Mr. Veg, the grocer, closed the door of his shop. He dropped the key into his pocket and went home. It was Saturday night. Everything in the shop was quiet. Or was it?

In one dark corner of the little shop something stirred. It was a pile of unwanted vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Then, one by one, the Munch Bunch started to come to life.

Olly Onion was the first to speak. "I wish we had a real home of our own," he cried. "I a fed up with being swept up like this every night." "And so are we," said Tiny and Button Mushroom.

So, that night the Munch Bunch planned their escape from the grocer's shop. They chose Spud to be their leader. "We will leave tomorrow," he decided, "at 6 o'clock in the morning."

The next day the Munch Bunch packed their bags and were soon ready to leave. They said goodbye to their friends and slipped out of the trap door. Casper Carrot was worried that Mr.Veg might come in early. "Oh, hurry up," he yelled.

There was no need to worry. As soon as they had crossed the road and squeezed under the hedge they were free. Their escape plan had worked!

The Munch Bunch walked and walked looking for somewhere to live. Pete Pepper was in a terrible mood because he was so tired. Casper Carrot was still worrying that they might not find anywhere to live. Olly Onion was crying, as usual. Suddenly, they spotted an old garden shed.

The shed was very old and almost hidden in the overgrown garden. "It looks as though nobody uses it anymore," said Supercool, the cucumber. Spud led the way to investigate.

The shed was very dirty. There were overturned pots, dirty watering cans, old rubber boots, filthy bottles, broken boxes, torn sacks …. Everything was in terrible condition. "This looks great," said Scruff Gooseberry. "What nonsense," replied Lizzie Leek, "just because you like everything to be dirty."

"Well," said Spud, "let us get this place cleaned up." "Yes, and then we can have a party tonight," said Pippa Pear. She was thinking about food, as usual.

The Munch Bunch started making their homes. Spud and Casper Carrot made their homes in sacks.

Pete Pepper, Tom Tomato, Supercool and Sally Strawberry chose flower pots.

Pedro Orange and the Banana Bunch -- Slippy, Skid and Barney -- decided to live in some old boots.

Olly Onion chose an old shopping bag.

Button and Tiny were busy tidying up their house. There was a knock at the door. It was Lizzie Leek. She had finished making her home in a cooking pot. "I called to see if I can make you any curtains or bed covers," said Lizzie.

"That would be nice," replied Button. "Please stop for a cup of tea." They sat sipping their tea. Suddenly, they were disturbed by shouts and shrieks from the outside. It was Scruff Gooseberry and Billy Blackberry.

"Why don't you finish your house?" shouted Lizzie. "But we have finished already," replied Scruff. "Yes, why don't you come to visit us?" said Billy. So they did.

What a mess! Their matchbox beds were not made. Their curtains were torn. And, their belongings were scattered all over the floor. "Why don't you clean up in here," asked Tiny. "Because we like everything scruffy and messy. This is just how we want it. Look at our super bath," said Billy.

Their bath was terrible. It was an old cracked cup. It was overflowing. "Whoopee!" they shouted. They began splashing each other, making an even bigger mess.

The water was running out of the cracks of their old wooden box right into Peanut's house. Peanut did not know though. He was daydreaming, as usual. He was forever daydreaming about being a cowboy.

Meanwhile, Casper Carrot was getting worried again. He thought no one would be on time for the party. He went to call for Corny-on-the-Cob. Corney had finished making his home hours ago and was busy planting flowers in his garden.

Casper told Corney that they should hurry everybody up. So they went to cal the rest of the Munch Bunch. The first call was to Peabody -- Professor Peabody. All the Munch Bunch call him Professor Peabody because he is very brainy.

Professor Peabody also thought it was getting late. He went with Casper and Corny to tell the others to hurry up. They went to see Suzie Celery in her oil can home. They went to see Bounce the Spring Onion in his stone jar home. Then, they wet to see Wally Walnut in his birdcage home.

They called on Pippa Pear and Adam Avocado in their lantern homes.

Lastly, they arrived at Emma Apple's and Lucy Lemon’s ….

[And if you want to read the rest of this great story and series, pick up a Munch Bunch Book today!].