Shen Le (21) 1/1 Mavis In Slumberland

01/02/2006

It was a hot and humid day in summer. Mavis Wong had gone to her aunts terrace house in London, England, for the summer. She was now lying on her stomach in her aunts garden, thinking, This is even hotter than Singapore! and I am so bored! Yawning, she got up lazily and set herself on her aunts garden swing, swinging herself slowly. Her aunt had gone for a meeting, and would not be back until midnight. After ten minutes, she felt the lull of sleep too great to resist, and she fell into a deep slumber. Suddenly she saw a big fat red butterfly, perching on a rose. Mavis got up slowly and used a net that she had no idea of how she got it in her hand to catch the butterfly. The butterfly beckoned her to come closer. Mavis did. Then, it led Mavis out of her aunts side door, and into the suburbs. And without warning, the butterfly disappeared without a trace. And Mavis, turning to the side door, found that she had forgotten to bring the key. I might as well explore the suburbs, then. Maybe Ill find some prettier butterflies, Mavis thought. Walking to the small nature reserve just round the corner (there was no corner round a terrace house in the suburbs, so naturally there was no nature reserve either, but this is a dream.) She went inside the small forest and wandered around for a bit. And suddenly, she lost her footing and tripped over a stuckout tree root, and tumbled head-over-heals into a large hold that appeared out of nowhere, really. The hole was really only about three feet deep, and it takes only a two seconds for a twelve-year old girl like Mavis to reach the bottom, but the time taken for her to really reach the bottom (in slow motion) was more like two hours. She amused herself by looking at all the doors on the walls, which had name plaques on them. She grabbed a sugared doughnut from a door that said Mrs Douglas Bakery. Mavis opened the handle of a door which has the plaque Pollys Pet shop. I wonder if I can get myself a butterfly? Mavis mused. Mavis thought she had gone into a zoo. All kinds of pets, cats, dogs, hamsters, birds, turtles, fishes, lizards, and even snakes were present. May I help you, please? asked a voice. Mavis turned around and saw a girl with pretty pink hair and pale purple eyes dressed in the costume of Big Bird in Sesame Street. Can I have a butterfly? Mavis asked. The girl, who was obviously Polly, frowned, I didnt know butter can fly. But I have a horsefly. Would you like that? Oh, you mean a pegasus? I beg your pardon? I dont sell pack-a-sauce. This is a pet shop! Never mind. Just bring me whatever you have! Mavis exclaimed angrily. Polly retreated into nowhere and came out with a puppy. This is my pet. Its called Pollys Pug, Polly introduced. But I thought you brought a horse with wings! And that dogs not a pug! Its a golden retriever! Mavis fumed. Young dogs are called Puppies! So I called it a Pug! Plus, its a Denmark Dog. And literature doesnt have any colour! Polly argued back. You are unreasonable! Mavis stormed out of the room. Mavis continued falling, and fell down on a tea table. Around her were an overgrown rabbit, and a ratter, and a rat, sitting beside a closed window. I am a November Rabbit, he is a Sad Ratter, and it is a window Rat (he sits by the window because hes scared hell be caught by the ratter). Now pray tell us who are you. The rabbit asked. I am Ma-Ma-Mad Lice, Mavis said with a yawn. I mean Mavis, she added hastily. Where am I now? Youre in Slumberland. I mean, I bet you were from the Earth. We were, too. But we gotta stay here once weve eaten anything. Youll be here forever, The Sad Ratter said sadly. Mavis was so scared that she ran out of nowhere, colliding with a sphinx and a tortoise. My name is Sphinx, and he is a Tease Tortoise. Youre a human, and your name is Mavis, the Sphinx recited. She looked at Mavis, as if asking her to continue. I want to go home right now, so can you please tell me how? Mavis asked. Turn left, turn right, turn left, then turn right, so can you please get out of my sight! The Tease Tortoise screamed. Mavis jumped up and ran blindly. The last thing she remembered was falling into space. Hurtling, spinning crazily, and then Mavis! Get up! Im back early! Youve been sleeping all day! And in the garden too! Come on. Lets have supper together, Mavis aunt shook Mavis awake. Mavis quickly ran into the house. She was afraid that when she falls asleep again, she will dream the same dream again, but there will be no aunt to wake her upand then there was none. THE END