ee 8 oa } HAPPY DAYS AND OTHER VERY SHORT STORIES 20 SHORT STORIES - EACH ON TWO PAGES IN AUTHENTIC ENGLISH WITH EXERCISES JAKE ALLSOP |PENGIUE DiS “Dive Wit! Viglicd fre aul Yay Bech aoactted Sen bo 12pe Moeaetype Lattin by Kewlacd Prococepeveciing Lid dlure St Ednaunds, Suh Firnted on Usiiglind By Clara Ita. SI Jet. ple Vevoepes ne Snnned Seats oF Amaia this arabe sy 550 ELE rece ancine chat rss nut, Ey ea, al made ce thereat, be Lem, Feevd. hired sts, outhouse cirtulaeyd eS nuneul te URCISh ers Papresnsent © an [ores handing er mu” ouher ther cam serch re paethied aac eabeng a smear coger yar nga Tbe vr Rein engeeed ain ihe sukeepirre pref = wereConrents Qatruchivtisn Best Frends A Walk om che Beach Pauly Farcunte A Free Lunch Departures Happy Days A Lead of Old Rolbbish Rent |'ree “Che Perfect Woman Cabbage White The Pony and the Buakey Say That Again April Finol Reap fh OWall Deo You Good 4 Pectecdly Natural Exolanacion The Purple Baraboo Park Bitst npressions Seeing Is Believing 4A Bectet Movsetrin Glossaries antl Laruguage: Practice 10 lz id ch tk 20 a2 24 2h qa 3B a4 78 48 eo 42 44Introduction The trigindl idea ita a book of sheet stories cate co ane whee Twas trying oo keep up oy sleuder knowledge of Portuguese and found that T could nor easily auscain the reading of a story oftiontial Lengra: E Repton forgetting the plotand the chargers. and, of course, dhe new words | emcountered. If I had such problenss, breasoned, chen se would srudencs who were learn English. Since coe firse book of Yer Shom Stories, whe idea has become 3 series. ‘The present collection caonssscs of paenty Sno-word stares. They have various theres and serine, in che hope that scudenes will be stimulated by this variety. Some stories ane based on crue incidents (tor example, there really wata coazy taxi driverin Labirn called Cardosa; Crrandma lye s picture did move inexplicably the dar belie she died?. The story ‘It Wil De Yeu Good" was inspired by am incident i Mars Twain's Due Sayer the story “Seeing Je leben! by Rober Brovning's poem Tray. Whoreverpeysible, thy vucabaliry and amtemce cunsbrictign: ame wilhin the cange of a student with a litled cnmenand nf English. Where lexccul dems have gooe degen this lait, Te given in the Gluissary, which alice explains explamatuyns someiiliusions. Gaal my be unGanibar te dhe student. As to ehe Cernpechension qucstians, tie Ars ion auduane & scanning of the Cex! ed fired tac anaeey, the seed con dbs dine coneened wilh Naik deduces frog che coe, and often iavite ihe sacle to offer a opinion with mason. There is a range of ewcreise TYNE co pred insecest and vaciecy. In Band ©, che aasweori can be found in dhe story icsclf. The section called "Wordgamc! contains same light-lheacted exerciacs 0 praccse acne of chet vocabulary fron the story. Por dis discussion quescons, scudens akould, if possible, work in pairs of small groups. zFrcridursina Dhaeg received macey lel bers fereen stuneses (uml their egehers) from canantnes far and neue — Jayun, Turkey, Grecrnarcy, lily, anil aren > cuntarning coctunenis ahout my ewrlier stones, heth comphmentacy aml onuiewl, which have encaurged me preatiy. Tathack them vil, ud bopge Pony becae frome, claera (er thear sucuessums} wher they ase dhe preset book. [ao grarcial 1 Pale Gulukuglu fer Bet help. aed alsa for explaining abu sap mdking im Alowouk. Afty thacks go alse to my dawelrer, Sarah, dor checking the manuscript and for keeping me in ouch with ecaliny.Ww § at Bs 30 Best Friends TAgarty there was nurhudy at huac: hse ocwspapers sacking The others art avhay. eul of he leltechox are a sure sigat thi “Cuome at! Lar’s hreak ie!" ‘Tden't chink we should. [c's nor tike stealing apples. ‘Are You airaid? Chicken!” “Who's chicken? PIL akhow you.” Being taller chan Ginger, Deggy was able co reach up ad open che window. The beys climbed in and iooked around. ‘Then they heard the screech of breaks a5 a car pulled up outside the nowse. They can ag fase as dhiey could. Ginger gor gay, bur Depry cipped and fell ‘Uhe policeman grabbed Deger by the enlipT and took him te dhe pice station. hey quessiened fim for haus ancl bivars. They wanted ty knew the gther heyy's aaime, boat bee iedn“t tell Shem. Muearnwhile, Ginger sat at lente, Comifie)d. He expected a1 my Hoi te ear pobeeen keucking wa las doec. But le weedeat have wordied. His feicad Degey sand oceliing. He was sent ta poison fora yeas. When be gor our, be keer dat his parceies did net wane him, so he decided to go and see his old fiend, Ginger Ginger had notvisited him in prison. Perhaps his parcors had cold him not co. ‘Deper dic net recognise che women who opened the door. ‘Oh, they dent Ive here any mere, [chink chev moved Binuingdaan, but Tam cut sure. Surry," The platisrin was cruveded. Baws ae mosh larry nul a ered of business men and wane were waiting for die trai pe cake them back to cheir comfortable homes in the suburbs. Among Che ENON Passengers was a tall man in an expensive overcoat. Tie had che fat face of aman who eres well aod ears only che 4Bor Brands hes Cod. He was