Stories - Supadu

Early Years

E x p r e ss

M u i cs F S

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StoriesThese story texts may be printed out for use in the educational establishment for which this publication was purchased. Permission for further copies to be reproduced must be obtained in writing from A&C Black Publishers Limited.

Click here to view the stories:

Ananse, Puss and Ratta (CD1 track 13)

The magic dove (CD1 track 19)

Mrs Washalot (CD1 track 37)

The king’s birthday music (CD1 track 40)

Please Mr Noah (CD2 track 2)

The Jack factory (CD2 track 6)

Three bears’ rap (CD2 track 10)

Mousie Brown goes to school (CD2 track 22)

Green wide-mouthed tree frog (CD2 track 26)

The missing dumplings (CD3 track 7)

Tricky tandems (CD3 track 20)

Foxy comes to town (CD3 track 25)

Rainbow dreams (CD3 track 30)

The little toymaker (CD3 track 33)

The Iron Man (extract) (CD3 track 35)www.acblack.com

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Traditional story retold by Jan BlakeAnanse, Puss and Ratta

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Early Years

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It was August 6th, Jamaican Independence Day, and there were parties all over the island. The animals in Ananse’s village decided to have a dancing competition to see who was the best dancer. Bre Puss cleaned his coat in preparation, Ananse the spider changed all the strings on his violin and the animals talked excitedly about who would win.

‘I think it will be Bre Tiger,’ said one.

‘No man, him can’t dance, it must be Bre Snake.’

‘Bre mongoose can dance better than the two of them,’ piped up another.

‘There is only one person who is going to win that competition and that is ME!’ said a gruff voice.

All the animals knew that this voice belonged to Bre Ratta —they knew because he was the most bigheaded, boastful animal in the whole village, even more than Ananse, and he was VERY big headed.

‘Be quiet, Ratta,’ said Tiger. ‘You show off too much, man!’

‘Yuh jus’ jealous,’ said Ratta, ‘but tonight we will see who is the winner.’

Brer Ananse and Bre Puss got to hear about Bre Ratta’s big boast, and decided to teach him a lesson.The dance hall was filling up and there was so much excitement. The food was nice, the music was nice and everybody was waiting for Bre Ratta to arrive. Suddenly, the doors burst open and in came Ratta in his best suit, nice and tight.As he came in through the door, Brer Ananse began to play a sweet little tune on his fiddle:

contents www.acblack.com/musicexpress

Special people

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Music Express Early Years Foundation Stage © A&C Black 2012


Ananse, Puss and Ratta (continued)

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Ying de ying de ying, Ying de ying de ying, Tek care yuh go talk oh. Min’ you tattler tongue, ying de ying, Min’ you tattler tongue, ying de ying, Min’ you tattler tongue, ying de ying.

When Bre Ratta heard the sweet music, he flung off his jacket and started to dance. He wheeled and he turned and he wiggled and he wound until everybody stopped dancing and started to watch him and praise him.

‘That’s right, Bre Ratta, you is the best dancer,’ said one voice.

‘Nobody can beat you,’ said another.Bre Ratta loved the attention and his head grew even bigger still.Ananse played faster and faster:

Ratta danced but he could not stop, Could not stop, could not stop. Ratta danced but he could not stop, Could not stop, could not stop...

until, POP! Ratta’s trousers burst – right there in front of everyone. Well, everybody started to laugh, quietly at first and then it got louder and louder.Poor Ratta. His trousers were split front and back, so whichever way he turned, everybody laughed, especially Brer Ananse and Bre Puss. Poor, poor Ratta. He was so ASHAMED that he ran from the dance hall and jumped into a hole to hide. And since that day, rats have lived in holes. All because of – Ananse.

Special people

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4

Once there was a wife who wished for a child, but she didn’t have any.Then one morning she was out walking, when she heard a baby, cooing and crowing in the bushes:

Baak bakum, baak bakum, baak bakum, ba.

