Storytime 2019-09 i62

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Poems and Rhymes

StohDIDmeYOUWeKNOtWih?ldinGgeTeosled O BLiiltltyleaMndanthean`dI]naf]wrVnaomdaumf]ortSmƇruGimnsbmatrhea]emn.rtgei,iiBaonotrhbnlniehaano.nnnLunatadiosng],oaƄeCakmnheadmdo\ssnseuaұ^atizotdirfifnoaa\grvelStoryteller’s Corner BEEP
the car that went far
By Rachel Field
pFlaRstEiEc
dtrhafaei(nwibrleiihBeetdtailssloettl)o,hyantmameahpeknvenapnecood“dneeutIYfirhacphwoibastsiehrneuinohegetgdhdtmdAohsegwofiatlleoHnaivelntoiotteternkttlhnmdnelrehehciebdpanmeahfmouevlfgliadlcrresoanokBwpnotwlsoiewlulmealtstayewyruaoaymissnnrcthihniuhtggtopoiwshmaoidtscfhseerwmoi,nBheaHksierletln”yh,fateshtlaetidsmoaowcooeneldw, ahse rmouunttderaendd, “bIrwigihsth, BI hilalydwas
38

Masha and the BearThe

The
Magic Carpet, Thunder and Lightning,
Sleepin NO POEM!

SPOT IT! Eiq gXhs lbh`m [Xh Sutdradnesnflyo,rtmheedraibnbtiotastsepplepneddidoluytdorfesitssedskpinrianncde!
sio m]] bh na] [innX`]Ҷ
Tick the boxes qa]h sio Ƅh\ na]m] Tlbn] bn a]l]ҫ
iZc][nm bh na] jb[nol]ҫ
62iCnoimssiuneg
nswer: Qa]l] Xl] lbh`mҫ

GwEwT wTO.PstToIPryStAimNDeOmFaFEgRaSzHinEeRE.c: om

READING COMPREHENSION WRITING SUPPORTS THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM

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FplRaEstEic

EGXE[Kd. .X.hA\ DGbRee AƄGh\O oNj! nWa]h aabtee

Monster Under the Bed

Arachne the Spiderwoman, The Squabbling
Siblings, a Colourful Beetle and ARTY FUN!

“Perhaps we’ll be able to make up a story about it.”

Magic, aMnodnMstoerres,!
Myths

loSaedivnsesonifdsaeuTc.ptLhieevrititsysietoiosusr,rsipeuiumsze, azolbgneieesnsaalpontiedoncnaigartsltaypktoieonefs:mlpigiarhant!tdion

SPOT IT!

Find this feathered
friend in one of
our stories!

Storytime™ gX`Xubh] bm joZebma]\ ]p]ls ILLUSTRATORS:
gihna Zs Luma WorksҮ Pno\bi > Ү
PionaZXhd Q][ahijXldҮ Iih\ih O\Ү Laura Proietti Qa] PkoXZZebh` PbZebh`m
Iih\ihҮ PA IKҫ Gabi Tozati =lX[ah] na] Pjb\]lqigXh
Jʔnior Caramez Eiq na] >]]ne] Cin Fnm
© IogX ?l]Xnbp] In\Ү ҫ =ee lb`anm
l]m]lp]\ҫ Ki jXln i^ nabm gX`Xubh] ?ieiol^oe ?iXn
gXs Z] om]\ il l]jli\o[]\ qbnaion Josh Cleland Jihmn]l Rh\]l na] >]\
jlbil qlbnn]h j]lgbmmbih i^ na] joZebma]lҫ Vera Zaytseva Qa] Mlbh[]mmӆm Iimn Obh`m
Storytime bm X nlX\]gXld i^ IogX Giorgia Broseghini GX[d Xh\ Gbee Xh\ na] @lX`ih
?l]Xnbp] In\ҫ Mlbhn]\ Zs TXemn]X\ Oi[a]ҫ SHiRa Le Pig]nabh` Qie\ na] Tbe\ C]]m]
Masha Klot >bees Xh\ na] Ibnne] JXh

Luma Creative and its paper suppliers have BErnajzoiyl,sPtoorriteusgfarlomanAdnIcrieelnatnGdr!eece,
Z]]h bh\]j]h\]hnes []lnbƄ]\ bh X[[il\Xh[]
qbna na] loe]m i^ na] BP?ӽ ҚBil]mn
Pn]qXl\mabj ?ioh[beқӽҫ

Read happily ever after.

F mous Fables Storyland Adventures

e Squabbling Siblings Jack and Jill and the Dragon

Three playful pups learn a lesson 6 31Find out what happens when Jack
in togetherness in a new version of and Jill go up the hill – and come
an old Aesop fable. face to face with a dragon!

Myths and Legends Poems and Rhymes

rachne the Spiderwoman 10 Something Told the Wild Gees

Xlli`Xhn mjbhh]l iƂ]h\m na] By Rachel Field. Celebrate autumn
goddess Athena in this Greek myth. and the wonders of nature with this
seasonal poem.

r und the World Tales Storyteller’s Corner

o the Beetle Got Its 14 Billy and the Little Man
Colourful Coat
Billy regrets accepting a gift
A fun folk tale from Brazil featuring from a mischievous stranger
a race between a rat and a beetle. who has magical powers.

Tales from Today Storytime Playbox

Monster Under the Bed 18 44Be a dragon doctor, draw a spider,

Not all monsters are scary – make a beautiful beetle and solve
some of them are scaredy-cats! our super-tricky story puzzles.
It’s time to test your brain!

our cover story

Favourite Fairy Tales Story Ma c

The Princess’s Lost Rings More amazing books to look out
r this month – and your chance
Could an adorable rabbit be a win them too!
secret jewel thief? Find out
in a Portuguese fairy tale.

