CONTENTS

Jigsaw Joan
Michael's New Belt '
Little Queenie
The House in the Fog
Interfering Ina
Cross unt Ta!itha
S"ell for a La#$ Bo$
Loo% Out for the Ele"hant&
The Sur"rising Broo'
The Ol( )e( Cushion
*ee" into the Magic Mirror
She Sta'"e( Her Foot
The +er$ Fierce Car"enter
She ,oul(n't Belie-e It
)ain in To$town

Jigsaw Joan
.ou ought to !e calle( Jigsaw Joan/0 sai( 1eorge scornfull$ when Joan !egan to (o $et another 2igsaw3
0,ell/ if I li%e (oing 2igsaws wh$ shoul(n't I (o the'40 sai( Joan3 0.ou li%e collecting sta'"s an( )onnie
li%es 'a%ing things with his Meccano3 I (on't laugh at $ou for (oing those things whene-er $ou can30
0But $ou alwa$s ta%e u" all the ta!le with $our sill$ 2igsaws/0 sai( )onnie3 0.ou go on an( on3 I can't thin%
what $ou can see in the'30
0n( I can't see what 1eorge sees in his sill$ sta'"s/ or $ou see in $our en(less Meccano/0 sai( Joan/
!eginning to !e cross3 0Can't $ou see that so'e "eo"le li%e (oing one thing an( so'e another4 I'' goo(
at (oing 2igsaws/ $ou're goo( at (oing so'ething else3 I (on't see wh$ we can't all !e ha""$ in our own
wa$30
0,ell/ collecting sta'"s teaches $ou geogra"h$/ so it's so'e use3 n( 'a%ing things with Meccano
teaches $ou to !e cle-er with $our han(s/0 sai( )onnie3 05oing 2igsaws si'"l$ (oesn't teach $ou
an$thing30
0I'll (o the' 2ust for "leasure/ then/0 sai( Joan/
e'"t$ing out a !o6 of coloure( 2igsaw "ieces3 0n( $ou ne-er %now7$ou 'ight !e gla( so'e (a$ that
I'' so cle-er at fitting 2igsaws together&0
0,e shan't/ Jigsaw Joan&0 sai( 1eorge3 0n( re'e'!er this8 when our !irth(a$ co'es ne6t wee% (on't
gi-e us 2igsaws3 ,e (on't li%e the'30
0I'' not going to/0 sai( Joan3 0I'-e got $our "resents alrea($&0
1eorge's !irth(a$ an( )onnie's ca'e -er$ near together7onl$ two (a$s !etween7so the$ alwa$s
share( it an( 'a(e one !ig (a$ of it !etween the'3 Joan (i(n't gi-e the' 2igsaws/ of course3 She ga-e
1eorge a new sta'"9al!u' an( )onnie a !oo% showing hi' all %in(s of (ifferent things he coul( !uil(3
: The$ were !oth -er$ "lease(3 0,e'-e !een luc%$/0 the$ sai(3 0,e'-e ha( shi"s/ trains/ !oo%s7an( a
ten9shilling note !etween us&0
0Fi-e shillings each/0 sai( 1eorge3 0Lo-el$& ,e're rich&0
0*ut the note in $our 'one$9!o6/0 sai( their 'other3 But the$ forgot an( left it on the win(ow9sill3 The win(
ca'e an( !lew it awa$3 It !lew it insi(e the roo' an( o-er to the to$ cu"!oar(3 It !lew it right insi(e at the
-er$/ -er$ !ac%3
So/ of course/ when the two !o$s loo%e( for it/ it was gone3 The$ coul(n't fin( it an$where3 The$ (i(n't
thin% of loo%ing at the !ac% of the to$ cu"!oar(3 The$ were -er$ sa(/ !ut it coul(n't !e hel"e(3 The ten9
shilling note was gone3
Now a little 'ouse ran in an( out of the to$

cu"!oar( each night3 It ca'e the night the "a"er 'one$ ha( !lown to the !ac% of the to$ cu"!oar(3 It was
-er$ "lease( to fin( it there/ !ecause it 'eant to 'a%e a "a"er nest3 This "a"er woul( (o nicel$& It coul(
!ite it u" into little "ieces an( 'a%e a cos$ little nest in the little to$ 'otor9car3
So it chewe( u" the note into a!out se-ent$ "ieces an( 'a(e a nest of it3 But !efore an$ !a!ies ca'e
into the nest the chil(ren's 'other turne( out the to$ cu"!oar(7an( she foun( the 'ouse's nest in the
to$ 'otor9car3 She calle( to the chil(ren8
0Joan& 1eorge& )onnie& 5o co'e an( see3 little 'ouse has 'a(e a nest in $our to$ 'otor9car30
The$ ca'e to loo%3 1eorge ga-e a cr$& 0Mother& Loo% what the nest is 'a(e of7our ten9shilling note all
!itten into tin$ "ieces&0
0It's waste(/0 sai( )onnie3 0,e can't s"en( it now3 Oh/ what a "it$&0
Joan e'"tie( the tin$ !its carefull$ on to a little tra$3 She loo%e( at the'3
0It's rather li%e a little "a"er 2igsaw/0 she sai(3 0If onl$ I coul( fit all the little !its together "ro"erl$/ an( "ut
so'e stic%$ "a"er !ehin(/ the ten9shilling note woul( !e whole again an( $ou 'ight !e allowe( to s"en(
it&0
0Oh/ Joan7coul( $ou (o it40 crie( 1eorge an( )onnie3 0Begin now/ ;uic%l$30
So Joan's (eft fingers sorte( out the tin$ "a"er !its3 She !orrowe( a new ten shilling9note fro' 'other to
see how it loo%e(/ an( then she !egan to (o a "eculiar 2igsaw& !it here an( a !it there3 That !it fits there

surel$/ an( that one shoul( go there3 Here's a straight !it/ an( here's another&
0It's co'ing/ it's co'ing&0 crie( 1eorge3 n( so it was3 It too% Joan nearl$ the whole (a$ to fit the 'an$
little !its together an( to stic% the' carefull$ at the !ac% so that the note showe( u" whole3
0.ou're -er$ "atient an( (eft/ an( -er$ cle-er/ Jigsaw Joan&0 sai( 'other a('iringl$3 0But I (on't thin%
an$one woul( ta%e the note3 ,e'( !etter go an( as% the 'an at the !an% what he thin%s30
,ell/ the 'an at the !an% was -er$ sur"rise( to see such a "eculiar note7!ut he sai( $es/ it was ;uite all
right/ he woul( gi-e each of the !o$s fi-e shillings for it& ,hat (o $ou thin% of that4
0,e'll ne-er tease $ou again/ Joan/ ne-er/0 sai( 1eorge3 0.ou're the cle-erest sister in the worl(3 Co'e
an( s"en( our 'one$ with us30
The$ s"ent it all7an( two shillings an( si6"ence of it was s"ent on 333 well/ I'll gi-e $ou a guess& .es/
$ou're right7it was s"ent on a new 2igsaw for Joan3 She's going to (o it tonight/ an( $ou 'a$ !e sure she
will get e-er$ single "iece into its right "lace !efore she goes to !e(3 Cle-er Jigsaw Joan&
Michael's New Belt
Michael was -er$ "rou( of his new leather !elt3 It ha( little !rass stu(s on it half9wa$ roun( an( a rather
gran( !uc%le3
0See '$ !elt40 he sai( to the other !o$s3 0M$ uncle ga-e 'e that3 He !rought it !ac% fro' Cana(a with
hi'3 I guess this is the %in( of !elt that cow!o$s wear on a ranch o-er there30
The other !o$s thought it was fine3 The$ fingere( it an( "atte( the !rass stu(s3 0,ish I ha( one li%e that/0
sai( ,illia'/ the hea( of the class3 Michael was -er$ "rou( to hear hi' sa$ that3
Michael was -er$ careful of his new !elt3 He (i(n't wear it e-er$ (a$3 He %e"t it for Sun(a$s/ or for the
(a$s he went to see his grann$ or his aunts3 Then he woul( !uc%le the new !elt roun( his shorts/ with the
!rass stu(s an( !uc%le shining !rightl$/ an( set off "rou(l$3
One (a$ he went to see his grann$3 He sta$e( to (inner with her an( then set off to wal% ho'e3 He ha(
on his new !elt/ of course/ an( grann$ ha( a('ire( it for the twentieth ti'e3
0I su""ose $ou woul(n't len( it to 'e to wear when I go to Lon(on ne6t wee%/0 she sai( sole'nl$3
Michael laughe(3 0Oh/ 1rann$7$ou woul(n't want to wear a !elt li%e 'ine/ $ou %now $ou woul(n't7!ut I
woul( len( it to $ou if $ou reall$ wante( it3 I woul(n't len( it to an$ !o$ or girl/ though& It's 'uch too
"recious&0
He went off ho'e with two little ginger ca%es grann$ ha( !a%e( for his tea3 n( on the wa$ ho'e he
hear( so'eone shouting so lou(l$ that he sto""e( in sur"rise3 ,ho was shouting4 Michael was in the
fiel(s an( he coul(n't see an$one a!out at all3 The shouting went on an( on3 0Hel"& Hel" 'e& Can't $ou
see 'e4 I'' u" here3 <" here& <" the tree&0
Then Michael loo%e( u"/ an( there/ a goo( wa$ u" a tall tree on the other si(e of the he(ge/ he saw a
!o$3 The tree was !are/ an( Michael coul( see hi' easil$3 He stare( in sur"rise3
0I sa$& Hel" 'e/ won't $ou40 $elle( the !o$3
0,h$4 ,hat's the 'atter4 Can't $ou cli'! (own40 $elle( !ac% Michael/ going nearer to the tree3
0No3 I'-e got stuc% so'ehow3 n( now I'' frightene(/0 sai( the !o$/ soun(ing al'ost as if he were going
to cr$3
0,h$ (i( $ou cli'! so high40 calle( Michael3
0There's a !ull in this fiel( an( he ran at 'e/0 shoute( !ac% the !o$3 0I 2ust ha( ti'e to shin u" this tree/
an( I can tell $ou I cli'!e( faster than I'-e e-er cli'!e( in '$ life& Now I'' stuc%7an( I'' awfull$ afrai(
of falling3 I feel gi(($30
0I'll co'e u" an( hel" $ou (own/0 sai( Michael3

He %e"t a loo%9out for the !ull/ which (i(n't see' an$where to !e seen/ an( then !egan to cli'! u" the
tree3 He soon reache( the !o$3
0Loo%7can't $ou "ut $our foot (own to this !ranch40 he sai( to the !o$3 0,hat's $our na'e4 I (on't see'
to ha-e seen $ou !efore30
0I'' )o!ert Trent/0 sai( the !o$3 0No7I can't "ut '$ foot (own to the !ranch3 I tell $ou/ I'' scare(3 I thin%
I'' going to !e sic%30
Michael loo%e( at hi'3 He (i( loo% rather green3
0.ou're not reall$ afrai( of falling/ are $ou40 he sai( an6iousl$3 0Here7hol( on to 'e till $ou feel a !it
!etter30
The !o$ woul(n't e-en hol( on to Michael3 He woul(n't let go his hol( of the !ranch he was on3
0Isn't there a la((er I can get (own !$40 he sai( (es"eratel$3 0Surel$ there's one at the far'3 I %now I
shall fall soon30
0I'll go an( run to the far' for hel"/0 sai( Michael/ !eginning to cli'! (own again3 But the !o$ crie( out at
once8 0No& 5on't lea-e 'e& I shall fall (own the tree if $ou (o/ I %now I shall3 Sta$ with 'e30
0But that's sill$/0 sai( Michael/ sensi!l$3 0How can I "ossi!l$ go an( get hel" if $ou won't let 'e lea-e
$ou40
0I (on't %now/0 sai( the !o$/ loo%ing greener than e-er3 0I (o feel awful3 I (aren't e-en o"en '$ e$es now/
!ecause I %now I shall feel gi(($ if I (o30
Michael loo%e( (own the tree3 It was a long/ long wa$ to fall3 He !egan to feel frightene( for the !o$3
su""ose he (i( fall4 He 'ight !e %ille(7or at least !rea% a leg or an ar'3
The !o$ s"o%e again/ his e$es still shut3 0Ha-e $ou got a ro"e/ !$ an$ chance4 So that $ou coul( tie 'e
to this !ranch4 If $ou coul( (o that I'( feel safer an( I'( let $ou go an( fetch hel"30
0No/ I ha-en't a ro"e/0 sai( Michael3 n( then a thought struc% hi'3 He ha(n't a ro"e7!ut he ha( got a
fine/ strong leather !elt&
He loo%e( (own at his !elt3 He (i(n't want to len( it to an$one/ not e-en to )o!ert3 It woul( "ro!a!l$ !e
ru!!e( against the tree7so'e of the !rass stu(s 'ight co'e out3 No/ he coul(n't thin% of len(ing it to
this foolish !o$3
But Michael was a %in(l$ !o$/ an( he (i(n't go on thin%ing li%e this for long3 He su((enl$ un!uc%le( his
!elt an( sli""e( it off his shorts3
0I'll !uc%le $ou to the !ranch with '$ !elt/0 he sai(3 0That will %ee" $ou safe3 It's -er$ goo(/ strong
leather30
But the !elt wasn't long enough to !uc%le the !o$ to a !ranch3 So Michael (i( the ne6t !est thing7he
!uc%le( the !elt loosel$ to a near9!$ !ough/ an( tol( )o!ert to sli" his ar' through it3 Then he tightene(
the !elt o-er the !o$'s ar'3 0There&0 he sai(3 0Now e-en if $ou (o feel $ourself falling '$ !elt will hol( $ou
u"3 .ou nee(n't !e afrai( an$ 'ore30
0Oh/ that's a won(erful i(ea/0 sai( the !o$/ gratefull$3 0I feel !etter alrea($3 Than%s -er$ 'uch30
0I'll go (own now an( get a la((er or so'ething/0 sai( Michael/ an( he shinne( ;uic%l$ (own the tree/
gla( that he ha( a !etter hea( than )o!ert for cli'!ing& He ran off towar(s the far'3
It was a long ti'e !efore he coul( fin( an$one to hel" hi'3 The far'er an( his wife were at 'ar%et3 The
'en were at wor% in (ifferent "laces3 t last Michael foun( one who listene( to his tale3
0,hat7a !o$ u" a tree an( can't get (own&0 sai( the 'an3 0,hat sort of a !o$ is that4 He's not worth
!othering with&0
0But I %now he'll fall if I (on't get hel"/0 sai( Michael3 0,here's a la((er4 Can I !orrow one40
0No& $oungster li%e $ou can't carr$ a great hea-$ la((er to "ut half9wa$ u" a tree/0 sai( the 'an3 0,ait
till I'-e finishe( this 2o! an( I'll co'e '$self30
So Michael ha( to wait i'"atientl$ till the 'an finishe( his wor%3 Then/ not hurr$ing hi'self at all/ he went
with Michael to the tree in the fiel( where the !ull was3 But )o!ert wasn't there& He ha( gone&
0This is the tree/0 sai( Michael3 0But the !o$'s gone& How ;ueer&0
0Loo% here/0 sai( the 'an/ 0(i( $ou 'a%e this all u"/ 2ust to "la$ a tric%4 Because if $ou (i(/ I'll33 30
0No7I reall$ (i(n't/0 sai( Michael hurrie(l$3 0*lease !elie-e 'e/ I e-en lent the !o$ '$ !est leather !elt to
hang on to/ an( tie( u" '$ shorts with a !it of string7loo%30
0,ell7$ou won't see $ou leather !elt an$ 'ore/ that's certain/0 sai( the 'an/ an( went off3 Michael stoo(
there alone feeling -er$ u"set3 ,as the 'an right4 Ha( he reall$ lost his !elt for goo(4===========
He saw a 'an in the fiel(/ lea(ing the !ull with a stic% which he ha( fastene( to a ring at the en( of the
!ull's nose3 He calle( to hi'3
0I sa$& 5i( $ou see a !o$ u" a tree here frightene( of falling40
0.es3 I saw hi' when I ca'e to get the !ull/0 shoute( !ac% the 'an3 0Sill$ $oungster/ cli'!ing so high
when he's scare( of falling3 I got hi' (own all right30
0,here (i( he go40 as%e( Michael3 05i( he sa$ an$thing a!out a leather !elt I lent hi'40
0No/ he (i(n't/0 sai( the 'an3 0He fastene( one roun( his waist7a !eaut$ it was7an( off he went o-er
the hill3 Just sai( 'Than%s -er$ 'uch' an( went30
0Oh/0 sai( Michael3 He was u"set an( (isa""ointe(3 He ha( hel"e( the !o$7an( all the return he ha( got
was to lose his !elt/ an( not ha-e a single wor( of than%s&
He went ho'e an( tol( his 'other all a!out it3 0If I 'eet that !o$ again I'll fight hi'&0 he sai(3 0He 'ight at
least ha-e waite( un(er the tree till I ca'e !ac%/ an( gi-en 'e '$ !elt3 M$ !eautiful !elt& Mother/ I'll
ne-er len( an$one '$ !elt again7I won't len( an$one an$thing again3 I won't e-en hel" "eo"le in
trou!le30
0Now/ that's not li%e $ou/ Michael/0 sai( his 'other3 0.ou 'ustn't thin% e-il of "eo"le until $ou are certain
the$ ha-e (one so'ething wrong or un%in(3 n( how foolish to change $ourself fro' a %in(/ generous
!o$ into an un%in(/ selfish one 2ust !ecause so'e!o($ has !eha-e( !a(l$ to $ou&0
0Oh/ well7I e6"ect $ou're right as usual/ Mother/0 sai( Michael3 0I'll !e sensi!le3 But $ou (on't %now how
u"set I a' a!out '$ !elt30
Now/ a wee% after that/ Michael went sho""ing in the ne6t town with his 'other3 s he was wal%ing (own
the roa(/ a car su((enl$ sto""e( 2ust !$ hi' an( a hea( "o""e( out3 -oice calle( e6cite(l$8
0I sa$/ I sa$& ren't $ou the !o$ who lent 'e $our lo-el$ !elt u" that tree40 n( there was )o!ert loo%ing
out of the car win(ow& Michael no((e(/ loo%ing rather surl$3 The !o$ got out of the car an( ran to hi'3
0 'an got 'e (own fro' the tree after $ou'( gone3 I "ut on $our !elt to %ee" it safe/ an( then I went off
to loo% for $ou7!ut I lost '$ wa$ an( ne-er foun( $ou3 n( e-er since I'-e worrie( an( worrie( as I was
afrai( $ou'( thin% I'( gone off with it an( ne-er 'eant to gi-e it !ac%&0
Michael (i(n't %now what to sa$& His 'other ca'e to the rescue3 0Michael is alwa$s len(ing things to
others/ an( he alwa$s gets the' !ac%30
'an loo%e( out of the car3 0Is this the !o$ who hel"e( )o!ert40 he sai(3 0,e'-e !een 'a%ing en;uiries
for hi' all o-er the "lace3 Than% $ou/ sonn$/ for (oing $our !est for hi'3 He's an i(iot to cli'! trees7he
alwa$s feels gi(($30
0Here's $our !elt/0 sai( )o!ert/ ta%ing a "arcel out of the car3 0I'-e carrie( it a!out with 'e e-er since last
wee%/ ho"ing I'( see $ou so'ewhere3 5a(/ can we ta%e hi' to the circus with us4 Can he co'e now40
0,ell7we 'ust as% his 'other/0 sai( )o!ert's
father3 .ou can guess what Michael's Mother sai(3
0Of course he can co'e/0 she sai(3 05o $ou 'ean now/ this -er$ 'inute4 Oh/ what a sur"rise for $ou/
Michael&0
It certainl$ was3 In a trice he was in the car/ sitting !esi(e )o!ert/ s"ee(ing off to the circus3 ,hat a
won(erful ti'e he ha(&
n( now/ of course/ )o!ert an( Michael are ;uite inse"ara!le7in fact/ Michael's 'other sa$s she ne-er
sees one without the other& n( will $ou !elie-e it/ Michael len(s his !elt to )o!ert whene-er he as%s hi'
to&

Little Queenie
ONCE u"on a ti'e/ when $our 'others were as s'all as $ou/ there li-e( a little girl calle( Queenie3
She was a ;ueer little girl3 She ne-er crie(/ she ne-er gru'!le(/ she ne-er co'"laine( a!out an$thing3
,ell/ that soun(s as if she was -er$ goo(/ (oesn't it4 .et no!o($ li%e( her&
0Queenie's ;ueer/0 sai( John/ who li-e( ne6t (oor3 0She ne-er feels sorr$ for an$one& ,hen I fell off the
gar(en wall the other (a$/ an( 'a(e '$ hea( !lee(/ Queenie 2ust stoo( an( stare( at 'e3 It was Elsie
who rushe( u" an( hel"e( 'e30
0n( $ou %now that "oor !lin( 'an who stan(s at the corner of the 'ain roa(/ (on't $ou40 sai( >atie3
0,ell/ we'-e all gi-en hi' a "enn$ at ti'es7!ut Queenie tol( 'e she ne-er ha(3 n( when I sai( 'But
aren't $ou sorr$ he's !lin(4 5on't $ou want to hel" hi'4' she sai( No/ she (i(n't3 She is ;ueer30
0The other (a$ I went to tea with her/0 sai( Lennie3 0Her 'other ha( a (rea(ful hea(ache/ so I thought we
woul( "la$ a ga'e that (i(n't 'a%e 'uch noise3 But Queenie shoute( an( laughe( as lou(l$ as an$thing3
n( she's got such a nice/ %in( 'other& I thin% there's so'ething the 'atter with Queenie30
0It's what I sai(/0 sai( John3 0She's ne-er sorr$ for an$one3 She's not war'9hearte(3 She's "rett$ an(
cle-er an( neat/ an( goo( at ga'es7!ut $ou 2ust can't li%e her&0
Now one (a$ Queenie's gran('other ca'e to see her3 The "oor ol( la($ ha( fallen (own the stairs the
(a$ !efore an( ha( hurt her %nee/ so she coul( onl$ 2ust ho!!le along with a stic%3 But (i( Queenie rush
to get her a chair/ or "ut her a footstool for her !a( leg to rest on4 5i( she %iss her %in( ol( grann$ an(
sa$ she was sorr$ a!out her leg4
No/ she (i(n't3 She let her 'other get the chair an( the footstool3 Her grann$ loo%e( at her then s"o%e to
her 'other3
0There's so'ething wrong with Queenie3 She's ne-er sorr$ for an$one/ so she's ne-er %in(3 I thin% there
'ust !e so'ething wrong with her heart3 She's col(9hearte(/ an( that's a 'ost terri!le thing to !e/
!ecause she will ne-er %now what it is to !e reall$ ha""$& .ou 'ust ha-e a war' heart to !e ha""$30
Queenie thought her grann$ was sill$3 0I a' ha""$/0 she sai(3 0n( wh$ shoul( I !e sorr$ for "eo"le4 I a'
ne-er sorr$ for '$self30
0.ou ha-e no nee( to !e/0 sai( her grann$/ i'"atientl$3 0.ou are "rett$ an( cle-er? $ou ha-e nice clothes
an( goo( foo( to eat3 .ou ha-e a %in( father an( 'other/ an( "lent$ of to$s3 .ou ha-e no cause to !e
sorr$ for $ourself3 But !ecause $ou are such a luc%$ little girl $ou shoul( !e grateful/ an( tr$ to feel sorr$
for those who are not so well off/ an( who 'a$ !e -er$ ill or unha""$30