Full of excitement, she looked to see, but all she found was a dove, singing:

Baak bakum, baak bakum, baak bakum, ba.

The woman was so disappointed, the bird felt sorry for her.

‘Give me some food,’ he cooed, ‘and I will help you too.’The woman ran to get him some rice, and then she said,

Baak bakum, birdie, don’t disappoint me. Tomorrow early, bring me a baby.

The next morning she was out walking, when what did she hear but ‘baak bakum’ from the bushes. ‘It’s only a bird,’ she said, but she looked all the same, and what did she see but a beautiful baby girl, lying there laughing.Well, now she was happy, but the trouble was, they were very poor.

‘And what shall we do?’ her husband said, ‘when our girl grows bigger and wants clothes and shoes?’

Well the girl did grow, and she did want clothes and shoes, so what could the woman do but call for the dove?

Baak bakum, birdie, tomorrow early, Bring clothes and bring shoes for our little girlie.

The next morning she was out walking, and what did she hear but ‘baak bakum’ from the bushes. ‘It doesn’t sound


Story by Helen East

Special people

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The magic dove (continued)

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like clothes,’ she said. But she looked all the same, and what did she see but a bundle of clothes: selwa kameez and slippers too.Well, now they were happy, but they were still very poor.

‘And what shall we do?’ the husband said, ‘when our girl grows up, and she wants to get married?’

Well the girl did grow up, and she did want to get married, so what could the woman do but call for the dove?

Baak bakum, birdie, tomorrow early, Bring a wedding crown and a golden palanquin.

The next morning, the girl went out walking. What did she hear but ‘baak bakum’ from the bushes. So she looked to see, and what did she find? A wedding crown for her to wear, and a palanquin to ride in. In she got and off she went, with her mother and father behind.And the little dove flew up on top and sang with all his might:

Baak bakum paira, Matay die taira, Bow shazbe kalki, Chorrbe shonaar palki.

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6

Mrs. Washalot loves washing. Nothing makes her happier than getting her husband's greasy overalls, (he works in a car repair shop), her daughter’s colourful T-shirts, (she can’t draw anything without getting crayon marks all over her clothes), and her son’s muddy football kit, (he’s going to be a famous footballer, one day), and making them clean and sweet-smelling again. Off she goes today to her laundry to do some washing.

'I won’t have a washing machine' says Mrs. Washalot. 'I think that takes all the fun out of my favourite job. No, I just have to wash everything by hand'.

So, Mrs. Washalot turns on the taps and watches as the water gurgles and splashes into her huge sink. She adds lots of washing powder and the bubbles start to rise like a mountain. You can't see Mrs. Washalot for the suds!

'Now in go the clothes: the greasy overalls the colourful T-shirts and the muddy football kit. Now I’m going to rub them, and shake them, and twist them until all the dirt comes out!'

Next Mrs. Washalot pours on lots of clean water to rinse the suds away. 'My, aren’t those clothes looking better?! Now I must get all that water out.' So, she puts the wet clothes through her old-fashioned mangle and squeezes and squeezes and squeezes with all her might, until all the water comes out, drop by drop by drop.


Story by Sue Nicholls

Growth and change

1/37Mrs Washalot

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'Oh, I am enjoying myself… and now for the drying.' She puts the clean clothes into a basket and off into the garden she goes. 'I'll peg the overalls, the white T-shirt and the football kit on to the line. Oh, look at all that lovely washing flapping to and fro in the breeze.'

'Time for a cuppa now, while I watch the clothes drying in the sun. Oh dear, it’s all finished...Never mind, there’ll be plenty more washing to do tomorrow!'


Growth and change

Mrs Washalot (continued)

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Music Express Early YearsFoundation Stage © A&C Black 2012


Story by Sue NichollsThe king’s birthday music

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His majesty, the king, was getting very excited about his birthday. He called in his bandleader and told him that he wanted some really special music for his party!The bandleader started to get worried. He had played such a lot of new music for the king recently. He’d played some very spooky music with shrieks and squeals for the king’s haunted house party last month. He’d played some very grand music with trumpets for the king’s soldiers to march to at the opening of the royal gardens only last week, and now he was a bit tired. How would he manage to make up some special birthday music!