Have a go at creating your See
own friendly monster! PAGE 46

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Famous Fables

The Squabbling
Siblings

Sammy, Poppy and Duke were always falling out with each
other. Their mother hardly got a moment’s peace.

“Will you stop yapping at each other for just one second?” she cried. They had
been arguing ever since they reached the park. “We’re supposed to be having
fun together and enjoying the fresh air, not fighting. Now go and have a good
sniff around – and behave yourselves!”
She curled up in the sun and her three pups ran off, noses to the grass, following
a scent trail. It wasn’t long before they were barking at each other again.

6

“Oh, for goodness’ sake. What now?” “He broke it, Mum! He broke the stick
cried Mum. on purpose!” yowled Duke and Poppy.

“Sammy took my stick,” yelped Duke, “Right, it’s time to teach you all a
running and jumping around Mum’s lesson,” said Mum. “Stay here and
feet for attention. don’t move. Do you hear me? I’ll be
back in a second. Stay!”
“It was my stick first,” howled Poppy.
“I found it by the bushes.” Sammy, Poppy and Duke tried their
fidgety best to stay still while Mum
“No you didn’t, Poppy,” snapped raced across the park.
Duke. “Another dog took your stick.
Sammy took mine.” Mum came back in the nick of time –
they were already getting annoyed
“Enough!” yapped Mum. “Sammy, with each other.
leave that stick immediately. Leave!”
She dropped a large bundle of sticks
Sammy looked guilty. He gave the on the ground. She had a stern look
stick one last gnaw and it snapped in on her face. “Right, take a stick each,”
half then it fell to the ground. she growled.

7

Growling meant she was serious, so the three pups each picked up a stick.

“Now try to break them,” said Mum.

“What fun!” thought Sammy. He nibbled at a stick, then bent it between

his front paws. Snap!

Poppy did the same. Snap! Duke followed suit. Snap!

“That game was fun!” said Sammy, wagging his
tail proudly.

Mum nudged a bundle of three sticks towards him
and said, “Now, try to break those.”

Sammy held the three sticks in his mouth and nibbled

and gnawed. He held them between his paws and

tried to bend and break them, but they wouldn’t

snap. At last he gave up. “I can’t do it!” he said. TRY IT!
Poppy and Duke sniggered.

8 glcacotoahsrflbyotwnalrSriuidpoletoeblnooenntrwrdkpnegddyalageseoaosyekrusttotih.twrhcaafosFakehseisttsrteielsmhsinyfcnaatootak,hmmhywusslaelo’e..erlsyIufeest,wto’aisticuihfmtkarheyeonoru

“Now you try it,” said Mum, passing three new sticks to Poppy.
Poppy stood on one end of the sticks and tried to crack them in
half with her sharp teeth. She grunted and groaned and pulled
and yanked, but she couldn’t break the sticks in half.
Duke was smirking.
“Your turn,” said Mum, nudging a bundle of sticks before Duke.
Just like his siblings, Duke nibbled, gnawed, bent, pulled and yanked, but
the sticks wouldn’t break. At last, he flopped to the ground and gave up.
Pawing the bundle of three sticks, Mum said, “You three are this bundle
of sticks. If you stay together and support each other, you are strong. But
when you work alone and keep fighting, you make yourselves weaker.
There’s strength in unity. Do you understand?”
Sammy, Poppy and Duke nodded.
“Now, play nicely and don’t let me hear you squabbling again.”
The pups ran off and didn’t argue again – at least not for a whole day!

9

Myths and Legends

Arachne the

Spiderwoman

Long ago in Greece, a young maiden
[Xee]\ =lX[ah] qXm Ƅh\bh` ^Xg]
as a skilled weaver. With a single
mnlXh\ i^ nal]X\ ma] [ioe\ q]Xp]
na] Ƅh]mn \][ilXnbp] [einaҫ

People came from far and wide
to see and buy her work, and their
praise soon went to Arachne’s head.

One day, a customer said,
“You must have been
taught by Athena,
the goddess of
crafts, herself!”

Arachne smiled.
“Actually, I think
I could probably

teach Athena a thing or two. I think However, Arachne wasn’t intimidated.
I’m even more skilled than she is.”
ӂT] maXee Ƅh\ ion qai bm Z]mn Xn
Of course, the gods and goddesses spinning,” said Athena. “I challenge
saw and heard everything – and you to a contest. We will meet here
Athena was greatly displeased by tomorrow and spin all day. Zeus will
Arachne’s arrogance. be our judge and whoever loses the
competition must never spin again.”
Athena disguised herself as
an old woman and visited
Arachne’s home. Pushing
her way to the front of
a crowd of admirers, she
mXb\Ү ӂFn bmhӆn qbm] ni iƂ]h\
the gods. We all owe our talents
and skills to them.”

“Not I!” said Arachne, carrying on
with her spinning. “I taught myself
to spin. My talent is my own and
I think I’m better than Athena!”

This angered Athena
so much that she
nal]q iƂ a]l
disguise.

11

=lX[ah] qXm mi [ihƄ\]hn bh a]l mdbeemҮ W]om ^ioh\ bn Xgombh` Xh\ na] [liq\
ma] comn malo``]\ Xh\ mXb\Ү ӂBbh]Ү Fӆee gonn]l]\ na]bl XjjlipXeҮ Zon =lX[ah]ӆm
m]] sio nigilliqҫӃ bhmie]h[] gX\] =na]hX ]p]h Xh`lb]lҫ

