Thursday, 29 December 2011
A note from Nev...
Well, the story 'Jamie Can Fly!' is finally over. I do hope you had as much fun reading it as I had writing it. It's now time to draw some new pictures and write more stories!
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 17)
Jamie felt warm and snug as he opened his eyes. The sun shone down on his body. He looked up to see he was surrounded by tall maize. In fact, it only looked tall because he was lying flat on his back. Slowly Jamie sat upright whilst rubbing his forehead. He felt drowsy and a bit delirious. He thought to himself, I must have fallen asleep after the big chase. He stood up and stretched, as one would after a long sleep, then began walking back the way he had come through the field.
‘Pssst!’
Jamie turned around, ‘Who said that?’
‘Pssst!’ came the voice again.
‘Where are you?’ Jamie searched down by his feet in an attempt to discover the source of this small voice.
‘Pssst! Up here!’
‘Up where…’ then, as Jamie looked up, he saw the silhouette of a small flying creature. It was a butterfly.
‘Yes, that’s it! Here I am,’ said the butterfly.
‘Are you really talking to me?’ asked Jamie, who thought he might have still been sleeping.
‘Well, I am really talking to you if you are really talking back to me!’ replied the butterfly who gently landed on Jamie’s arm. ‘So, how did it go? Did you enjoy being up high in the sky?’
‘High in the sky?’
‘Yes! How was the flying?’
It was at that moment that Jamie recognised the small face of the butterfly.
‘Is your name Clifton?’ asked Jamie.
‘Of course it is! How could you forget this face?’
‘But… you’ve got wings. You didn’t have wings before?’
‘You couldn’t fly before, but I don’t hold that against you, do I?’ the butterfly retorted.
‘You mean that really did happen? I really did fly?’
‘Well of course you did,’ said Clifton. ‘I should know, I saw you doing it! And I’ll tell you what; those nasty boys won’t be messing with you again! Hee hee!’
‘Wow! It was amazing! I couldn’t believe what was happening to me! One minute I was on the ground, like everyone else, the next minute I was up high, flying in the sky!’
‘So you understand it now, don’t you? Up high! In the sky! You don’t know why? But you can fly!’
‘Yes, I do understand it Clifton! I do, I do! I can fly!!’
Jamie ran across the field, pointed up towards the clouds and leapt up in the air… he then swiftly landed back on the ground. He pointed his finger up in the air once more. Nothing happened.
Clifton landed back on Jamie’s arm, ‘Having trouble are we?’
‘Well, yes. I can’t seem to get off the ground. This is exactly what I did before; I pointed up and that made me fly. I don’t understand why it’s not working now?’ Jamie continued to point up in the air. He tried pointing in different directions. He swapped hands. He tried both hands at the same time, but to no avail.
‘Did you make the rescue?’ asked Clifton.
‘Did I make the rescue? What do you mean?’ asked Jamie.
‘What I mean is, did you rescue someone?’
Jamie paused for a moment before he replied, ‘Well, there was a boy who I helped out of a tree.’
‘And was he in grave danger?’
‘If he had fallen he would have landed headfirst on a rock, so I suppose he was in grave danger. Yes.’
‘Well then your work is done!’
‘My work is done?’
‘Yes, it is done,’ replied Clifton, who continued to explain. ‘Every year many young boys and girls find themselves in dangerous situations…’
‘Like the boy hanging in the tree!’
‘That’s right, just like the boy hanging in the tree. And every year many of these children are saved from tragedy by other young boys and girls like you.’
‘Like me?’
‘Yes, just like you Jamie, these boys and girls are given a special gift and with that gift they are able to help the children who are in trouble. Your gift was the ability to fly. With that gift you were able to help that poor young boy, just when he needed rescuing. Once you had completed your task you were quickly returned back home.’
‘But how can I help other children who are in trouble. I can’t fly anymore!’
‘Ah, such eagerness! That must be why you were chosen!’ said the smiling butterfly. ‘It can’t be down to you to help everyone Jamie, that would be much too big a burden for you to carry.’
‘But who will help the other children who are in danger.’
‘That’s not for me to decide,’ replied Clifton.
‘Who does decide?’ asked Jamie.
‘It’s time for me to fly!’ said Clifton as he flapped his wings and ascended up above Jamie’s head.
‘Wait!’ shouted Jamie. ‘Who decides? Why did this happen?’ But Jamie got no further reply from Clifton. All he could do was watch as the butterfly flew high up in the sky and then disappeared over some nearby trees.
For a while Jamie continued to stare up at the clouds in the sky. He took a deep breath and smiled as he remembered all that had happened. As he went to walk away he heard a familiar voice, which seemed to whisper down at him from the clouds above, ‘Well done Jamie, well done!’