‘I’ll do my best, your majesty,’ he sighed, bowed and left the palace.

Back in his music room, the bandleader paced up and down, worrying about what to play for the king’s party. The birthday was tomorrow and he had no special music ready.

‘Oh dear!’ he groaned.

‘What’s up?’ said the drum, who was practising in the corner. The bandleader told him about the king, the party and the special music.

‘I’ll think of something’ replied the drum.

‘You’ll have to think very quickly,’ wailed the bandleader, ‘the party’s tomorrow!’

‘I promise to have some special music by breakfast time,’ said the drum with a grin. ‘Now off you go and get some sleep, you look exhausted!’

The next morning the bandleader woke up feeling nervous and worried. ‘I do hope that drum’s thought of something,’ he whispered to himself as he made his way to the music


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The king’s birthday music (continued)

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room. When he got there, he couldn’t see any of the instruments. Where were the flutes, the clarinets, the bassoons and oboes? Where were the trumpets, the trombones and the tubas? He sat down and mopped his face with a large hanky.

‘It’s all organised,’ said the drum, suddenly appearing at the door, ‘I’ve got some very special music all ready!’

‘But there are no instruments to play it!’ sobbed the bandleader through his handkerchief.

‘They’re worn out with all the work you’ve been giving them!’ laughed the drum, ‘but I only need one instrument for this piece, and that’s ME! Just listen to this!’

The drum played his special music and the bandleader listened very carefully.

‘There, what do you think of that?’ the drum asked.

‘It’s wonderful!’ said the bandleader, ‘and you play beautifully, but will it be special enough for a king’s birthday party?’

‘I’ve explained to the king’s magician that he’s got to do some magic,’ said the drum. ‘When I’m playing loudly, the guests’ shoes will turn into wooden clogs. When they dance their feet will be loud like me. But when I play quietly, the clogs will change into silk slippers…’

‘…and so the dancers’ feet will be really quiet,’ finished the smiling bandleader. ‘You are clever, Drum, that really will be special.’

That night everyone was enjoying the party, especially the king! But when he heard the drum’s music and saw the dancers’ shoes changing, he was really pleased!

‘Well done, Bandleader! And well played, Drum! Let’s do that all again!’

Growth and change

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The king’s birthday music (continued)

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The bandleader sat down smiling to himself. There were no more gardens to open or parties planned for the rest of the year! He could have a rest, but when the drum’s music started again, he looked down and he saw wooden clogs appear on his feet!

‘Oh well! I can have a rest tomorrow!’ he chuckled as he danced his way nimbly across the king’s ballroom. ‘Now, can my clogs dance as loudly as that drum?’

Growth and change

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Rap by Kaye UmanskyPlease, Mr Noah

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Part one

Please, Mr Noah, the sky’s gone dark! May we come into your ark? I’ve gotta say yes, I can’t say no, Just make your sound and in you go.Where are the mice?

Squeak squeak squeak squeak.Well done, mice, and in you go!

Squeak squeak squeak squeak, Squeak squeak squeak squeak.

Where are the lions?

Roar, roar!

Well done, lions, and in you go!

Roar, roar, Roar, roar!

Where are the monkeys?

Chitter chatter, chitter chatter.

Well done, monkeys, and in you go!

Chitter chatter, chitter chatter. Chitter chatter, chitter chatter.

Where are the bears?

Growl, growl!

Well done, bears, and in you go!

Growl, growl, Growl, growl!


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Please, Mr Noah (continued)

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The rain came down, the sky was dark, But Noah and the animals were safe in the ark.