Qa] h]rn \XsҮ ]p]lsih] `Xna]l]\ ni Tabe] =lX[ah] Ƅhbma]\ a]l q]Xpbh`Ү
m]] =na]hX Xh\ =lX[ah]ӆm [ihn]mnҫ =na]hX [lX^n]\ X nXj]mnls naXn eiid]\
W]om eiid]\ \iqh ih na]g niiҫ mi l]Xebmnb[ iheiid]lm ^]en na]s [ioe\
Xegimn mn]j bhni bnҫ Fn maiq]\ W]om
=lX[ah] om]\ a]l Ƅh]mn mbedm ni q]Xp] Xh\ na] ina]l `i\m i^ Lesgjom \ibh`
X nXj]mnls i^ W]om mbnnbh` ih X [eio\ҫ a]ej^oe \]]\m ^il na] qile\ҫ Fn qXm
Pa] \]jb[n]\ abg mollioh\]\ Zs na] \][ilXn]\ qbna Ƈiq]lm Xh\ e]Xp]m
gXhs `i\\]mm]m a] aX\ [aXlg]\ҫ naXn eiid]\ ebd] na]s [ioe\ Z] jeo[d]\
iƂ na] [einaҫ Fn qXm X qild i^ Xlnҫ

Ta]h =na]hX Ƅhbma]\ a]l qildҮ =na]hX ^]en jbns ^il na] sioh` gXb\]hҮ
na] [liq\ XjjeXo\]\ eio\esҫ mi ma] nio[a]\ =lX[ah]ӆm ^il]a]X\
qbna na] nbj i^ a]l mj]Xl Xh\ bhmnXhnes
W]om jli[eXbg]\ =na]hX na] qbhh]l [aXh`]\ a]l bhni X mjb\]lҫ
Xh\ ]p]h =lX[ah] X\gbnn]\ naXn
=na]hXӆm qild qXm moj]lbilҫ =lX[ah] m[onne]\ bhni X [ilh]l Xh\
Z]`Xh ni mjbh Xh bhnlb[Xn] q]Zҫ Kiq
=lX[ah] qXm ip]l[ig] qbna maXg] ma] [ioe\ mjbh qa]h]p]l ma] ebd]\ҫ
Xn aiq [ih[]bn]\ ma] aX\ Z]]hҫ Pa]
qXm mi \bmnlXo`an Xn na] naio`an i^ Pig] mXs naXn Xee na] mjb\]lm bh na]
h]p]l mjbhhbh` X`XbhҮ ma] Z]`Xh ni qile\ Xl] =lX[ah]ӆm [abe\l]h Xh\ bn
miZ Xh\ je]X\ҫ bm naXhdm ni a]l naXn na]s `in na]bl
m[b]hnbƄ[ hXg]Ү ӄXlX[ahb\ӆҫ
ӂ= `i\\]mm [Xh h]p]l `i ZX[d ih
X \]XeҮӃ mXb\ =na]hX Ƅlgesҫ

ӂ>on qaXn bm na] jibhn i^ ebpbh` b^ F [Xh
h]p]l mjbh X`XbhҶ Fn bm gs `l]Xn]mn
cisҮӃ mXb\ =lX[ah]Ү q]]jbh`ҫ

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13

Around the World Tales

How the Beetle Got
Its Colourful Coat

In Brazil, there are many beetles with beautiful shiny
coats, but it wasn’t always that way. They used to be
dull and brown. Here is the story of how that changed.

14

DRAW IT!DbScstruocthtatholiaeowternhnuyyTietnrtihifnhiysgumetaalstrSvehebnhhemiyenaaneekarove’tetgettltfhe.hamocDeezouoorroinnuenrcwedneooant.iuuyrecnlerneoodsttSaemmr.otydcCivo/tlfiseirlrntrieyoreifanttnr7ehoits0mBeem0mraewa,0ozo0rirle0ld,.

One morning, a brown beetle was A parrot sitting in a mango tree
maoƋbh` Xeih` qa]h X lXn \Xln]\ ion ip]la]Xl\ na]bl [ihp]lmXnbihҫ
Xh\ eiid]\ Xn bn m[ilh^oeesҫ ӂVioӆl] mi ӂTas \ihӆn sio lX[] ]X[a ina]lҶ
meiqҮӃ mXb\ na] lXnҫ ӂFn gomn Z] n]llbZe] Fӆee `bp] X [ieiol^oe h]q [iXn ni
nXdbh` mi eih` ni `]n Xhsqa]l]ҫ Gomn qai]p]l l]X[a]m na] Ƅhbma ebh] Ƅlmnҫ
eiid Xn g]ҫ P]] aiq ^Xmn F XgұӃ Fӆee aXp] bn gX\] ni il\]l ^il sioҫӃ

Qa] lXn lXh ni X nl]]Ү [bl[e]\ bn Xh\ ӂLaҮ Fӆ\ ebd] X s]eeiq [iXn qbna Zliqh
\Xma]\ ZX[d ni na] Z]]ne]Ү qai aX\ mnlbj]m ӕ comn ebd] X nb`]lӆmҮӃ mXb\ na]
aXl\es gip]\ҫ lXnҮ `eXh[bh` Xn abm \lXZ `l]s ^olҫ

ӂ@ihӆn sio qbma sio [ioe\ loh ebd] F ӂFӆ\ ebd] X Zlb`anҮ Z]Xonb^oe [iXnҮӃ mXb\
\iҶӃ Xmd]\ na] lXnҫ na] Zliqh Z]]ne] \l]Xgbesҫ

ӂV]mҮ sio Xl] bh[l]\bZes ^XmnҮӃ mXb\ na] Qa] lXn eXo`a]\ҫ ӂVio mXs naXn Xm b^
Zliqh Z]]ne] jiebn]esҮ Xh\ ma] [Xllb]\ sio mnXh\ X [aXh[] i^ qbhhbh`ұӃ
ih [lXqebh` Xeih`ҫ
15

“Let’s see, shall we?” said the parrot. “I’ll squawk to start the race and the finish
line can be the palm tree at the top of the hill. Do you agree?”
The beetle and the rat nodded, so the parrot let out a loud squawk and flew
to the palm tree to keep an eye on the finish line.
The rat set off as fast as he could, eager to show off his speed. The palm tree
was further away than he thought and the hill was steeper, but he scurried on
and didn’t look back. Even when his legs felt tired, he hurried on his way. Even
when he thought about taking a rest, he carried on running.
When the rat finally reached the palm tree at the top of the hill, he couldn’t
believe his eyes. The beetle was sitting next to the parrot, smiling. The rat
gasped, “How did you get here so quickly? I didn’t see you overtake me.”