Monday, 26 December 2011
A book recommendation - Poppy's Hero
I have just finished reading 'Poppy's Hero' by Rachel Billington. This story is a great insight into the life of a young child dealing with the emotions that come along with having a parent in prison. What will she do to cope? Can she and her friends break her dad out? These questions and more are explored by Poppy and her friends in this gripping tale.This book is available for purchase from 5th January 2012.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 16)
‘Clarence!’ shouted Jamie once again. ‘Where are you?’
‘No need to shout old boy!’
Jamie jumped with shock and turned around to see that the small aging clurtle standing right behind him. Clarence looked at Jamie with a warm smile upon his face.
‘So, how did you get on?’ asked Clarence.
‘Oh Clarence, it was amazing! You should have seen me! I found a chest with some warm clothes inside, then…’ Jamie continued to describe all that had happened on his adventure in the snowy mountains. Clarence listened attentively.
Before too long the sky had turned completely black, but it was by no means dark. It was covered with a vast array of stars shining brightly like silver glitter spread across black sugar paper. The light from above created moonlit shadows all around, giving the cloudscape an even more magical atmosphere.
‘It’s so beautiful up here,’ said Jamie as he walked along with Clarence.
‘Now you can understand why I have been up here for such a long time,’ chuckled the clurtle.
As the two friends passed a tall mountain of cloud Jamie spotted something in the distance and pointed it out to Clarence.
‘What’s that over there?’
‘Ah, that’s for you my boy!’ said Clarence as he saw the green glowing area.
As they got closer, Jamie noticed the green glow was coming from a large group of sparkle worms. There must have been over two hundred of them huddled around a rectangular departure door.
‘That’s for me?’ asked Jamie.
‘Yes, it is my boy. You cannot stay up here forever, as much as I might like that. You have a home to return to!’
Jamie knew that Clarence was right, but it did not stop him feeling a tinge of sadness. He had enjoyed making a new friend and discovering an unknown world in the clouds.
‘Will I ever see you again?’ asked Jamie.
‘My boy, I will be here for many years yet. Clurtles have a much longer lifespan than humans you know!’
And with that Clarence began to nudge Jamie with his head.
‘What are you doing?’ asked Jamie.
‘Nearly there,’ said Clarence.
‘Oh not again,’ said Jamie as he realised what was happening. Clarence gave him one final push, which caused Jamie to lose his balance and fall straight through the departure doorway.
‘Goodbye Jamie!’ shouted Clarence.
‘AAAAHHHHHHH!! GOOOOOOD BYYYYYEE!!’ replied Jamie as he fell at high speed. ‘GOOOOD BYYYYYEEE!!’
Thursday, 15 December 2011
A note from Nev...
_____
We also had the opportunity to have a Christmas story about Bumpkin & Chumpkin the two den-making squirrels. I look forward to visiting again! :)
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 15)
The boy’s head was just inches from the rock when Jamie scooped him up in his arms and flew back up in the air. The young boy looked dazed then shocked as he became aware of what was happening.
‘It’s okay,’ said Jamie. ‘You’re safe now.’
The boy continued to stare at Jamie in disbelief. Was he really being carried through the air? They landed at the top of the mountain.
‘Are you okay?’ asked Jamie.
‘Y.. yes.. I think so,’ the young boy replied.
‘What’s your name?’
‘Marcus.’
‘Well Marcus, I think we should get you back to safety. Who are you here with?’
‘I’m here with my mummy and daddy,’ replied the boy, who looked to be a couple of years younger than Jamie. ‘But I lost my skis,’ he said.
‘Don’t worry,’ replied Jamie. ‘You can come with me, just stand on here,’ Jamie beckoned Marcus onto his snowboard. He stood in the middle of it as Jamie held onto him tightly. ‘Are you ready?’
‘I’m ready!’ said Marcus.
‘Then off we go!’
The two boys then sped down the slope together on Jamie’s snowboard.
‘Wheeeeeeee!!!’ they both shouted excitedly. It was a thrilling experience for them both to be speeding down the mountain without anyone else around. After only 10 minutes or so they had reached the bottom. It was there that they saw the many other skiers and snowboarders who were finishing up for the day.
‘Look! That’s my mum and dad!’ said Marcus. He jumped off the snowboard and began to run towards them. Then he stopped, turned around and shouted across the crowded space to Jamie, ‘Thank you! Thank you so much!’ He then disappeared through the crowd. Jamie could just about see him being picked up by his mother in the distance. He smiled and felt a real sense of satisfaction.