Part two

Inside the ark it was dark and hot. Were they quiet? They were not!The mice got restless,

Squeak squeak squeak squeak…

The lions just roared,

Roar, roar…

The monkeys went bananas,

Chitter chatter chitter chatter…

The bears were bored,

Growl growl…

Noah got a headache, ooooh, my head! What was he to do? Order, order! STOP! said Noah! Stop, stop stop! I think I see a mountain top! HOORAY!

Going places

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Story by Sue NichollsThe Jack factory

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Here we are at the Jack factory where the Jack-in-the-box toys are made. Each Jack is being carefully sewn together and fixed on to a wibbly wobbly spring. Can you hear what each Jack-in-the-box is saying? (Make spring actions and chant in high voices.)

Zing zing zing, My head’s on a spring, Wibble wobble, wibble wobble, Zing zing zing.

Zing zing zing…

Next the Jacks are put into beautifully painted boxes and as they move through the factory, each Jack is pushed down, down, down into his box and hears a clunk as his lid is closed. Can you hear what each Jack-in-the-box is saying now? (Make box-closing actions and chant in voices gradually getting lower.)

Flip, flip, flip, Down I slip, Squashed inside my little box, Clunk goes the clip.

Flip, flip, flip…

But suddenly all the lids fly open and the Jacks pop out of their boxes, cheering and laughing. Can you hear what they are singing? (Make actions for Jack jumping up, then sinking back down, tune: Hickory dickory dock.)

We’re Jacks and we’re jumping up high, Our heads are all touching the sky, We won’t stay down when we go to town, We’re lonely and starting to cry.


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The Jack factory (continued)

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We’re Jacks and we’re jumping up high…

The whole factory stops. All the toymakers are wondering what to do, when Mrs Mechanical, the head of the factory, arrives. When she hears how unhappy and lonely the Jacks are, shut in their boxes where it’s cold and dark, she agrees to let the Jacks go to the toyshops in the town with the lids open. Now they can see their friends and the other toys leaving the factory. The Jacks all cheer, wobbling about in excitement, and Mrs Mechanical smiles because everyone is happy again!

Going places

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Adapted from traditional by Jane SebbaThree bears’ rap

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Once upon a time in a nursery rhyme There were three bears – GROWL, GROWL, GROWL.A papa and a mama and a wee bear – GROWL, GROWL, GROWL.

One day they went a-walking and a-talking in the wood When along came Goldilocks up to no good.There were three bears – GROWL, GROWL, GROWL.A papa and a mama and a wee bear – GROWL, GROWL, GROWL.

The three bears went a-walking in the woods some more, But Goldilocks walked right up to their door. She opened that door, and liked what she saw, And when the bears got home, you could hear them roar.

‘Someone’s been eating my porridge,’ said the papa bear. ‘Someone’s been eating my porridge,’ said the mama bear. ‘Hey, Mama-three-bear,’ said the little wee bear, ‘Someone has eaten all mine. ’S not fair!’

‘Someone’s been sitting in my chair,’ said the papa bear. ‘Someone’s been sitting in my chair,’ said the mama bear. ‘Hey, Mama-three-bear,’ said the little wee bear, ‘Someone has broken my chair. ‘S not fair!’

‘Someone’s been under my duvet,’ said the papa bear. ‘Someone’s been under my duvet,’ said the mama bear. ‘Hey, Mama-three-bear,’ said the little wee bear, ‘Someone has been under mine and she’s STILL there!’


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Three bears’ rap (continued)

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Goldilocks woke up and broke up the party. She jumped out of bed and she ran off pretty smarty.

‘Bye, bye, bye, bye,’ said the papa bear. ‘Bye, bye, bye, bye,’ said the mama bear. ‘Hey there, Goldi-hair,’ said the little wee-bear, ‘Don’t you dare come back!’

YEAH!

Going places

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Story by Sue NichollsMousie Brown goes to school

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Mousie Brown is a little mouse, but he isn’t brown, he is grey. He was given his name by his favourite person in all the world - Sam Brown. Sam is a five-year-old boy who looks after him.