16

The brown beetle flicked out dainty wings from her sides. “Nobody said you had
to run the race to win it, so I flew here.”
“I didn’t know you could fly,” said the rat, surprised.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t be so quick to judge others,” said the parrot. “You never
know what hidden talents someone might have.” Then the parrot asked the
beetle, “What colour would you like your coat to be?”
The beetle admired the parrot’s green and gold feathers and the lush green forest
canopy glinting with golden sunlight. “I’d like to be green and gold, please.”
So that’s why so many beetles in the Amazon rainforest have colourful coats, and
why the rat still has dull grey fur.

17

Tales from Today

Monster Under the Bed

My friend Monster lives under my bed. He was scared of me
Xn ƄlmnҮ Zon qa]h F maXl]\ gs [ai[ieXn] Zbm[obnm qbna abgҮ
a] dh]q na]l] qXm hinabh` ni ^]Xlҫ

We have great fun hanging out together. When I come home from school, I drop
my bag straight away and run upstairs to him. We play board games and video
games, I tell him all about school and we draw pictures together.
Monster is good at art. Sometimes he draws pictures of my garden. Lately, he’s
been drawing a lot of pictures of my trampoline.

18

One day, when we were sharing our “Cats? You’re scared of cats! But
favourite chocolate cake, I said, “Let’s they’re harmless – they’d never hurt
go and play in the garden, Monster. a big monster like you.” I sniggered.
You can jump on my trampoline!”
Monster crawled under my bed and
Monster shook his head. \b\hӆn [ig] ion X`Xbhҫ Fn qXm na] Ƅlmn
time we had ever argued.
“But we always stay in my room.
You’ll love it out there! Come on…” After school the next day, I used a
bag of chocolate buttons to lure him
Monster folded his big furry arms. out from under my bed.
He looked scared.
I loaded my tablet with all the cute
“What are you afraid of? We'll have [Xn pb\]im F [ioe\ Ƅh\ҫ KiZi\s [Xh
fun. I promise!” resist kittens! I pointed at the screen.
“Look at this, Monster – it’ll cheer you
Monster pointed at a drawing of a cat up. It's funny!”
I had done. He furrowed his brow.

19

Monster looked over and cowered. He For a moment he seemed tempted,
covered his eyes with his giant hands. but it soon passed. He grunted and
meogj]\ ni na] Ƈiilҫ
I laughed at a video of a kitten trying
to squish itself inside a shoe. Monster Frustrated, I cried, “Who’s ever heard
j]]j]\ nalio`a abm Ƅh`]lmҫ F mXq X of a monster being scared?” It came
big smile break over his face. We out a bit louder than I meant it to.
watched videos for a while. At one
point, he even said, “Awww!” Monster looked at me sadly, then
crawled under my bed and stayed
“See? Cats are funny. Cats are cute. na]l]ҫ Fh na] hb`anҮ F a]Xl\ abg mhbƋbh`ҫ
They won’t hurt you. Now do you I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings!
want to jump on the trampoline?”
The following day, I came up with a
Monster stood up. He looked out of plan. I crept into my bedroom and left
the window and then at me.

ACT IT OUT!
our Friendly Monster Mask to act out this story or
int out some exciting new activities for the monster to try.
k up
it from storytimemagazine.com/free

2019

X gbhb [ai[ieXn] goƉh Zs gs Z]\Ү jid]\ abm a]X\ Xlioh\ na] ZX[d
ih] bh na] gb\\e] i^ gs liig Xh\ \iil Xh\ `Xp] g] X mas mgbe]ҫ =
Xhina]l Zs gs Z]\liig \iilҫ F m]n mas [ai[ieXn]Ӓ[ip]l]\ mgbe]ұ
X nlXbe naXn q]hn X[limm na] eXh\bh`Ү
\iqh na] mnXblm Xh\ bhni na] `Xl\]h F `lbhh]\ ZX[d Xn abg Xh\ [eXjj]\ҫ
ӕ lb`an oj ni na] nlXgjiebh]ҫ Qa]h
F mXn Xh\ aij]\ Xh\ qXbn]\ҫ K]rn a] jon ih] Zb` ƇoƂs ^iin ionmb\]
Xh\ Zloma]\ abm ni]m X`Xbhmn na] eih`
ӂ?ig] ihҮ Jihmn]lҮӃ F qabmj]l]\ҫ `lXmmҫ E] [ao[de]\ҫ Fn gomn aXp] ^]en
ӂ>] ZlXp]ҫ F dhiq sio [Xh \i bnҫӃ nb[debmaҫ Qa]h a] ^oees mn]jj]\ ionmb\]
Xh\ X `]hne] Zl]]u] loƋ]\ abm ^olҫ
F mXn na]l] ^il X eih` nbg] Z][Xom] E] [eim]\ abm ]s]m Xh\ mgbe]\ҫ E]
F l]Xebm]\ bn qXm Z]nn]l ni Z] jXnb]hn qXm ]hcisbh` abgm]e^ҫ
naXh ni `]n ^lomnlXn]\ҫ