0.ou are alwa$s "reaching3 1rann$/0 sai( Queenie/ rather crossl$3
Her 'other was worrie( to hear what grann$ sai( an( she 'a(e u" her 'in( to ta%e Queenie to the
(octor3 So the ne6t (a$ she set off with Queenie3 The little girl (i(n't want to go/ an( she hung !ehin( all
the wa$3 But at last the$ were there an( the wise ol( (octor was loo%ing at the little girl3
He listene( to her heart3 He felt all roun( it3 He ta""e( it3 He stro%e( the s%in o-er it3 Then he shoo% his
hea(3
0It see's all right/0 he sai(/ 0an( $et there certainl$ is so'ething wrong with it3 Bring her again soon an( I
will tr$ an( fin( out what is the 'atter3 Most e6traor(inar$&0
Queenie's 'other was u"set an( frightene( to hear what the (octor sai(3 s the$ went through the woo(s
on their wa$ ho'e/ she crie( an( tears ran (own her chee%s3 Queenie saw the'/ !ut she (i(n't !other to
co'fort her 'other3
Soon the$ 'et a s'all !ent ol( wo'an who li-e( all !$ herself in the woo(3 E-er$one thought she 'ust
!e 'ore than a hun(re( $ears ol(3 She sto""e( when she saw Queenie's 'other cr$ing/ an( as%e( her
what was the 'atter3
0There's so'ething wrong with '$ little Queenie's heart/0 sai( the little girl's 'other/ 0!ut the (octor
(oesn't %now what it is30
0,ell/ 'a$!e I can fin( out&0 sai( the little wo'an3 0There's 'an$ a ;ueer s"ell I %now to "ut hearts right3
I'll ha-e a loo% at Queenie's30

0.ou can't& It's insi(e 'e/0 sai( Queenie3 But the ol( wo'an onl$ laughe( an( cla""e( Queenie so har(
on the !ac% that her heart flew out of her !o($/ an( lan(e( on the grass !esi(e the ol( wo'an3 It was the
;ueerest thing $ou e-er saw& The ol( la($ !ent (own an( "ic%e( u" the heart3 She shoo% her hea(
sole'nl$/ an( showe( it to Queenie's sur"rise( 'other3
0Loo% there& Her heart is of stone& Feel it7it's har( an( col(3 5o $ou won(er the chil( can't feel sorr$ for
an$one/ an( can't (o a %in(ness4 ,ho coul(/ with a col(/ har(/ ston$ heart li%e that& It's the worst heart I
ha-e e-er seen in '$ life/ an( I'-e loo%e( into a goo( 'an$3 Here $ou are7ta%e it !ac%/ little girl3 .ou'll
ne-er !e ha""$ till $ou 'elt that ston$ heart of $ours30
0But how can she40 as%e( the 'other/ frightene( an( sa(3
0Onl$ one wa$/0 sai( the ol( wo'an/ ho!!ling off3 0Onl$ one wa$3 Be %in(/ e-en if $ou (on't feel li%e it3
There's nothing li%e %in(ness to 'elt a heart of stone&0
0Oh/ Queenie/ $ou 'ust tr$ an( (o what the ol( wo'an sa$s/0 sai( her 'other3 0I (o want "eo"le to lo-e
$ou/ as the$ lo-e other chil(ren3 *lease will $ou tr$ to !e %in(/ an( see if $our heart gets !etter40
0,ell/ I'll tr$/0 sai( Queenie/ thin%ing the whole thing was a fuss an( a !other3 0I reall$ will tr$3 I (i(n't -er$
'uch li%e the loo% of '$ heart/ I 'ust sa$3 .ou %now/ Mother/ it has felt -er$ hea-$ latel$? an(/ of course/
if it's 'a(e of stone that's the reason&0
,ell/ $ou ha-e no i(ea how har( it is to !e %in( if $ou (on't feel as if $ou want to !e& *oor Queenie7it
was (ifficult for her to sa$ nice things to "eo"le/ an(
to tr$ an( co'fort the' when things went wrong3 But !ecause she (i(n't want her heart to feel hea-ier
an( hea-ier she trie(3
0,hen chil(ren fall (own I 'ust "ic% the' u"/0 she "lanne(3 0,hen the$ get into trou!le o-er their
lessons I 'ust hel" the'3 ,hen Mother has a hea(ache I 'ust !e ;uiet3 It's eas$ enough for the other
chil(ren to (o these things/ !ecause the$ want to (o the'7!ut I (on't3 Still I will30
So she (i(3 She ha( "lent$ of chances for %in(ness that wee%3 Joan/ who li-e( o""osite/ !ro%e her leg
an( Queenie went across to see her3 She too% her one of her own (olls/ an( she rea( to Joan for half an
hour fro' a !oo%3 She (i(n't want to one !it/ of course3 It !ore( her -er$ 'uch3
t the en( of her -isit/ when she rose to go/ Joan "ulle( her (own to the couch an( %isse( her3 0I ne-er
%new $ou coul( !e so sweet an( %in(/ Queenie&0 she

sai(3 0I lo-e the (oll7an( $ou (o rea( so nicel$3 *lease co'e again&0
Queenie su((enl$ felt a curious "ain in her heart/ an( she "ut her han( there3 She felt "lease( with
Joan's wor(s/ !ut she wishe( her heart woul(n't hurt her so 'uch3 It woul( !e too !a( if it !egan to "ain
her 2ust as she was tr$ing har( to cure it3
The ne6t (a$ she went to see her grann$/ an( she ro(e in the !us3 It was -er$ full/ an( Queenie coul(
onl$ 2ust fin( herself a seat3 s she sat (own she notice( an ol( 'an getting on the !us3 There was no
roo' for hi' at all3 He woul( ha-e to stan(3
Queenie woul( ha-e let hi' stan( in the or(inar$ wa$/ !ut now she was tr$ing to re'e'!er to !e %in(3 So
u" she got at once3

0*lease ha-e '$ seat/0 she sai(? an( the ol( fellow sat (own3
0Now there's a %in( little girl for $ou&0 he sai( in such a lou( -oice that e-er$one hear(3 The$ stare( at
Queenie/ an( ga-e her war' s'iles3 She felt that funn$ "ain roun( her heart again/ an( "resse( it har(3
Oh (ear/ it reall$ (i( hurt&
She went into her grann$'s house3 0How is $our "oor leg/ 1rann$40 she sai(3 05on't get u" to get tea3 I will
get it for $ou/ an( I'll 'a%e $ou so'e toast/ too30
Queenie ha( "lanne( all this on the !us3 Her grann$ was 'ost astonishe(3 She sat an( watche( the little
girl getting tea3
0,ell/ $ou alwa$s were a "rett$ chil(/ Queenie/0 she sai( at last/ 0!ut now $ou'-e a !it of %in(ness in $our
e$es/ $ou loo% a real (arling3 It's a "leasure to ha-e $ou with 'e&0
Queenie's heart hurt her again/ !ut she (i(n't sa$ a wor(3 No7she ha( alwa$s !oaste( that she ne-er
felt sorr$ for herself/ so she woul(n't co'"laint
wee% or two went !$3 Queenie (i( e-er$ little %in(ness she coul(3 She ga-e the ol( !lin( 'an a whole
si6"ence instea( of !u$ing a new chair for her (olls' house3 She too% Mrs3 Brown's !a!$ out in the "ra'
for her each (a$/ !ecause Mrs3 Brown was so !us$ with the s"ring9cleaning3 She !rought in a "oor/ half9
star-e( little cat/ an( as%e( her 'other if she coul( fee( it an( %ee" it for her own3 It was the first ti'e she
ha( e-er wante( a "et&
She !egan to loo% ha""$/ though her heart ga-e her a lot of "ain3 She s'ile( a score of ti'es in an hour3
She laughe( 'ore than she ha( e-er (one3 Her e$es were !right an( shone with a %in(ness that no one
ha( e-er seen there !efore3
0Queenie/ I can't hel" feeling "rou( of $ou/0 sai( her 'other3 0.ou reall$ (o tr$ -er$ har( in(ee( to !e
%in(3 5o $ou still fin( it -er$ (ifficult40
Queenie thought har(/ an( a sur"rise( loo% ca'e into her e$es3 0No/0 she sai(3 0It isn't har( at all now3 I
(on't ha-e to tr$ to !e %in(3 Mother3 I want to !e3 I can't hel" !eing3 I (on't ha-e to thin% to '$self/ 'Loo%/
>atie has fallen (own3 It's $our (ut$ to go an( hel" her3' I 2ust rush to her without thin%ing/ !ecause I can't
!ear to see her cr$ing30
0I'' so gla(/0 sai( her 'other3 0.our heart 'ust !e ;uite !etter now30
0Oh/ Mother7it isn't/0 sai( "oor Queenie/ "ressing her han( to it3 0It's 'uch worse3 It gi-es 'e such a lot
of "ain3 So'eti'es I can't !ear it30
0*oor chil(&0 sai( her 'other/ in alar'3 0,e'll go at once to that ol( wo'an who li-es in the woo(3 Ma$!e
she can (o so'ething3 ,e'll go now30
So the$ went/ an( ca'e to the ol( (a'e's little hi((en9awa$ cottage3 She was in/ an( -er$ "lease( to see
the'3
0Queenie reall$ has !een tr$ing to !e %in(/0 e6"laine( the little girl's 'other3 0But I'' afrai( her heart is
worse3 It hurts her -er$ 'uch30
0Let's feel it/0 sai( the ol( wo'an/ an( she "ut her han( insi(e Queenie's froc%3 She felt roun( a!out
where her heart was3 Then she laughe( an( laughe(3
0There's nothing wrong&0 she sai(3 0Nothing at all&

It's a (ifferent heart entirel$& It's war' an( soft7$ou feel it $ourself/ 'a(a'& Nothing li%e the har(/ col(
heart of stone she ha( !efore3 It's a lo-el$ heart to ha-e3 She shoul( !e "rou( of it now/ for a war' heart
li%e that will !ring her great ha""iness3 Loo% at her face7it's sweet an( %in( now30
0But wh$ (oes her heart hurt her40 as%e( the little girl's 'other3
0It won't an$ 'ore/0 sai( the ol( (a'e3 0.ou see/ it's as I sai(7%in(ness 'elte( that heart of stone7 an(
the 'elting was "ainful3 But now it's ;uite all right3 She nee(n't worr$ an$ 'ore&0
Queenie was -er$ ha""$ to hear that3 She went off with her 'other/ s%i""ing along3 Now she is grownu"
an( I %now "erfectl$ well that her heart is as war' an( %in( as an$one else's3 .ou shoul( see how the
chil(ren lo-e her& She tol( 'e this stor$ to tell to $ou/ an( she sa$s8 0lwa$s ha-e a war' heart/ an(
$ou'll !e as ha""$ as the (a$ is long&0
The House in the Fog
There was once a !o$ who (i(n't !elie-e in fairies/ or "i6ies/ or giants/ or (ragons/ or 'agic/ or an$thing
li%e that at all3
0But at least $ou %now there were (ragons/0 sai( Mar$ Jane3 0St3 1eorge %ille( one3 It's e-en in our
histor$ !oo%s at school/ where it tells us wh$ we ha-e St3 1eorge's cross on our flag30
0Belie-e what $ou li%e/0 sai( ,illia'/ 0I 2ust (on't thin% there e-er were such things30
Now/ one (a$/ ,illia' ha( to go to a Cu! Meeting3 He was a -er$ goo( Cu! in(ee(/ an( 'eant to !e an
e-en !etter Scout later on3 He ha( his tea at ho'e an( then loo%e( at the cloc%3 0I 'ust go/ Mother/0 he
sai(3 0I'-e got to !e at the 'eeting at si630
His 'other "eere( out of the win(ow3 It was a (ar% e-ening7an(/ (ear 'e/ how fogg$ it see'e(/ too& 0I
won(er if $ou ought to go/ ,illia'/0 she sai(3 0It's getting fogg$30
0Oh/ Mother7what (oes that 'atter40 sai( ,illia'/ "utting on his Cu! 2erse$3 0I %now '$ wa$ !lin(fol(& I
can't "ossi!l$ 'iss '$ wa$ ho'e30
,ell/ ,illia' was certainl$ a -er$ sensi!le !o$/ so his 'other let hi' go3 He got to the 'eeting in goo(
ti'e7,illia' was alwa$s "unctual7an( he ha( a -er$ nice e-ening3 Then it was ti'e to go ho'e3
The Cu!9'aster loo%e( out of the (oor3 0M$ wor(/0 he sai(/ 0the fog is -er$ thic%3 I ho"e $ou will fin( $our
wa$ ho'e all right30
0,ell/ we all go the sa'e wa$/ e6ce"t ,illia'/0 sai( John3 0So we can %ee" together3 ,hat a!out ,illia'/
though40
0*ooh&0 sai( ,illia'3 05o $ou su""ose I'( lose '$ wa$ in a fog& Cu! %nows his wa$ a!out e-en if he
can't see a thing&0
n( off he went out into the fog alone3 5i(n't he %now his wa$ "erfectl$ well4 Ha(n't he wal%e( the sa'e
roa( (o#ens of ti'es4 ,hat (i( it 'atter if the fog was thic%4 He coul( easil$ fin( his wa$ ho'e3
But after he ha( turne( two corners he su((enl$ sto""e(3 His torch har(l$ showe( a !ea' at all in the
thic% fog3 ,as he in the right roa(4 He 'ust !e& He coul(n't "ossi!l$ ha-e ta%en the wrong turning3
He flashe( his torch on the na'e of the roa(/ "rinte( on a wall near!$3 h/ $es79he was all right7it was
sh Tree -enue3 Than% goo(ness& He ha(n't gone the wrong wa$ after all3
0I'-e onl$ to go (own to the en( of the roa(/ turn shar"l$ to the left/ cross o-er/ an( then %ee" straight on
till I get to '$ own house/0 sai( ,illia' to hi'self3 So off he went again/ his ste"s ta"9ta""ing in the fog
which now swirle( thic%l$ a!out hi'3
He went on an( on3 ,here-er was the en( of sh

Tree -enue4 Surel$ it wasn't as long as this& On an( on an( on3 ,illia' sto""e(/ "u##le(3 He ought to
ha-e co'e to the en( of it !$ now/ an( ha-e turne( left3
He turne( an( went !ac%3 0I'll start at the to" again/ where the na'e of the roa( is/0 he thought3 His ste"s
ta"9ta""e( again as he went3 On an( on an( on he wal%e(3
He (i(n't co'e to the !eginning of the roa(/ where he ha( seen the na'e3 ,here was it4 He ha( %e"t on
the -er$ sa'e "a-e'ent an( he ha(n't crosse( o-er at all3 It 'ust still !e sh Tree -enue3 But wh$
(i(n't it en(4 He sto""e( again3 He turne( an( went (own the roa( this ti'e3 Surel$ he woul( co'e to
the turning& On he went/ !ut there reall$ was no turning& ,hat ha( ha""ene(4
0I'' not in a (rea'/ I %now that/0 sai( ,illia'3 0I'-e 2ust co'e fro' the Cu! Meeting/ an( I'' wal%ing
ho'e in rather a thic% fog3 n( I'' on the right wa$3 I'' not lost3 I 2ust can't see' to fin( the en( of this
roa(30
It was no use3 He coul(n't fin( it3 No 'atter if he went u" or (own/ there see'e( no en( an( no
!eginning3
0This is a!solutel$ sill$/0 sai( ,illia' at last3 0There's no sense in it3 I shall go into one of these houses
an( as% '$ wa$30
He flashe( his torch on the gate of the nearest house3 He saw the na'e there/ 0M<NTI HO<SE03
He went u" the little "ath an( ca'e to the front (oor3 It ha( a "eculiar %noc%er in the sha"e of a 'an's

hea(3 The hea( ha( "ointe( ears an( a wi(e grin3 ,illia' %noc%e( on the (oor with it3
The (oor o"ene(/ an( a (i' light shone out fro' the hall3 0*lease/0 !egan ,illia'/ 0coul( $ou tell 'e999990
Then he sto""e(3 No!o($ was there3 There was 2ust the o"en (oor an( the (ar% hall an( nothing else3
How "eculiar& ,illia' "eere( insi(e3
curious whistling noise ca'e u" the hall/ li%e the win( 'a%es in the chi'ne$3 0,ell/0 sai( ,illia'/ 0if
so'eone is whistling/ so'eone is at ho'e3 I'll go in30
So in he went an( the (oor shut softl$ !ehin( hi'3 He wal%e( u" the hall an( ca'e to a roo' without a
(oor3 So'eone was whistling there3 The whistling sto""e(3 0Co'e in/ co'e in/0 sai( a high little -oice3
0,hat (o $ou want/ ,illia'40
,illia' 2u'"e(3 How (i( an$one in that house %now his na'e4 He loo%e( roun( the roo' in sur"rise3

"lu'" little 'an with "ointe( ears an( re'ar%a!l$ green e$es was sitting in a roc%ing9chair !$ an
enor'ous fire3 )oc%it$9roc%/ he went/ roc%it$9roc%3 He loo%e( at ,illia' an( grinne(3
0,h$/0 sai( ,illia'/ 0$ou are e6actl$ li%e the %noc%er on $our (oor&0
0I %now/0 sai( the little 'an3 0,h$ shoul(n't I !e4 .our na'e's ,illia'/ isn't it4 I'' Mr3 Munti/ of Munti
House30
0How (o $ou %now '$ na'e's ,illia'40 as%e( ,illia'3
0,ell/ I 2ust too% one loo% at $ou an( I %new $our na'e 'ust !e ,illia'/0 sai( Mr3 Munti/ roc%ing

furiousl$3 0That's eas$30
It (i(n't see' eas$ to ,illia'3 He stare( at Mr3 Munti/ who stare( !ac%3 0I ca'e to as% if $ou coul( 3 3 30
!egan ,illia'/ !ut he was interru"te( !$ a large !lac% cat with e$es as green as Mr3 Munti's3
0MEEEE9ow/0 sai( the cat/ wal%ing into the roo' an( "atting Mr3 Munti on the %nee3 0MEEEE9ow&0
0Hungr$/ are $ou40 sai( Mr3 Munti3 0*our/ 2ug/ "our&0
There was a "int 'il%92ug on the ta!le/ an(/ on the floor !elow/ a large saucer3 The 2ug sole'nl$ ti""e(
itself an( "oure( 'il% into the saucer !elow3
01oo(/ 2ug/ goo(/0 sai( Mr3 Munti/ roc%ing awa$ har(3 0.ou (i(n't s"ill a (ro" that ti'e3 .ou're getting
!etter30
,illia' stare( in sur"rise3 ,hat a "eculiar 2ug& He loo%e( at Mr3 Munti3 0I sa$/0 he sai(/ 0are $ou a
con2urer40
0No/0 sai( Mr3 Munti3 0re $ou40
0No/0 sai( ,illia'3 0I'' a little !o$30
05on't !elie-e in the'/0 sai( Mr3 Munti/ an( he ga-e a su((en high chuc%le li%e a !lac%!ir(3 0I ne-er (i(
!elie-e in little !o$s30
,illia' was astonishe(3 0But $ou 'ust !elie-e in the'/0 he sai(3 0I'-e 2ust !een to a Cu! Meeting3 I'' a
Cu!/ an( I3330
0There $ou are&0 sai( Mr3 Munti grinning3 0.ou're a Cu!3 .ou're not a little !o$3 ,hat sort of Cu! are $ou& I
!elie-e $ou're a fo69cu!3 .ou'-e got such a nice !ush$ tail30
,illia' felt so'ething swishing !ehin( hi' an(

loo%e( roun(3 To his enor'ous astonish'ent he saw that a fine !ush$ tail hung (own !ehin( hi'3 He
turne( roun( to see it "ro"erl$7an( the tail turne( with hi'3 He felt it7goo( gracious/ it see'e( to !e
growing on hi'/ right through his shorts&
0MEEEE9ow/0 sai( the cat again an( "atte( the little 'an on the %nee3
0,hat& Still hungr$40 sai( Mr3 Munti3 0I ne-er %new such a cat& There's a %i""er in the cu"!oar( for $ou30
The cat went to the cu"!oar( (oor/ stoo( on his hin( legs an( o"ene( it3 He sniffe( insi(e the cu"!oar(/
"ut in his "aw an( "ulle( out a %i""er3 It lan(e( on the floor3
0Shut the (oor/ 1reen$/ shut it/0 or(ere( Mr3 Munti3 The cat !lin%e( at hi' with (ee" green e$es an(
carefull$ shut the cu"!oar( (oor3 Then he !egan to eat his %i""er3
,illia' stare(/ o"en9'outhe(/ forgetting his tail for the 'o'ent3 ,hat a -er$ cle-er cat&
0,ell40 sai( Mr3 Munti/ roc%ing awa$ har(3 05i( $ou sa$ $our were a fo69cu!4 Or "erha"s $ou are a !ear9
cu!4 I see $ou ha-e nice hair$ "aws30
,illia' loo%e( at his han(s in horror3 ,hate-er was the 'atter with hi'4 He ha( !ig hair$ "aws now/
instea( of han(s3 He hi( the' in his "oc%ets at once/ full of (is'a$3 ,hat was ha""ening4 ,hat was this
little 'an with the !right green e$es4
0No7on the whole/ I thin% $ou 'ust !e a lion9cu!/0 sai( Mr3 Munti/ "eering at hi'3 0I ne-er in '$ life ha-e
seen such won(erful whis%ers3 Magnificent3
ren't the$/ 1reen$4 E-en !etter than $ours30
0MEEEE9ow/0 sai( 1reen$/ an( !egan washing hi'self -er$ thoroughl$3
,illia' felt his face in alar'3 1oo(ness gracious/ there were long strong whis%ers growing fro' his
chee%s7how -er$ "eculiar he 'ust loo%& His "aw !rushe( against his face/ a furr$/ soft "a(($9"aw/ 2ust
li%e a !ear's3
0*lease/ sir/0 sai( ,illia'/ !eginning to feel scare(/ 0I want to go ho'e3 I'' not a lion9cu!/ or a !ear9cu!/
or a fo69cu!7I'' a little !o$ Cu!/ a sort of Scout30
0I tol( $ou/ I (on't !elie-e in little !o$s/0 sai( Mr3 Munti3 0So I (on't !elie-e in $our ho'e either3 I (on't
!elie-e $ou want to go there !ecause there isn't one/ an( I (on't !elie-e in $ou3 5o $ou !elie-e in 'e40
0,ell7what are $ou40 as%e( ,illia'/ (es"eratel$3
0M$ 'other was a "i6ie an( '$ father was a !rownie/0 sai( Mr3 Munti/ roc%ing awa$3
0Then I (on't !elie-e in $ou/0 sai( "oor ,illia'3 0I (on't !elie-e in fairies/ or "i6ies/ or !rownies/ or
(ragons/ or giants/ or 3330
0n( I (on't !elie-e in little !o$s/ so we're ;uits/0 sai( Mr3 Munti/ with a wi(e grin3
05ing9(ong/0 sai( the cloc% lou(l$/ an( (ance( all the wa$ (own to the en( of the 'antel"iece an( !ac%
again3
0,ill $ou sto" that40 sai( Mr3 Munti fiercel$ to the cloc%3 0How often 'ust I tell $ou that well9!eha-e(
cloc%s (on't ca"er a!out li%e that40
,illia' !egan to feel !ewil(ere(3 His tail wa-e( a!out !ehin( hi'3 He coul( feel it ;uite well3 His