Mousie Brown loves being with Sam. Best of all he likes to sit in Sam’s pocket with a few breadcrumbs to nibble. The little mouse spends many happy hours in there being close to Sam.

One day, Sam forgot to put Mousie Brown back into his cage after breakfast, and so the little mouse went all the way to Sam’s school. Sam hung up his coat on his peg in his classroom and never guessed that his little pet was still tucked in his pocket.

Mousie Brown could hear lots of new sounds: children talking, chairs scraping and doors banging. He smelt lots of new smells: paint being mixed, cookies baking and fruit being chopped.

Mousie just had to have a look, so he crept out of the pocket and climbed up… up… up Sam’s coat sleeve and then up.. .up… up… to the shelf above the coat pegs.

Mousie sat very quietly and watched everything going on. His whiskers twitched and his bright little beady eyes looked all around this new place. He could even see Sam busily building with bricks.


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Suddenly the teacher stopped and pointed at Mousie Brown.

‘Look!’ she said in amazement, there’s a mouse on the shelf by the coats!’ Everyone stopped and Sam laughed:

‘It’s only my little Mousie Brown, he must have come to school in my pocket’ and he walked over and lifted his little furry friend down… down… down. Mousie really enjoyed being introduced to all Sam’s friends.

Then his teacher said: ‘Sam, it’s nearly twelve o’clock and you’re going home for lunch, so take Mousie Brown with you and perhaps he could come to school another day and we can organise a really nice mouse house for a longer visit!

Mousie Brown liked the sound of that!


Going places

Mousie Brown goes to school (continued)

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Story by Sue NichollsGreen wide-mouthed tree frog

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The green wide-mouthed tree frog went hopping through the rainforest. He wanted everyone to know who he was. He opened his wide mouth, and he said, very importantly:

'I’m a greeeeeeeen frog, I’m a treeeeeeee frog,I’m the greeeeenest greeeeen you have ever seeeeen,I’m a greeeeen wide-mouthed treeeeeeee frog!' Before long, he came across a monkey hanging by its tail from a tree. The green wide-mouthed tree frog said: 'Cooooeeee! Monkey! I can seeee you! What do you eeeat?'

The monkey said:

'Bananas! Bananas! I like bananas! Bananas! Bananas! I like bananas!'

And the green wide-mouthed tree frog said: 'Deeeeelicious!' And he hopped off, saying:

'I’m a greeeeeeeen frog, I’m a treeeeeeee frog,I’m the greeeeenest greeeeen you have ever seeeeen,I’m a greeeeen wide-mouthed treeeeeeee frog!'

Next, he came upon an armadillo, snuffling along the ground. The green wide-mouthed tree frog said: 'Coooeeee! Armadillo! I can seeee you! What do you eeeat?'

And the armadillo said:


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'Termites! Termites! I like termites!Termites! Termites! I like termites!'

And the green wide-mouthed tree frog said: 'Deeeeelicious!' And he hopped off, saying:

'I’m a greeeeeeeen frog, I’m a treeeeeeee frog,I’m the greeeeenest greeeeen you have ever seeeeen,I’m a greeeeen wide-mouthed treeeeeeee frog!'

He came upon the snake unexpectedly. It was a long, yellow one with red spots.

The green wide-mouthed tree frog said: 'Cooooeeee! Snake!! I can seeee you! What do you eeeat?'

And the snake said: 'Green wide-mouthed tree frogs!'

And the green wide-mouthed tree frog’s big wide mouth closed up and got very tiny indeed.

And he said in a small, small voice: 'Ooh…. thatsh intereshting'.

And very, very quietly he tiptoed away.