sbunsieyg under the aitice that said “Beware ef Pickpeckers'. AD sling ned-baized nin aad muving quickly thruugh whe ccowd. Ae worked bas way uver ce the tall well-fed main, buaaped inte hiro and den slipped away quickly. Unfudtu- nately Ser hace, a raihvay policeman bad acon die whale ching. He gyabbed dhe slim san by che collas, and dragged him co vehere dhe talk an wad standing. “Excuse nic, sic! che policeman said, 'buc would you be good chough co check pour pockers.” ‘ood heavens! Ay aratlee! I can't find my wallec * ‘Lhe policeman pulled the slim man up by his collar. “ome on, Let's have it!” ‘Lhe pickpocket took che wallen gue and bandied it ever és dhe Policeman. ‘Ts thyy yet eralles, yqr?! “Wey, at ax! Cenk. Those are my iratials.' He Tucked duu at the thief, his pes Salen wathe ussspast. dt Caik meme, despate the fact sat fe dau) et stceaa bier in twesity-five years. he recognised bis childod friead, Ginger. the oc he had been with when chey had broken ii a howse and che police had come and... Ganges kepe his eves fired on dee ground. He had oo interese in searing into che face of the man he had just cried to rob. ‘De you want ta press chargers against wis mens fie?” che Policeman asked, ‘Uhere wits a moment's silence, ‘Ot coare, officer,’ Uegay seid. We moagk teach these thew, a lessno.' The pickpucket sarugeed has sluollers. He didss’t even bate the businessman. That's che way che world is, he though a hineself a3 che policeman tock him away. AMicanwhile, Doggy, che soccesshul businessman, had boarded his crain, satisfied thar he had done his dun as a good cauzen, BB ao 4 as2a 4 Walk on the Beach Lite Yosef had his new sailor suit on. lt was blue and whire and nad a Jicde sailor hat co macch. twas moc the sart of present 3 boy aould choose for his sixth Sitthday, but itwes beater than nechings dhe lecked upat dhe eroen-wps st samlec, Mother looked dawn it him and [ele proud, Rather locked dinven at ho md felt pread. Grimema, ain was staymg wath them fer a week ne tyen, boeked clover at hem anal sic: 24 take him for a walk aalsmigy Wlaee hes 28s." "Oh ne! thugha Mudge, “ORR age! thiau eae Piette. Titel: Woscl liked the ida aad de sled agai. Grandin waited. "Perhapa it isa" a very geod idea," said Father. Shy don't you just cake hin fara walk in che garden said Mocher, thinking drat it a3 much saler. ‘Nonsense. said Grandma. ‘Yosef and I will be all right, won't we, Yossi” “Phe child srmled again. fle biked bis erundma and he liked qomng to the beach. Ae kel wowoteh the huge waves coming, iv dT the sess. Parser churogh of these huge waves ace stuurk bois besa. Grandma was gerting old ond careless. It veases't a gue ides at all. ‘Come on, Yossi! CFP we go!" ssid Grandma. “Fuse don't let go et his hand!" said Mother. “Davon't!" “Promise” said Bathe Baon't make such a fuss!’ saul Grarlma. Assan ds Gacy were wt thee beach, Cite YoscD raged to get awa fiom Ganda and wear i stand male by Une waree's ade wowwatch die waves. Grattdma looked up ar dhe sky. De was 67 Walk ait he Beachy u lovely day, sunny and windless. The sea wis colon, dink Binsdgiees. She sat dean un the sanal and watelaed ber Little Yussi. "Be careful. darling! she showed. ‘Don’t go too near chic water,” He cucned and smiled ar her. Juse at that monecne, out of nowhere, a huge ware crashed on ce beach. A really huge wave. When it owed back inco the sca, Wosed had disappeared, The ware had swepe him our co ica. Grandma ran co the warec's edge, screaming. “Oh Lord! What has happened? Gh Lord! th oo! Please bring Tittle Yossa back!” Bor che first time in many years, Grandma prayed. She prayed to al] the gods she could think of She prayed co “odan anid Tann and Qsing ‘When she prayed to the ¢sresc Spuric end tu geveral other pods whose names she couldnt quite remember, Tnall her pravers, she promised to be mood, to be a perfect srandmother, a perfect cazen, anything a3 luag as hey would send ber Toss hack ty her She hact never felt sce haad on all ber Ki. Yussa’s pareriis were ght Ske was mnt tu he taste any quire. Altkat aac, aaiiher luge wave, overt beige tac the Ticst ane, candied uni the beach, Sle diesked diver. There was Lule Yosef, sicting on the sand, pale and wer, bot otherwise all right. He losked up ac his graded and seniled. Bhe picked hin ap, bel hice tight, covered him vridh kisies, and thanked ald che gods for bringing her tite grandson back 2 her. She put him dows and beeas ta ody ]iako up in that fussy way chat erandnvodvers have. She can her tingers through his ais. And chen she stopped suddenly. Leaving che lice boy on rhe tand, sis wens co the water"s edge. Her face was ned varh amgrt She looked wp into che sky and alowred a5 loudly as she enuld: "Where's his hat v = 45 9 a20 Ba Farily Hortune In cto, times were hard for Beotley Harcourt. He had a fara in Yorkshire, bur it didn’: make money. He wanted wo many. Dut decided to wait wocil better times came along. Beceer times did mot come slong One day, he saa a newspaper ariche abour the fumerican West. It sounded like the and of milk and heney. He