As the crowds began to disappear into the nearby hotels and chalets Jamie took off his snowboard then walked in the opposite direction, back towards the foot of the mountain. He made sure no one was watching him as he pointed his finger up and shot off into the air. He carried his snowboard under his arm as he flew. Whilst he was flying over the forest, the snowboard slipped and fell from underneath his arm. He could only watch as it disappeared through the trees and landed with a quiet thud in the snow. He slowed down and gazed into the trees. Then he heard a familiar voice shout up at him – it was the mouse.
‘It’s okay Jamie, I’ll keep the snowboard safe for you!’
Jamie smiled then continued to fly up towards the clouds. He saw an opening and sped through it. It was the entry door ready to receive him.
As he came to a halt and landed on the secure surface of the cloudscape Jamie looked around. ‘Clarence… are you there?’
There was no reply. All Jamie could see were the white clouds surrounding him, now lit up by the light of the moon as the darkness of the night began to set in.Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 14)
Down the slope he went with tremendous speed. At first Jamie was terrified. He had never used a snowboard before. The snow sprayed up into his face as he went faster and faster. He leaned back, which caused him to turn to his left. Then he leaned forward, onto his toes, making him turn to the right.
‘Oh wow! I get it now,’ said Jamie as he began to snake his way down the slope with more control. ‘Woooo hoooooo!’ he shouted. He was really enjoying it now.
Jamie then popped out onto a main slope with many other skiers and snowboarders. He had a beaming smile, which stretched from cheek to cheek. What fun it was for him. He weaved his way through a line of children from the ski school before he reached the bottom of the run. He looked back up and saw the huge mountain he had just descended.
‘Oh boy, I see why uncle Roger likes being out here so much! It’s fantastic!’ Jamie saw that he had come, not just to the bottom of the ski run but also, to the bottom of the chair lift. ‘Here goes nothing,’ he said as he stood in front of the chair, which whizzed round the pole and scooped him up onto the great lift.
Up, up and up went Jamie enjoying the view all around him as he sat on the wide chair that he had all to himself. Each chair on the lift had enough space for six people to sit on. As the cable kept winding, Jamie kept moving further upwards towards the top of an even higher mountain. He breathed in the fresh chilled air as he began to see a vast range of mountains disappearing off into the distance. All of a sudden Jamie noticed something unusual.
‘Oh no!’ cried Jamie, as he realised what he was witnessing. ‘He’s going to fall!’
But as Jamie turned round in a hope that someone else was on the lift behind him he discovered he was all alone. It was the end of the day, the sun was beginning to set and the skiers and snowboarders were making their way back to their hotels and chalets.
The lift continued to take Jamie further up the mountain and, therefore, further away from the small child. ‘Hold on!’ shouted Jamie, hoping the child would hear and understand him. Jamie then lifted the bar, which secured him in his chair and he leaned forward. It was a long way down.
Then, it was as if he could hear the voice of Clarence coming from the clouds above him saying, ‘Fly Jamie! Fly!’
Jamie took a deep breath then dropped off the lift. As he fell he quickly pointed his finger upwards. He stopped still in the air, hovering with his snowboard still attached to his feet – there was no time to try removing it, he had a child to rescue!
Like lighting Jamie flew back down the mountain to the tree where the boy was hanging. As he drew nearer he could see the boy was attached to the branch by one of his trouser braces.
‘HOLD ON!’ shouted Jamie, but before he reached him his trouser brace slipped off the branch. The boy was falling headfirst and heading towards a large black rock on the snow below…
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Bumpkin & Chumpkin (Part 3)
As she sat in the den Bumpkin did not feel quite so cosy any more. All she could think about was how hurtful her friend had been. Then she saw some movement down below. It was Chumpkin on his way back. As she heard his claws scramble their way back up the tree trunk Bumpkin turned away.
‘Hello,’ said Chumpkin. ‘I’m sorry, I know you’re probably really upset with me.’
Bumpkin remained silent.
‘You just took me by surprise, that’s all. I didn’t expect to see you following me. But I did have a good reason for keeping you away.’
‘What possible reason could you have for being so mean and sending me away? I thought we were best friends!’
‘We are!’ replied Chumpkin.
‘I don’t think so,’ said Bumpkin. ‘You obviously don’t want me around. Maybe I should just leave and make my own den elsewhere.’
‘No, don’t do that!’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I don’t want you to! Listen, I want you to come with me.’
‘Come with you? But I thought that was exactly what you didn’t want me to do,’ replied the ever frustrated Bumpkin.
‘I didn’t want you to come with me earlier, but now I do. Just come, you’ll understand when we get there.’