hair$ "aws were (ee" in his "oc%ets3 He coul( feel the whis%ers on his chee%s3 ,HT was ha""ening4
He (i(n't !elie-e in an$ of it/ !ut it was ha""ening all right7an( ha""ening to hi'3
0I'' going out of this "eculiar house/0 sai( ,illia' su((enl$/ an( he turne( to go3
0.ou 'ight sa$ goo(9!$e/0 sai( Mr3 Munti/ roc%ing tre'en(ousl$ har( an( al'ost ti""ing o-er3
01oo(!$e/ Mr3 Munti/0 sai( ,illia'3
0MEEEE9ow/0 sai( the cat/ an( ca'e with hi' to the front (oor3 The cat stoo( u" an( o"ene( the (oor
"olitel$3 ,illia' went out into the (ar%ness an( the fog3 The (oor shut3 He shone his torch on the %noc%er
hea(/ an( then on the na'e of the house on the front gate70M<NTI HO<SE30 ,ho was Mr3 Munti
reall$4 ,as he/ coul( he !e a con2urer4 Con2urers (i( (o "eculiar things3 But that cat/ too7an( the 2ug7
an( the cloc%&
0I shall certainl$ co'e !ac% to'orrow an( see Mr3 Munti again/ in the (a$light/0 sai( ,illia' to hi'self3
He went (own the roa(/ ho"ing that he woul( fin( the en( of it this ti'e3 n( to his great (elight/ he (i(3
The fog !egan to clear a little/ an( he coul( see his wa$3
0Turn to the left7then o-er the crossing7an( straight ho'e&0 sai( ,illia'/ in (elight3 0Oh (ear7 what in
the worl( will Mother sa$ when I arri-e ho'e with a tail an( furr$ "aws an( whis%ers40
She (i(n't sa$ an$thing7!ecause when ,illia' than%full$ wal%e( in his tail ha( gone/ his han(s were his
own again/ an( there were no whis%ers left3 n(
what was 'ore/ his 'other woul(n't !elie-e a wor( of his tale&
0Fanc$ $ou 'a%ing u" such a sill$ stor$&0 she sai(3 0.ou're -er$ late/ ,illia'7an( $ou nee(n't tell 'e a
lot of fair$9tales li%e that3 Just tell the truth30
Now/ the ne6t (a$/ as $ou can i'agine/ ,illia' went off to sh Tree -enue to loo% for Munti House/ an(
the ;ueer %noc%er on the (oor/ an( Mr3 Munti hi'self3 n( will $ou !elie-e it/ though he loo%e( at e-er$
single house in the a-enue at least three ti'es/ not one was calle( Munti House/ an( not one ha( a
%noc%er in the sha"e of a grinning hea(3
*oor ,illia' was terri!l$ "u##le(3 He tol( his stor$ to se-eral "eo"le/ !ut no!o($ !elie-e( hi' at all3
0How can $ou 'a%e u" such a stor$ when $ou'-e alwa$s sai( $ou (on't !elie-e in things li%e that40 sai(
Mar$ Jane3
He tol( it to 'e3 That's how I %now a!out it3 0I'-e no tail left/ of course/0 sai( ,illia'/ 0!ut see/ there are a
few little hairs still on '$ han(s/ an( there's a "lace here on '$ left chee% that feels a !it li%e a whis%er
growing3 5o/ (o tell 'e what $ou thin% a!out it/ "lease40
,ell/ I (on't %now what to thin%& ,hat (o $ou thin% a!out it all4
Interfering Ina
I won(er if $ou e-er %new Interfering Ina4 She was a little girl a!out eight $ears ol(/ ;uite "rett$/ ;uite
cle-er7!ut/ oh (ear/ how she (i( interfere with all the other chil(ren&
If she saw two or three of the' "la$ing a ga'e together she woul( go an( "o%e her nose into the ga'e
an( sa$/ 0Oh/ $ou are not "la$ing that ;uite right& Loo%/ $ou shoul( "la$ it this wa$&0
n( then she woul( 'a%e the chil(ren "la$ ;uite a (ifferent wa$/ a wa$ the$ (i(n't want to "la$ at all&
05on't interfere&0 the$ woul( sa$ at last3 01o awa$/ Ina&0
0,ell/ I onl$ wante( to "ut $ou right/0 Ina woul( sa$/ an( then off she woul( go in a huff3
If she saw a little girl sewing she woul( go at once to see what she was (oing3 Then she woul( sa$/ 0Oh/
$ou are 'a%ing an o-erall for $our (oll/ I see3 ,ell/ $ou are (oing it wrong3 .ou shoul( sew it li%e this&0
n( she woul( ta%e the sewing fro' the little girl's han( an( 'a%e her sew it ;uite (ifferentl$3 It was so
tireso'e of Ina&
The other chil(ren got -er$ tire( of her3 0Here co'es Interfering Ina&0 the$ woul( sa$ as soon as the$ saw
her co'ing3 0Hallo/ Ina3 re $ou going to "o%e $our nose into our ga'es again4 ,ell/ go awa$30
But (o $ou su""ose that cure( Ina of her tireso'e wa$s4 Not a !it& She si'"l$ lo-e( to interfere with
e-er$thing/ an( she was so curious a!out e-er$!o($ an( what the$ were (oing that she was for e-er
"o%ing her nose here/ there an( e-er$where&
Now one (a$ she was wal%ing ho'e alone fro' school3 The other chil(ren woul(n't wal% with her
!ecause she ha( interfere( in a fine new ga'e the$ ha( 'a(e u" that 'orning an( ha( s"oilt it for the'3
So there was Ina/ wal%ing ho'e !$ herself/ feeling -er$ cross in(ee(3
She ca'e to a fiel( an( hear( so'e!o($ laughing3 It was such a funn$ high little laugh that Ina sto""e(
to see who it coul( !e3 She cli'!e( on the gate an( "ee"e( into the fiel(3 n( there she saw a 'ost
sur"rising sight3
She saw four little !rownie9'en "la$ing lea"frog& The$ were ha-ing a fine ga'e/ an( were shouting an(
laughing in little !ir(9li%e -oices3 Ina watche( the' for a while an( then she calle( to the'3
0.ou %now/ that's not the right wa$ to "la$ lea"frog& .ou want to !en( (own with $our !ac% to the others/
not with $our front3 Loo%/ I'll show $ou&0
She cli'!e( o-er the gate an( 2u'"e( (own into the fiel(3 She ran to the sur"rise( !rownies3 She too%
hol( of one of the' an( !ent hi' (own3 He stoo( u" again angril$3
0How (are $ou "ush 'e a!out&0 he crie(/ in a -oice li%e a thrush's/ clear an( high3 01o awa$/ $ou
interfering little girl&0
0But I'' onl$ tr$ing to show $ou how to "la$ lea"frog "ro"erl$&0 sai( Ina crossl$3 0Ben( (own&0
She trie( to !en( the !rownie o-er again/ !ut he "ushe( her awa$ an( sla""e( her fingers3
0,e "la$ lea"frog the !rownie wa$/ not $our wa$&0 he sai(/ 0Brothers/ who is this !a(9'annere( chil(40
One of the !rownies loo%e( closel$ at Ina3 Then he laughe(3 0I'-e hear( of her&0 he sai(3 0It's Interfering
Ina& She "o%es her sill$ little nose into e-er$thing an( 'a%es herself such a nuisance&0
0Oh/ she (oes/ (oes she40 sai( the first !rownie/ glaring at Ina3 0,ell/ e-er$ ti'e she interferes in future
an( "o%es her nose into other "eo"le's !usiness her nose will get longer& Ha ha& That will !e funn$&0
He 2u'"e( high into the air/ turne( hea( o-er heels/ an( s"rang right o-er the he(ge3 The others
followe(/ an( Ina was left alone in the fiel(/ a little frightene( an( -er$ cross3
She went ho'e3 0Sill$ little fellows&0 she sai(/ feeling her "rett$ little nose3 0s if an$thing the$ sai( woul(
co'e true&0
She ha( her (inner/ an( then she went out to "la$ in the gar(en3 She hear( the little !o$ ne6t (oor tal%ing
to his ra!!it as he cleane( out its hutch3
Ina stoo( on a !o6 an( loo%e( o-er the wall3 0Ji''$/0 she sai(/ 0$ou shoul(n't clean out a hutch that wa$3
.ou shoul( ha-e the clean ha$ rea($ !efore $ou ta%e out the ol( ha$3 .ou shoul( 333'

Ji''$ stare( u" at her7an( then he stare( again3 So'ething funn$ ha( ha""ene( to Ina's nice little
nose3 It ha( grown ;uite an inch longer/
0,hat ha-e $ou (one to $our nose/ Ina40 as%e( Ji''$ in sur"rise3 0It (oes loo% funn$&0
Ina felt her nose in alar'3 1racious& It (i( feel long& She rushe( in(oors an( loo%e( at herself in the glass3
.es7it ha( grown a whole inch longer3/ an( her face loo%e( ;ueer with such a long nose3 Ina was
asha'e( an( frightene(3
0I shall ha-e to sa$ I !u'"e( it an( it swelle(/0 sai( the little girl to herself3 She (i( not usuall$ tell stories/
!ut she felt too asha'e( to sa$ that it ha( grown long !ecause she ha( interfere(3
So when she went to school that afternoon an( the other chil(ren as%e( her what ha( ha""ene( to her
nose she tol( the' a stor$3 0I !u'"e( it an( it swelle(/0 she sai(3
0Funn$ sort of swelling/0 sai( John3 0It isn't reall$ !ig7it's 2ust long30
Ina forgot a!out her nose after a !it/ for there ca'e a han(wor% lesson/ which she lo-e(3 The chil(ren
were 'a%ing to$s3 Ina loo%e( at the little !o$ ne6t to her3
0,hat are $ou 'a%ing40 she sai(3
0I'' 'a%ing an engine/0 he sai(3
0That's not the wa$ to 'a%e an engine&0 sai( Ina scornfull$3 01i-e it to 'e3 Loo%7$ou shoul( "ut the
funnel here&0 She "resse( so har( on the funnel that it !ro%e&
0Oh/ $ou interfere(0 sai( the little !o$/ al'ost in
tears/ for he ha( !een -er$ "rou( of his engine3 0Oooooh& ,hat's ha""ene( to $our nose/ Ina40
,hat in(ee(& It ha( grown ;uite two inches longer in that 'o'ent/ an( now it loo%e( horri(& Ina was ;uite
ugl$3
The chil(ren shoute( with laughter3
0Ina's nose is getting longer an( longer so that she can "o%e it into other "eo"le's !usiness -er$ easil$&0
sai( Joan3
,ell/ !efore the (a$ was en(e( Ina's nose was si6 inches long3 I'agine it& It stuc% out fro' her face an(
'a(e her loo% -er$ strange in(ee(3 Her 'other was si'"l$ horrifie( when she saw it3
0Ina& ,hat ha-e $ou (one with $our nose40
0Nothing/0 sai( Ina sul%il$3 It was no use sa$ing that she ha( !u'"e( it/ !ecause Mu''$ si'"l$ woul(n't
!elie-e her3
0But so'ething's ha""ene( to it/ so'ething horri(&0 sai( her 'other3 0I 'ust ta%e $ou to the (octor30
So Ina went to the (octor/ an( first he laughe( when he saw her nose/ an( then he loo%e( gra-e/ an( last
of all he loo%e( "u##le(3
0I'-e ne-er seen such a nose/0 he sai(3 0How (i( she get it40
0She won't tell 'e/0 sai( Ina's 'other3 Then Ina !egan to cr$ an( she tol( all that ha( ha""ene(7how
she ha( interfere( with the !rownies an( the$ ha( sai( her nose woul( grow !igger e-er$ ti'e she stuc%
it into so'e!o($ else's !usiness& 05ear 'e&0 sai( the (octor in sur"rise3 0So that's
what ha""ene(3 ,ell/ I'' afrai( I can't (o an$thing a!out it30
0But can't $ou tell us how to cure her nose40 as%e( Ina's 'other/ !eginning to cr$ too3 0She was such a
"rett$ girl/ an( now she is so ugl$30
0,ell/ I can onl$ sa$ that "erha"s if she sto"s interfering with other "eo"le her nose 'a$ go !ac% to its
right si#e/0 sai( the (octor3 0But that rests with Ina herself/ "oor chil(&0
The$ went ho'e/ the 'other -er$ sa( an( u"set3 So was "oor Ina3
0Now listen/ Ina/0 sai( her 'other3 0,e can't ha-e $our nose growing an$ longer/ can we4 ,ell/ $ou 'ust
sto" "o%ing it into things that (on't concern $ou3 .ou 'ustn't interfere an$ 'ore3 .ou ha( !etter as% the
other chil(ren to hel" $ou30
0ll right/ Mu''$/ I will/0 sai( Ina3 n( she went out to fin( her frien(s3 She tol( the' what the (octor ha(
sai(3
0So "lease will $ou all hel" 'e40 she !egge(3 0If I co'e an( interfere/ sto" 'e at once/ !ecause if $ou
(on't '$ nose will grow (own to '$ toes/ an( 'a$!e I'll ha-e to tie a %not in it to sto" '$self fro' tri""ing
o-er it&0
0,e'll hel" $ou/ Ina/0 sai( the chil(ren %in(l$3 Chil(ren are alwa$s %in( when the$ see so'eone in trou!le/
an( these chil(ren coul(n't !ear to see Ina cr$ing tears all (own her long nose3 The$ ha( often !een
cross with her/ !ut now the$ onl$ wante( to hel" her3
So the ne6t few (a$s $ou shoul( ha-e seen what

ha""ene(3 E-er$ ti'e Ina ca'e to interfere or to "o%e her nose into so'ething that was nothing to (o
with her the$ s"o%e at once3 0Ina& )e'e'!er& 5on't interfere&0
Then Ina woul( go re( an( sa$/ 0Sorr$& I nearl$ forgot&0
In a wee%'s ti'e her nose was al'ost the right si#e again/ an( soon it will !e the sa'e "rett$ little nose
she ha( !efore3
But goo(ness %nows how long the 'agic will last& She will ha-e to !e careful all her life not to interfere
2ust in case her nose shoots out again& *oor Ina& She still loo%s a !it ;ueer/ !ut I ho"e that ne6t ti'e I see
her she will loo% her ol( "rett$ little self3=======
Cross unt Ta!itha
unt ta!itha was rather a strict ol( la($3 ,hen her nieces went to sta$ with her/ the$ were -er$ careful
how the$ !eha-e(3 The$ sai( 0"lease0 an( 0than% $ou0 when the$ shoul(/ an( the$ alwa$s o"ene( the
(oor for unt Ta!itha an( fetche( her footstool as soon as she sat in her chair3
,hen *h$llis an( Jane went to sta$ with her/ the$ felt rather frightene(3 The$ (i( ho"e the$ woul( (o
e-er$thing the$ shoul(3 The$ 'eant to tr$ -er$ har(3
But *h$llis was rather a nois$ chil( an( !ange( (oors !ehin( her3 So unt Ta!itha was cross an( s"o%e
shar"l$3
n( then Jane u"set her tea all o-er the clean ta!lecloth an( that 'a(e unt Ta!itha cross too3 The$
went to !e( the first night feeling rather u"set3
0 I ho"e unt Ta!itha isn't going to !e cross all the ti'e/0 sai( *h$llis3
0I shall go ho'e if she is&0 sai( Jane3 0I (on't li%e her30
0,ell/ we'll see what ha""ens to9'orrow/0 sai( *h$llis3 0I shall tr$ '$ har(est not to !ang (oors30
She (i(n't !ang a (oor79!ut she forgot to wi"e her feet on the 'at an( !rought 'u( in all o-er the !lue
hall car"et3 unt Ta!itha frowne( when she saw it3
01et the (ust9"an an( !rush an( swee" u" the 'u( as soon as it is (r$/0 she sai(3
n( then Jane %noc%e( against a little ta!le/ u"set a glass -ase an( (own it went with a crash3 It !ro%e
into a!out a hun(re( "ieces&
unt Ta!itha was -er$ angr$3 0If $ou are clu's$ again I shall sen( $ou u" to !e(/0 she sai(3
*oor *h$llis an( Jane& It was reall$ -er$ (ifficult for the' to !e sweet an( s'iling to so'e one who
scol(e( the' so har(3 But the$ %new that unt Ta!itha was ol(/ an( Mother ha( sai( that ol( "eo"le were
not so "atient as $ounger ones3
0She's nice when she s'iles/0 sai( *h$llis3 0But I wish she'( s'ile oftener30
0I thin% we'll go ho'e/0 sai( Jane/ who was rather afrai( of !eing sent to !e( if she (i( an$thing else to
(is"lease her aunt3 0I'll "ac% our !ag3 ,e can sli" out of the house an( go ho'e without an$one
%nowing30
Just then the 'ai( ca'e in/ loo%ing -er$ "ale3 0*lease/ Miss *h$llis an( Miss Jane/0 she sai(3 0I feel ill3
5o $ou thin% $ou coul( 'anage to get $our aunt's tea if I lea-e it rea($40
0Of course/0 sai( Jane at once3 01o an( lie (own/ Mar$3 .ou (o loo% ill3 ,e can 'anage30
0I 'eant to finish turning out $our aunt's little sewing9roo'/0 sai( Mar$3 0I'' in the 'i((le of it now3 But I
feel so ;ueer I reall$ thin% I'( !etter lea-e it till to'orrow30
The 'ai( went to her roo'3 The two girls loo%e( at one another3 0,e can't sli" ho'e now/0 sai( Jane3 0It
woul( !e 'ean3 ,e 'ust sta$ an( hel"30
05o $ou thin% we'( !etter tr$ an( finish turning out unt Ta!itha's sewing9roo'40 sai( *h$llis3 0It woul( !e
%in( to Mar$ to (o it3 n( unt Ta!itha (oes hate to see a roo' u"si(e (own3 Let's (o it&0
So the two girls got (usters/ !roo's an( 'o"s/ an( went to finish turning out the sewing9roo'3 unt
Ta!itha was ha-ing a na" in the (rawing9roo'/ an( (i(n't %now what the$ were (oing at all3
The roo' was u"si(e (own/ for Mar$ ha( !een in the 'i((le of turning it out3 The girls swe"t the ceiling
free of co!we!s3 The$ swe"t the car"ets3 The$ "olishe( the !oar(s3 Then the$ won(ere( if the$ ought to
ta%e the chair cushions into the gar(en an( !ang the' to get ri( of the (ust3
0,ell/ we 'ight as well !e thorough&0 sai( Jane3 0Loo%7the seat of this chair co'es out3 Shall we ta%e it
right out an( (ust un(erneath "ro"erl$40
0.es/0 sai( *h$llis3 0Co'e on7tug&0
The seat of the chair/ which was an enor'ous -el-et cushion/ ca'e out with a 2er%3 The girls were 2ust
going to ta%e it (ownstairs to !eat/ when Jane caught sight of so'ething (ee" (own in the un(erseat of
the chair3 She "ut her han( (own an( "ulle( it out3 It was a fiat leather case3 She o"ene( it7an( ga-e a
lou( cr$3
0*h$llis& This case is full of "a"er 'one$3 Loo%7 "oun( notes7an( ten9shilling notes& 1oo( gracious&
,ho (o $ou su""ose it !elongs to40
0I can't i'agine3 ,e'll tell unt Ta!itha at tea9ti'e an( see what she sa$s/0 sai( *h$llis/ e6cite(3 0I (aren't
wa%e her now3 Co'e on7let's finish our 2o!3 *ut the case so'ewhere safe till tea9ti'e30
t tea9ti'e the two girls too% in the tea9tra$ 'ost carefull$3 *h$llis ha( 'a(e the tea/ an( ha( fille( the
hot9water 2ug3 The !rea(9an(9!utter was alrea($ cut3 The ca%e Jane ha( ta%en out of the tin an( "ut on a
"late3

05ear 'e& ,here is Mar$40 as%e( unt Ta!itha in sur"rise/ when the girls ca'e in with the tea9things3
0She's not feeling well/0 sai( Jane3 0So she is l$ing (own for a little while3 She was in the 'i((le of turning
out $our little sewing9roo'/ unt Ta!itha/ an( we thought we woul( finish it for her3 ,e too% the !ig seat
out of the ol( ar'9chair there/ to !eat the (ust fro' it7an( right (own un(er the seat we foun( this&0
Jane ga-e her aunt the leather case3 unt Ta!itha stare( at it in the greatest a'a#e'ent an( (elight3
0M$ lost note9case&0 she crie(3 0Oh/ to thin% it's foun( again& There are twent$ "oun(s in it& I lost it nearl$
two $ears ago/ an( hunte( for it e-er$where& ,ell/ well/ well&0