chought abour ic. He had no family. Nobody cared if he Tved or died. Why noc make a new lite in che Mew World? He sold his fan and emigrated te America. Miter a vearotdritting, he tound heeself in ‘Texas. He loved it. [fe loved he face that you could orayvel for days and noc meet amonher soul. Fe used his SATIES G1 Duy some land. That year, he died. Ta gid, an oil company moved om te his lard and found oal- They tnek milhens of Burtels a ai] gut of the growed Alt dhe pouty due dhe owner oF ihe Jand were pend inte a bank acuvent en Houston, where they wilted fora rebative te clam Thetem. Phe uiney sat tee tte bunk for year. By Tats, Ihe amour stoed ac cvee billion dullars. ba re79, 10 Bvadford, Englund, aanan culled Tavid Kingsley Tok up a cow Jadiby — craeciing lis faaly ote. He studied church tecords, visited miuscumns, checked every reference Ww families called Kingsley. He also checked on his mother’s family. They were called Harcourt. He discovered one day chat his motiee's Breat-fteat-unele, a taan with che splendid name of Bencley Harcourt, had sailed from Liverpool to Aumerica on the 53 Hnterpeite. Inthe same year, shortly atter learning abou his great-great uncle, Rangeley cead a magazine amicle about a forcune that bay unclaimed ina Lexas bank. [he article cold che etary ofa lonely inmierent called Bentley J laccewrt, and about heew he had lied shonly after ouying bis dream canch in ‘lexas. [he magazine aFuttoly Portene ofered to pay che legal expenses of anyone who could claim ca be a descendant snd who might be entitled to the forcane. Kingstey read the story with mounting excitement. Surely chis most be the sume Bentley Marcourt chat he had come wares during bos research ines bis family cree? He talked the mutter uve sath has wile and then woute io the mugaxine, Agsat termed wat, Kingsigy was not the only ane whe cliiaaead tu be a desceenloae. Ry dhe end af 1999, over siaty peuple were auasirig Chey werd ered tu the feriuane, The: urwurridcats, Lee quarel and che court cases worl cs dnd er ad on. In dee ceed, Eingsley did oot gee ae §2bn, but, futunly enough, he didn’c mind. He had found somicching nyvoch mere atipertanc. Ae had aereca-arcat-uncle called Benoley Harcourt, there was ne doube abour that. Bur. amazingly, his waa a difféen: Bencley Haccour. ftseemed impossible that there could be ovo people with such an unusual names, but it wee tone This Beotler Larcourt had settled in Orange Counce, California and had made his fortune in Feb cunning, ie married a hardworking Swedish gael, and they hid thirteen children. David Kingsley had found wdatferent Iregsure: a broach uf bis faaily agguss the Atlantic. The een factuiles wrole Wo @ach other. Daatec, they visited each utlec. They becarne che best of friecds. And the fertwae ef die edhe: Bentley Harcourt? lr is til unclaimed. As 1 vriee chis, che sum stands ac $2.9 billion. This Tay be a ood momen wo $ret tracing your family cree. qc 45 5a 7an ya A Free Lunch SCudd alirtiing, penatlenien. Tan Cardaga, at yeu service! The group he was addressing were all were, bue chat did net becker Carcdosa. He was proud ofthe English he had learned 85.3 youngeree. He spoked rapidly, smiling all the time as he did so. Unforcunatels. he rarely wnderstocd wha was said co him, bur chis did mot bather hic either. The women stared at him, not sure if he was an official ora madman. Welcome to Lubengo. looms to the Grand Hotel. Any thing you want, Hk Cardose! The beader of the oowp deealed! be crust te ae yt ace bere fur the cunterence, Conrady er..." Stapdesa. C-4-R-D-0-8-A. 1 ar en Amgodan cities. Welcome? She looked at hint. He was cleacly a Fwopean, probably one of chose Portuguese whe had stayed cn alter Independence. “We ape here for dhe conference.” “Ah yes, a brautifulcouncry, said Cetdosa with anocher broad emule Vhewenmen were from Neth Korea acd weren't canficent of theie Rngtish “They didn'y knunw if they bau nest qimederstaned Jam, urif be dal nut understacul herr. “Nocth Kora.’ said che leader uncertainly. “We have core for the Trade Union Congzess.! Cardoza smiled again. He recognised die word *enngress’; it wai almost che same word in Portuguese. “Abiyes, the Goneresa! Wiease dollow me, menelemen." The women lonkgd at each other md then at Cardesa, Pe spreaul his arms ce CR ong ecenry! T kre the wiry. J wl] paler duu te dhe conference rona.' He bed the wine anil the weamen, having ne beter altesualtive, Citlkewed Tiina. He kept up a conaecr- We ToA Free Lance’ sation over his shoulder as he walked. ‘Fleseed to meet you. View are rou? Ansthing you nerd? A teri, Cigarettes, eet, drink past ask (arglinga.” We are the Nonk Kineun delegation,” the leader sid. “Wh ame you?” ‘Ear very well,’ replied Cardosa. ‘Are vou our guider Be ligked an tis watch. Fond boager worked, Init it luoked geod on his wesc. *Eigh-chieny! he said confidenily. The leader Isoked ar her colleagues and shook he: head. He showed the delegares ince the conference room and howed Tow. “Goodbye. See pou later. cr. coarades.