Ta]h F qXm comn XZion
ni `bp] ojҮ Jihmn]l

21

I climbed onto the trampoline and started to bounce. I didn’t go too high or do any
ƇbjmҮ Xm F \b\hӆn qXhn ni jon abg iƂҫ
QaXnӆm qa]h a] niid g] Zs moljlbm]ҫ Po\\]hesҮ a] Zioh\]\ X[limm na] eXqhҮ niid
a mighty leap and landed in the middle of the trampoline. He sent me soaring
bhni na] mdsҮ ab`a]l naXh F aX\ ]p]l cogj]\ Z]^il]ұ
T] mj]hn na] qaie] X^n]lhiih Zioh[bh`Ү Zibh`bh`Ү Z]eesӒƇijjbh`Ү no[dbh` Xh\
Ƈbjjbh` ni`]na]lҫ F ]p]h a]Xl\ Jihmn]l eXo`a jlij]les ^il na] Ƅlmn nbg] ]p]l ӕ bn
qXm X Zb` `ol`es eXo`a naXn [Xg] ^lig \]]j bh abm Z]eesҫ
Qa]m] \Xsm q] jeXs ionmb\] qa]h]p]l q] [Xhҫ Jihmn]l aXm ]p]h gX\] ^lb]h\m
qbna iol h]b`aZiolӆm [Xnҫ Fӆg mi jlio\ i^ abg ^il Z]bh` ZlXp]ҫ F [Xhӆn n]ee sio aiq
`l]Xn bn bm ni aXp] X gihmn]l oh\]l na] Z]\ҫ Kiq F comn h]]\ ni j]lmoX\] abg
ni [ig] ni na] jXld qbna g]ҫ
FgX`bh] aiq go[a ^oh naXn qioe\ Z]ұ

22

Favourite Fairy Tales

The Princess’s Lost Rings
Once upon a time in Portugal, there was a happy princess who

owned the most beautiful rings in the world. She had rings with
diamonds, sapphires and every precious stone you can imagine.

The princess’s room looked out over the royal gardens. Every evening, she stood
on her balcony admiring the view, and then she would remove whatever ring she
was wearing and bathe her hands in rosewater.
One evening, after the princess had removed her favourite diamond ring, a little
rabbit hopped onto her balcony. “How adorable!” she cried, and she stopped
to play with the rabbit.

23

The princess didn’t think her parents
would believe that a rabbit had stolen
her rings, and she didn’t want to admit
to losing them, so she said nothing.

The king and queen were concerned
because the princess had always been
so happy and talkative.

“Let’s get someone to entertain her,”
they said. That day they summoned
all the storytellers in the kingdom.

However, after the rabbit had hopped Now it so happened that the greatest
away, the princess found her diamond storytellers were two old women with
ring was missing. “Surely the rabbit terrible memories. As they hobbled
didn’t take it?” she thought. to the castle, one of the
old women said, “I can’t
The next night, the rabbit came to play remember a single
again and the princess’s best emerald one of my stories.”
ring disappeared. For several nights
after that, the rabbit came to visit and,
every evening, another ring vanished.

One morning, the princess opened her
jewellery box to find that she had no
rings left at all. At breakfast, she was
so sad she burst into tears.

“What’s wrong?” asked the king.

24

“We’ll just have to learn some new The donkey dropped its load next to
stories,” replied the other old woman. a roaring fire. Over the fire hung a pot
with a delicious-smelling stew inside.
Just then, they saw something odd –
a little donkey with backwards hooves “That smells good,” said the first old
was plodding along the road carrying woman, licking her lips. “I’m going to
a load of wood. try it.” She was about to dip a finger
in when a deep voice said, “Do not
“What a strange donkey,” declared touch it. It’s not yours!”
the first old woman.
The voice came from inside the
“Let’s follow it. Perhaps we’ll be able cottage, so the second old woman
to make up a story about it,” said the peeped through the keyhole. Inside,
second old woman. she saw a pretty little rabbit playing
with a wooden box. The box was filled
So they followed the donkey all the with beautiful rings, each one set with
way into the woods until they came to a different sparkling jewel.
a quaint cottage with a thatched roof.

25

SPOT IT! Eiq gXhs lbh`m [Xh
sio [iohnҶ Tlbn] siol
Tick the boxes qa]h sio Ƅh\ na]m] Xhmq]l a]l]ҫ
iZc][nm bh na] jb[nol]ҫ

Answer: Qa]l] Xl] lbh`mҫ

Sutrdadnesnfloy,rtmheedrainbtboitasstpelpepneddidolyutdroefsistesdskpirninacned!

“Oh, what I wouldn’t give to see the So the women hurried along, reciting
owner of these rings,” cried the prince, their stories all the way there.
and then he turned into a rabbit again.
When they arrived, many storytellers
The old women were so frightened had already entertained the princess,
that they hurried back to the path but she looked as sad as ever. All she
and made their way to the castle. could think about were the rabbit and
her lost rings.
“Now we have our stories,” said the
first old woman. “I can tell how we The first old woman told the princess
followed a donkey with backwards her part of the story about the donkey
hooves and how a strange voice told with backwards hooves and the pot of
me to stop tasting stew from the pot.” stew she wasn’t allowed to taste.

“And I can tell how I saw a rabbit turn The princess sighed and didn’t seem
into a prince. But we must hurry to the interested at all.
palace before we forget.”

28

Then the second old woman came the keyhole. She could see her friend
forward and told her half of the story the little rabbit playing with a box of
about the rabbit and the rings – and jewelled rings – her jewelled rings!
how the rabbit turned into a prince.
Suddenly, just as before, the rabbit
The princess’s eyes lit up and she stepped out of its skin and transformed
leaned forward eagerly. into a prince. “What I wouldn’t give to
see the owner of these rings,” he said.
When the old woman recited the part
about the prince longing to see the The princess cried, “You can see me
owner of the rings, the princess leapt now. I’m here at your front door!”
up and clapped her hands excitedly.
“Take me to his cottage!” she cried.

So the old women shuffled along
leading the princess, the king and
the queen until they met the donkey
with backwards hooves again. Once
more, it led them to the thatched
cottage in the woods.