0Oh/ unt Ta!itha7I a' "lease( for $ou&0 crie( *h$llis3 0I %now how horri( it is to lose things7an( how
lo-el$ to fin( the' again&0
0I (o thin% $ou are goo( chil(ren to finish turning out the sewing9roo'/0 sai( unt Ta!itha3 0n( to thin%
$ou were thorough enough to ta%e the cushion9seat out of the chair to !eat& ,ell/ well& I'-e thought $ou
were rather careless chil(ren7!ut I'' sorr$ I thought that now3 I thin% $ou are goo( an( hel"ful chil(ren/
an( I a' "lease( with $ou&0
*h$llis an( Jane went re( with "leasure3 The$ each thought how nearl$ the$ ha( sli""e( awa$ an( gone
ho'e/ !ut the$ (i( not want to tell unt Ta!itha that3 Instea( the$ sat an( ate a goo( tea/ an( ha( two
slices of ca%e each !ecause unt Ta!itha was so "lease( with the'3
n( the ne6t (a$ their aunt too% the' sho""ing3 She !ought a !ig !a!$9(oll for Jane/ with e$es that
o"ene( an( shut/ an( a (olls' house for *h$llis/ with real electric lights in the roo's3 It was 'ar-ellous3
0That's $our share of the twent$ "oun(s $ou foun(&0 sai( unt Ta!itha3 0Nice chil(ren& 1oo( chil(ren& I''
gla( $ou are sta$ing with 'e&0
0,e're gla(/ too/0 sai( Jane/ an( she hugge( her aunt har(3 n(/ (ear 'e/ wasn't it a goo( thing the$
(i(n't run awa$ the (a$ !efore& .ou ne-er %now how things are going to turn out/ (o $ou4 It's alwa$s !est
to go on tr$ing/ no 'atter what ha""ens3
S"ell for a La#$ Bo$
Leslie was one of those !o$s who are alwa$s late for !rea%fast/ late for school/ last out at "la$ti'e/ an(
!ehin( in all their wor%3 He was la#$ an( slow/ an( he 2ust woul(n't !e ;uic%3
Now one (a$ his father calle( hi' to hi' an( s"o%e %in(l$ !ut sternl$ to hi'3 0Listen/ Leslie3 I a' going to
gi-e $ou a rewar( if $ou tr$ to alter $ourself3 .ou will !e one of the useless "eo"le in the worl( when $ou
grow u" if $ou (on't stir $ourself u" a !it/ an( reall$ tr$ not to !e late or slow in e-er$thing3 If for a whole
wee% $ou are in ti'e for e-er$thing/ an( e-en first at so'e things/ an( 'a%e a few runs at cric%et/ then I
will gi-e $ou a new !ic$cle30
0Oooh&0 sai( Leslie/ his e$es o"ening wi(e3 ll his frien(s ha( !ic$cles/ !ut his father ha( ne-er gi-en hi'
one !ecause Leslie ne-er see'e( to tr$ har( at an$thing/ an( reall$ (i(n't (eser-e one3
0Now/ are $ou going to tr$ har(40 sai( his father3 Leslie no((e(/ an( his e$es shone3 new !ic$cle& One
with a lou( !ell an( a "u'"3 M$ wor(/ how fast he woul( go an( what fun he woul( ha-e with the other
!o$s&
But although he ha( such a lo-el$ rewar( offere( to hi'/ Leslie (i(n't feel at all sure that he woul( !e a!le
to !e first in an$thing/ or e-en ;uic%3 He sat an( thought a!out it3
0If I coul( get a s"ell to hel" 'e it woul( 'a%e things 'uch easier/0 he sai( to hi'self3 0I'll go to the ol(
wo'an who li-es in the heart of the woo(3 *eo"le sa$ that her gran('other was a witch/ so 'a$!e she
%nows a few s"ells30
,ell/ the ol( wo'an (i(3 She ga-e Leslie a ;ueer little $ellow "ill in a !o63 0That's the finest s"ell I %now
for la#iness/0 she sai(3 0It gets into $our ar's an( legs al'ost at once an( 'a%es the' ;uic% an( strong
an( acti-e3 .ou'll !e all right if $ou ta%e that3 But 'in(7if $ou get that !ic$cle !ecause of '$ s"ell/ I shall
e6"ect $ou to ri(e '$ erran(s on it twice a wee%&0
0Oh/ I will/ I will&0 "ro'ise( Leslie/ an( ran off with the little $ellow "ill3 He too% it !efore he went to !e(
that night3
He fell aslee" at once3 The s"ell wor%e( awa$ insi(e hi' all the night3 It got into his ar's an( legs/ an(
into his fingers an( toes3 It awo%e hi' in the 'orning3
Leslie !egan to $awn an( stretch hi'self as he alwa$s (i(3 But his legs ga-e hi' no ti'e to (o that7
the$ lea"t out of !e( at once& Leslie got a great sur"rise3 But he soon ha( an e-en greater one3 His ar's
!egan to wor% at to" s"ee(/ an( he foun( hi'self "utting on "ants an( shirt an( 2erse$ an( shorts faster
than he ha( e-er (one !efore&
01oo(ness&0 sai( Leslie/ tr$ing to sto" his han(s

fro' "utting on two shoes at once3 But the s"ell was too strong7he coul(n't sto" hi'self at all3 On went
his shoes/ an( the laces were tie( u" in a twin%ling3
Then his legs too% charge of hi' again an( race( hi' (own the stairs at to" s"ee(3 He fell o-er the cat
an( !u'"e( his hea(3 He 'a(e such a noise that his father was cross3
0Leslie& Is there an$ nee( to u"set the whole househol( li%e this4 ,hat are $ou (oing40
Leslie's legs ha( rushe( hi' to the !rea%fast ta!le/ an( now his han(s were hel"ing hi' to his !rea%fast/
sha%ing cereal out of a "ac%et/ e'"t$ing 'il% an( sugar on to !is "late/ an( then 'a%ing hi' eat so
;uic%l$ that he al'ost cho%e(3
<" an( (own to his 'outh went the s"oon/ an( "oor Leslie ha( no ti'e to swallow one 'outhful !efore
the ne6t was at his li"s3
0Leslie& 5on't go!!le li%e that&0 sai( his 'other3 0,h$ are $ou in such a hurr$4 .ester(a$ $ou were so la#$
that $ou too% hours o-er $our 'eal/ an( to(a$ $ou go!!le so fast that $ou cho%e3 Beha-e $ourself&0
It was the sa'e with his !oile( egg3 His han( hac%e( off the to"/ an( then the s"oon (i-e( in an( out/
an( his other han( too% !rea( an( !utter to his 'outh at to" s"ee(/ so that the egg an( !rea( were
finishe( in a!out half a 'inute3
0Leslie&0 sai( his father/ la$ing (own his "a"er3 0Leslie& If $ou thin% that this strange !eha-iour will 'a%e
'e gi-e $ou a !ic$cle $ou are ;uite 'ista%en3 .ou are !eing -er$ sill$3 Sit !ac% an( !e ;uiet whilst we
finish our 'eal3 I a' asha'e( of $ou30
But Leslie coul( not sit !ac% an( !e ;uiet whilst that s"ell was in hi'3 His legs 2u'"e( u" an( ran hi' to
his school satchel3 His han(s "ile( all his !oo%s in3

The$ snatche( his ca" an( coat/ an( "ut the' on3 Then his legs rushe( hi' to his father an( 'other to
sa$ goo(9!$e/ an( then he tore out of the house an( (own the roa(3 He felt rather sic%3 It wasn't at all
goo( for hi' to go!!le his !rea%fast li%e that3
0,hat's co'e o-er Leslie40 sai( his 'other in alar'3 0.ou shoul(n't ha-e "ro'ise( hi' a !ic$cle3 5a(($/
if it 'a%es hi' !eha-e li%e this&0
School was (rea(ful for "oor Leslie that 'orning3 He was the first there/ of course3 The others (i(n't co'e
for half an hour3 But Leslie's legs were not going to !e la#$/ an( neither were his han(s3 The$ were soon
har( at wor%/ "ulling u" wee(s in the school gar(en/ "iling the' into a !arrow/ an( running the !arrow at
to" s"ee( to the ru!!ish9hea"3
The hea('aster was 'ost a'a#e( when he arri-e( an( saw what was ha""ening3 Coul( this !e La#$
Leslie4 Coul( this !e the slowest !o$ in the school/ wee(ing at to" s"ee( an( wheeling the hea-$ !arrow
to the ru!!ish9hea" so ;uic%l$4

It was too goo( to !e true3
Leslie felt -er$ tire( when school !egan3 He wasn't use( to such hurr$ing an( such har( wor%3 He san%
(own into his seat than%full$3 t an$ rate/ he woul( get a rest now3
But/ no/ he (i(n't3 His han(s set to wor% at his su's an( co"ie( the' (own at such a s"ee( that Leslie
coul( har(l$ see the figures3 Then the s"ell !egan to wor% insi(e his hea( an( his !rain 'a(e hi' (o the
su's3 He coul(n't thin% of an$thing else !ut su's3 <suall$ he loo%e( out of the win(ow or roun( at the
other !o$s/ la#ing awa$ his ti'e3 He coul(n't (o that this 'orning3
0.ou'-e (one enough su's now/ Leslie/0 sai( the 'aster in sur"rise3 0.ou'-e (one -er$ well3 I a' "lease(
with $ou30
That 'a(e Leslie gla(/ !ut he was feeling -er$ alar'e( now3 This s"ell was 'uch too "owerful for hi'3
He (i(n't li%e (oing e-er$thing at such a "ace3 But it was 2ust the sa'e in the writing lessons3
The !o$s were tol( to co"$ out a "age in their histor$ !oo% in their !est writing3 t once Leslie's fingers
got to wor% an( the$ wrote "age after "age3 The 'aster stare( in astonish'ent3 Leslie usuall$ wrote
a!out half a "age/ !ut here he was turning o-er "age after "age/ filling it with writing3 ,hate-er coul(
ha-e ha""ene(4
,hen "la$ti'e ca'e Leslie's legs shot hi' off to the cloa%roo' to get his lunch/ an( then shot hi' out to
the "la$groun(/ al'ost %noc%ing o-er one or two !o$s3
0,hat's the hurr$ now4 ,hat's the hurr$40 the$ shoute(/ an( ga-e hi' a "ush3 0Sto" rushing li%e this/
Leslie3 It's not funn$30
The !o$s "la$e( ga'es in the "la$groun(/ an( Leslie ran a!out fast an( (o(ge( here an( there/ caught
all the others easil$/ an( %noc%e( ;uite a lot o-er3 The !o$s (i(n't un(erstan( what was ha""ening/ an(
the$ were cross3 *eter ga-e Leslie a sla"/ an( at once Leslie's fists (ou!le( the'sel-es u" an( !egan to
hit *eter3
0 fight/ a fight&0 crie( the !o$s/ an( ca'e roun(3 Leslie (i(n't want to fight3 He li%e( *eter3 But his fists
woul(n't sto" lashing out at hi'3 Then the 'aster ca'e u" an( s"o%e sternl$ an( sent Leslie in(oors3
Leslie sat (own/ !reathless3 He was tire( an( frightene(3 He wishe( he ha( ne-er as%e( the ol( wo'an
for a s"ell3
School went on for the rest of the 'orning/ an( in geogra"h$ Leslie (rew si6 (ifferent 'a"s/ 'uch to the
astonish'ent of the teacher3 He also learnt three "ages of "oetr$/ three ti'es as 'uch as an$ other !o$3
He si'"l$ coul(n't sto" hi'self fro' wor%ing at to" s"ee(3
His legs race( hi' ho'e for (inner/ an( his han(s 'a(e hi' go!!le again3 His 'other was alar'e(3
0Leslie&0 she sai(3 0,hat has ha""ene( to $ou4 Tell 'e/ (ear& It's al'ost as if $ou are un(er a s"ell&0
0Oh/ Mother/ I a'&0 sai( "oor Leslie3 0I as%e( the ol( wo'an in the woo( for a s"ell to 'a%e 'e ;uic%
instea( of la#$ an( slow/ an( she ga-e 'e one/ !ecause
I (i( so !a(l$ want to earn that !ic$cle3 But the s"ell's too strong3 ,hate-er a' I to (o40
0I'll ta%e $ou to the ol( wo'an at once/0 sai( his 'other3 0If she (oesn't ta%e awa$ the s"ell $ou'll !e tire(
out3 Co'e along30
So the$ went to the woo(3 His 'other ha( to run all the wa$/ !ecause Leslie's legs (i(n't see' a!le to

wal%3 The ol( wo'an laughe( when she hear( what the s"ell ha( !een (oing to Leslie3
0I'' sorr$/0 she sai(3 0It onl$ wor%e( li%e that on a reall$ la#$ !o$/ one who has ne-er in his life trie( to !e
;uic% or "unctual or har(9wor%ing3 I (i(n't thin% Leslie was as !a( as that30
0*lease ta%e the s"ell awa$/0 !egge( "oor Leslie3 But the ol( wo'an coul(n't3
0.ou'll ha-e to "ut u" with it for a (a$ or two/0 she sai(/ 0!ut if after that $ou $ourself tr$ to !e ;uic% an(
earl$ an( wor% har(/ the s"ell will gra(uall$ (ie awa$3 But if $ou get la#$ again I'' afrai( it will co'e !ac%/
an( $ou'll (o e-er$thing at to" s"ee(/ an( anno$ e-er$one/ an( get -er$ tire(30
So Leslie "ut u" with it for two (a$s 'ore/ an( then the s"ell see'e( to (ie awa$3 Leslie trie( har( to !e
earl$ for e-er$thing/ an( to wor% har( after that/ an( he foun( it wasn't so (ifficult as it see'e(3 But/ (ear
'e/ he ha( onl$ to get la#$ for a few 'inutes to start u" that to"9s"ee( s"ell once 'ore3 .ou will !e gla(
to %now he got his !ic$cle&
re $ou a la#$ chil(4 Tell $our 'other to let 'e %now/ an( I'll see if I can get a to"9s"ee( s"ell for $ou an(
cure $ou/ too&
Loo% Out for the Ele"hant&
THE)E's an ele"hant loose&0 shoute( Ji'/ rushing into the school "la$groun(3 0I 2ust hear( a 'an sa$ so3
It's esca"e( fro' the circus30
0,here is it/ where is it40 crie( all the chil(ren/ rushing roun( Ji'3
0It's in the "ar%7an( the$'re afrai( it will tra'"le (own all the lo-el$ flowers&' sai( Ji'3
0Oh/ what a sha'e&0 sai( Sara3 She lo-e( flowers/ an( she coul(n't !ear to thin% of the ele"hant's great
feet tra'"ling an( !rea%ing the' all3
0The$'-e sent for 'en with stic%s/0 sai( Ji'3 0The$'ll scare that !a( ele"hant "ro"erl$/ I woul(n't 'in(
chasing hi' '$self30
0But ele"hants are nice/0 sai( Sara3 0I ro(e on one hea"s of ti'es at the #oo3 The$ are gentle an( %in(3
The$ can't hel" !eing !ig an( ha-ing enor'ous feet3 I thin% it's horri( to sen( for 'en with stic%s&0
0ll right/ then7$ou go an( get the ele"hant out of the "ar%&0 sai( Ji' scornfull$3 01o on& See if it will
co'e an( eat out of $our han( an( follow $ou li%e a (og& I tell $ou/ !ig stic%s are the onl$ thing to frighten
an ele"hant&0

Sara stoo( listening to Ji'3 She was 2ust a!out to tell hi' that an ele"hant ha( eaten out of her han( at
the #oo when she ha( gi-en hi' a !un7an( then a gran( i(ea ca'e into her hea(&
Now when Sara ha( an i(ea she alwa$s acte( on it at once3 So she turne( an( ran into the school3 She
went to where the ele-en9o'cloc% !uns an( 'il% were set rea($ for the chil(ren/ an( she "ut twel-e of the
!uns into her school satchel&
.ou can guess what her i(ea was now/ can't $ou4 ,ell/ well7whoe-er woul( thin% of such a thing4 Onl$
Sara&
She ran out of the school gate an( 'a(e for the "ar%3 It wasn't -er$ far awa$3 There was a "lace in the
he(ge she coul( get through3 She s;uee#e( through it/ an( there she was in the "ar%3 ,here was the
ele"hant4
,ell/ he wasn't -er$ (ifficult to see/ as $ou can i'agine3 There he stoo(/ wa-ing his enor'ous trun% to
an( fro/ his great feet -er$ near to a !ig !e( of glorious (ahlias3
In the (istance Sara coul( hear shouting/ an( she guesse( that 'en were co'ing with stic%s3
0The$'ll onl$ scare hi' an( he'll go gallo"ing o-er the (ahlias/0 thought Sara3 0I'( !etter hurr$30
So she trotte( (own the "ath to where the !ig ele"hant stoo(3 She went right u" to hi'3
0.ou're awfull$ li%e the ele"hant who ga-e 'e ri(es at the #oo/0 she tol( hi'/ an( he loo%e( (own at her
out of little/ twin%ling e$es3 He fla""e( his ears an( 'a(e a little tru'"eting noise3

0re $ou as%ing for a !un40 sai( Sara/ an( she "ut her han( in her satchel3 0,ell/ here's one30
The ele"hant "ut out his trun% an( too% the !un3 He swung his trun% u" to his !ig 'outh7an( the !un
was gone& He hel( out his trun% for another3
0,ell/ $ou can ha-e all '$ !uns if $ou co'e ;uietl$ (own this "ath with 'e/0 sai( Sara/ 0awa$ fro' these
lo-el$ flower9!e(s3 .our feet are so !ig/ $ou %now3 Here $ou are/ here's another !un30
She ga-e hi' another/ an( then !egan to wal% (own the "ath to the "ar%9gate3 The ele"hant/ seeing that
she ha( "lent$ 'ore !uns/ followe( her closel$/ tr$ing to "ut his trun% insi(e the satchel3
Sara laughe(3 0Oh/ $ou wait till I gi-e $ou one& There $ou are3 Now (o co'e along3 ,e'll soon !e at the
gate30
,ell/ well/ well& The 'en with stic%s sto""e( at once when the$ saw the ele"hant following little Sara li%e
a (og3
0Loo% at that&0 the$ sai(3 0That %i( has got ol( Ju'!o eating out of her han(& Sen( his %ee"er to that "ar%9
gate7that will !e the "lace to ca"ture the ele"hant3 He's not scare( an$ 'ore/ or angr$3 ,ell/ woul( $ou
!elie-e it&0
Ju'!o followe( Sara all the wa$ to the gate/ eating the !uns she ga-e hi'7an( there at the gate was
the ele"hant's %ee"er waiting for hi'& Ju'!o was -er$ gla( in(ee( to see hi'3 He lo-e( his %ee"er3
0Than% $ou/ little girl/0 sai( the %ee"er gratefull$3 0If it ha(n't !een for $ou/ "oor ol( Ju'!o woul( ha-e
!een sent racing all o-er the flower9!e(s in fright/ an(
he 'ight ha-e (one a lot of (a'age3 Now7is there an$ rewar( $ou'( li%e for getting hi' to co'e
;uietl$40
0,ell/0 sai( Sara/ 0I su""ose7I su""ose I coul(n't ri(e on his hea(/ coul( I/ right "ast our school4 The
chil(ren woul( har(l$ !elie-e it if the$ saw 'e there&0
0.es3 Ol( Ju'!o will set $ou on his hea( an( hol( $ou there with his trun%/0 sai( the %ee"er with a laugh3
0Hu"/ Ju'!o/ hu"&0
Ju'!o "ic%e( u" Sara -er$ gentl$ an( set her on his !ig hea(3 Then/ hol(ing her there with his trun%/ he
set off (own the roa( that le( "ast the school/ swa$ing this wa$ an( that3
0Loo%& LOO>& It's Sara u" there&0 shoute( the chil(ren3 0Hurrah for Sara& Sara/ how (i( $ou get there4
Oh/ S)&0
It was a lo-el$ rewar(/ wasn't it4 She (eser-e( it/ though/ !ecause she reall$ (i( ha-e a -er$ goo( i(ea&
The Sur"rising Broo'
Benn$ an( Mollie ha( !oth !een naught$3 The$ ha( !een ru(e an( (iso!e(ient/ an( their 'other was
-er$ cross with the'3
0.ou are not at all nice chil(ren latel$/0 she sai(3 0.ou (on't tr$ to hel" 'e in an$ wa$3 I a' -er$ angr$ with
$ou3 .ou want a goo( "unish'ent&0
Now their 'other har(l$ e-er "unishe( the'/ so Benn$ an( Mollie (i(n't feel at all u"set3 The$ (i(n't e-en
sa$ the$ were sorr$3
0I'-e got to go out an( (o so'e sho""ings0 sai( Mother3 0.ou two can reall$ (o so'e har( wor% for 'e for
a change3 .ou can ta%e the !ig !roo' an( swee" out the $ar(3 It is full of !its an( "ieces/ an( I ha-en't
ti'e to (o it to9(a$30
0Oh/ Mother& ,e (o hate swee"ing/0 sai( Benn$ sul%il$3 But Mother for once too% no notice3 She "ic%e(
u" her !as%et an( went out to (o her sho""ing3
The two chil(ren loo%e( at one another sul%il$3 0.ou ha-e first swee"/0 sai( Mollie3
0That's 2ust li%e a girl&0 sai( Benn$3 0No7$ou're the !igger of us two3 .ou !egin first30
0Benn$& 5on't !e 'ean&0 crie( Mollie/ an( she s'ac%e( her !rother har(3 Then/ of course/ there was a
fine ;uarrel/ an( in the 'i((le of it a ;ueer ol( la($ ca'e !$ an( watche( fro' o-er the $ar( fence3
0,hat's the 'atter40 she calle(3 0
The chil(ren sto""e( fighting for a 'o'ent an( loo%e( at the ol( wo'an3
0Our 'other sa$s we are to swee" the $ar( an( we (on't want to/0 sai( Benn$3 0It's har( wor%3 I thin%
Mollie ought to !egin as she's the !igger one7an( she sa$s I ought to !ecause I a' a !o$&0
05ear/ (ear&0 sai( the ol( la($3 0Is it such har( wor% to swee" a little $ar( li%e this4 ,ell/ well7if $ou li%e
to gi-e 'e so'e "ennies out of $our 'one$!o6/ I will sell $ou a s"ell that will 'a%e the !roo' swee" the
whole $ar( !$ itself30
,ell/ $ou can guess that Benn$ an( Mollie were sur"rise( to hear that& s"ell& ,hat fun& The$ ran to get
their 'one$9!o6es at once3 Benn$ ha( four"ence in his an( Mollie ha( fi-e"ence in hers3 Nine"ence
altogether3
The$ ga-e the "ennies to the ol( wo'an3 She "ic%e( u" the !roo' an( ru!!e( so'e $ellow stuff on it/
'uttering so'e ;ueer9soun(ing wor(s as she (i( so3 Then she s'ile( a funn$ s'ile/ no((e( her hea(/
an( went off (own the roa(/ her green e$es twin%ling !rightl$3
The !roo' leane( against the fence3 It grew a little hea( at the to" an( win%e( at Benn$3
0Loo% at that/ Mollie&0 sai( Benn$ e6cite(l$3 0Hie/ Broo'7(o $our wor%3 Swee"/ swee"/ swee"&0