* When chey came our at the end of che moriming session, Cardasa was waiting for chem. Goad! You have catked, now you must cat. Pollerw me.” As he led them towards the dining- room, the leader tied again. "ATC YOU a Goverment official. Comrade “ardasa?” “Very good. Yes, che food here is very good. You will enjoy it” He sat next co the leader ac che Jong dining-table which had been laid specually for them. “Thi, he said, holding up semeching grey on cue end of his fork, ‘is a lecak epecaslin, bacotiaw, Codfish.' lhe spoke as af he hed personally caaght if that mosning just fer chem “Lt boks sery pod,’ saicl the backer. “fala, ton,’ he gaa. The lealer ghouk her heal again. She way gud when the hunch wax caee, HI eas a gucul uch, ghinagh, ane Cardesa werd Fur a slept hig dani wher the women went hack ta thee gunferenice, Scomple of weeks cater, odeleggraua of Coban yorcewen el, an Luhangss fee the Wenger's Health Crgress. An they anlket anu The betel an dhe frat nena, a Forury Liltle aan carne to gecet them, w hig snule on his face. “Gonads, Bente. | ae Cardesa, at yirac scey ice!" His taxi business made very litte money, but Cacdesa cer- tandy knew bow ww get a free Lunch. ut 35 di 58 an tsan 35 ja Depariures “Timea ing on the baler. Pooull see thae i wies still alive, Cove got rt ipa bu ‘timm.” “The thing ix, Paul. Pye mes ides what tu duewith at, tut T dear't swam i bee it dic.’ Lace. Tay pou keuw war species itis, Reese! dan’) kaw. Ita black with a while Worcat. Long wisngs.” OMe! Paul thowg hi see 2 ce adres orale oo feed oe baby aif, Ge rune deal. Aled bee said: “Sioonds like a swale, Dafficule.* *Laok, [in sarry to potter you but 1 don't know anyenic i Greece who is incevcered itt birds.’ Yeu, dhoughe Paul, et dees idee cra fer a moet th deers co be DAoridg semidon! ch Eonddel dhest a bate Bird. Aloud he said: Why don’t vou pur it back in chic meet?” “Tve locked and I cane find ue nese. Whar shall J dor? Paul chought co bimsel& fer ir di, bot he knew be couldn's say thar. “Keup it warm and fed it wach, er, with tiny pieces of cat Food." “Liaw do T get dhe fond doen its throat? How edten should | teed at? Dows it need water tec? Binal answered Rengs's questions us best le seid, “Vhanks alot, Pood Tl phone yeu again te let yout knee how things are going.” “Rest of luck, Reno." Maryjean linked at the skinaiy [hing in the ba. “Whit dar ugly bacd. Whar as i?! “Its a swift. DT Gerad it aaa dhe balcony. Pen tryirig ts? feel a! Mfaeyjta shrogeed ber shoulders. VA waate of time, af you ask me” She watched the laving way in which Rerwss held the ciny bird in hia hand while be fed it. She suddewly fele angry agai, 1Dapastares fhe sacde anger Hhut she Iyad dels the ether night. ‘Tr going.” “What? To cheughe we were poe OWL coperher this evening.’ “Porgce it. can ace you're miawct ted busy” The door slammed a3 ahe eft. He fed che switt and chought about Miaryiean. He was fond of Marsan, bur did he really bore hec? And did she really love ham? Uhey seemed to fight a lor, bun maybe chat was a sign chat they did love each other, They bad mec in July. She had come over from the States 1 spend the summer studving Ancient Greek architecture. She had toleed about staying on after the summer. - “Lhe bard wes having difficulty in serallowing the cat meat. “Wella, Pen. [t's mie again,” "Lele, Renos, bow's the bird’ “Mot goud Itwon't eat. 1 spends most of its time sleeping." Well, dual be wpset if the tora skagsat make wu. Swifts eat ingeuts, and thit makes them aifacalt tes feed, Bune, fot ane geeely bke a guldfinch, say..." ‘H's atu guldfinch!" Renos returted. ‘Sunny, Paul. Leuk, T really necil your help.! “Tre feculiagg ul ace fish suked in ceilk* Mary jeaci carne coud thoce diye later, Rres was s0all coursirig the tiny Wird. "I'm going, Renos. Ive had enougl.' “hac? He had hardly nociced her scanding there. The door slammed aa she left. "Paul? Bad wes, [rn afraid. it died chis morning.” "Sor? "Thanks for your help anyway.’ Hewent our an cothe balcony and looked up ines che evening, sky. There were swiits Aying round evennrhere. Above them, high in the sky, a Bocing 747 was winging its vay west, In scar 741, an Amencan student of Ancient Grek archirecture was settling down tor her retum Hight wo few York 4 ay an di sm is faeo 15 30 Happy Days Hany and Chostophher stud on the stage and Ineked an hei Teacher. “heron with if,! Ansanedia Peau said. Harry shonted his dines. Yam Robie Husa Osteul frm the ek and yeta fo Ae poor GR ve me yer romp? Christopher, who was playing che sich merchant, painted at Haris head. “Please, Afas Peate, Haaey's wealang tty hae! He*s Robia Homd aid Reali Hoexd always wore a girs hac and Harry": weakuag oty red fac’ The teacher looked at Christopher, who was wearing @ green fac. In was very confusing. “Wt docen't mater, Chriscopter. Just gay Your linc." Chostopher stood and stared acher. She kaew noeliag about Robin Hood. “Lut Robin Hood alway: wore a ger fat. Geerene knows thar * “Ob, very ell, then. Llarcy, give Christopher his red hat, and you PUL ON The green one.” “But’, suiel lary, ‘chis isnt (lhostepher’s rec hat. “Uh 