The pot of stew was still bubbling
merrily on the fire. It smelt so good,
the princess stuck a finger in to try it.

“Help yourself,” said a deep voice
from inside the cottage. “The stew
is ready and yours to taste.”

The princess was so surprised, she
ran to the door and peeped through

29

The prince threw open the door and flung his arms around the princess. “Thank
you, Princess! A wicked sorcerer put a curse on me and the only way to break it
was for a princess to see me in my true form. I hoped you would come.”
The princess was delighted – especially when he returned her precious rings.
“Keep this one,” she said, handing him the diamond ring he stole on his first visit.
“It might remind you to steer clear of sorcerers.”
And so ends the most famous story the two old women ever told – and they
never ever forgot it!

Tell It!

cMtfrhraeeieeanmnedtoidxvtraseei.sclaIetlfnidyytdeoottouumaryicalfasokanueov’rortufunrpaeramimytmeoieleuysmstroo,borgrewyernt .

Storyland Adventures

Jack and Jill
and the Dragon

One bright morning, Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a
pail of water. But when they pulled up their bucket, they
found it was empty! There wasn’t a single drop in it.

Jill peered down the well. “It’s dry down there. It rained a lot last week so
mig]nabh` gomn Z] Zei[dbh` iol mojjesҫ T]ӆee aXp] ni Ƅh\ na] mnl]Xg
that feeds it and move whatever is in the way.
It starts up in the mountains.”
“Not Dragon Mountains!” gasped Jack.
“Yes,” said Jill. “But I’m sure we’ll
Ƅh\ na] Zei[dX`] Z]^il] q] `]n
too close to the you-know-what.
We’d better leave soon.”
Jack gulped nervously. He’d
heard that the dragon on top
i^ na] giohnXbh Zl]Xna]\ Ƅl]ҫ
He hated dragons.

31

Jack and Jill packed some essential ӂGomn Xm F naio`anҮӃ mXb\ Gbeeҫ ӂQa]l]ӆm
mojjeb]m Xh\ m]n iƂҫ Qa]s jXmm]\ mig]nabh` mnijjbh` na] qXn]l ^lig
Seven Hills, skirted Swan Lake and Ƈiqbh`ҫ I]nӆm ^ieeiq bnҫӃ
a]X\]\ hilna ni @lX`ih JiohnXbhmҫ
GX[d Xh\ Gbee nlX[d]\ na] nlb[de] bhni
Piih na]s l]X[a]\ na] mnl]Xgҫ Ta]l] na] giohnXbhm qa]l] `l]]h jXmnol]m
bn aX\ ih[] ZXZZe]\ Xh\ ZolZe]\Ү bn `Xp] qXs ni gimms Zioe\]lmҫ Rj na]s
\lbZZe]\ Xeih` q]Xdesҫ q]hnҮ m[lXgZebh` ip]l [lX``s li[dmҫ
Qa]s q]l] miih aoƉh` Xh\ joƉh`ҫ

=ee i^ X mo\\]hҮ na]s a]Xl\ X gb`ans
liXlҫ Qa] `lioh\ koXd]\ Z]h]Xna
na]bl ^]]nҫ P]p]lXe li[dm
[lXma]\ \iqh Xh\
comn gbmm]\ na]gҫ

GX[d qabgj]l]\ҫ ӂF
dh]q bnұ Fӆg `ibh` aig]ҫӃ

ӂVio [XhӆnұӃ [lb]\ Gbeeҫ ӂT]ӆl]
h]Xl na] Zei[dX`]ҫӃ

“Yes… and near a
\lX`ih niiұӃ

ӂGX[dҮ qaXnӆm qilm]
ӕ ^X[bh` X \lX`ih
il aXpbh` hi ^l]ma
qXn]l ni \lbhdҶӃ

Say It!

onuDuatornfsrdyeoorrmeyucsrrihteteoymrmiyteetami,fmbtJeeearrmcrkteahaaegdnawidnzogiJnritdelhl.s?icstoPosmrtiton/hrfteyrie.te

“They’re as bad as each other!” said “Okay? Of course I’m not okay. Look
Jack, but he knew he couldn’t leave at me!” The dragon moaned and
his sister alone. He groaned. “Okay, pointed to a huge lump on the crown
let’s carry on.” of his head. It looked painful.

They struggled up the stream’s ӂIXmn hb`anҮ F qXm Ƈsbh` niqXl\m gs
slippery path, clambered round a cave when I forgot to look where I was
corner and came to a sudden halt.
A dragon with golden scales and going – and thwack! I hit the side of the
wings was lying before them! Its
long spiny tail was blocking the mountain and fell onto this ledge.”
mnl]Xgӆm Ƈiq Xh\ na] \lX`ih qXm
whining miserably. “Don’t worry, Dragon. Jack’s got just
the thing for you,” said Jill.
Jill’s heart pounded and Jack’s knees
knocked together with fright. The “Me?” cried Jack.
\lX`ih mhbƂ]\ na] Xbl Xh\ `logZe]\Ү
“Who goes there? I smell humans!” “Yes, you!” she said. Jill rummaged
in his backpack and pulled out some
Jill stepped forward bravely. “Umm… vinegar and brown paper.
hello, dragon. Are you okay?”

33

“They’re very good for injuries,” Ta]h a] aX\ Ƅhbma]\Ү GX[d e]n ion X
explained Jill. “Jack fell down and deep sigh of relief.
broke his crown once and these
helped him. Now, hold still.” “Thank you,” said the dragon. “That
feels much better already.”
Jill dabbed some vinegar on the
dragon’s bruised bump. He let out “You’re welcome, Dragon,” said Jill.
a piercing whine. Jack cowered. “Isn’t he, Jack?”