The !roo' stoo( itself u"3 The little hea( no((e( an( grinne(3 It reall$ was a -er$ wic%e(9loo%ing hea(&
n( then the !roo' !egan to swee"3
M$ wor(/ how it swe"t that $ar(& It was 'ar-ellous& It swe"t it far/ far !etter than the chil(ren woul( ha-e
(one3 Mollie an( Benn$ were (elighte(3
0That's right& Swee" u" all the ru!!ish&0 shoute( Benn$/ (ancing a!out for 2o$3 It was such fun to see a
!roo' swee"ing all !$ itself with no!o($ hol(ing it at all3
The !roo' !egan to whistle as it swe"t3 The little hea( "urse( u" its funn$ li"s an( a ;ueer little 'agic9
soun(ing tune ca'e fro' the' in a whistle as clear as a !lac%!ir('s3
0Sweeeeeee"/ sweeeee"/ sweeee"&0 went the !roo' all o-er the $ar(3 5ust was swe"t u"/ "a"er was
cleare( into a hea"/ !its an( "ieces went into a neat "ile3 The 2o! was soon (one/ I can tell $ou&
0Than% $ou so 'uch/ Broo'/0 sai( Mollie/ "lease(3 0Now $ou can ha-e a rest3 .ou'-e (one well30
The !roo' loo%e( at Mollie an( then at Benn$/ an( went on whistling its ;ueer little tune3 It (i(n't see' to
want a rest3 It swishe( itself o-er towar(s Mollie's (oll's "ra'/ an( swe"t it right o-er on to its si(e3 The
(olls fell out/ an( all the !lan%ets an( rugs fell out too3 The !roo' swe"t the whole lot o-er to the "ile of
(ust3
Mollie ga-e a screa'3 0Oh& .ou wic%e( !roo'& .ou'-e %noc%e( '$ "ra' o-er& Sto" swee"ing awa$ '$
"oor (olls&0
But the (olls were now on the to" of the(ust9"ile&

Then the !roo' scurrie( o-er to where Benn$ ha( "ut his to$ fort an( sol(iers3 Crash& O-er went the fort/
an( (own went all the sol(iers7an( off the$ were swe"t to the (ust hea"3
It was Benn$'s turn to !e angr$ then7!ut the !roo' (i(n't see' to care at all3 It 2ust went on whistling
an( swee"ing/ its ;ueer little hea( no((ing an( s'iling all the ti'e3
It went to the (ust!in3 It swe"t har( against it/ an( o-er it went3 The li( went rolling across the $ar( with a
clatter3 E-er$thing fell out of the (ust!in at once&
Then the !roo' ha( a won(erful ti'e& It swe"t e-er$thing u"7ashes/ tins/ !ro%en !ottles/ !its of
ca!!age/ ol( tea9lea-es7an( what a fine "ile it 'a(e& Then it swe"t u" the (ust!in too/ rushe( across to
the li( an( swe"t that u" as well3
fter that the !roo' went ;uite 'a(3 It ho""e( to the %itchen (oor an( swe"t u" the 'at there3 It went
insi(e the %itchen an( swe"t all the sauce"ans an( %ettles off the sto-e3 The$ 'a(e a tre'en(ous clatter
as the$ rolle( across the $ar( to the (ust9hea"/ with the !roo' swee"ing 'a(l$ !ehin( the'/ whistling its
sill$ little song all the ti'e&
Then it swe"t the chairs out of the %itchen too/ an( the cat's !as%et as well7with the cat insi(e& *uss was
so terrifie( that she (i(n't 2u'" out till the !as%et was falling (own the ste"3 The !roo' trie( its !est to
swee" her u"/ !ut the cat fle( awa$ o-er the fence3
0Oh/ sto"/ sto"/ $ou wic%e( !roo'&0 $elle( Benn$3 But it was no goo(7the !roo' (i(n't sto"3 It 2ust went
on an( on swee"ing things out of the %itchen3
,hen it trie( to swee" all the things off the (resser/ Mollie was frightene(3 ,hate-er woul( Mother sa$ if
she ca'e ho'e to fin( half her cu"s an( saucers an( "lates !ro%en4
0Benn$& .ou 'ust sto" the !roo'&0 crie( the little girl in (is'a$3
Benn$ rushe( o-er to the !roo'3 Mollie followe(3 Benn$ trie( to catch hol( of the han(le/ !ut the !roo'
(o(ge( cle-erl$3 Benn$ trie( again3 The !roo' swung itself roun( an( ra""e( Benn$ har( on the
%nuc%les3
0Oooh&0 $elle( Benn$3 0.ou horri( thing& ,ait till I catch $ou&0
But that's 2ust what Benn$ coul(n't (o& The !roo' wasn't going to !e caught 2ust as it was ha-ing such a
'ar-ellous ti'e3 No/ no& It was too 'uch to as%3
So it (o(ge( an( twiste( an( got in so'e 'ore little ra"s on Benn$'s han(s an( legs3 Benn$ was so
angr$ that he rushe( roun( an( roun( an( roun( after the !roo' an( got so gi(($ that he coul(n't see
where he was going3
He !u'"e( right into Mollie an( the$ !oth fell o-er/ !u'"& The !roo' ga-e the' each a goo( whac%7
an( then/ '$ goo(ness 'e/ it !egan to swee" the' u"&
O-er an( o-er went the two chil(ren/ rolling towar(s the (ust9hea"3 The !roo' was so strong that the$
coul(n't e-en get u"& The$ $elle( an( howle(?/ !ut the !roo' too% no notice3 It wante( to swee"/ an(
swee" it (i(&
Just as Benn$ an( Mollie rolle( to the (ust9hea" their 'other ca'e in at the gate3 t once the !roo'
!eca'e still an( ;uiet/ an( leane( itself against the fence3 Its funn$ little hea( (isa""eare(3 It was a
!roo' as goo( as gol(3
0Benn$& Mollie& ,hat in the worl( (o $ou thin% $ou are (oing40 crie( their 'other3 01et u" at once3 n(
goo(ness 'e7wh$ ha-e $ou ta%en all the 'ats an( chairs an( sauce"ans out here4 5i( $ou 'ean to
throw the' awa$4 .ou !a(/ naught$ chil(ren/ what a 'ess the $ar( is in&0
Benn$ an( Mollie "ic%e( the'sel-es u"/ (ust$ an( (irt$/ their faces tear9staine( an( their hair unti($3
The$ were !oth cr$ing3
0Mother& It wasn't our fault3 It was that horri( !roo'&0 we"t Mollie3 0It's grown a little hea(7an( it !egan to
swee" e-er$thing u"/ e-en us& ,e coul(n't sto" it30
Mother loo%e( roun( at the !roo'3 It ha( no hea( now3 It was a goo(/ ;uiet/ well9!eha-e( !roo'/ leaning
against the fence3 Mother was -er$ angr$3
0I (on't %now how $ou e6"ect 'e to !elie-e fair$tales a!out '$ !roo' growing a hea( an( swee"ing
things out of '$ %itchen& It's ne-er !eha-e( li%e that with 'e@ .ou are (isgraceful chil(ren3 1o straight
in(oors an( u" to !e(&0
Mother went in(oors with her !as%et3 The chil(ren followe( her/ cr$ing3 Just as the$ were going into the
%itchen/ a -oice calle( the'3 The$ turne(/ an( saw the ol( wo'an who ha( ru!!e( the s"ell on the
!roo'3
0That !roo' will alwa$s !e rea($ to swee" $ou u" if $ou (on't !eha-e $oursel-es&0 she calle(3 0Just $ou
!e careful now&0

So the$ are !eing -er$ careful7an( all I ho"e is that I'' there if the$ !egin to !e !a( again/ !ecause I
woul( lo-e to see that !roo' going 'a(/ an( swee"ing u" Mollie an( Benn$/ woul(n't $ou4
The Ol( )e( Cushion
EILEEN's 'other ha( !een ill/ !ut she was 'uch !etter now3 She was allowe( to lea-e her roo' an( go
an( sit (ownstairs in an ar'chair3
Eileen was "lease(3 It was lo-el$ to see Mother (own again/ e-en if she (i( loo% rather "ale an( thin3 The
little girl fusse( roun( her 'other an6iousl$3
0Mother/ which footstool (o $ou want7or woul( $ou rather "ut $our feet high u" on a chair4 ,hich "illow
will $ou ha-e4 Or woul( $ou rather ha-e a cushion40
0I'll ha-e that !ig cushion/0 sai( Mother3 Eileen fetche( it an( trie( to "ac% it gentl$ !ehin( her 'other's
!ac%3
0It's rather a har( cushion/0 she sai(3 0.ou want a (own cushion/ Mother7the$'re so -er$/ -er$ soft3 Li%e
the one 1rann$ has3 It's a "it$ 1rann$ li-es so far awa$ or I coul( go an( fetch it for $ou3 I'' sure she
woul( len( it to $ou30
0Oh/ this one will (o all right/0 sai( Mother/ !ut Eileen coul( see that it wasn't -er$ co'forta!le3
0*erha"s 5a(($ coul( !u$ $ou a nice soft cushion/

2ust for $our !ac%/ Mother/0 she sai(3 But her 'other shoo% her hea(3
0No/ (ear7an( (on't as% hi'/ whate-er $ou (o3 He has ha( such a lot of e6"ense with 'e ill for so long3
He can't affor( a lu6ur$ li%e a new (own cushion& I can easil$ 'a%e (o with this one30
Eileen "ut a rug o-er her 'other's %nees an( "ut her !oo% !esi(e her3 Her 'other thought what a %in(/
lo-ing chil( she ha(3 She s'ile( at her an( Eileen s'ile( !ac%3
0I (o wish I coul( !u$ Mother a reall$ soft cushion/0 thought Eileen/ as she watche( her 'other tr$ing to
'a%e herself co'forta!le with the !ig cushion !ehin( her3 0I %now her !ac% hurts her3 I won(er how 'uch
'one$ I'-e got in '$ 'one$9!o63 I'll go an( see30
She ha( two shillings/ a si6"ence/ an( three "ennies/ !ut that was all3 Two an( nine"ence3 ,oul( that
!u$ a cushion of an$ sort4 Eileen felt certain that it woul(n't3
Still/ she went to the little -illage sho" to fin( out3 Mrs3 Br$an/ the sho"9wo'an/ shoo% her hea(3 0No/ '$
(ear/0 she sai(/ 0I'-e no cushions at that "rice3 .ou'll ne-er get a (own cushion for so little3 The$ cost a
great (eal of 'one$3 The chea"est cushion I'-e got is ten shillings7an( that's not a soft one/ either&0
Eileen went out of the sho" sa(l$3 It wasn't an$ goo( at all tr$ing to get a nice new soft cushion3 She went
(own the little win(ing street an( ca'e to the -illage sweet sho"3 0I'll !u$ a few "e""er'int (ro"s an(
ta%e the' to

ol( Mrs3 Johns/0 she thought su((enl$3 0I alwa$s use( to go an( see her each wee%/ !ut I ha-en't !een
once since I'-e !een loo%ing after Mother3 She (oes so lo-e "e""er'int (ro"s3 I'll s"en( tu""ence on
the'30
She !ought the "e""er'int (ro"s an( set off to the tin$ two9roo'e( cottage in which ol( Mrs3 Johns li-e(
all !$ herself3 She was a -er$ "oor ol( wo'an/ !ut she 'anage( to %ee" her cottage s"ic% an( s"an/ an(
alwa$s ha( a -ase of flowers on her ta!le3
Eileen %noc%e( at the (oor3 0Co'e in&0 crie( Mrs3 Johns' rather ;ua-er$ -oice3 Eileen "ushe( o"en the
(oor an( went in3 There was ol( Mrs3 Johns/ sitting %nitting in her roc%ing9chair/ roc%ing herself to an( fro
all the ti'e3
0,ell/ if it isn't little Miss Eileen&0 sai( the ol( la($3 0That 'eans $our 'other's a !it !etter/ I %now& h/ I'-e
wishe( I coul( sen( her so'ething whilst she's !een ill7!ut I ha-en't ha( a "enn$ to s"are/ not one&0
Eileen %new how "oor Mrs3 Johns was3 Once/ when she !ro%e her tea"ot/ she ha( to 'a%e her tea in a
2ug for three wee%s/ !ecause she ha(n't enough 'one$ to !u$ a new one3 In the en( Eileen ga-e her a
little "ot fro' her !iggest (oll's tea9set an( Mrs3 Johns sai( it 'a(e the !est tea she ha( e-er ha(3
0I'-e !rought $ou so'e "e""er'ints/0 sai( Eileen an( "ut the' in the ol( la($'s la"3
0That's %in( of $ou/0 sai( Mrs3 Johns an( o"ene( the !ag with tre'!ling han(s3 0M$/ what nice ones& n(
how's $our 'other now4 .ou tell 'e all a!out it30
Eileen tol( her3 She tol( her a!out the cushion/ too3
0I'-e !een tr$ing to !u$ one for her/ to "ut !ehin( her "oor !ac%/0 she sai(3 0But I'-e onl$ got two an( nine9
"ence7no/ two an( se-en"ence now7so I can't3 5a(($ can't !u$ one either/ !ecause there are so 'an$
!ills to "a$ since Mother's !een ill30
0h/ it's a har( worl(&0 sai( Mrs3 Johns3 05o $ou %now I'-e got to 'o-e out of here/ Miss Eileen4 .es/ I
ha-e& M$ lan(lor('s going to raise the rent/ an( I can't "a$ an$ 'ore3 So out I shall ha-e to get&0
0Oh/ Mrs3 Johns7!ut $ou lo-e this little cottage so 'uch&0 sai( Eileen3 0,here-er will $ou go40
0I'll ha-e to go to '$ niece/ Sarah/0 sai( Mrs3 Johns gloo'il$3 Eileen %new how she woul( hate that3
Sarah was i'"atient an( !a(9te'"ere( an( woul( 'a%e life 'isera!le for the ol( la($3
0,ell/ there now/ (on't let's thin% of such 'iseries&0 sai( Mrs3 Johns/ !eginning to %nit again3 0Let's each
ha-e a "e""er'int (ro" an( tal% of nicer things&0 s the$ tal%e(/ Mrs3 Johns was thin%ing of what Eileen
ha( sai( a!out the cushion3 Her e$es went to the ol( sofa on which the little girl was sitting3 There was an
ol( re( cushion there/ -er$ worn an( sha!!$3 But it was 'a(e of (own&
0I'-e 2ust thought of so'ething&0 sai( Mrs3 Johns/ !ea'ing3 0See that ol( re( cushion !ehin( $ou/ Miss
Eileen4 ,ell/ the insi(e of it is (own& M$ ol( 'other/ she use( to %ee" (uc%s/ an( she stuffe( two "illows
an( a cushion with (own3 It's as soft as can !e/ that cushion3 .ou ta%e it for $our 'other30
0Oh7!ut I coul(n't ta%e $our cushion&0 sai( Eileen3 0n( I ha-e alrea($ tol( $ou that I'-e onl$

got two an( se-en"ence sa-e( u"30
0,ell/ now/ I'll tell $ou what to (o with that 'one$&0 sai( Mrs3 Johns3 0.ou s"en( it on so'e stuff to 'a%e
a "rett$ new co-er& .ou can easil$ get so'e at the -illage sho"3 .ou can ri" awa$ that ol( re( co-er7it's
sha!!$ an( fa(e( an( the e(ging is ragge(3 Then $ou can 'a%e a new co-er an( sli" it on an( sew
it u"&0
0Oh&0 sai( Eileen/ (elighte(3 0.es/ I coul(3 Oh/ Mrs3 Johns7it's a lo-el$ i(ea& But $ou shoul(n't reall$ gi-e
'e $our (own cushion/ I %now $ou shoul(n't30
0Oh/ an( who s"ent their 'one$ on !u$ing 'e "e""er'int (ro"s/ I shoul( li%e to %now40 sai( Mrs3

Johns3 0n( who ga-e 'e the !est tea"ot out of her (oll's tea9set4 n( who 33340
Eileen laughe(3 0Those were onl$ little things/0 she sai(3
0n( so is this onl$ a little thing/0 sai( Mrs3 Johns3 0.ou let 'e (o a !it of %in(ness/ too7it's not often I
can/ a "oor ol( wo'an li%e 'e& Now $ou ta%e that ol( re( cushion ho'e with $ou an( on the wa$ !u$ a
nice !it of stuff to co-er it with3 Then $ou can ri" off the ol( co-er an( "ut on the new one7an( $our
'other will ha-e a nice soft cushion for her "oor !ac% to'orrow&0
0Than% $ou/0 sai( Eileen/ an( too% u" the ol( cushion3 0I 'ust go now3 I'll co'e an( tell $ou whether I
ha-e 'a(e the cushion loo% nice or not in a (a$ or two& n( I ho"e $ou won't ha-e to turn out of $our
(ear little cottage&0
0h well/ I'' "ra$ing it won't !e so/0 sai( the ol( wo'an3 0It's nice to ha-e $our own little "lace when
$ou're ol(30
On the wa$ ho'e Eileen !ought so'e "rett$ re( an( !lue stuff to 'a%e a new cushion co-er3 She felt
-er$ "lease(3 >in( ol( Mrs3 Johns& Now Mother coul( ha-e a reall$ soft cushion3
t ho'e that night Eileen set to wor%3 She un(i( the ol( co-er an( sli""e( it off3 <n(erneath was another
co-er/ ol(er still& It was a (irt$ green3 Eileen too% that
off/ too3
0Oh (ear7there's $et another one&0 she sai( in (is'a$3 0*eo"le ha-e 2ust "ut new co-ers on o-er the ol(
ones7what a funn$ i(ea&0
s she was ta%ing off the thir( ol( co-er/ so'ething crac%le( un(erneath3 Eileen felt it3 It see'e( li%e
"a"er of so'e sort3 How ;ueer&
She too% off the thir( co-er7an( there/ sewn into a %in( of "oc%et on the fourth co-er/ was a thin !un(le
of "a"ers& The little girl "ulle( the' out3
The$ were "oun( notes& Eileen stare( at the' in the greatest sur"rise3 0*oun( notes& Hea"s of the'&
,hoe-er "ut the' there40 she sai( in sur"rise3 01racious/ I won(er if Mrs3 Johns %nows a!out these& I
won(er if it's too late to go an( tell her30
Eileen was so e6cite( that she sli""e( out of the house straight awa$ an( ran (own to the -illage3 Mrs3
Johns was 'ost sur"rise( to see her3
0Mrs3 Johns& Loo% what I'-e foun( insi(e $our ol( re( cushion&0 crie( Eileen3 0First there was the re(
co-er/ then there was a green one an( then a thir( one7an( sewn in a %in( of "oc%et on the fourth co-er
were these "oun( notes&0
0*oun( notes7hea"s of the'&0 sai( ol( Mrs3 Johns3 0So that's what ha""ene( to '$ ol( 'other's
sa-ings& She alwa$s (i( sa$ she'( hi((en the' awa$
safel$7!ut no!o($ %new where3 n( when she (ie(/ -er$ su((enl$/ we coul( ne-er fin( the'30
0So the$ !elong to $ou& Oh/ Mrs3 Johns/ now $ou won't ha-e to lea-e $our little cottage/ will $ou40 crie(
Eileen3 0.ou will ha-e "lent$ of 'one$ to "a$ 'ore rent30
0So I shall/ so I shall/0 sai( the ol( wo'an/ an( a tear ran (own her chee%3 0To thin% of such a thing& Oh/
Miss Eileen/ it was the %in( thought $ou ha( for $our 'other that's !rought all this goo( luc%&0
0No/ no7it was $our %in(ness in gi-ing 'e $our (own cushion&0 crie( Eileen3 0Oh/ I'' so gla( for $ou/
Mrs3 Johns30
0Now $ou ta%e two "oun(s of this/0 sai( Mrs3 Johns3 0.ou !u$ a fine "resent for $our 'other7an( one for
$ourself&0
0Oh no&0 sai( Eileen3 0That's a lot 'one$&0
0I feel rich now/0 sai( Mrs3 Johns3 0I can re"a$ '$ frien(s for the %in(nesses the$'-e so often shown 'e3
n( it's a won(erful feeling to return a !it of %in(ness/ Miss Eileen3 .ou ta%e the 'one$ now/ straight
awa$/ an( gi-e 'e a !it of "leasure to9night/ thin%ing of the fine "resents $ou'll !u$&0
But Eileen woul( onl$ ta%e one "oun( note/ to s"en( on her 'other3 She woul( s"en( it on fruit an(
!oo%s3 She s"e( ho'e to tell her 'other all a!out it3
She finishe( co-ering the cushion3 It was so soft7 e6actl$ what her 'other wante( !ehin( her !ac%&
0It's reall$ lo-el$/ (ear/0 sai( Mother/ leaning !ac%
on it3 0Just right3 Than% $ou so 'uch for co-ering it
for 'e so !eautifull$& n( now I 'ust write a little

note to than% Mrs3 Johns for her %in(ness to 'e& I reall$ can't let her gi-e $ou a "oun( to s"en( on 'e/
"oor ol( la($&0
But Eileen (i( s"en( it on her 'other/ an( how she en2o$e( it& She !ought her gra"es one (a$ an( a
"each the ne6t/ an( a new !oo% the ne6t/ an( a 'aga#ine the ne6t3 How nice it was to feel reall$
e6tra-agant li%e that&
Mrs3 Johns (i(n't ha-e to 'o-e/ of course3 She ha( "lent$ of 'one$ now to "a$ 'ore rent3 Eileen went to
see her the ne6t wee%/ an( there/ sitting on the sofa/ was the !iggest (oll she ha( e-er seen&
0Oh/ what a !eaut$&0 she sai(3 0Is it for one of $our great9nieces/ Mrs3 Johns40
0It's for a little girl I %now/0 sai( Mrs3 Johns3 0I'-e calle( the (oll Eileen/ after the little girl& It can shut an(
o"en its e$es/ an( all its clothes co'e off/ right (own to its -est3 n( loo% at its real e$elashes an( its tin$
fingernails& .ou'll !e her 'other/ Eileen/ so see $ou loo% after her well&0
,hat (o $ou thin% of that4 Eileen coul( har(l$ !elie-e it3 She "ic%e( u" the (oll an( nurse( her3 0I (on't
(eser-e $ou/0 she sai(3 0I reall$ (on't&0
But Mrs3 Johns sai( she (i(7an( I agree with her/ (on't $ou4
*ee" into the Magic Mirror
Jennifer wo%e u" with a 2u'"3 She sat u" in !e(3 1oo(ness gracious& ,hat was all that noise4
She reache( o-er to her !rother's !e( an( wo%e hi'/ too3 0Ben2$& ,a%e u"& There's such a noise&0
Ben2$ sat u" in alar'3 Bells were ringing/ so'eone was !lowing a tru'"et/ an( there was the noise of
gongs !eing !ange( lou(l$3
0Oh/ Jennifer7how sill$ of us& It's the "eo"le welco'ing in the New .ear/0 sai( Ben2$ at last3 0.ou %now
Mu''$ tol( us7e-er$one was going to ring !ells an( !ang gongs at 'i(night30
0So she (i(7an( I'( ;uite forgotten/0 sai( Jennifer3 01oo(ness/ I was awfull$ frightene(30
She got out of !e( an( leane( out of the win(ow with her ei(er(own roun( her3 0There are lights
e-er$where7"eo"le with la'"s an( lanterns3 n( there's Mr3 Brown !anging his gong7an( I (o !elie-e
that's Mr3 Trent !lowing a tru'"et7how ;ueer in the 'i((le of the night30
Then she 2u'"e( in fright/ !ecause a low -oice s"o%e al'ost in her ear3 0E6cuse 'e7'a$ I co'e in
for a 'inute4 The$ thin% the$'re welco'ing 'e in/ !ut reall$ I feel rather scare(&0
Jennifer (rew !ac%/ won(ering an( a little alar'e(3 ,ho was sitting in the tree outsi(e her win(ow4 She
soon %new3
In ca'e so'eone who loo%e( li%e a s'all chil(/ with fair curl$ hair an( a white ro!e to his %nees with a
gir(le roun( his waist3 Ben2$ stare( at hi' in sur"rise3
0,h$7$ou're 2ust li%e the "icture of the little New .ear I saw in the "a"ers $ester(a$/0 he sai(3
0I a' the little New .ear/0 sai( the chil(9li%e creature3 0I'' $oung now7!ut if $ou saw 'e ne6t Christ'as
$ou'( thin% I was as ol( as Santa Claus3 It onl$ ta%es twel-e 'onths for 'e to grow fro' a little New .ear
to a "oor !ent Ol( .ear3 Oh (ear7to thin% of all the things that are going to ha""en in '$ twel-e 'onths&0
05o $ou %now what's going to ha""en/ then40 as%e( Jennifer/ in sur"rise3 0Loo%7wra" this ei(er(own
roun( $ou3 .ou'll !e col(30
0Oh no7I'' not col(/0 sai( the little fellow/ an( he sat (own at the en( of the !e(3 0,ell7I (on't %now
e6actl$ what's going to ha""en7!ut I (aresa$ '$ 'agic 'irror (oes30
0Magic 'irror& Ha-e $ou a 'agic 'irror40 crie( Ben2$3 0Let 'e see it3 ,hat will it show 'e4 ll the things
that will ha""en ne6t $ear40
0*erha"s/0 sai( the little New .ear3 He too% a s'all/ roun( 'irror fro' his clothes an( hel( it u" to the
chil(ren3 0This is it3 If $ou loo% into it/ it will show $ou ha""enings in $our New .ear30