Stories and sounds

Green wide-mouthed tree frog (continued)

Early Years

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Story by Jan BlakeThe missing dumplings

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Grandma May was the best cook in Spanish Town - everybody knew that.Whenever she put her pot on the stove, people would come for miles just to sample what she had cooked that day. Sometimes it was rice and peas and chicken, sometimes it was bully beef and boiled yam, another time curry goat and rice, or steamed fish with boiled plantains and green bananas. Grandma’s house was always full of people. Hungry people just arriving, full people just leaving, people with their plates half empty and their mouths half full, even cats and dogs and birds in the trees would stop by for a few scraps or a crumb or two. Grandma didn’t mind at all. She loved feeding people. But whenever her Grand-daughter Lucille came to visit, Grandma May always cooked her ackee and salt fish with fried dumplings. It was Lucille’s favourite.One Saturday morning, while Grandpa Jamie was out in his garden, Grandma made the ackee and salt fish early so that she could spend some time teaching Lucille how to make the dumplings. She showed Lucille how to measure out the self-raising flour, baking powder, and pinch of salt. Lucille poured the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl, while Grandma mixed in the water.

‘Now we have to knead it, Lucille, and roll the dough into three fat balls. Then I will fry them.’

Lucille did exactly as she was told while Grandma turned the gas on under the Dutch pot and poured in a little oil. When the oil was quite hot, Lucille handed her Grandma one of the dough balls and Grandma put it into the hot oil. It smelled delicious as it cooked and Grandma turned it over and over until it was golden brown.


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The missing dumplings (continued)

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‘Now, Lucille, take this dumpling and leave it on the windowsill to cool,’ said Grandma May.

Lucille placed the dumpling in a dish on the windowsill and opened the window, then she went back and watched as, back in the kitchen, Grandma May put another round dough ball carefully in the pot to cook. But when Lucille returned with the second dumpling - the dish was empty!

‘Grandma! Somebody gone with the dumpling!’

Grandma May called out to Grandpa Jamie:

Jamie, you see nobody pass here? No, me friend. Jamie, you see nobody pass here? No, me friend Well, one of me dumplings gone. Don’t tell me so! One of me dumplings gone.

Lucille and Grandma placed the second dumpling on the dish to cool and went to make the third dumpling. But when they came back with it, the plate was empty again! The second dumpling was gone! Grandma May called out to Grandpa Jamie:

Jamie, you see nobody pass here? No, me friend. Jamie, you see nobody pass here? No, me friend. Well, two of me dumplings gone. Don’t tell me so! Two of me dumplings gone.

‘Third time lucky,’ said Grandma as she and Lucille put the third dumpling on the dish to cool and then went to wash their hands. Grandma settled down in her chair for a quick nap and Lucille went out into the garden with Grandpa

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The missing dumplings (continued)

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Jamie to listen to a story, as she always did before lunch at Grandma’s house.When it was time to eat, Grandma and Lucille went to the windowsill in the hall to fetch the third dumpling. But the dish was empty. Grandma May called out to Grandpa Jamie:

Jamie, you see nobody pass here? No, me friend. Jamie, you see nobody pass here? No, me friend. Well, three of me dumplings gone. Don’t tell me so! Three of me dumplings gone.

Now if you had been there when Lucille opened the window, you would have seen three fat crows sitting outside in the breadfruit tree. Lucille didn’t notice them, but they noticed Lucille, and when they smelled those delicious dumplings, what do you think they did? Each crow swooped down out of the tree, snatched up a dumpling and flew off with it, high into the branches.Grandma, Grandpa and Lucille searched high and low for those dumplings, but they were gone. ‘Don’t worry, Grandma,’ said Lucille, ‘now you’ve shown me how, I can make some more.’ And for the second time that day she measured out the self-raising flour, baking powder, and pinch of salt. Lucille poured the flour, salt and baking powder into a bowl, while Grandma mixed in the water.Lucille kneaded the dough, rolled it into three fat balls and Grandma fried them until they were golden brown, but this time, they ate them piping hot!

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Story by Sue NichollsTricky tandems

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It’s time for the big race!

Five pairs of riders: Maisie and Daisy, Maud and Claud, Beryl and Cheryl, Johnny and Donny, Darren and Sharon are all ready, sitting on their tandems as the starter gives the signal.