Bumpkin wanted to resist the invitation in order to teach Chumpkin a lesson. However, her curiosity got the better of her, what could he want to show me, she thought to herself.
Chumpkin led the way through the woods as Bumpkin followed silently and slowly. It was still very cold; a few flakes of snow were even beginning to fall. Bumpkin loved this time of year.
‘Okay, here we are,’ said Chumpkin, who had stopped just in front of the same bush that Bumpkin had followed him to earlier. ‘Are you ready?’
‘Ready for what?’
‘Ready for something special!’
Bumpkin was really curious now, though she still tried not to show it to Chumpkin. ‘Go on then, let’s see,’ she casually remarked.
Chumpkin took Bumpkin’s tiny cold paw and led her through the small gap in the bush. The leaves were close and brushed against their furry bodies as they made their way further in. Bumpkin started to feel a warmth radiating towards her. Then she stopped, stood wide-eyed and dropped her tiny jaw in disbelief.
‘So… what do you think?’ asked Chumpkin.
‘I.. I.. I don’t believe it!’ replied Bumpkin as she jumped gleefully then turned and gave Chumpkin a huge hug. Within the bush he had created a Christmas den. It was covered with piles of sticks, leaves, moss and he had even found an old oil lantern, which he had managed to light with a warm yellow flame. Round the edge of it all he had written a message for Bumpkin out of red berries. It spelled out the words, ‘Merry Christmas to Bumpkin my best friend’.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Bumpkin & Chumpkin (Part 2)
Bumpkin made a dash down the tree and ran as fast as she could in an effort to catch up with Chumpkin.
‘Chumpkin! Chumpkin!’ she shouted after him as she jumped over the twigs and logs that were in her way, ‘Where are you going?’
She then caught sight of his fluffy tail disappearing into a bush. She ran faster and faster until she was just inches away from the bush. As she went to jump through the gap she was suddenly met with a smash as Chumpkin reappeared and jumped straight into her. Together the two squirrels fell to the ground with a great thud!
‘Ouch!’ said Bumpkin. ‘What did you do that for?’
But as she looked up at her friend, who had her pinned to the ground, he looked angry with her.
‘What are you doing following me like that?’ he blurted out.
‘I.. I..’
‘You what?’
‘I just wanted to see where you were going.’
‘Never you mind where I’m going!’ shouted Chumpkin. ‘You should have stayed in the den!’
‘But I didn’t know where you had gone. I just wanted to find out,’ said Bumpkin, who was beginning to feel slightly teary eyed.
‘That’s because you’re so nosey! If I had wanted you to come with me I would have invited you. Now get back to the den!’
Bumpkin slowly stood up and looked at Chumpkin disbelievingly. Why was he acting like this, she thought to herself.
‘Go on, off you go!’ said Chumpkin.
A tear rolled down Bumpkin’s furry cheek as she turned round and slowly began to walk away. She looked back only to see that Chumpkin had disappeared back into the bush. This time she would not follow him. She was a very sad squirrel indeed.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Bumpkin & Chumpkin (Part 1)
Richmond Park is the biggest and most beautiful Royal Park in London. It is full of colour, smells, sounds and life. And no one knows this park better than two small squirrels named Bumpkin and Chumpkin.
These two fluffy creatures have lived in the park for their whole life. Bumpkin is the younger of the two squirrels. She has light brown fur with a small streak of red hairs just between her two ears. She looks up to her best friend Chumpkin. He is slightly taller and is covered in dark brown fur apart from his tummy, which is white. Both of the squirrels have big bushy tails, which flow up and down, like the waves of the sea, each time the animals run.
‘Brrr! It’s getting cold!’ said Bumkin.
‘Yep, winter is coming indeed!’ replied Chumpkin who was scratching around looking for twigs to add to his latest den. The two squirrels loved to make dens in the bushes.
‘We had better make a really warm den this time,’ said Bumpkin, who was starting to shiver.
‘Don’t worry, this den will be the best one yet!’ said Chumpkin excitedly.
The two squirrels were experts at den making. In the summer they would build light and airy dens, which had plenty of space to allow the cool breeze to pass through. But now that the cold winter weather was beginning to set in, they started making a very cosy den indeed.
‘Look Chumpkin! I’ve found a big pile of dry leaves under this tree!’
‘Ah, that’s perfect! Well, done Bumpkin. You always find the best leaves!’
The two squirrels were in their element. They made an excellent team together. They picked up twigs and even more leaves. Before long they had built a very cosy den inside the trunk of a hollowed out tree.
‘Oh Chumpkin, I think this is our best one yet!’
‘Yes, I think you’re right. We are going to be very warm this winter. No more shivers for you!’ said Chumpkin before he jumped out of the den, ran down the tree and headed off into the woods.