0Oh7(o let's loo%/0 sai( Jennifer/ an( she "eere( into it e6cite(l$3 0.ou loo%/ too/ Ben2$3 ,e'll loo%
together3 Isn't it ;ueer4 It shines so !rightl$/ an( $et when we loo% into it it isn't li%e loo%ing into a 'irror7
it's li%e loo%ing through a win(ow30 Jennifer ga-e a s;ueal3
0Oh/ Ben2$7I can see $ou in the 'irror7$ou're sli(ing on the ice7oh/ $ou'-e gone in7the ice is crac%e(
an( $ou'-e fallen in3 Ben2$/ Ben2$/ what's ha""ening to $ou40
The "icture fa(e( awa$3 Ben2$ loo%e( worrie(3 nother "icture ca'e3 This ti'e it was of Jennifer7 an(/
oh (ear/ she was in !e( with s"ots all o-er her face3 She loo%e( -er$ 'isera!le in(ee(3
0Oh/ loo%7there's $ou/ Jenn$7an( $ou're ill in !e( with 'easles or so'ething/0 sai( Ben2$3 0I (on't li%e
it30
nother "icture ca'e7of Ben2$ an( Jennifer together7an( the$ were !eing chase( !$ an angr$ 'an
who loo%e( li%e a far'er& Oh (ear/ this was worse an( worse3
Other "ictures ca'e7of Ben2$ cr$ing !ig tears/ an( hol(ing a letter in his han( to sa$ he ha(n't won the
scholarshi" he so 'uch wante(3 n( then there was one of Jenn$ in "art$ clothes ha-ing her han(
!an(age(7an(/ oh (ear/ her lo-el$ (ress was scorche( an( !urne(/ an( she was cr$ing !itterl$3
0Oh/ (on't show us an$ 'ore/0 she sai(3 0I can't !ear it3 ll the "ictures are terri!le3 Surel$ all those
(rea(ful things aren't going to ha""en to us40
0,ell7the$ 'a$0 sai( the little New .ear3 He ha(
!een watching the 'irror/ too3 0The$ nee(n't/ of course3 It all (e"en(s on $oursel-es3 For instance/ Ben2$
certainl$ won't fall in the "on( if he o!e$s his father an( (oesn't sli(e on the ice till he's tol( he can30
0But what a!out 'e with 'easles40 as%e( Jenn$3
0h well7$ou'll !e tol( not to go an( "la$ with a frien( of $ours who is ill/0 sai( the New .ear3 0If $ou (o/
$ou'll catch 'easles fro' her/ no (ou!t a!out that7an( into !e( $ou'll go3 n( (i( $ou see that "icture of
$ou !oth !eing chase( !$ a far'er4 ,ell/ $ou "ro!a!l$ left his gates o"en or threw stones at his (uc%s7
an( that's wh$ he's chasing $ou3 If $ou're sill$ or un%in(/ that's what will ha""en&0
0I see/0 sai( Ben2$3 0n( what a!out 'e howling !ecause I (i(n't win the scholarshi"4 ren't I going to win
it4 I (o so want to30
0,ell/ $ou will if $ou wor% har(7!ut if $ou (on't/ that's a "icture of $ourself !eing sorr$ !ecause $ou'-e
!een la#$ an( ha-en't won it/0 sai( the New .ear3
0n( the last "icture7of 'e with '$ han( hurt/ an( '$ clothes all scorche( an( !urnt/0 sai( Jennifer/
fearfull$3 0,hat's ha""ening there40
0I e6"ect $ou'-e "la$e( with 'atches an( got $ourself on fire/0 sai( the little New .ear3 0It loo%s li%e it3 But
wh$ (o $ou loo% so worrie(4 These things ha-en't ha""ene( $et&0
0But the$'re going to ha""en/ aren't the$40 sai( Jenn$/ !eginning to cr$3 0The$'re in the 'irror7an( it's
'agic/0
0.ou're onl$ loo%ing at one si(e of the 'irror&''

sai( the little New .ear/ an( he turne( his 'irror roun( so that the other si(e glea'e( in front of the'/
clear an( e'"t$3 0Those are the horri( things that the $ear 'a$ hol( for $ou3 Here are so'e of the nice
ones&0
The chil(ren watche( as 'ore "ictures ca'e7 ha""$ "ictures of Jenn$ laughing an( (ancing at a "art$/
of Ben2$ ri(ing an ele"hant at the Aoo/ of the' !oth winning "ri#es at school/ of Ben2$ !eing cla""e( on
the !ac% !ecause he ha( won a scholarshi"333 ah/ 'uch nicer "ictures than the others&
0But7how can !oth these sets of things ha""en40 as%e( Jennifer/ sur"rise(3 0Ben2$ can't lose the
scholarshi" an( win it/ too&0
0.ou're rather slow at un(erstan(ing/ aren't $ou40

sai( the little fellow/ "utting his 'irror awa$ again3 0n$ of the things 'ight ha""en/ !ut which ha""en in
the en( (e"en(s on $ou an( $our !eha-iour now& 5on't $ou see4 If Ben2$'s la#$ he won't get the
scholarshi"7if he wor%s har(/ he will3 So either of the things 'a$ ha""en3 It all (e"en(s on hi'3 n( if
$ou (iso!e$ $our 'other an( "la$ with 'atches/ $ou'll certainl$ get !urnt3 But if $ou are sensi!le/ $ou will
lea-e the 'atches alone7an( instea( of getting !urnt $ou'll "ro!a!l$ go to a "art$3 5i(n't $ou notice that
it was a "art$ (ress in the "icture that was scorche(40 0.es/ I (i(/0 sai( Jennifer3 She sat an( thought for
a long ti'e3 0I un(erstan( what $ou 'ean now/ little New .ear/0 she sai( at last3 0.ou 'ean that all sorts
of things are going to ha""en7!ut we 'a%e the' ha""en oursel-es3 Oh/ I'' gla( I'-e "ee"e( into $our
'agic 'irror3 Now I %now what to (o3 But wh$ (on't $ou show e-er$one $our 'irror4 Let the' see the
things that 'ight ha""en/ then e-er$one woul( !e e6tra careful to (o sensi!le/ right things/ an( tr$ to !e
goo( an( generous30
0I ha-en't ti'e/0 sai( the little New .ear3 0Besi(es7"eo"le woul(n't !elie-e 'e3 I'' gla( $ou (o3 I thin%
$ou'll ha-e a ha""$ New .ear now&0
He sli""e( across to the win(ow/ cli'!e( into the tree an( sli( (own it3 01oo(!$e/0 he sai(3 0The noise
has sto""e(3 I 'ust go an( fin( the First of Januar$&0
Off he went3 The chil(ren la$ (own in !e(/ "u##le( an( won(ering7an( in the 'i((le of their won(ering
the$ fell fast aslee"/ an( (i(n't wa%e till the 'orning3
Mother ca'e into the roo'3 0,a%e u"& Ha""$ New .ear to $ou !oth&0 she sai(3
Jenn$ sat u"3 She loo%e( across at Ben2$3 She re'e'!ere( the strange -isitor the$ ha( seen the night
!efore3 Or ha(n't the$4 ,as it a (rea'4
She calle( softl$ to Ben2$3 0Ben2$& 5o $ou re'e'!er the 'agic 'irror40
0I shall ne-er forget it/0 sai( Ben2$3 0Ne-er3 Jenn$/ let's tell e-er$one a!out it3 *eo"le ought to %now that
it's the'sel-es that 'a%e a $ear ha""$ or sa(30
.es/ the$ ought to %now it/ an( that's wh$ I'' telling it to $ou/ so that $ou can 'a%e $ours a ha""$ one3

n( what a!out Jenn$ an( Ben2$4 ,ell/ the$ are sensi!le chil(ren/ so I (on't thin% the$ will fall in an ic$
"on(/ get chase( !$ a far'er/ !urn the'sel-es/ or lose scholarshi"s7!ut if the$ (o/ I'll !e sure to tell
$ou3
She Sta'"e( Her Foot
Matil(a ha( a (rea(ful te'"er3 ,hen she was in a rage she went re( in the face/ shoute(7an( then
sta'"e( her foot&
0Matil(a& *lease (on't sta'" $our foot at 'e&0 sai( her 'other crossl$3 0No 'atter what $ou want/ I shan't
gi-e it to $ou if $ou sta'" li%e that3 It's ru(e30
Matil(a sta'"e( her foot again3 It wasn't a !it of goo(7she was 2ust sent u" to !e(&
So after that she (i(n't sta'" her foot at her 'other an$ 'ore7onl$ at Jane the 'ai(/ 1eorge the
gar(ener/ an( her little frien(s3 The$ coul(n't sen( her to !e(7!ut the$ (i(n't li%e her at all when she
sta'"e( her foot at the'3
One afternoon Matil(a went to "ic% !lac%!erries in Far'er 1ile's fiel(3 She %new where there was a fine
he(ge of the'7an( as the$ were the last of the autu'n's feast of !lac%!erries/ she 'eant to ha-e a -er$
nice ti'e&
But she foun( a little ol( la($ there/ "ic%ing awa$ fast/ an( "utting the !ig 2uic$ !lac%!erries into her
!as%et3 Matil(a stare( in rage3
0I ca'e to "ic% these !lac%!erries/0 she sai(3

0So (i( I/0 sai( the ol( la($/ still "ic%ing3
0I saw the' the other (a$/ an( I sai( to '$self that the$ shoul( !e 'ine an( no one else's/0 sai( Matil(a/
going re( in the face3
0How funn$& That's 2ust what I sai( to '$self&0 sai( the ol( (a'e/ still "ic%ing har(3
Matil(a stare( crossl$/ 0I want those !lac%!erries&0 she sai(3
0So (o I/0 sai( the ol( la($3 0.ou can share the'/ can't $ou40
0.ou'-e "ic%e( all the !iggest3 .ou're gree($/0 sai( ru(e Matil(a3
0,hat an un"leasant chil( $ou are&0 sai( the ol( (a'e/ staring at Matil(a out of curious green e$es3
Those e$es shoul( ha-e warne( Matil(a that the ol( la($ was 'agic/ for "eo"le with green e$es are not
the sa'e as or(inar$ fol%3
0.ou're not to tal% to 'e li%e that&0 sai( Matil(a7 an( she sta'"e( her foot3 0.ou're not to/ $ou're not to&0
05on't sta'" $our foot at 'e/ or $ou'll !e sorr$&0 sai( the ol( la($/ an( her e$es loo%e( rather fierce3 But
(i( Matil(a care4 Not she&
She lost her te'"er all in a hurr$/ an( !egan to shout an( sta'"3 0I want those !lac%!erries& BSta'"/
sta'"&C I want those !lac%!erries& BSta'"/ sta'"&C I want those !lac%!erries& BSta'"/ sta'"/ STM*&C0
The ol( la($ loo%e( at Matil(a in the greatest sur"rise3 0M$ (ear little girl/0 she sai(/ 0$ou shoul(n't ha-e
!een a chil( at all3 .ou shoul( ha-e !een a "on$& Then $ou coul( (o all the sta'"ing $ou "lease&0
01i-e 'e those !lac%!erries&0 shoute( Matil(a/ an( she sta'"e( so hea-il$ on the grass that she
s;uashe( it flat3
0I (on't 'in( horses sta'"ing at 'e/ !ut I won't ha-e little girls !eha-ing li%e this/0 sai( the ol( (a'e/ an(
she wa-e( a thin !rown han( at Matil(a3 0Be a "on$& )un awa$ an( sta'" all $ou li%e&0
n( then/ to Matil(a's enor'ous (is'a$/ she foun( that she was no longer a little girl/ !ut a s'all !rown
"on$ with a white star on its hea(& She ha( four legs an( a long tail&
She sta'"e( with her forefoot on the grass/ an( o"ene( her 'outh to shout7!ut she neighe( instea(8
0Na$ 9 ha$ 9 ha$ 9 ha$ 9 ha$& Na$ 9 ha$ 9 ha$ 9 ha$ 9ha$&0
0,ell/ if $ou want ha$/ go an( get it/0 sai( the ol( la($/ going on with her "ic%ing3 Matil(a was frightene(
!$ her horse9-oice an( ran awa$ roun( the fiel(3 Oh (ear/ this was (rea(ful& She was a "on$7 fanc$
that/ a "on$& She coul(n't s"ea% li%e a little girl3 She coul(n't "ic% !lac%!erries/ for she ha( no han(s3 She
coul( still sta'"/ an( she coul( wa-e a long tail a!out7how -er$/ -er$ ;ueer&
Matil(a wante( to go ho'e/ so she ran to the fiel( gate3 But it was shut3 Matil(a sta'"e( her foot/ an(
the ol( la($ laughe(3
0Sta'" awa$& I alwa$s lo-e to see a horse sta'"ing with its hoof7it's right for horses to "aw the groun(&
Sta'" all $ou li%e/ little "on$/ an( en2o$ $ourself&0
But Matil(a wasn't en2o$ing herself one !it3 Su""osing the far'er ca'e !$ an( "ut her into the

shafts of a cart to carr$ his goo(s to 'ar%et4 Su""ose he wante( to ri(e her4 He was such a !ig hea-$
'an3 n( what a!out her foo(4 ,oul( she ha-e to eat grass4
Matil(a "ut her !ig "on$9hea( (own to ni!!le the grass to see what it taste( li%e3 It was horri(& She still
ha( the tastes an( feelings of a little girl although she ha( the !o($ of a "on$& ,hate-er was she going to
(o4 ,h$/ oh/ wh$ ha( she sta'"e( at that ol( wo'an4
Just then 1eorge/ John/ Luc$ an( Fre( ca'e into the fiel(3 0Loo%&0 crie( Fre(3 0 new "on$& Let's ri(e
hi'&0
Matil(a was full of horror3 ,hat7let those chil(ren ri(e on her !ac%4 Ne-er& She ran awa$ to a corner of
the fiel(/ an( the chil(ren followe(3
The "on$ sta'"e( her foot at the'/ an( the chil(ren laughe(3 0He's li%e Matil(a&0 the$ crie(3 0He sta'"s
his foot 2ust li%e Matil(a&0
Just then the chil(ren's 'other ca'e along an( calle( the'3 0Co'e out of the fiel(/ chil(ren3 There's no
ti'e to "la$ !efore tea3 Co'e along30
Tea& Matil(a felt hungr$3 How she wishe( she coul( go ho'e to eat ca%es/ an( 2a' too3 But what woul(
her 'other sa$ if a "on$ ca'e running into the house4
Still7she woul( go ho'e3 *erha"s her 'other woul( %now her e-en though she was now a "on$3 Matil(a
crie( a few !ig tears out of her large "on$9e$es3 She cantere( out of the gate that the chil(ren ha(
carelessl$ left o"en/ an( went (own the lane to her ho'e3 The (oor was o"en3 The "on$ cantere( insi(e
7

an( there was her 'other/ la$ing the tea3
01oo( gracious& horse co'ing to tea&0 sai( Matil(a's 'other3 0I ne-er hear( of such a thing& Shoo&
Shoo& 1o out at once30
Matil(a went right into the roo' an( "ut her !ig "on$9hea( on her 'other's shoul(er3 Tears ran (own her
!ig !rown "on$9nose3
0,ell/ loo% at this&0 crie( her 'other in the greatest a'a#e'ent3 0 "on$ cr$ing on '$ shoul(er& *oor
creature/ what's the 'atter40
Matil(a trie( to get on to her 'other's %nee/ !ut of course/ !eing a "on$/ she coul(n't "ossi!l$3
0Now/ "on$/ (on't !e sill$/0 sai( her 'other/ "ushing it awa$3 05o $ou thin% $ou're a little (og or so'ething/
tr$ing to sit on '$ %nee4 .ou'll !e !orrowing '$ han(%erchief to wi"e $our e$es ne6t& 5ear/ (ear/ I (on't
un(erstan( this& I 'ust !e in a (rea'30
-oice s"o%e fro' the (oorwa$3 0No7$ou are not in a (rea'3 That is Matil(a7!ut she sta'"e( her foot
at 'e/ so I change( her into a "on$ for a ti'e3 Horses 'a$ sta'" when the$ "lease/ !ut not chil(ren&0
0Oh (ear/ oh (ear&0 crie( Matil(a's 'other/ "utting her ar's roun( the "on$'s nec%3 0Now I un(erstan(
what this "oor "on$ wants3 Ol( wo'an/ $ou are 'agic& Change '$ little girl to her own sha"e/ "lease& I
a' sure she will ne-er/ ne-er sta'" her foot at $ou again&0
0,ill $ou e-er sta'" $our foot again/ Matil(a40 the ol( (a'e as%e( the "on$3 It shoo% its !ig hea( at
once3 The ol( wo'an wa-e( her han(7an( lo an( !ehol(& the "on$ (isa""eare(/ an( there was Matil(a/
loo%ing rather s'all an( scare(3
01oo(9!$e/0 sai( the ol( la($3 0)e'e'!er that onl$ horses sta'"7so !e careful $ou (on't change into
one again3 .ou ne-er %now&0
She went out/ with her !as%et of !lac%!erries3 Matil(a loo%e( at her 'other3
05on't let 'e sta'" '$ foot an$ 'ore&0 she we"t/ gla( to fin( that she (i(n't neigh this ti'e3
0,ell/ $ou 'ust tr$ an( re'e'!er $ourself/0 sai( her 'other3 0I can't tell $our feet what to (o&0
Matil(a laughe( through her tears3 0I'll tr$ an( re'e'!er/0 she sai(3 0I (on't want to eat grass an$ 'ore7
an( $ou (on't want a "on$ sta'"ing a!out the %itchen/ (o $ou/ Mother40
ll the sa'e/ I ho"e I'' there if Matil(a e-er (oes sta'" her foot again7it woul( !e so sur"rising to see
her change into a "on$&