1s Lhival's meal bat.” Hi adicky Fat 1. Ll weacimp?” Fajynry spurcke tes hier ay od gex a grmqil] Ghuilg. ‘Thi doesn't snc!a bal, He pliys Friar Tuck. Prop Tuck chiesre') wear a bul”. Aut that ceuucuent, Hae Heed caine arin dic Hill. Sah, Mes Prue, hones che sctunul play going? Shall we be ready et Une righ? Choy thimce chugs ie ny barn! With chose cbuildocia, shee thuuglet wool ever We readies hoe in dheee day, these ewinths or white cencuces. Wes. Head- Haster,” she ceplicd, crossing fer fager. We shall be ready on the niglit. AN] night, chikdeca. Lee's staet agait.." The children ail leer che saage cxcept for Chrisoepher, che vich EyAapey Dew Merchant about to be rebbed by Robin Meod, Chnstepher shuffled across che stage muking a noise like a ratlway engine Zong wp a hill: ‘(Chancho clar-choa-chao..' Amanda hoped that the Jlendmaster eoukl notanticn, | laTry, alas Hebin Lined, pempedd nur ancl spoke bis fine: foe Kebie Monel! fo senel fron whe rch snd prong en che poor! Gee meyer monays” The Heil master cunphed. SAthor! Paes mo, Ars Pram bot why is Rehan Hod wearing aored hat?” he asked. “Feceyoe koiaes that Buln Had abvers word wreer.” He cant up and whispered wher car. ‘These small details are Laportari, Amanda.” Back in chit ceachers” room, Anmianda sat down, 2 cup of coffee in her ahaking band. “Hi, Amanda! How's che play going?” “ts very Kind of you te ack,Julie, but bets cal about something else * “Sorry. What's the problem “The problem, Jolie, x called) Chrstupher Price. And Hurry Jreees. Acad Pheviel CHeessngs, And all thie crest sf che binke . ..' Wes, sche would be wonderdul witout children. woud L aw The neo weunen scayed silo for amvanvent. What a wonderful ideal A school wich only ceachers sn ic. ‘The nextaiternioon, Amande was again ince Hall Christopher stuffed across the stage: Cviamvaorcie- nde. | SChmstepher, why sre you makang that ricdpe wks nose? are snpmumedt tes he riding thrungh Slenvnod Fines in i Ghirastaspikier stivren! at bier. 'D kecueiye Cat)? Jae saad acrdaygeidaatly. "But Pben') kava hive ta anake a aoige Ike a lease. ae Tas making a anse lke a crain inadad.* He shook his head. Teachers understood sacfdrig. What wis the point of ceachers, anyway? School would be fine ef there Serene any teachers, What a wonderful ider? A schon) with only children in it TS 5 qa 4 30 BB oya i ww Al faoad of Old Rubbish Alias Darby was one of these people who never duew anvthing away. ‘You tetet knaie aden oe surge need it’ was one of ber favourite savings. She lived alone in a large Viceorian haus access the road [rom us. Alchough | never were ints ber banise, Cknew ic peas Bull of valuable things: antayue farmiture, l"srsian cacpen and gacon. She loved an) every inch of her walls was taken up bes pringnys. | can remenher my father siying Chet shy wie a Staffgrdshire Parby'. Pad nu wlea edit he aceaet. T found vat years liter Whit the Machy faraly bad pride dei coum fcraaa esd lec ice the céuiy uf Staffecdshine, We children used make up stories about ee. My sister Aleoc, who was a somdiic, whispered oo us! She was cagaged co be matzied, but her fianed was killed in the Great War. bow she lives done, broken-hearted.” My brother Alan, who vas Just coming into adolescence, had amochec ides: “They say she's a white aitch and she can cure spas ust bv steoing at them," Wath oy wild amijanmtinn, | had may ween shire abr May Tiarby: Sshe*s gut sux chntdnen. She keeps there ticked in a dack celar.! She carcly weet wud, aid ridkwady caste bu visit bic. Nushuedy, that is, except for Mire Triggs, ber housekeeper. Nice Trages was a friend of avy modter’s and a grear gogsip. Cue day [beard her saying how Miss Learby never threw anyehing away. “Bundles of newspapers! Hundreds of chem, evenpyhere! 1 cre to throw chem duet, Burt she just goes out and brings them buck nti thy bonase. T ygive ul “Have geuther cup uf tea, Mice Trigg.” Th was only velec sli: died unar we fund aut that Miss Purly had ovo acphews. They inkeriied ¢yoeychorg: ber auaiey. aad 16af Lead a Oh Rabbis che hoyse and allats conten. “Pbe mephews cate across (0 say hella, andl my medber made theacy a cup ind tea. “Ace viva Uhicsking: ud counvingg unin the bause?” ny nether dskeok politely. ‘Good hearcos, we! We livein Seafferd. Nu, we've just come down co eipoy che Ruse." "Declicve your aunthas...had... a loc of nice ching.” The nephews wedded. They described what was in che house, Tr sounded like Aladdin's Cave. Qwer the mest few days, we children watched ahem coming and going, and werhed we could join in. Mosc of die stuft was taken away in a huge Bucmicure van. They also had a smaller yan. which took away all the pubbish dear heir aume had refused co Bet cid of, mosdy preatbundles of newspapers. My brodher Alan vsked the nephews if he could have one of che Sundler of Hewepapers, We read the neadline on che top newspaper “1as- SlaN TANKS BOLL CNTO DC DAPEST" It was dated 1o Novem ber tasé! Alandonk out his penknife and cutche stnngwith which the bundle wis ded, %'e spread che newspapers nur, curious fo real abit dang hut had happens over fifty years age. at's this? said Alice, bunting sormethung she dud fre aside the Wigs dewspuper. "Here's ancdiec!! suid Alan cqaericg Wie second scwapaper in dhe bundle. “Aud anedner! And anothee!’ T shouted, a3 1 werked oy way through the newspapers. “What are cacy? They look like paintings wichouc frames." This bundle alone conrained oveney-fve beautifol paincings. We Tacer Leamed thac they were originals, worth ac least £300 each, By che time the nephews leamed of our discovery, they had already chron gue most of che hundreds of bundles of Tewapapers. BF au as 502 45 ja Rent Free "Bon": fall so!" ‘Fanore him, Maria whispered oo Rosemary. '] he’s (use tring to get friendly with us * "Hi! Co Tov,” seid the young man. “Look, there's che island. af Creve Lave you been te (orate befere?” “Deo, chis 1s our first ome What about viva?" “tah, [ve Gren there several tituss. Flow dong wih eva stiry an rete?" “Te lepers,” saud Kesemiry. We're broke, bot if we could get aigb and eam some taemey ‘ART gid Tow. ‘Think Joan help you.! Thar night. Rusemiry anil Marcia siayed wn Heraklion. “Te perused tu eall fur thea nest anuresing. “trape picking! Ie scrmds teaeihbe!’ said dasa. “And ] don't most your rier Tay! ‘He's worked in dhe vineyard. he keows dee farmer, he can arrange everything. | think we've been very Lucky. We don't speaka word of Greck, Gould we find work winhout Tors help ‘Tov mee them ext meming and they all got on eo an old bus which rook chem ante che mountains above Herakbion. Eventually, dhey came to a valley with vinevards everyetere. “Look! Thet’s old Logzou's fowsel! ‘Whe farmer ‘ald Loizin’ aad his wife reeted “Cov and the mils and offend them woticy. The oll couple eould only speak Greek. “Vow translited Eoizina and bis vaty scoiled and modded atthe gorls. Thesonversition crntinued. hen Kosemary beard the worl “tlrvechima’, sla gassed they were lielkinyg abrrat the work. Te's all wcraspud,” said Tre at last. “You will work far Mr Tingivau. Thawe wold cuits chit pour will venitk bere for peu works. He wall pay yeu ac che crd of rhe ine” aHRene Fee “Where shall we stay?” “Ah yes, [ nearly forgot. There isn'tanvehere tor you to sleep here wi dhe fac. Yo cin sleep ia barat the other end ef tae willage." “Wine barn "Wolschecugs to Maz Laeou's Bercther. [slept there wher Twix grape packing base year. [c's very comfuetable.'! Next niecniny, ae he was Leaving, Tow saad: “Goudbape? AU dae Lesc!? Goodbye, Tov, suid chanks.” ‘Ohh yes, dere’s something I vorgoreo siemton . . .' he began. bur ac dat moment, Loizou called tw him. Atter be bad Leh, Marja said: “I wonder what he was going co tell ua?” The tormigh: went by quickly and che girls, suntanned and happy, went on Pricey night co see eld Loizeu to colkece their Tneney and to say gondbye ‘] hey waned co make in early start Text mumming io der some sightseeing an the test af the: pslandd. Cozi gave them thew money and then inedsatel with hac gestures tbl they were be eal with hace iered has Sascuily ihae evening. And what a wonderful evening i was! AMdezes of every Kind, fallowed by fruit aad pastries. All the Loigous were diese, Old Lojzou'sson, Andreas, arrived halfway through the evening, jwec back from his first year at university in Achens. “How do yuu like cape picking? he asked in tis best English “Hard work. Lt wes Fun, but we're glad at's over.’ ‘The hey lowland at chem, pusrlecd wer? Bul pou danse ansehen aeek tila eed. Fur cry unete.' “Weur uncle? What cho you couan?" He explained about the ‘ver’ for stayin) it che baen. Trey had o: pick grapes far Logzou'a brather fer one aeck aachour pay. Tov had forgotten co tell chem. Next moming, betore dawn, while everrone yan sleeping, the pan gic: climbed mac oF a wink at the bask of the bum and crept way down the wantin in Mfurakhim They did net speak. They cull most bork int rack ot bier. 19 Hi ay 50 ay AjThe Pevfect Womuit You kage how itas wher mT Ket Ingether. They talk abet imprigeatsle dreumy: Ht Lwon the titiery, J vende. WCE hed plenty of money, C would..." Well, Tavus just Tike all eae ouluea mica who ased te sit in dae colice kumse talkang nonsense. Bur Trevee told angen) abyout ate dita. [vas afraid they would laugh df they donc. Aud den. believe in ar ec, one day I found that Twas iadeed ach. My aunt Camilla died and left everything tame. She had some valuable paincings. 