“Now, you do this next bit, Jack. Grab “Y-y-yes,” Jack stammered, still feeling
the end of the brown paper and wrap shaky. He couldn’t believe what he
it around his head.” had just done. “C-could we ask you
a favour in return, please?”
The colour drained from Jack’s face.
He did not want to go anywhere near “Of course,” said the dragon.
the dragon’s head, but the dragon
looked at him with such woeful eyes, “Would you mind moving your tail
he knew he had to help. please? It’s blocking the stream that
feeds our well.”
He crept forward and, with trembling
hands, looped brown paper around
the dragon’s bump. As he did so,
he could feel the dragon’s hot
breath on his face.

DKIDNOYWOU?Londbbgirdorauwugissnoeep,svpaaienpnoeedpgr lbateourrmtaerneapdalslt!y

34

“Oh dear, I am terribly sorry.” The The dragon thanked them again, and
dragon swished his long tail out of na]h a] ƇXjj]\ abm `ie\]h qbh`m Xh\
the way and, all at once, the water Ƈ]q ZX[d ni abm [Xp]ҫ
Ƈiq]\ ^l]]es X`Xbhҫ
“Bye, Dragon!” shouted Jill. “Hope
“I’m not usually keen on humans, you feel better soon. We’ll come and
particularly those pesky knights and visit you again!”
princes – always looking for trouble.
But you’re welcome to visit any time,” But as they made their way down
Dragon Mountains, Jack mumbled,
“Thank you, we’d like that very much,” “I think I’ll stick with going up hills.”
said Jill. “Wouldn’t we, Jack?” She
gave Jack a sharp nudge.

“Umm… yes, we would,” he said.

PNrienxctetsismaen:dItt’shtehPeea Soup!

Poems and Rhymes

Something Told
the Wild Geese

By Rachel Field

DID YOU KNOW?`I]anaf]rVnnaomddumf]owt SƇruGimansbmarr ea]emmnrtgei,iitaonoht hbnln.ihaano.S n nLuonaadiosmn], oaƄ Ceakmnhadmdto\rsnsu aaұ^ativzodiefifnoal\gr

36

Something told the wild geese
It was time to go,
Qaio`a na] Ƅ]e\m eXs `ie\]h
Something whispered, “Snow.”

Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, lustre-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, “Frost.”

All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
>on ]X[a qbe\ Zl]Xmn mnbƂ]h]\
At remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese
Fn qXm nbg] ni ƇsҮ
Summer sun was on their wings,
Tbhn]l bh na]bl [lsҫ

37

Storyteller’s Corner

BLililtytlaenMdathne

One frosty night when the moon was round and bright, Billy was
on his way home. He felt so cold, he muttered, “I wish I had
something warm to drink.”

“You don’t have to wish twice, Billy,” said a wee
voice. A little man wearing a smart hat
and big silver buckles on his shoes
appeared. He held out a cup of
something warm for Billy.
Billy knew the little man must
be one of the good people
(what the Irish often call
fairies), and he thanked
the little man and
drained the cup.

38

“Now, Billy,” said the man, “you must Billy was confused but he picked two
pay me for that drink or be my servant stout rushes and brought them back
for seven years and a day.” to his new master.

When Billy heard this, he regretted “Climb on, Billy,” said the little man,
accepting the drink because he hadn’t straddling one of the rushes.
got a penny to spare. “It looks like I’ll
have to be your servant then,” he said. “Climb on where?” asked Billy.

“Go home now, Billy, but meet me “On your horse, of course,” said the
here tomorrow night. If you serve me little man. “And don’t delay me.”
well, I will be a good master to you.”
Eager not to anger his master, Billy
The next evening, Billy met the little straddled the second rush and the
man again, who said, “We are going little man cried, “Giddy up! Giddy up!
on a long journey, so get a horse Giddy up!”
ready for each of us.”
All at once, the rushes changed into
“Where are your stables so I can fetch fine horses and galloped away at
the horses?” asked Billy. full speed. But Billy was facing
backwards, so he had to hold
“Go to that marsh and bring me the onto his horse’s tail for dear life!
two strongest rushes you can find,”
said the little man.

39

At last, the little man stopped outside When they were full, they went back
the gate of a fine house. the way they had come, mounted their
rushes and galloped home again.
“Now, Billy,” said the little man, “do as
I do, but be on your guard. You’re my The same happened night after night,
watchman tonight.” but each time they visited the cellar
of a different house. Soon they had
The little man then whispered some dined in every cellar in Ireland.
gobbledegook and they both shrank
in size and flew through the keyhole One night, the little man said to Billy,
of the front door, and then through “Get me a third horse, because I’ll be
one tiny keyhole after another. bringing back some company tonight.”

Finally, they reached the cellar, where So Billy picked a third rush and they
the little man started to help himself galloped off to a grand farmhouse.
to the owner’s best food and drink.
He soon invited Billy to join him.

There was a party going on. The little Enjoying the fun below were the vicar,
man said, “Billy, I will be a thousand a piper, Darby Riley and all his family
years old tomorrow and it’s high time and Bridget Rooney and her family.
I got married. In this house, young There was plenty to eat and drink
Darby Riley is going to marry a fair and everybody was having a fine
lass called Bridget Rooney, but I’m evening of fun and feasting.
thinking of marrying her myself and
taking her away with me.” Just as they were starting to eat, the
bride sneezed. Everyone jumped.
“What will Darby and Bridget say to It was customary for the vicar to
that?” asked Billy. say, “God bless you,” but because
his mouth was so full he couldn’t
But the little man ignored him and say a word. Not wanting to do
mumbled his spell. They shrank and the vicar’s job, everyone else
passed through the keyhole into the stayed quiet.
house. In they flew and the little man
took them up to the ceiling, where “Ha!” said Billy’s master, his eyes 41
they perched on wooden beams twinkling. “Two more like that and
and returned to their normal size. she’s mine.”