The +er$ Fierce Car"enter
Mr3 Chi" the car"enter ha( a -er$ e6citing wor%sho"3 He was alwa$s 'a%ing or 'en(ing all %in(s of
things an( the !o$s lo-e( to go an( loo% at his tools3 He ha( so 'an$7ha''ers/ saws/ screw(ri-ers/
chisels7an( it was 'ar-ellous to watch the wa$ he use( the'3
But Mr3 Chi" (i(n't li%e the !o$s3 0Little "ests&0 he calle( the'3 0Misera!le little 'ischiefs& )u(e little
'on%e$s&0
So/ of course/ although the !o$s li%e( Mr3 Chi"'s sho" the$ (i(n't li%e hi'3 The$ 'a(e u" a -er$ sill$
ga'e 2ust to tease hi'3 The ga'e was to (art into his sho" an( "ic% u" so'e sha-ings fro' the floor
!efore he coul( sto" the'3 t the en( of the wee% the !o$s each counte( their sha-ings an( the one who
ha( the 'ost was their lea(er for the ne6t wee%3
0It's a -er$ sill$ ga'e/0 sai( Jac%'s 'other/ when she hear( of it3 0n( it will onl$ 'a%e Mr3 Chi" angr$30
0But the sha-ings aren't worth an$thing to hi'/ an( it's fun to see who can get the 'ost/0 sai( Jac%3 0He
shoul(n't !e so cross an( gru'"$/ Mother3 He (oesn't e-en li%e us to watch hi' when he's 'a%ing
so'ething7an( he's reall$ -er$ cle-er30
This sill$ ga'e reall$ 'a(e Mr3 Chi" -er$ cross in(ee(7so cross that one (a$ he !ought a (og& It was
onl$ a "u""$ at first/ !ut it woul( soon grow3 0n( I'll teach hi' to fl$ at an$ !o$ who (ares to co'e into
'$ sho"&0 sai( Mr3 Chi"/ ha''ering awa$3
The !o$s woul( ha-e li%e( the "u""$7an( the "u""$ woul( ha-e li%e( the !o$s7!ut Mr3 Chi" taught it
to !ar% an( fl$ at an$ !o$ who (are( to (art into his sho" to "ic% u" a sha-ing3 Soon the "u""$ coul(
growl an( show its teeth3
0One of these (a$s that "u""$ will !e a !ig (og/ an( will !ite one of $ou/0 Jac%'s 'other sai(3 0It's too !a(
of Mr3 Chi" to 'a%e it so fierce7I (o wish $ou !o$s woul( sto" teasing the car"enter3 .ou 'a%e hi'
fierce/ too/ an( he's not reall$ a !a( fellow at all30
The "u""$ grew an( grew3 It a(ore( Mr3 Chi"/ an( Mr3 Chi" thought it was the !est (og in the worl(3 He
an( the (og were alwa$s together/ e6ce"t when Mr3 Chi" sent it for his "a"er in the afternoon3
0Now/ ,ags7off $ou go for '$ "a"er/0 he woul( sa$3 n( ,ags woul( run out of the sho" to the "a"er
'an at the corner/ an( !ring !ac% a "a"er in his 'outh3 The !o$s thought that was -er$ cle-er of hi'3
The$ were afrai( of ,ags now3 He see'e( as fierce as his 'aster& It was ;uite (angerous to (art into the
sho" an( "ic% u" a sha-ing3 *eter nearl$ got !itten&

0Horri!le (og7an( horri!le 'aster&0 sai( >enneth3 0I'-e a goo( 'in( to throw a stone at ,ags when he
goes to fetch the afternoon "a"er for Mr3 Chi"30
0No/ (on't/0 sai( Jac%3 0That woul( !e a hateful thing to (o30
The !o$s foun( that the onl$ safe ti'e to (art into the sho" an( snatch u" sha-ings fro' the floor was
when ,ags was out fetching the afternoon "a"er& But Mr3 Chi" was rea($ for the'& He caught >enneth
!$ his collar an( shoo% hi' till the !o$ was afrai( !is teeth woul( fall out3
He caught Ne( an( ru!!e( his nose in a "ile of saw(ust3 He nearl$ caught Jac%/ an( !ellowe( so lou(l$
at hi' that Jac% (ro""e( the sha-ings he ha( snatche( u"&
0Little "est& ,ait till I get $ou&0 he roare(3 0I'll set '$ (og on $ou&0
Now Jac% ha( a -er$ !ig woo(en engine/ "ainte( re(3 It wasn't !ig enough for hi' to get into the ca!/
which was a "it$7!ut it was ;uite !ig enough to ta%e with hi' when he went sho""ing for his 'other/
!ecause it coul( carr$ all the things he !ought& He use( to stuff the' into the ca! of his !ig re( engine/
an( ta%e the' ho'e li%e that3
The other !o$s thought it a gran( engine3 0Be gran(er still if it ha( truc%s/0 sai( >enneth3 0,e coul( all go
sho""ing together then for our 'others/ an( use a truc% each for our "arcels3 That woul( 'a%e sho""ing
fun30
0,ell/ there's onl$ roo' for '$ sho""ing/0 sai(

Jac%/ afrai( that the !o$s 'ight want to use his engine for all their "arcels/ too3 It woul( !e -er$ hea-$ to
"ull then& 0This %in( of woo(en engine (oesn't ha-e truc%s&0
The 'others all s'ile( to see Jac% go sho""ing/ "ulling his !ig engine along e'"t$ first of all7an( then
going !ac% with the ca! "ile( high with all %in(s of things3 It was won(erful what that engine carrie(& It
e-en 'anage( to !ring ho'e half a sac% of "otatoes once3
One afternoon Jac%'s 'other calle( hi'3 0Jac%& ,here are $ou4 Oh/ $ou're there/ rea(ing3 I'' so sorr$/
(ear/ !ut I ;uite forgot to as% $ou to ta%e $our !la#er to !e cleane( when $ou went sho""ing this 'orning3
It won't !e !ac% in ti'e for the !eginning of ter' if $ou (on't ta%e it to9(a$3 ,ill $ou ta%e it now for 'e40
0)ight/ Mother/0 sai( Jac% cheerfull$3 He reall$ was a -er$ goo(9te'"ere( !o$3 He got u" an( went to
fetch his engine3
0Oh/ (on't !other to ta%e $our engine/ 2ust to carr$ $our !la#er&0 sai( his 'other3 0Surel$ $ou can ta%e it
o-er $our ar'/ Jac%&0
0M$ engine li%es a run/0 sai( Jac%3 0It's 2ust li%e a (og30
He "ulle( the !ig engine fro' its "lace in the hall cu"!oar(/ an( stuffe( the !la#er into the ca!3 Then he
haule( on the ro"e3 0Co'e on/0 he sai(3 0,e'll hurr$ there an( !ac%/ an( then I can get on with '$ !oo%30
But so'ething ha""ene( on the wa$ there3 Mr3

Chi" ha( sent his (og ,ags out for his afternoon "a"er at 2ust the sa'e ti'e that Jac% was ta%ing his
!la#er to the cleaner's3 ,ags ha( gone to the 'an at the corner/ (ro""e( the 'one$ out of his 'outh on
to the "a-e'ent/ an( let the "a"er'an stuff a fol(e( "a"er !etween his teeth3
He turne( to go !ac% to Mr3 Chi"/ when a 'uch !igger (og growle( at hi'3 ,ags growle( !ac%3 The (og
flew at ,ags/ an( ,ags lea"t si(ewa$s into the roa(3
There was a lou( s;uea% of !rea%s/ an( a car swer-e( su((enl$3 But it (i(n't sto" soon enough3 It hit
"oor ,ags on the !ac% legs/ an( the (og cru'"le( u" on the roa( with a howl3 The "a"er fell fro' his
'outh3
Jac% was 2ust near!$ with his !ig engine/ an( he saw it all ha""en3 The !ig (og ran off at once3 The car9
(ri-er got out of his car/ an( two or three chil(ren ran u"3 ,ags trie( to get u" !ut he coul(n't3 His !ac%
legs were hurt3
0,ho (oes this (og !elong to4 5oes an$one %now40 as%e( the car9(ri-er3
0.es3 It !elongs to Mr3 Chi"/ the car"enter/0 sai( Jac%/ co'ing u" with his engine3 0Oh/ "oor ,ags& He's
hurt& He can't get u"30
0I'll go along in the car an( tell Mr3 Chi" to co'e an( fetch his (og/0 sai( the (ri-er/ an( he got into the car
again3 He (ro-e off3 But alas/ he (i(n't go to Mr3 Chi"'s3 He (ro-e straight "ast/ an( went on his wa$3
Jac% waite( an( waite( for Mr3 Chi" to co'e/ !ut he (i(n't3 ',ags (ragge( hi'self "ainfull$ to the
"a-e'ent/ "ic%ing u" his 'aster's "a"er in his 'outh3 Jac% was -er$/ -er$ sorr$ for hi'3
0,ags& I'll ta%e $ou to Mr3 Chi"/0 sai( the !o$ at last3 0The car9(ri-er can't ha-e tol( hi'3 But how can I
ta%e $ou40
,ags whine( 'ournfull$3 Then Jac% ha( a won(erful i(ea3 He coul( "ic% ,ags u" gentl$/ an( "ut hi' on
his !la#er in the ca! of the engine& Then he woul( "ull the (og all the wa$ to ir3 Chi"'s sho"3
0.ou won't !e sha%en too 'uch !ecause $ou'll !e on '$ !la#er/0 he tol( ,ags3 0I'' going to "ic% $ou u"3
I'll tr$ not to hurt $ou3 5on't !ite 'e/ will $ou/ !ecause I'' onl$ tr$ing to hel" $ou30
Luc%il$ ,ags woul(n't let go the "a"er he hel( in his 'outh/ so although he growle( a little with "ain
when Jac% gentl$ lifte( hi'/ he coul(n't sna" or !ite3
Jac% lai( hi' on the !la#er3
0Now $ou'll !e all right/0 he sai(3 0Soon !e ho'e/ ,ags&0
He (ragge( the engine slowl$ (own the roa(/ tr$ing not to sha%e the hurt (og3 Chil(ren followe( hi'/ an(
,ags growle( again !ecause he ha( !een taught not to li%e !o$s an( girls3
Soon Jac% was at Mr3 Chi"'s sho"3 He left the engine outsi(e an( went in3 Mr3 Chi" was sawing an( (i(n't
see Jac% at first3 But when he caught sight of the !o$ out of the corner of his e$e he "ounce( roun( on
hi' at once3
0h& 1ot $ou this ti'e&0 he shoute(3
0Mr3 Chi"& 5on't sha%e 'e& M)3 CHI*& ,1S HS BEEN H<)T&0 $elle( Jac%3
Mr3 Chi" sto""e( sha%ing hi'3 0,hat's that4 ,ags hurt4 ,here is he40
0He got %noc%e( (own !$ a car/0 sai( Jac%3 0I was there3 He can't wal% with his !ac% legs3 So I "ut hi' in
the ca! of '$ !ig woo(en engine/ on '$ ol( !la#er/ an( !rought hi' along3 He's 2ust outsi(e3 I coul(n't
!ring the engine u" the ste"s30
In a trice Mr3 Chi" was outsi(e3 In a trice he ha( ,ags in his ar's/ an( the (og (ro""e( the news"a"er
an( lic%e( his 'aster fee!l$3 0I'' going to the -et&0 sai( Mr3 Chi" to Jac%3 0>ee" the sho" for 'e while I''
gone3 M$ "oor (og& He's !a(l$ hurt&0
,ell& There was Jac% left in charge of the car"enter's sho"& ,hat an e6traor(inar$ thing& He loo%e( all
roun( it3 He felt the !ig hea-$ ha''ers3 He a('ire( the little stool the car"enter was 'a%ing3 He wishe(
he coul( tr$ out the !ig "lane an( the saw3 ,hat a lo-el$ sho" to ha-e&
His frien(s ca'e "ee"ing in at hi'/ a'a#e( to sec hi' there alone3 He tol( the' what ha( ha""ene(3
0Ooooh& ,e coul( ta%e e-er$ single sha-ing off the floor while Mr3 Chi"'s gone&0 sai( >enneth at once3
0No3 I'' in charge/0 sai( Jac%3 0That woul( !e a sill$ thing to (o3 n$wa$/ he's (rea(full$ u"set a!out
,ags3 ,e coul(n't (o sill$ or 'ean things when he's u"set30
0Ser-e hi' right&0 sai( Ne(3 0I'' gla( that !a(9te'"ere( (og is hurt30
0Oh/ no3 .ou'( ha-e !een sorr$ if $ou'( seen hi'/0 sai( Jac%3 0Lea-e those nails alone/ >enneth3 .ou're
not to ta%e a single one30
0I wasn't going to/0 sai( >enneth3 0I was 2ust
running the' through '$ fingers3 The$ feel nice30
0Here's Mr3 Chi"/0 sai( Ne(/ su((enl$/ an( all the !o$s ran awa$ at once3 Onl$ Jac% was left/ stan(ing in
the sho"3 Mr3 Chi" ca'e in3 He ha(n't got ,ags with hi'3
0,here's ,ags40 sai( Jac% at once3
0I'-e left hi' at the -et's/0 sai( Mr3 Chi"3 01ot to ha-e so'ething (one to his legs/ "oor fellow30
Jac% was shoc%e( to see tears in the car"enter's e$es3 He 'ust lo-e ,ags -er$/ -er$ 'uch3
0,ill he !e all right40 as%e( Jac%3
0*erha"s/0 sai( Mr3 Chi"3 05on't %now $et3 I shall 'iss hi' !a(l$3 Than%s for !ringing hi' !ac% to 'e in
that engine of $ours30
Jac% went ho'e3 He forgot a!out ta%ing his !la#er to the cleaner's/ !ut when he tol( his 'other what ha(
ha""ene( she ;uite un(erstoo(3 *eo"le can't thin% of (irt$ !la#ers when (ogs are hurt3
E-er$ (a$ Jac% went to Mr3 Chi"'s sho" an( as%e( the sa'e ;uestion3 0n$ news of ,ags40
n( Mr3 Chi" woul( tell hi' the latest news3 0Not so goo(30 Or "erha"s/ 0He's !etter to(a$30 n( then/ 0He
'a$ !e !ac% ne6t wee%30
Once Mr3 Chi" as%e( Jac% to !ring !ac% his afternoon "a"er for hi'3 Jac% stuc% it into the ca! of his
engine with his other sho""ing3 Mr3 Chi" stare( at the !ig engine an( sai( what a fine thing it was to !ring
!ac% sho""ing in3 Jac% agree(3 He was still rather scare( of Mr3 Chi"/ !ut he rather li%e( tal%ing to hi'
an( watching hi' wor%3 Mr3 Chi" (i(n't chase hi' awa$ now3
0,ags is co'ing ho'e to9'orrow&0 sai( Mr3 Chi" at last3 He was s'iling all o-er his rather fierce face3
0.ou 'ight co'e in an( see hi'3 He can wal% all right !ut he li'"s a !it still3 Can $ou co'e4 He's got
so'ething for $ou30
Jac% (i( go the ne6t (a$/ of course3 ,ags was there/ loo%ing rather thin/ an( Li'"ing ;uite a lot7!ut how
his tail wagge( when he saw Jac%3 He !ar%e( an( then lic%e( the !o$ all o-er on his %nees an( han(s
an( face3
01oo( to ha-e hi' !ac% again/0 sai( Mr3 Chi"3 0Now $ou co'e an( see what he's got for $ou/ Jac%3 Just a
little "resent for so'eone who (i( hi' a goo( turn3 goo( turn to so'eone who's alwa$s $elle( at $ou/
an( a goo( turn to a (og that's !een taught to !ar% at $ou an( chase $ou off& That's so'ething worth
(oing30
He too% Jac% into his little sitting9roo' !ehin( the sho"3 Jac% stare( in astonish'ent an( (elight7for
there/ !eautifull$ 'a(e/ were three fine truc%s/ one "ainte( re(/ one green an( one $ellow&
0Truc%s for that fine engine of $ours that "ulle( '$ ,ags ho'e that (a$/0 sai( Mr3 Chi"3 0 "resent fro'
,ags hi'self&0
0Oh/ Mr3 Chi"&0 sai( Jac%/ an( he flung his ar's roun( ,ags an( hugge( hi'3 0Than% $ou/ ,ags/ than%
$ou3 n( than% $ou/ Mr3 Chi"3 .ou 'a(e the' for 'e3 The$'re 'ar-ellous3 Now all the chil(ren in '$
street can go sho""ing with 'e/ an( '$ engine can !ring all the sho""ing ho'e in its new truc%s3 I sa$&
,hat will the !o$s sa$& .ou won't 'in( the' using the truc%s $ou'-e 'a(e/ will $ou40

0Not a !it/0 sai( Mr3 Chi"/ (elighte( to see Jac%'s e6cite'ent3 0Co'e in an$ ti'e $ou li%e/ an$ of $ou/ an(
watch 'e at wor%30
.ou shoul( ha-e seen Jac% going ho'e with his engine an( three ga$ truc%s !ehin(& ll the !o$s ca'e
out to watch7what a won(erful sight& 0*resent fro' ,ags an( Mr3 Chi"/0 sai( Jac% "rou(l$3 0n( Mr3
Chi" sa$s we can go in his sho" an$ ti'e we li%e3 ,hat (o $ou thin% of that40
n( now Mr3 Chi" often has his sho" full of !o$s/ an( he (oesn't 'in( a !it3 s for ,ags/ he's as ha""$
as can !e to ha-e so 'an$ new frien(s3 He still li'"s/ so $ou'll %now hi' if $ou see hi'/ !$ his li'" an(
his croo%e( left hin( leg3 1i-e hi' a "at for 'e if $ou 'eet hi'&

She ,oul(n't Belie-e It
There was once a -er$ ol(/ -er$ "rou( (oll3 Her
na'e was Florrie/ an( she !elonge( to >atie3 She was "rou( !ecause she ha( !elonge( to >atie's
'other when she was a little girl7so $ou can guess that Florrie was -er$ ol( in(ee(3
Now the other to$s in the nurser$ wante( to !e frien(s with Florrie7!ut Florrie thought herself far too
grown9u" an( gran( to !other with $oung to$s li%e the s'iling sailor9(oll/ the !lue te(($9!ear/ the gol(en9
haire( (oll/ an( the "rett$ Snow9,hite with her !lac% hair3
0If $ou s"ea% to 'e $ou 'ust call 'e Ma(a'/0 she tol( the to$s3 0n( "ra$ (on't (istur! 'e at night with
$our chatter an( "la$3 Be as ;uiet as $ou can30
The to$s giggle(3 The$ thought Florrie was -er$ funn$3 She ha( a !ig china hea( with !rown hair/ rather
tangle(3 Her (ress/ which was of !lue sil% s"otte( $ellow/ ca'e to her feet/ an( she wore !rown %i( shoes
with laces3 "in% sash was tie( roun( her waist3

0She's so ol(9fashione(&0 whis"ere( the to$s to one another3 0She won't "la$ or laugh7she 2ust goes for
lonel$ wal%s roun( the nurser$ !$ herself3 I won(er what she's 'a(e of7ru!!er/ (o $ou thin%40
No!o($ %new3 The gol(en9haire( (oll was 'a(e of ru!!er an( coul( !e !athe(3 Snow9,hite ha( a "in%
-el-et !o($/ -er$ soft an( cu((leso'e3 The$ coul(n't thin% what Florrie was 'a(e of3
,ell/ she was stuffe( with saw(ust/ 2ust as all ol( (olls were& But she (i(n't tell an$one this/ for she felt a
little asha'e( of it3 She went each night for her long wal%s roun( the nurser$/ an( turne( u" her china
nose at an$ to$ she 'et3
n( then one night the te(($9!ear saw a curious thing3 He notice( that where-er Florrie went she left a
thin trail of so'ething !ehin( her3 ,hate-er coul( it !e4
He went to loo% at it3 It see'e( li%e thic% $ellow (ust to hi'3 He (i( not %now what saw(ust was/ for he
ha( ne-er seen an$3 Coul( it !e so'e "ow(er that Florrie use(4
He calle( the other to$s an( tol( the' a!out it3 The$ watche( Florrie/ an( saw that it was ;uite true3 She
(i( lea-e a little trail of (ust !ehin( her where-er she went&
Florrie (i(n't notice it/ of course3 .ou can't see 'uch when $our nose is in the air3 But soon the to$s !egan
to notice so'ething else too3
0Florae's getting thinner&0 whis"ere( the te(($9!ear to Snow9,hite3 0Isn't it strange40
Snow9,hite loo%e( at Florrie3 0So she is&0 sai( the (oll3 0I won(er wh$30
0I thin% I %now&0 sai( the sailor9(oll3 0That (ust we %ee" fin(ing here an( there is what she's stuffe( with3
She's lea%ing& She'll soon !e gone to nothing&0
0How (rea(ful&0 sai( the gol(en9haire( (oll3 0I'' 'a(e of ru!!er/ so I can't lea%3 ,hat will ha""en to
Florrie40
0She'll 2ust lea% till she's e'"t$ an( then she won't ha-e a !o($ at all/0 sai( the !ear3 0,ell/ let her/ the
stuc%9u" thing&0
But Snow9,hite was %in(9hearte(3 0,e 'ust warn Florrie/0 she sai(3 So she went u" to the !ig ol( (oll
an( s"o%e to her ti'i(l$3 0*lease/ Ma(a'/0 she sai(/ 0I'-e so'ething to sa$30
0Then sa$ it ;uic%l$/0 sai( Florrie/ in her gran(est -oice3
0,e thin% $ou're lea%ing/0 sai( Snow9,hite3 05on't $ou thin% $ou'( !etter not wal% a!out an$ 'ore4 .ou
'ight lea% awa$ to nothing30
Florrie was -er$ angr$3 0Lea%ing&0 she crie(3 0I (on't !elie-e it& It's 2ust a horri( tric% of $ours to sto" 'e
ta%ing '$ e-ening wal%s3 5on't let 'e hear another wor(&0
,ell/ Snow9,hite coul(n't (o an$thing3 She an( the other to$s watche( Florrie wal%ing a!out/ lea-ing her
trail of saw(ust e-er$where as usual/ an(

the$ won(ere( how soon all her saw(ust woul( !e gone3
Now the little hole that ha( co'e in Florrie's !ac% su((enl$ got -er$ 'uch !igger7an( one e-ening such
a hea" of saw(ust tric%le( out that reall$ there was har(l$ an$ of "oor Florrie left e6ce"t her hea( an( her
clothes an( the "in% co-ering that use( to hol( in the saw(ust3 So she cru'"le( u" on the car"et/ an( la$
there all alone& The to$s were u"set/ !ut !efore the$ coul( (o an$thing the (oor o"ene( an( in wal%e(
>atie's 'other&
Of course she saw Florrie on the floor an( she