Maisie and Daisy are in the lead when suddenly their tandem hits a puddle and both riders fall off with a huge splash! Eight riders left!

Now Maud and Claud are leading but… watch out! Mr. Buzzy’s bees have escaped from their hive and they’re buzzing all round the tandem leaders making them giddy! Six riders left!

Beryl and Cheryl have taken a wrong turn; they are out of the race! Four riders left!

Suddenly a storm breaks and the rain falls in huge drops. Johnny and Donny swerve badly in the mud leaving one pair of riders.

Darren and Sharon are the only pair left, when suddenly a huge gust of wind whisks them off their tandem and up into the air, dropping them miles away from the race!

Oh dear! No winners today!


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Story by Kaye UmanskyFoxy comes to town

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When Foxy came to town, he was really excited. He had heard that there was lots of lovely, yummy free food to be had from special containers called dustbins. He couldn’t wait to find one, because he had come a long way and was feeling very hungry.Night was falling as he trotted down the high street. He kept close to the wall, because he didn’t like the sound of the cars or the lights coming from the street lamps. He was used to the country, where it was dark and quiet. To keep himself cheerful, he sang a little song to himself:

I’m looking for a dustbin, a dustbin, a dustbin, I’m looking for a dustbin in the middle of town.

Just then, he heard the sound of rumbling wheels coming towards him.

(Sound of wheels.)It was a street cleaner, with a hand cart! Quickly, Foxy dived behind a parked car. The street cleaner took a brush and swept the pavement, right by where Foxy was hiding.

(Sound of sweeping.)Foxy waited until the cleaner had finished and moved on. Then off he set again, singing his song:

(Repeat song)

Suddenly, he heard another noise.(Ambulance siren.)

An ambulance went flashing by, on its way to the hospital. Foxy ran and hid behind a letter box until he thought it was safe to carry on. Then off he set again, singing his song:

(Repeat song)


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Foxy comes to town (continued)

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All of a sudden, a funny smell came to his nose. Just ahead of him was a big fire engine. Black smoke was pouring out of the chimney of a nearby house. A fire fighter was climbing the ladder holding a long hose.

(Footsteps on ladder.)Foxy didn’t like the smell one bit. He jumped over a low wall into a garden. And then, he heard another noise.

(Policewoman’s footsteps.)The footsteps stopped. A voice said:

‘Hello hello. What’s going on here?’Oh, no! It was a policewoman!Foxy whirled around – and knocked over the dustbin that was standing right behind him.

(Noise of dustbin falling over.)Crash! Over it went! The lid came off, and all the rubbish came pouring down on poor Foxy.

‘You bad fox!’ shouted the policewoman. ‘You come back here!’

But Foxy had already taken to his heels. He fled down the road like the wind – and he didn’t stop until he was safely out of town and back in the countryside.

‘I’m never going back to town again,’ thought Foxy, as he curled up in his nice, quiet den. ‘It’s just too noisy.’

And just before he went to sleep, he sang this little song.

I like it in the country, the country, the country, I like it in the country, it’s noisy in town.

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Meditation by Pamela MarreRainbow dreams

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Now close your eyes and see if you can see, Try and imagine along with me.

Fill your mind with red – deep, dark and warm:Red like the colour of your dressing gown; All warm and woolly when you snuggle down Deep into my arms for a night-time hug. Then into your bed all cosy and snug. Goodnight room.Now imagine orange, glowing:The sky was orange at the end of today When the sun gave out his very last ray. He climbed down into his bed for the night Then covered himself, and out went the light. Goodnight sun.Can you see yellow now – pale moonlightThat gleams on toy parrot, who hangs in your room. He flew from his home by the light of the moon He flew over deserts, he flew over seas, To come and live with you for as long as you please. Goodnight parrot.Let a wave of green roll over your eyes:Now fill your mind with green woods and green trees, Green dappled shadows and rustling leaves. An owl gives a hoot that makes a mouse leap, While deep in her burrow, rabbit’s asleep. Goodnight rabbit.Now the green is darkening, darkening…Until it’s become the deep blue of the sea, Where violet fish swim wild and free. They swim over rocks, they swim under whales Who lazily sing their travellers’ tales. Goodnight fish, goodnight whales.