‘Where are you going?’ shouted Bumpkin, who was surprised to see her friend leave their den so soon after they had created it. But Chumpkin did not turn around or reply to her. He was gone.Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 13)
Jamie had dreamed of going on his very own snowboarding adventure ever since he first heard his uncle Roger tell him about his great skiing adventures. Jamie loved to hear about the snowboarders in particular, how do they stand up on one piece of board? Do they fall over? How fast can they go? These were just a few of the many questions Jamie would ask his uncle. Then, as Jamie gazed at the board that lay in the snow before him, the mouse spoke up, ‘Go on then! Are you gonna put it on or what?’
‘You mean right now?’ replied Jamie.
‘Of course right now! There’s no use standing around catching a chill,’ said the mouse.
‘Okay, I’ll do it!’ said Jamie who now had a real excitement about him.
‘I’ll give you a hand,’ said the mouse.
Before long Jamie was strapped in to his very own snowboard. It was the same colour green as his trousers and jacket. It almost looked as though the board was part of his body.
‘Alrighty! Are you ready?’ asked the mouse.
‘Erm… I.. I’m not sure,’ replied Jamie rather hesitantly.
‘Well you’d better be, ‘cos off you go!’
With those words the small mouse used a surprising amount of strength to push Jamie off the edge and straight down the slope.
‘NOT AGAIN!!!’ shouted Jamie as, for the second time today, a small creature had pushed him into the unknown!
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 12)
As his eyes followed a piece of snow falling from the top branch of a tree in front of him, he noticed a glowing light. It was coming from behind the tree. Jamie slowly walked forwards to find out exactly where it was coming from. The fresh snow crunched under his feet with each step he took. As he made his way round the tree he discovered the source of the light. It was coming from a wooden chest.
It looks just like a chest from a pirate story, Jamie thought to himself. He wondered why there would be such a chest in the middle of a forest on a snowy mountain. It was made of solid wood, but had a fluorescent light radiating from within. The only metallic part on it appeared to be a small brass plaque attached to the front of the lid. It was covered in snow so Jamie brushed it off, with his bare hand, to find out what it had written on it.
‘Wow!’ was all Jamie could say as he read the inscription:‘The contents of this box
are reserved for Jamie.’
How can this be, thought Jamie. He could not understand how this box had been put here for his benefit. How did anyone know he would end up here?
Suddenly the green ball, which was still in his left hand, heated up.
‘Ouch! What now?’ said Jamie as he loosened his grip on the ball. He looked down to discover the words on it had changed. It now read, ‘Open the chest Jamie!’ His curiosity led him to do just that.
Gently Jamie lifted the lid. It opened straight away with no need for a key of any kind. His face lit up as the light shone from within. He was amazed to see hundreds of sparkle worms wriggling before him.
‘What are you doing here?’ said Jamie.
But there was no time to talk to them because, without any warning, all of the sparkle worms shot straight up into the air and disappeared through the branches of the trees above.
For a moment Jamie continued to stare at the small patch of cloud he could see directly above him. Eventually his focus returned to the chest. As he looked at it again he was surprised to see that it was not empty. In fact, the sparkle worms seemed to have been protecting what lay beneath them. There was a set of thick warm clothes, which was a very welcome sight to Jamie who was starting to feel his feet and fingers going numb with the cold.
He quickly removed the contents of the chest and began to put them on. There was a pair of thick lime-green trousers with a matching coat. There was also a pair of warm winter socks, some black boots, two red gloves and a grey hat. Jamie felt much warmer now!
‘Ah, that’s better,’ said Jamie as a contented smile formed between his rosy cheeks.
As he closed the lid of the chest he was surprised to see a small brown mouse standing upright and staring at him. Jamie stared back until the mouse spoke to him, ‘Are you Jamie?’
‘Yes, that’s me,’ he replied.
‘Quick! Follow me!’ said the mouse, who then ran off through the forest.
‘Wait!’ shouted Jamie, ‘I’m not as fast as you!’
‘Fly Jamie, Fly!’ shouted the mouse.
‘Of course!’ said Jamie as he pointed his finger out in front of him and flew through the trees. He had to be very careful not to hit any, but somehow he knew how to avoid each and every one of them.
Eventually Jamie and the mouse came out the other side of the forest. The mouse stopped at the top of a very steep slope. Jamie stopped and landed next to the mouse.
As the two of them looked down the slope Jamie said to the mouse, ‘Wow, it’s so steep! Hey… Mr. Mouse...’
‘Yes?’ replied the small furry animal.
‘You know what I really wish I had…’
‘One of these?’ said the mouse.