Once again, Bridget sneezed. This time, it was so quiet, nobody heard it – except
for Billy and the little man.
“Ha!” said the little man again, rubbing his hands. “Just one more sneeze, please.”
Billy looked down at Bridget and then at his scheming old master. “How awful
for such a happy young lady to marry a thousand-year-old man! And without
even having a say in the matter,” thought Billy. He felt sorry for Bridget.
Ta]h >lb\`]n mh]]u]\ X nabl\ nbg]Ү na] pb[Xl qXm mi Zoms mnoƉh` ^ii\ bhni abm
mouth, Billy knew he had to save her, so he shouted, “God bless you, Bridget!”

42

As soon as he said it the little man jumped up angrily and sent them both hurtling
\iqh ^lig na] Z]Xgҫ Ta]h na]s [lXma]\ ihni na] ƇiilҮ a] m[l]][a]\Ү ӂVioӆl]
Ƅl]\Ү >beesҮ Xh\ sio [Xh nXd] nabm ^il siol qX`]mҫӃ E] `Xp] >bees X [eion Xh\
\bmXjj]Xl]\ nalio`a na] d]saie]ҫ
Qa] q]\\bh` `o]mnm q]l] Xmnihbma]\Ү Zon qa]h >bees ]rjeXbh]\ qaXn aX\

aXjj]h]\Ү na]s naXhd]\ abg Xh\ bhpbn]\ abg ni cibh na]bl
[]e]ZlXnbihmҮ qab[a eXmn]\ ^il m]p]lXe ciees \Xsmҫ

WRITE IT!

‘MdgmhosoaipambykenebosWleluluuehlaspfdtaenhaetyddinngmotdkwouoaorrtBgshiktoihiee’lcwlrwyailnni?lotktrldes
it down.

l ybox
Put y hrou es here. Plus paint Hcaoalwnonymgoauthnpeyicwrkinaugyps?
a peb
and play doctors with a dragon!

PICK A Only one of these paths
leads the princess to the
PATH rabbit. Which one?

A

B

C

QQuuicikz Which words save 3 MONSTER
Bridget in Billy and
the Little Man? MUFFINS

a. God bless you! Follow the trail of
[ai[ieXn] goƉhm
ni X gihmn]l
challenge!

b. Darby Riley c. Giddy up!

4 If every pup here had three sticks, how many
sticks would there be in total?

=

ASK A

5 GROWN-UP!

Turn a boring old pebble or rock into a beautiful bug with a shiny coat!

• Make sure your pebble is clean and dry, then paint it bright green.
• I]n bn \lsҮ na]h om] X Ƅh]l Zloma ni jXbhn X ZeX[d [bl[e] Xn na]

front of the pebble for the face. Paint two curly antennae

coming from the top of the circle. You could

use a black marker instead.

• Paint a black line down the centre of the back to

make two wings, and paint a smile on the beetle’s face.

• Now, using gold paint markers or paint, add golden swirls,

spots or stripes to your beetle’s wings. You could sprinkle on

some gold glitter too – we like biodegradable glitter best.

• Qi ƄhbmaҮ mnb[d nqi `ii`es ]s]m ni siol Z]]ne]ӆm ^X[]ҫ

TIP! Mij siol jXbhn]\ Z]]ne] bh X Ƈiq]ljin ni Zlb`an]h
oj siol `Xl\]hұ Tas hin gXd] X eX\sZbl\ niiҶ

6 MONSTER Imagine you have a friendly monster
under your bed. What does it look like?
ART Draw it here.

7 a. e.
c. f.
Which of these b.
migrating geese from d.
our poem is the o d
one out? Circle it.

46

8

Follow the steps below to draw a spider, then give her an amazing web!

123

4

5

TEE HEE!Q. A.WfahvaotuirsFitlaeydsdapayiyd!?er’s DID YOU know?

TthhaeelmbegiaglgsepeGasatnossloiapafitdd2hie8nbrcniimrendrt-–pheleaaatbwtieono!ugrtlsdap.siIdtbehigraiss

ANSWERS: 1. Pick A Path – A, There are 4 rings on that path;
2. Quick Quiz – a; 4. Sticky Sum – 15; 7. Goosing Around – f.

DDROACGT !Dragon’s Medical CardHosfeeltephhetihsdisrmadegrdoaingc’aosnlaciflaemredel nbbteestlotnewere.judsstalikspeeJcaiackl and Jill did! Each –
type of treatment

How to Play InjurY treatment

LyapQbohonlaoacud]oky blfƄebaoe]rltlgmmlcto ni[anh wjin,eeltXtlohdh]senre[a]nlnylgie ntsnoatsi rnkbte m’rnesa uln]tiacmtXte]iiennao qdncntaiubhsch]rahb in\nl]esljcullXtҫao ro`rwyidr.oohbElnӆlmeac afcmeobhd.rrei ce Bumped head Vinegar and
brown paper
DICE INSTRUCTIONS
Sore throat Mountain
herb elixir

Tummy ache Dragon
mint tea

Roll a 1 – Trim his nails Bruised wing Magic
Roll a 2 – Give him something to drink ointment
Roll a 3 – Treat his wing

Roll a 4 – Wrap his head sore or aching Injured tail Giant
Roll a 5 – Soothe something broken claw plaster

Roll a 6 – Stick a plaster on him Nail
trimmers

bheCxcaopJnllaba]cytimknooҶau hhLnomedllw paƄJkihaIllebgpmwoouaeotp niretsƂlaytu ocnbpahreitbaemohss fepttm].h.o.liymll]:

stoFDni@niroryij arujtqgeroiimxohent nesieriapmwMXf]rf\haeuel igednnnlaeaa,ic]]pzhag ire\nlin lePahXt.]aec`olatoiu]clmhtҭshӆ.oe/mu sr