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Rainbow dreams (continued)

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And as we go deeper and deeper under the sea, The blue gets darker and darker and darker until:It’s indigo – colour of the sky at night. You may think it’s black, but it isn’t quite – It’s lit by the stars and the pale moonbeams, Who may carry angels into your dreams. Goodnight, little one, sleep tight. Sweet dreams.

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Early Years

F S



Story by Kaye UmanskyThe little toymaker

29

Early one morning, the little toymaker unlocked his shop. He had been very busy for weeks making wonderful toys. Now, at last, he had finished. Today was the grand opening day. He was proud of his toys and hoped that lots of boys and girls would come and buy them. But:

‘Oh dear,’ said the little toymaker, looking around. ‘My toys look rather dusty. I’d better give them a clean and make sure they’re working properly.’

And he took a duster and sang this song (to the tune of Polly put the kettle on):

Time to clean and dust my toys, See them move and make a noise, Listen to the sound they make, It goes like this.

And the little toymaker touched the first toy with his duster – and right away, it began to move!The little toymaker watched it for a moment – then moved on to the next toy, singing his song.

Time to clean and dust my toys…

The little toymaker gave it a little dust – and that one began to move too!

‘Good,’ said the little toymaker. ‘Working nicely, I see.’

And he moved on to the next one, singing his song.


Again, the little toymaker touched it with his duster. Sure enough, the toy sprang to life. The little toymaker was very pleased with himself. Off he went, to the next toy.


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The little toymaker (continued)

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It was getting very noisy in the shop, but the little toymaker was enjoying himself. On he went, to the next one.And the next one…And the next one.


He spent so long dusting and cleaning and checking the toys, that he quite forgot the time! When he finally looked at his watch, the whole day had gone by!

‘Oh my!’ said the little toymaker. ‘How silly I am. I’ve been so busy, I quite forgot to open the shop. I suppose I had better have the grand opening tomorrow instead.’

So he walked around the shop, carefully stopping each toy and putting it away.Then he locked the door and went home to his supper, leaving everything all clean and tidy, ready for the grand opening the next day.And did all the toys get sold? Of course they did.

Working world

Early Years

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Story by Ted HughesThe Iron Man (extract)

31

The Iron Man came to the top of the cliff.

How far had he walked? Nobody knows. Where had he come from? Nobody knows. How was he made? Nobody knows.

Taller than a house, the Iron Man stood at the top of the cliff, on the very brink, in the darkness.The wind sang through his iron fingers. His great iron head, shaped like a dustbin but as big as a bedroom, slowly turned to the right, slowly turned to the left. His iron ears turned, this way, that way. He was hearing the sea. His eyes, like headlamps, glowed white, then red, then infrared, searching the sea. Never before had the Iron Man seen the sea.He swayed in the strong wind that pressed against his back. He swayed forward, on the brink of the high cliff.And his right foot, his enormous iron right foot, lifted – up, out, into space, and the Iron Man stepped forward, off the cliff, into nothingness.

CRRRAAAASSSSSSH!

Down the cliff the Iron Man came toppling, head over heels.

CRASH!

CRASH!

CRASH!

From rock to rock, snag to snag, tumbling slowly. And as he crashed and crashed and crashed His iron legs fell off.His iron arms broke off, and the hands broke off the arms.


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The Iron Man (continued)

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His great iron ears fell off and his eyes fell out.His great iron head fell off.All the separate pieces tumbled, scattered, crashing, bumping, clanging, down on to the rocky beach far below.A few rocks tumbled with him.ThenSilence.Only the sound of the sea, chewing away at the edge of the rocky beach, where the bits and pieces of the Iron Man lay scattered far and wide, silent and unmoving.


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