‘Wow! Yes! One of those!’ replied the ecstatic Jamie as he saw that the mouse was pointing to the exact thing Jamie was thinking of – a snowboard!
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 11)
The sound of the wind against Jamie’s ears was deafening as he continued to fall through the sky. He managed to balance himself, much like he had seen the skydivers do on television. Before too long he had caught up with the green ball. He reached out his hand to grab it. It was just inches away. He reached a bit further then clasped his hand around it.
‘Got it!’ shouted Jamie triumphantly before he screamed, ‘AHHHHHH!!!’
Just after he retrieved the ball he looked down to see that he was just metres away from the peak of the tallest snowy mountain. He quickly pointed his finger up above his head. It was just in the knick of time. Jamie’s body immediately changed direction and was propelled, with a sharp jerk, upwards into the air.
When he was a safe enough distance above the mountain he stopped himself and hovered in the sky. It took him a few moments just to get his breath back.
‘Oh boy! That was a close one!’ said Jamie as he checked his hand to make sure the green ball, which he had so magnificently rescued, was still there. It was.
As he continued to hover he gazed down at the mountains below. Jamie could see lots of people skiing and snowboarding down the various routes and tracks marked out for them. Some people were slowly making their way down the gentle slopes, which were marked out with green poles. Others were hurtling at great speed down incredibly steep slopes marked out with black poles, which Jamie just loved to watch. They reminded him of his uncle Roger who always said, ‘…the faster you go the more fun you have!’
As Jamie continued to watch all the action below he was suddenly pulled, at great speed, down towards the snow.
‘Ahhh! What’s happening?’ he shouted.
It was the green ball that was pulling him. Jamie had no control over it and could not let go. It was as if his hand were glued onto it. As much as he tried to resist the speed at which he was dragged through the air it was no good, Jamie could not stop himself! He was pulled over one mountain peak, then round another, before he got near enough to the trees poking out the side of the next slope. In fact, he was heading straight towards a small forest of trees and was not slowing down.
‘AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!’
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 10)
As Jamie and Clarence stood next to the departure door they gazed straight through it. Far below them they could a vast range of snowy mountains.
‘Is that it? Is that Val d’Isère?’ asked Jamie.
‘Yes, my boy it is,’ replied Clarence in his calming voice.
‘Wow! I think I can even see people down there, though they look more like ants than people from this height.’
‘Do you have the green ball?’ asked Clarence.
‘Yes, it’s right here,’ as Jamie lifted his hand, which held the ball, he let out a short scream of pain, ‘Ouch!’ The ball then dropped from his hand, rolled and stopped right in the middle of the departure door.
‘What’s the matter? Are you okay?’ asked Clarence.
‘Sorry,’ said Jamie as he flapped his hand. ‘The ball suddenly became really hot and I couldn’t hold it any longer!’
The two of them looked curiously at the green ball. As it rested on the transparent departure door it looked as if it were hovering above the snowy mountains of Val d’Isère.
‘What do I do now Clarence?’ asked Jamie.
‘I think you’re about to find out,’ replied the wise old clurtle.
Jamie could see the words written on the green ball, Fly there now! Then there was a CLICK… CLICK… CLICK… as the departure door began to lower itself open. Jamie and Clarence watched as the green ball started to roll down towards the exit.
‘My ball!’ exclaimed Jamie. ‘It’s going to fall!’
‘You’d better be quick then my boy!’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Jamie.
‘I mean, it’s time to fly!’
Jamie watched the ball roll over the edge of the departure door. As he stood watching his ball fall and disappear from sight Clarence gave him a little nudge towards the edge of the departure door.
‘What are you doing?’ asked Jamie.
‘I’m helping you on your way,’ said Clarence who then gave Jamie another nudge, but this time the nudge caused Jamie to fall straight through the exit.
‘CLARRRRRENCE!! HEEEELP ME!!!’ shouted Jamie as he fell down at great speed, further and further away from Clarence and the cloudscape.
‘DON’T FORGET…’ shouted Clarence, ‘YOU CAN FLY!’
Thursday, 3 November 2011
A note from Nev...
I enjoyed a great session with the year 7s at Christ's School in Richmond today. What great fun it was to create a story about a 200-legged chair called Bob who loved to fly around space in his UFO and create oranges by swallowing pips. Another fine example of how our imaginations have no limits!
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 9)
What would have taken at least half a day to walk only took about twenty minutes to fly as Jamie and Clarence reached the tall blue cloud. It was even bigger than Jamie thought. He slowed down and lowered Clarence and himself to the firm cloud below them.