"ic%e( her u"3 She saw the saw(ust/ an( she %new what ha( ha""ene(3
0Oh/ "oor Florrie&0 she sai(3 0.ou're lea%ing& I'll ha-e to get $ou a nice new !o($3 Saw(ust is out of fashion
now&0
So she too% Florrie awa$/ an( the to$s (i(n't see her for two wee%s3 ,hen she ca'e !ac% she was ;uite
(ifferent& The to$9'an ha( gi-en her a nice fat -el-et !o($/ with !a!$ legs an( feet3 Her (ress (i(n't fit her
an$ 'ore/ so Mother ha( 'a(e her a woollen froc% an( a !onnet3 She loo%e( sweet&
The to$s ;uic%l$ coo%e( a few !uns on the little sto-e/ an( hel( a "art$ to welco'e Florrie !ac%3 She was
so "lease(3 The to$s in the to$sho" ha( laughe( at her for !eing ol(9fashione(/ an( ha( calle( her
0Ma(a' Saw(ust03 It was lo-el$ to !e !ac% in the nurser$/ where the to$s 'a(e a fuss of her3
0I'' so gla( to see $ou all/0 sai( Florrie3 0I'' sorr$ I was sill$ an( stuc%9u" !efore3 I'' half new an( half
ol( now/ so I feel ;uite (ifferent3 I'( li%e to 2oin in $our ga'es an( !e frien(s30
0.ou shall/ Florrie&0 crie( e-er$one? an( $ou shoul( 2ust see the' each night/ ha-ing a lo-el$ ti'e with
Florrie3 E-er$!o($ is "lease( that Florrie is so (ifferent7e6ce"t one "erson3
>atie's 'other is ;uite sa( when she sees Florrie3 0I wish $ou were the ol( Florrie&0 she sa$s3 0I (on't
see' to %now $ou now& I lo-e( $ou !est when $ou were fille( with saw(ust&0
But >atie li%es Florrie !etter now that she is 'ore cu((leso'e/ so Florrie is reall$ -er$ ha""$&
)ain in To$town
Once u"on a ti'e there was a !ig to$ (uc% who sat on a shelf in the to$sho"/ an( was ne-er sol(3
He ha( !een "ushe( !ehin( a !ig !o6/ an( no one %new he was there3 He was reall$ a fine (uc%3 He was
'a(e of celluloi(/ an( if onl$ he ha( !een "ut into a !ath full of water then $ou woul( ha-e seen how
!eautifull$ he coul( float& But e-er since he ha( !een in the sho" he ha( sat u" on the (ar% shelf an( ha(
ne-er 'o-e( fro' there 9 he (i( not e-en %now that he coul( float&
He ha( no legs/ so he coul( not get u" an( wal% a!out at nights as the other to$s (i(3 ll he coul( (o was
to "o%e his !ig orange !ea% out fro' !ehin( the !o6/ an( watch the other to$s (ancing/ shouting an(
"la$ing together on the floor !elow3
So $ou can guess he le( a -er$ (ull life an( was alwa$s longing for a little e6cite'ent/ which ne-er ca'e3
n( then one (a$ a (oll with a !arrow was "ut u" on the shelf near the (uc%& The wheel of the !arrow
ha( !ro%en/ so the (oll coul( not !e sol(3 It went !$ cloc%wor% an( when it was woun( u" it wal%e( along/
hol(ing the !arrow an( "ushing it3 It was lo-el$ to watch it3 But now that the wheel was !ro%en the to$
(i( not wor% "ro"erl$/ an( the (oll was no use either3
0Hallo&0 sai( the (uc%/ in great sur"rise3 0I ha-en't seen an$one u" on this shelf for $ears& How (i( $ou get
here40
0I'-e !een "ut u" here out of the wa$/0 sai( the (oll sa(l$3 0I e6"ect I shall !e here for $ears/ too/ getting
ol(er an( (ustier each (a$&0
0I a' (ust$ too/0 sai( the (uc%3 0.ou woul( not thin% that '$ !ac% was reall$ a !right !lue/ green an( re(/
woul( $ou4 ,ell/ it is& But there is so 'uch (ust on 'e that I loo% gre$3 I ha-e %e"t '$ !ea% a nice !right
orange !$ ru!!ing it against the !ac% of this !o63 Oh/ (oll/ it is so e6citing to ha-e so'eone to tal% to&0

05o $ou su""ose e-er$one will forget a!out 'e/ as the$ ha-e forgotten a!out $ou40 as%e( the (oll/ with
tears in her !lue e$es3
She was a (ear little (oll/ with a "rett$ face an( shining fair hair3 Her han(s hel( the han(les of the !arrow
tightl$3
0I e6"ect we shall sta$ here till we fall to "ieces/0 sai( the (uc%/ with a sigh3
0,ell/ I (on't see wh$ we shoul(&0 sai( the (oll/ tossing !ac% her hair fiercel$3 0Surel$ we can thin% of a
wa$ to esca"e fro' this shelf30
0But where shoul( we go if we (i(40 sai( the (uc%3 0.ou woul( !e "ut !ac% on the shelf/ if the sho"%ee"er
foun( $ou again/ I a' sure30
0If onl$ I coul( 'en( '$ wheel/ I coul( wheel '$ !arrow awa$/ an( go to To$town/0 sighe( the (oll3 0I
%now the wa$ ;uite well30
0Let 'e ha-e a loo% at the wheel/0 !egge( the (uc%3 0*erha"s I can thin% of a wa$ of 'en(ing it&0
The (oll "ulle( the !arrow roun( so that the (uc% coul( see it3 *art of the wheel was actuall$ 'issing3
There was no 'en(ing it/ that was certain&
0I !elie-e I %now what $ou coul( (o&0 sai( the (uc% in e6cite'ent3 0,h$ not ta%e out that wheel an( sli" in
so'ething else instea(7a cotton9reel/ for instance3 That woul( 'a%e a -er$ strong wheel&0
0I (i(n't thin% of that&0 crie( the (oll3 0Oh/ (uc%/ that woul( !e 2ust the thing& Tonight I will see what I can
(o&0 So that night the (oll trie( to get out the !ro%en wheel3 The (uc% hel"e( her !$ "ec%ing har(/ an( at
last out ca'" the wheel&
01oo(&0 crie( the (uc%3 0Now cli'! (own to the wor%9!as%et on that chair/ (oll3 .ou are sure to fin( an
e'"t$ reel there30
The (oll cli'!e( (own3 The !as%et !elonge( to the sho"girl/ an( in it she ha( full reels/ half9use( ones/
an( two e'"t$ ones3 The (oll chose the !igger one of the two/ an( cli'!e( !ac% to the shelf with it3 The
(uc% hel"e( her to fit it into the !arrow7an( he$ "resto/ she coul( wheel it along !eautifull$& The reel
went roun( an( roun( 2ust as well as the wheel ha( (one3
0n( now I shall go to To$town/0 sai( the (oll ha""il$/ ta%ing hol( of the han(les of the !arrow3
0,ell/ goo(9!$e/0 sai( the (uc% sa(l$3 0I a' gla( $ou are a!le to go/ !ut I a' sorr$ to lose $ou30
0Oh/ !ut $ou are co'ing with 'e&0 sai( the (oll laughing3
0How can I (o that&0 crie( the (uc%3 0I ha-e no legs/ an( cannot wal%/ an( '$ wings are onl$ "ainte(3
The$ will not fl$30
0h/ !ut I shall "ut $ou into '$ !arrow an( wheel $ou along with 'e&0 sai( the %in( little (oll3 0.ou ha-e
hel"e( 'e/ (uc%/ an( now I will hel" $ou3 .ou are not hea-$/ an( though $ou will not fit -er$ well into '$
!arrow/ still/ I thin% I can 'anage&0
The (uc% was too e6cite( to answer& The (oll "ic%e( hi' u" in her ar's/ for he was -er$ light/ though
;uite !ig3 She "ut hi' on her !arrow7he woul( not go right in for he was too !ig7!ut she 'anage( to
!alance hi' ;uite well3 Then she wheele( hi' to the en( of the shelf3
Just !elow the shelf stoo( a !ig (olls' house3 The (oll cle-erl$ wheele( the !arrow fro' the shelf to the
roof of the house/ then (own the roof to a !alcon$ that 2utte( out fro' a !e(roo'3 Then she calle( to a
!ig te(($ !ear/ an( as%e( hi' to hel" her3
0,ill $ou lift (own this (uc% for 'e/ an( '$ !arrow40 she as%e(3 0I can ;uite well cli'! (own '$self30
The !ig !ear was a goo(9nature( fellow/ an( he lifte( (own the (uc% gentl$/ an( then the !arrow3 The
cotton9reel fell out/ an( the !ear "ushe( it in again3 The (oll ;uic%l$ cli'!e( (own fro' the !alcon$/ an(
"ut the (uc% in the !arrow3 The$ calle( than%9$ou an( goo(9!$e to the te(($ !ear/ an( then

off the$ went on the wa$ to To$town/ the (oll wheeling the (uc% in the !arrow3
The$ 2ourne$e( for two nights an( a (a$/ an( at last the$ ca'e to To$town3 t the gates stoo( a woo(en
"olice'an3
0,hat (o $ou want in To$town40 he as%e(3 0It is -er$ full 2ust now3 <nless $ou ha-e so'e wor% to (o/ (oll
an( (uc%/ I cannot let $ou in30
0I'' a gar(ener (oll/0 sai( the little (oll3 0Can't $ou see '$ !arrow an( '$ o-erall4 I'' a -er$ goo(
gar(ener/ I shall soon fin( wor% to (o30
0But what a!out the (uc%40 as%e( the "olice'an3 0,hat wor% will he (o40
0Oh/ he'll fin( so'ething&0 sai( the (oll3 05o let 'e in/ "lease/ for I a' -er$ tire(30
So/ gru'!ling a little/ the to$ "olice'an let the' go through the gates/ an( the wheel!arrow ru'!le(
(own the neat streets of To$town3 5olls' houses stoo( on e-er$ si(e/ an( to$sho"s sol( their wares3 Little
far's/ with woo(en ani'als an( trees were here an( there3 The (oll sto""e( at the gate of one3
0I thin% I'll go in an( as% the far'er here if he will let 'e !e his gar(ener/0 sai( the (oll3 0I can see one or
two trees that ha-e fallen o-er3 I can (o a goo( 'an$ 2o!s here& n( I !elie-e I can see a "on( that $ou
coul( float on&0
So she wheele( her !arrow/ an( the (uc% as well/ through the far' gate an( went u" to the far'er3 He
was 'a(e of woo(/ !ut he ha( -er$ shar" e$es3
0Oh/ so $ou want to !e a gar(ener here/ (o $ou40 he sai(3 0,ell/ I can (o with one3 I ha-e too 'uch
wor% to (o3 Can $ou fee( the chic%ens an( the (uc%s too/ an( loo% after the "igs as well40
0Oh/ $es/0 sai( the (oll3 0I can (o an$thing3 ,ill $ou "lease let the (uc% in '$ !arrow float on $our "on( till
he too fin(s so'e wor% to (o40
0+er$ well/0 sai( the far'er3 0Ta%e hi' o-er there30
So the (uc% was ta%en to a s'all "on( an( he floate( there in great (elight3 The "on( was -er$ tin$/ an(
the (uc% al'ost fille( it all3 ,hen he floate( -er$ har( he 'a(e !ig wa-es at the e(ge of the "on(/ an(
then all the tin$ (uc%s near!$ ;uac%e( with fright3
The (oll set to wor%3 She was a goo( gar(ener/ an( she (i( her !est to see to the chic%ens/ (uc%s an(
"igs too3 She en2o$e( wor%ing in the sunshine/ !ut when it !egan to rain/ an( her hair an( o-erall got
soa%e(/ she (i( not li%e it so 'uch3
0M$ feet get stuc% in the 'u(/0 she co'"laine( to the (uc%3 0It is horri(&0
The (uc% li%e( the rain3 For one thing it 'a(e his "on( !igger/ an( that ga-e hi' 'ore roo'3 He li%e( to
feel the rain(ro"s/ too7!ut he was sorr$ for the little (oll3
0Ha-e $ou foun( 'e an$ wor% to (o $et40 he as%e( the (oll3
0No/0 sai( the (oll/ with a sigh3 0It see's -er$ (ifficult to get wor% for so'eone who cannot wal% or fl$3 I
a' worrie( a!out $ou/ (uc%3 The "olice'an sai( $ester(a$ that the little (uc%lings here co'"laine( that
$ou ta%e u" all the roo' on their their "on(3 He sai(
that $ou will ha-e to lea-e To$town ne6t wee% if $ou cannot get an$ wor%30
0Oh (ear&0 sai( the (uc%/ in (is'a$3 0That 'eans I shall ha-e to go !ac% to that horri( shelf for the rest of
'$ life&0
0I (on't want $ou to (o that/0 sai( the (oll/ with tears in her e$es3 0I a' so fon( of $ou now3 n( $ou (o
loo% so !eautiful since I cleane( $ou u"30
The (uc% certainl$ loo%e( s"len(i( now& The (oll ha( ru!!e( off all the (irt an( (ust/ an( his !ac% shone
!lue/ green an( re(3 He was a fine sight to see3 But what was the use of that if he ha( to go !ac% to !is
(ar% shelf again& It was too !a(3
0If onl$ this rain woul( sto"&0 sai( the (oll/ s;uee#ing the water out of her o-erall3 0I a' alwa$s wet an(
alwa$s col( now/ 9tishoo& 9tishoo&0
0Oh/ (on't get a col(&0 !egge( the (uc% in alar'3 0If $ou ha-e to go to !e(/ what will !eco'e of 'e4 The
"olice'an will turn 'e out/ I a' sure30
09tishoo&0 snee#e( the little (oll3 0Oh (ear/ I can't sto" snee#ing3 9tishoo&0
,ell/ that -er$ night the (oll was "ut to !e( in the far'house !$ the far'er's wife/ for she reall$ ha( a
shoc%ing col(3 The (uc% swa' sa(l$ !$ hi'self on the "on(/ %ee"ing a loo%9out in case the "olice'an
ca'e along3 n( sure enough he (i(& The (uc% saw hi' wa(ing across the fiel( to the "on(/ loo%ing as
!lac% as thun(er !ecause he was getting so wet an( 'u(($3
0Ha-en't $ou got so'e wor% to (o $et40 he shoute( to the frightene( (uc%3 0.ou great la#$ thing& Here $ou
are all (a$ long/ floating a!out (oing nothing&
.ou can lea-e To$town on Satur(a$& 5o $ou hear 'e40
0.es/0 sai( the (uc% unha""il$3 The "olice'an wa(e( off/ wishing that the rain woul( sto"3 But it (i(n't3 It
went on an( on an( on/ an( soon the (uc% "on( was so !ig that the (uc% coul( ta%e a reall$ goo( swi'3
The whole fiel( was un(er water/ an( all the hens fle( to their house at the en( of the 'ea(ow/ whilst the
"igs an( goats stoo( hu((le( together near the far'house3
0I su""ose the (oll is in !e(/0 thought the (uc%3 0*oor thing& She will !e sa( when she %nows I 'ust lea-e
her3 I will tr$ an( see her !efore I go on Satur(a$3 *erha"s she will !e u" !$ then30
Each (a$ the (uc% loo%e( out for the (oll to co'e/ !ut she (i(n't a""ear3 She was still in !e(3 The rain
went on "ouring (own/ an( soon "eo"le !egan to sa$ that there woul( !e floo(s in To$town3 Such a thing
ha( ne-er ha""ene( !efore&
The ri-er o-erflowe( an( 2oine( the "on( on which the (uc% swa'3 Then what a great stretch of water
there was for the (uc% to swi' on& The water s"rea( right u" to the far'house/ an( the far'er's wife
rushe( u"stairs in fright/ for it "oure( in at her %itchen (oor&
0,e shall ha-e to li-e in the !e(roo's&0 she crie(3 0Oh (ear/ oh (ear& ,hat a (rea(ful thing& ll '$
%itchen chairs are floating a!out&0
The (uc% %new that it was Satur(a$/ an( he thought he woul( swi' u" to the far'house an( loo% in at
the !e(roo' win(ows until he foun( the roo' where his
frien( the (oll la$3 Then he woul( sa$ goo(9!$e3 So u" he swa'3
The floo(s were -er$ !a( now/ an( the water was right u" to the !e(roo' win(ows& The (uc% swa'
roun( the far'house/ "ee"ing in at each win(ow3
Then he foun( the (oll/ sitting u" in !e(/ loo%ing -er$ 'isera!le an( unha""$3 The (uc% "ec%e( on the
glass with his !ea%/ an( the little (oll 2u'"e( out of !e( at once3
0Oh/ (uc%/ I'' so gla( $ou'-e co'e&0 she sai(3 0,e are in a (rea(ful fi6 here3 The far'er's wife hasn't an$
tea/ or sugar/ or !rea(/ an( we (on't %now how to get it/ !ecause of the floo(s3 ,e can't go out/ for the
water is right o-er our hea(s& 5o $ou thin% $ou coul( float off to the !utcher's an( get so'e 'eat for us/
an( go to the grocer's an( get so'e tea an( sugar40
0Of course&0 sai( the (uc% in (elight3 0I'll (o an$thing I can& .ou %now that/ (oll& I'll go now&0
So off he floate( at to" s"ee(3 He went into To$9town/ which was also floo(e(/ though not ;uite so !a(l$
as the houses 2ust outsi(e3 He swa' to the !utcher's/ grocer's/ !a%er's an( 'il%'an/ an( as%e( the' for
'eat/ tea/ sugar/ !rea( an( 'il%/ an( loa(e( e-er$thing on to his !ig !roa( !ac%& Then !ac% he swa'
-er$ carefull$3
On the wa$ he "asse( 'an$ other floo(e( houses3 There were "eo"le at the win(ows/ loo%ing -er$
'isera!le3 ,hen the$ saw the (uc% going !$ with all the "arcels on his !ac%/ the$ !egan to shout
e6cite(l$ to one another3
0See& There's a (uc% with groceries& Hi/ (uc%& ,ill
$ou get so'e for 'e4 Ho there/ (uc%& ,hen ne6t $ou go to the !utcher's !u$ so'e cho"s for 'e& I sa$/
(uc%/ I'll gi-e $ou si6"ence if $ou'll go an( fetch 'e so'e nice fresh fish fro' the fish'onger's30
The (uc% listene( to all the shouts an( calls/ an( a 'ar-ellous i(ea ca'e into his hea(& He woul( (o all
the sho""ing for the "eo"le in the floo(e( houses& ,hat fun& That woul( reall$ !e har( wor%/ an( he
woul( !e so "lease( to (o it3 He calle( out that he woul( soon !e !ac%/ an( then he floate( at to" s"ee(
to the far'house3 He ta""e( on the win(ow/ an( the (oll o"ene( it3 She crie( out in (elight when she saw
how well the (uc% ha( (one the sho""ing3 She lifte( in the "arcels/ an( as she too% the' the (uc%
;uac%e( out to her all the news3
0The houses near!$ are all floo(e( too/0 he sai(3 0The "eo"le want 'e to go an( (o their sho""ing for
the'3 If I go an( (o it/ (oll/ I shall earn 'one$/ an( then that "olice'an can't turn 'e out&0
0Oh/ s"len(i(&0 crie( the (oll3 0To9'orrow I will co'e with $ou3 M$ col( is nearl$ !etter3 I will as% the
"eo"le to gi-e 'e written sho""ing lists/ an( then we will go together an( !u$ e-er$thing30
So the ne6t (a$ the (oll sat on the (uc%'s !ac%/ an( he swa' with her roun( to all the floo(e( houses3
E-er$one han(e( her a sho""ing list/ an( the (uc% an( the (oll hurrie( to the sho"s to get what was
wante(3 Then/ when the (uc%'s !ac% was ;uite loa(e(/ !ac% the$ floate( to the houses an( han(e( in the
goo(s at the win(ows3 The$ were "ai( si6"ence each ti'e the$ went sho""ing/ an( soon the little
!ag that the (oll %e"t the 'one$ in/ 2ingle( an( clin%e( as she sho""e(3 ,hat a lot of 'one$ the$ were
'a%ing&
0I shall !e ;uite sorr$ when the rain sto"s/0 sai( the little (oll3 She ha( !ought herself a 'ac%intosh an(
sou'wester/ an( also a "air of ,ellington !oots3 So she was ;uite all right3 E-er$one loo%e( out for the
little cou"le each 'orning now/ an( calle( to the' fro' the to" win(ows3
One (a$/ when the (oll an( (uc% were floating "ast the "olice station on their wa$ to the sho"s/ a win(ow
was flung o"en/ an( the to$ "olice'an calle( to the'3
0He$&0 he sai(3 0Co'e here&0
0Oh (ear& 5o $ou su""ose he wants to turn 'e out now40 sai( the "oor (uc%/ tre'!ling so 'uch that the
(oll was nearl$ sha%en off his !ac%3 0I shan't go to hi'3 I shall 2ust "reten( I (on't see hi'30
0Oh/ we'( !etter go/0 sai( the (oll3 0It isn't goo( to !e cowar(l$3 Let's !e !ra-e an( go30
So the$ floate( across to hi'3 To their great sur"rise he !ea'e( at the'/ an( sai(8 0,ell/ $ou certainl$
ha-e 'a(e $oursel-es useful/ $ou two& Now loo%/ here is '$ sho""ing list3 ,ill $ou (o '$ sho""ing for
'e too4 I cannot get out of the "olice station30
So the$ went to (o the "olice'an's sho""ing as well/ an( weren't the$ "lease( to "ut si6"ence into their
!ag&
In three wee%s' ti'e the rain sto""e( an( the floo(s !egan to go (own3 Little !$ little all the water
(raine( awa$/ an( "eo"le were a!le to go in an( out of the (oors of their houses3 The fiel( roun( the
far'house (rie( u" an( the little "on( was itself again3 The far'er ca'e to the gate an( calle( to the (oll3
0,hat a!out co'ing !ac% to !e '$ gar(ener again40 he shoute(3 0The (uc% can ha-e the use of '$
"on(/ if he wishes&0
0Oh (ear&0 groane( the (uc%3 0,hat a (ull life that will !e/ after this e6citing three wee%s&0
05on't worr$/ (uc%/0 sai( the (oll/ hugging hi' har( roun( the nec%3 0I'-e got such a lo-el$ i(ea&0
The (uc% was on the ri-er/ an( the (oll ste""e( off an( ran to the far'er3 0I'' sorr$ I can't co'e !ac%/0
she sai(/ 0!ut I'-e !ought a little house !$ the ri-er/ an( I an( the (uc% are going to li-e there/ an( (o all
the fetching an( carr$ing for the fol% who li-e on the ri-ersi(e&0
The (uc% nearl$ fell o-er on the water when he hear( this3 Li-e with the (oll in a little house7an( wor% for
her& Oh/ coul( an$thing !e !etter&
It was ;uite true3 The (oll ha( s"ent her si6"ences well3 She swa' off with the (uc% an( too% hi' to a tin$
house on the ri-ersi(e3 It ha( curtains at the win(ows/ an( a tin$ lan(ing9stage3
0There $ou are&0 she sai(3 0That's our house& n( all the fol% who li-e near!$ ha-e "ro'ise( that the$ will
call $ou whene-er the$ want to !e ta%en fro' one si(e of the ri-er to the other/ (uc%7an( if the$ want
an$ sho""ing (one/ we can go an( get their sho""ing lists/ an( $ou can float with 'e (own the ri-er/ till
we co'e to the town3 Then I shall 2u'"
off an( (o the sho""ing/ an( $ou can wait for 'e3 I'll co'e !ac% an( "ut the "arcels on $our !ac%/ an( off
we'll go u" the ri-er once 'ore3 Isn't that lo-el$&0
So that's what the$ (o now3 n( in the e-ening/ when the wor% is (one/ the (oll carries the (uc% into her
little house/ an( the$ sit on chairs o""osite one another an( (rin% hot cocoa together3
h/ the$ ha-e a fine life together& But the$ (i( wor% har( for it/ (i(n't the$4