1 sold them, and set off round che world in search of... che perlece woman. Tou sec, [had always wanted co get maricd but l had never bern Able co find s woman that [really loved [ decided thar it was beter nut te make do with second best, bul to au and hope that are cdkey Tawiald saved dhe woinan of my urearns. Ditrat wont fo Arnenca. anus have visited every state, lot 7 did mac find whit f was boukaeyg fic, Thee earner P ceuct were clicker too Whit. or kon far, Coo quae oe cos aisy, oe fae or cot dark. So I set off for Awstealia. I didm'c stay there very Ioan. Mosz of the women J met were much coo, well, seli-confident. ‘Whey mads me fee] wncomforeble. When [ were to “Lhadland, “Uae women there were leary, but much tes shy, and answay C prefer tallec women, binally, ) fran mise back i my carn seuuatry. Dowie sacl. Huw was 1 puesible ee mee! siminy women Sid aiest Gasdl ce dsat suited me? Well, vou can gucss what happened. ba nyy owe couecy, 7 found che woman Twaa looking for! Forndly enough, she lived near me, and I was amazed thar I nad noc noticed het before. We metin che local supenmarket. She dropped ber purse. I packed woup and pave ito hec, She smiled at me and said thank yeu. und [knew at that mame that she was the arama for wc. Bul Twanled te he very caredal. Cilicia) want Luswy cr chy 2GThe Perfect Wormern anyining that might frighcen her avaray. SoD just made small calk as we walked back co the car park. Back home, J planoed my campaign co win her hears. After a few more meetings, I finally invited her to have dinner with Ine. She accepred, Jam not a very good cook, but [ believs that if you Jay dhe table properly, nobody vail neces the food I wear owt and Deraght in expensive wablecloch and some silver knives and forks, Dbvid the table, pot a huge bowet of oeer: in the middle, chen sinted buck and adenine the result. As a finislang tuk, ) pup baw silver candlesticks un te table. A pecteot able for a peters ‘wurtiun. Fyeyching wet well ducag dimer. She adatired the Qower aod ie candlesocks. She comaphevenoed ie onary Conkarus (stu was just being Bad, of course) aad dhe conversation flowed wasily. Finally, a3 we sat drinking coffee, I told her aboor my search, “2.80, when my gune Cantilla left mie well aff, I decided to sec off ound the world in search of che pectece woman.’ “Vhst is amucing!' she exclaimed. ‘L've just come inte a bor of money, te, and P have decided wn set ff round the world in siamgh af the purfect man. Thepe 2 feud him." Torch tur seeuihe, Tut i) wasn't oitny. 21 Ai35 Cabbage White ‘So pau re lookatye for work, And who are you?” "Pm Sarah. fm ovetve. Vhis is my brother Jamie; he's eleven.” “Shouldn't vou be at schon? We're on holiday, And we would hke to eam some money.” ‘The man lifted his hat and scratched his bald bead. All nght. Dat's see. Da pou kg what a Cabbage: White is? “This a hemutifial white baatlerdy thi Figs its ega on cabbages,. And those eggs change inte cutezpillars. Amd din yuru kaso what he catespillicrs uli” “They cat the cabbage leaves! sheuced Janmic. Well done, Jamie! So, 1] want you tw check every cabbage in the garden and remove all che carecpillars. “Er... Row?" “Your pack ther off che leaves and put them in a bucket." “Elow mutch wall sou pay as" "Let's serbia you peyton, fizgt. UW bein the greenhouse. Cet started und 1" yee pen hater. Shurtly, anzud witha bucivet each, the childgcn appenachel die cabbage pated. [Co wiss luge. “There ius a niin cabhges here! Jamie said_ “at Lease!” Sarab said. And if there are cen careepillars om cach cabbage, that makes, cr, a billion caterpillars? Sarah stood open-mouthed Jamic wondered about her acich- musty, butt ke better than to acme, . They stared on the fire row of cubauges. Aowas a hutrihie businwss. The catueyullars wngulel as they were picked ups. Of Took dhe two childcce ages to risks dae Get rive. ancd already they ceuldi't see che botnet af ueie buckets Jie catecpallacs. And all arowsd chem, the air was filled with Cabbage White single: 22Cadbaze Wire buttectes. [Tee insects seemed co be making dun ofthem “Lher secmed co be saying” We doo t care at you kill mar caterpillars, We can lay mulling more ogee. Sirah struck oul ata huttertly. She massed, af peur. She watched i fly happily away. Then sles hard an dulea, as bz in is wey as Rioagtei cremigg up wath 2 = met. “harrig, catecillams conte Eon ages, mgt?” He nodded. "Aed whent de the cyan Guam fron "The butrcefies Jay here." "Righe. So" she reasoned. ade get nd of che buceerflics. dhece wo"! be atyy more eggs tir carccpillars.* “Right.” Jatae decided tn agece, just in ease she lad grace mad. "Sa, why don’: we jusc ect rid of che buteerfies!” "Hews Mearby, there were beans climbing op bamboo peles. Sarah removed myo Boles. Two bean plant: died. She handed anc of the poles to Jamie, aod then cashed into che cabbage parch, swinging her pole round and round wving co bit che bute ches. This seemed co Jamie like a good game, 50 he followed her. Ir is mor easy co hit dying butreciies, Due it ss nor diticule ca hie them when theraetieon cabbage). Soonche ground was covered with deed Gu thecthes, Sarah anc Jamie fowghton uncil ther vere exhauetecl. “Then they stood back to admire thew work “There were hardly any bulterties lett, “There were hardly any cHbba ges lett, either. Jy iy diftyal: te hit a bucterdy ony cabbie euthoat Tutting the cabbage toc, Vhe cabbage patch lowbed like a battle- field. Maes cahbage was eft standing. The ghildicen iigked at each wher. Without a werd, they per clin Che hamhus: pees gal Hipteed uot elihe garden. “Ae Jou. our ones," Jarmae sand. “Bhat be ditesr't kaiwey where vee live," Sarah suid. "Thank gnodiness,' they banda sant. 23 si an20 ai The Pouy and the Donkey Pavhelle and Bima were mad shou ones. They leah lived near a farm. and visiced che farnace's hoses whenever they could. Meither of chem had cver Leenon a horse, bureach ose dreamed of die day when she weruld have lee cewn pony to ride. When the annwal Childcen’s Pocory Competition cane round, chey sraced ac the notice im disbelief. Inscead of the usual boring prizes — a book, @ visic co the muscum, etc - che prize his year was a day's ponytrekking! ‘Recs enter. shall we, Brania?” Whac do you mean, Rochelle? Write a pocm? English is my worst subject.’ ‘same here. But i's worth crying, Em. Just chink, a whole day's panvirekking™ “Bue adhe ll] are weite about?” Well, [shall wnte a parm about o pom!" We cunt bah weir about the same thing, can we, Rochelle?" WU, Tiellyeu wher You write wbewta pony, and PI verte abuuta...' She coulein’t think ufunything. Faruma came 10 bet Tesco. Whur ahuut a donkey, Ructwelle?! "Pru t the stupid, Eccma. 7 can't) stand dsrikeys. Stupicl animals." "Al cighe, Reclelle Tocell you what: vuru wrote dihaut a pony, and TL write abet a denkey” They sent for cerry fecms and sec ce week. For dave, dey worked on their poets, secking thé sight words, wang to fir shy nace. acratching cheb heads. Finally chev both had sqaneching To send off, Emma went round tw Rochelle's hous. ‘Came on, Rochelle, lec me hear yours.” “AD cight. bur onby if you'll let me lear yours, Env. I cane imagine “hac vou found wo say about a donkey z4‘Fhe Heny andl sie Doukep “roan. Woru firs.” Rochelle cleared her cheat and began to read aloud. ‘Prere- fate oot: Breve: ites party with 2 Dean new saddle, Tron Tivo ae crane walt dei fea Fela lg...” Esema lignened to che end and said how good it was. Then it was her cum. ‘The daukey: My Acad is too big and ee coer are coo long, Me dogs cre rao shart, ang wy rent is all acrog, ..' When she bad beard the whole of Koma’: poem abuer the denkew, Rochelle said: “tars ay tusaral to san, [t's brillant! “Mu, ' saad Emma. “Yours much better. T het pou win." For the frst litne, dhe den parks ceadeyedd that inky ume cl them aoukl win ho magle them think, They tefl che guerris anid ening frees Jor Rerckelle's mother 4 put ite envelopes acl post, anal went oul tur gelay. The aitaied get a eter. ‘Cenygratiedadiars! Kiser poem fas sore first prize an thts veur's Children's Poser: Corvpentron. fe will be padtifed in centeced s Hampshive Gazette. Piaaie cond we Sophy Sabie df gach Sainracty zo Fike Keckelly had a wonderful day st Sapley. She only wished Limms could have been there, woo. In fact, imma had gone on holiday eith ber perenty, and didn't even koow that Rochelle had wen the poetry pee. Thery was stl ume mere treat for Rog hele: sevityg her poem printed un ee Jueal newspaper. When the paper arrived, slit deated Caetrogl tbe pisqen intapatiecily. Taside. there was a report of che comperitine and die wero proeny. Ir began: Sty fected fi too dog: ated my 2 ane foe tong..." lt wasn't her poem, it was Emma's poem! Rochelle couldn't understand it. [he entey forms and the poems muse have por Mixed up when her mathyr put them an the envelopes, Flow peuld she dace Emma? What wongld she sin? “Roma, yous prem amas best, Hot Powae Lhe ena whe weed paudrekking.' Por o wtile, Rochelle Ecle really bad. Thess ahe said 9 herself: Stupid judges! Fancy peefening a stupid peem abour a stupid donkey!" 25 qu aD ii fato 35 Say Thar Age seclie BE ‘ait that imeneni, Feprhed phe promod tvnalel capers aan rz up. Weou sams! bse hal reorrvetuis Like thal. You say Be a wriciua al a pagty: “Wh to chad ugly ciaa ower there?" and stic acplicn: "He cs uy gon! On peau sound vous beret angry at a iC ast who has dome amniedhiag stupid, aad when be coc to arare aT you. You realise chat it is your boss. Nor You have never ekpecienced a monene like chat? Ther you have been lucky. Culike poor Arthur Bridge. Wolfsburg in Germany is the home of Volkswagen. It is also where oainecs from all ovecthe world are sent cosidy chemistry in Dr Schumann's Cfienescoes Tesi, Some years age, the lbyan government uskedagroap ofGenman compris tert agenneal pint at Abu Kamrrysh. The deranan pompaniey ala agreed te irun several bumiedeyed young Labruns. Thay ix hw, ace year, De Sclaerviaen's atalilule cdere to have @ lenge enue of Libya craices. Athoc Bridgc a Brush checnical auger working by Tripeli, was atked to visic the Wolliburg orainess co cepore on cheir progress. His visit was taken very seriously noc only by Dr Schumann, bur alee by dhe companies whe were Building Abu Kammash, Ver Ardhur's visit, there were six company cepresen- latives in Wullsburp chant day. That evening, Arihuc and Fr Suhre and the represertat- Tives weet intes Haereer for dier. Cureersativic: was abreel The trainees and acu Alu Fania. Aut. as ie evening wore el conversation became rete and mers difficult. Silence fell on the company. Acthor, feeling char someone should wy to keep the conversarion going, tamed co the mgm sitcing nexc ro him, # ball man with glasses chat kept slipping deen his nore, “This wine ry excellent, bul Lust admit thaad nave nething ah