‘My dear boy, we are here!’ said Clarence with a hint of surprise and relief in his voice. All Jamie could do was stand and gaze in wonder at what he saw before him.
‘Wow! I’ve never seen anything so beautiful!’ whispered Jamie who stood at the foot of the ginormous cloud. It was a shiny glittery blue colour. It was shaped like a Christmas tree, even taller than the one Jamie once saw in Trafalgar Square on one of his school trips to London. As he took a step forward to get a closer look he noticed, what appeared to be, small glowing creatures moving around on each perch of the cloud. ‘There’s something moving on here!’ Jamie said to Clarence.
‘Ah, I see you have found the sparkle worms!’
‘Sparkle worms?’
‘Yes, they are the guardians of the departure door. You will find them at every part of the cloudscape that leads back into the world below.’
‘They may be small, but they are always many in number. When put together, they can create quite an army to protect the entry to the cloudscape.’
‘But surely anyone can get in here. I got in just by flying through the middle of the clouds!’
‘But did you?’ replied Clarence.
‘Yes… at least I think I did?’ said Jamie.
‘My boy, no one gets in here unless they are expected. You think you flew in of your own accord? In fact you flew straight through an entry door, which had been opened ready for your arrival by the sparkle worms.’
‘But I don’t remember seeing them?’ said Jamie.
‘Of course you don’t. The sparkle worms that guard the entry doors are never seen. They live in the cloudscape, not on it! You would have whizzed straight past them. The only time you will see a large group of them is when you arrive at a departure door like this one here.’
‘Oh,’ said Jamie who looked back at the sparkle worms. He spent a few moments trying to understand everything Clarence had just told him. Eventually he responded, ‘So the job of these sparkle worms here is to guard the departure door?’
‘Yes, that’s right!’
‘But where is the departure door?’
‘Where is it? You’re standing on it my boy!’
Jamie looked down. He realised he was standing on a large rectangular door. But this door was not made of wood or metal or anything else you would expect a door to be made from. It was made of cloud. But what marked it out from the rest of the clouds around him was the fact that this cloud door was transparent – Jamie could see right through it!
‘Ahhh!’ screamed Jamie as he jumped backwards so as to remove himself from the door. ‘It’s so far down!’
‘Why are you so afraid my boy?’
‘I’m sorry, it’s just that I thought I might fall through it!’
‘But aren’t you forgetting something? You can fly!’
‘Of course I can,’ said Jamie as he regained his sense of composure and calm. ‘I suppose I’m still getting used to the idea of it, that’s all!’Saturday, 29 October 2011
A Day with Daddy
[The following story is dedicated to the memory of a wonderful father, Paul Floyd.]
Early one sunny morning, in a little house on Horncastle road, Gavin, Peter and John were fast asleep. That was until Daddy appeared and woke each of them up with an explosive aeroplane tickle! Peter smiled as he watched Daddy wiggle his eyebrows.
Then Daddy said, ‘Keep your pyjamas on, we’re going to the car!’
‘Hurray!’ shouted the boys as Daddy took them one-by-one to the car on his shoulders! In the back of the car, Daddy had prepared the most wonderful, exciting and cosy bed for the boys.
‘Settle down now, we have a long journey ahead of us!’ Then Daddy said a prayer before starting the car and beginning the adventure. Gavin, Peter and John were so comfortable they instantly fell fast asleep!
BEEP-BEEP! went the horn on the car as the boys awoke to find they had arrived at their destination.
‘Here we are!’ said Daddy looking at Gavin, Peter and John with a great big smile on his face!
‘We’re at the woods!’ shouted John excitedly!
‘Yes we are!’ said Daddy, as he opened up the boot for the boys to get out. ‘But watch out, there may be fierce creatures in these woods!’ Then, before they knew it, Gavin, Peter and John were being chased into the forest by a great big lion!! But they didn’t mind, as they knew Daddy wasn’t a dangerous lion. When he caught the boys he tickled them till their tummies hurt with laugher!
Suddenly, they all heard a strange scratching noise coming from behind one of the trees. They looked over to where the noise was coming from and out jumped a great big rabbit!
‘Hello, I’m Mr. Rabbit!’ he said as he cheerfully bounced towards the boys. ‘Who would like to play a game of hide and seek?’
‘Me!’ All the boys yelled together at once.
‘Okay then! Close your eyes and count to ten!’
After counting to ten the boys opened their eyes, but could not see Mr. Rabbit anywhere.
‘This way!’ shouted Gavin. Peter and John followed as Gavin lead them on a high-speed chase through the woods. They looked high, they looked low, they looked up trees and they looked around trees. Eventually Gavin spotted some bouncing legs going through some bushes. As the boys followed they found themselves in the middle of a great big glade.
