'd roll my window down instead of crawling on the floor

I sat there in the front seat as my boy slid all around
Off to get us some Cheerios, we chugged right into town
The blinking lights, the siren's horn, hurt my eyes and ears
But the boy knows the only thing to do in trouble, is just turn on the tears
Mom and Dad hugged my boy, and patted me on the head
All we wanted was our cereal, and they were still in bed

Now, I get my breakfast, every day it never fails
I sit beneath my boy's chair, bide my time, and wag my tail
And pretty soon that spoon will drop, with the cereal we both like
It's the only thing that's better than chasing the tires on his new bike

That little squirming crying thing
I was here when he was born
He didn't move or play tug-of-war
His howl was so forlorn
Now he's grown into a boy
The bravest boy I know
We run and play and throw the ball
And share the milk in the Cheerios

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