Mr. Rabbit turned around and said to the boys ‘Ta da!’ Gavin, Peter and John were amazed to look around and see a gallery of wonderful paintings and sculptures.
‘Who did all these?’ asked Peter.
‘Why, don’t you know?’ replied Mr. Rabbit. ‘Your Daddy did of course!’
‘I love them!’ said John.
‘I want make pictures just like these!’ whispered Gavin.
‘But where is Daddy?’ questioned Peter.
Mr. Rabbit pointed to a ladder on a tree. Gavin, Peter and John said goodbye to Mr. Rabbit as they left him and climbed the ladder.
When they reached the top the boys found themselves in a wonderfully big tree house. They stood still for a moment. Suddenly out jumped Daddy from behind a curtain. He was dressed as a brightly coloured clown.
‘Daddy, you’re so silly!’ said John.
Daddy grinned back at him then said to the boys, ‘Come on, follow me!’ and he ran through the door, out onto a wooden bridge. The boys excitedly chased after him.
They ran across many bridges between the trees. Daddy made great big ‘whooping’ noises, which echoed through the forest. The boys copied him, ‘Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!’ as they ran along! Then they came to a sudden halt!
‘Ready?” asked Daddy.
‘Ready!’ said the boys.
They all held hands, then jumped down the gigantic slide. ‘Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!’ They landed in a big pile of leaves, right next to the car!
Gavin, Peter and John laughed hysterically as they threw the leaves up in the air. They looked around for Daddy. ‘Where are you Daddy?’ shouted Peter.
‘I’m right here!’ he said as he appeared from behind the car, back in his usual Daddy clothes. He brought a picnic over to them containing all sorts of wonderful treats made by Mummy. They gobbled them up as quickly as they had flown down the slide!
‘Okay, let’s go home!’ said Daddy. The boys happily jumped back into their cosy bed in the back of the car. Then Daddy said a prayer, started the car and set off for home. The boys chatted excitedly about the fun they had on their day with Daddy, before falling fast asleep!
When they arrived home, in the evening, the boys were all so tired they did not even wake up. One-by-one Daddy carried Gavin, Peter and John to their beds. Mummy smiled when she saw her happy and sleepy boys! Together, Mummy and Daddy tucked up the boys.
As they watched them sleep Mummy said to Daddy, ‘Aren’t you a wonderful Daddy!’
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Jamie Can Fly! (Chapter 8)
‘Pick up the green ball, you may need that,’ said Clarence who starting walking across the puffy clouds in the direction of the sun. Jamie did as he suggested and picked up the green ball, which contained the message. He then ran to catch up with the clurtle who, even though he was old, was still a fast walker.
‘Where are we going?’ asked Jamie.
‘We need to get to the departure door, the one directly above Val d’Isère,’ replied Clarence.
As they walked across the vast cloudscape Jamie enjoyed the feeling of his feet walking on the clouds. It was like treading upon lots and lots of thick cotton wool. He would have quite happily curled up and had a nice long sleep on it. However, there was no time for that now. Clarence seemed eager to get to the departure door without even stopping for rest.
‘Are we nearly there yet?’ asked Jamie.
‘Not by any means my dear boy,’ said Clarence with a chuckle.
‘Hang on a minute,’ said Jamie. ‘Why are we walking? I can fly!’
‘Yes my boy, you can. But I cannot!’ replied Clarence.
‘Oh… Well what if I carried you?’
‘Carried me! Do you know how heavy I am? No, no, no! That would not work at all!’
‘Can’t I even try?’ asked Jamie, who was always determined to attempt to do new things, even if they did not seem possible. Then, before Clarence had a chance to reply, Jamie had his hands wrapped around the edge of Clarence’s shell. ‘Now I just need to work out how to hold on to you whilst pointing.’
‘My boy, what are you doing?’ blurted Clarence anxiously.
‘It’s alright, I think I’ve got it!’ Jamie pointed his index finger whilst still holding on to the shell with the rest of his hand. There was a shake! There was a spin! On Jamie’s face there was a grin as the two of them were lifted up into the air above the cloudscape. ‘We’re doing it Clarence! We’re really doing it!’
Clarence struggled to say anything. He was speechless. Jamie lifted them higher and higher before he paused to ask, ‘Which way now?’
‘It’s… it’s that way, over towards the tall blue cloud.’
Jamie looked in the direction of Clarence’s pointed foot. In the distance he saw what it was Clarence was referring to. It was the shape of a very tall Christmas tree. It sparkled and shone the most beautiful blue colour. Jamie could not wait to get near it. So, with the flick of his finger, WHOOSH! off they went!
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