Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Story for children "The Fairies and the Grumble"


Source picture

The Fairies and the Grumble

Clancy hung over the little fence made of bark.  He looked inside the round window of the wooden cottage. It was built against a tree with a roof made from leaves. The leaves were covered with beautiful, coloured flower petals. The sidewalls were overgrown with light green moss. It his friend Page’s house.

“Page” yelled Clancy” Are you there?” Page appeared in the doorway with a book in his hand. “Are you going to the fairy ball tonight, Page?” asked Clancy
“Maybe Clancy, you?”
“I hoped you would go with me. Loulette is coming. The others don’t talk much to me. I am too clumsy”. Clancy frowned and looked at his pointy shoes.

“Mm,” said Page “Why not. I will take my book, just in case I get a chance to read it. Come on let’s go.” Page packed the book in his backpack and opened the gate.

They followed the track between the 7 oaks. Page and Clancy carried little lanterns made from the petals of snowdrops attached to twigs. Inside the bulbs, danced some fireflies. They gave enough light so the fairies could see the pathway.

Suddenly Clancy whispered “shh, I hear something”. “Is it a dog”

“Worse, it’s a Grumble,” said Page “They are dwarf like creatures with long noses and long hair. Very grumpy. I have heard some fairies have disappeared after meeting them.”

“What should we do, Page?”.
"Let's climb on a branch to lookout for him." said Page. They both climbed up but didn't see the Grumble.

“Ah we are close to the 6th oak. There is a secret path in the undergrowth of bushes. Come on.” Said Page, He jumped down and started to walk. He heard Clancy scream. Page looked behind him and saw Clancy hanging upside down, as if being held by a fishing rod.

“My shirt got hooked on a twig. Help me.” Clancy said.

Page run back and helped Clancy as the rumbling sound came closer. They had to hurry. Page started running while Clancy followed him. At the 6th oak Page pushed some branches aside and suddenly a path appeared. An arch of bush covered the secret path. Page looked behind him. Clancy had fallen and the Grumble was near.

“Use your fairy dust” Page called.

Clancy looked a bit guilty. He had wasted all his fairy dust. The fairies were only allowed to use it in times of need as there was not enough around anymore. Page sprinkled some fairy dust behind his ear and whispered, “Lightning and thunder, fairy dust, do your wonder.” He spread his wings and flew up.

The Grumble had come up to Clancy and roared “rubbish, rubbish, I hate rubbish”. He scowled at Clancy. “You make this place look untidy” He swooped him up in his big paws. e Clancy’s little legs kicked.

Page tried to sprinkle some dust on Clancy but failed. He whispered, “I will be back. Stay strong!” Page flew quickly to the beehive behind the 7th oak and called to the bees. “I need your help,” Page pleaded, “we have to save Clancy”.

The bees flew in formation behind Page, but the Grumble and Clancy had gone.

“Oh, how do we find them, I shouldn’t have left him alone.” A tear trickled down Page’s face.

Page sat down with the queen bee and discussed what they would do.

The queen bee said, “What about I send a group of bees in each direction.”

“Great idea” said Page.

 Off they went. After half an hour they all came back. They had flown to the edges of the forest and seen nothing.

“Let us have a rest and then fly out again” said the queen bee.

Page walked up and down the path to help him think.

Suddenly he saw that the secret bush path was closed. He was sure he had opened it. Then he saw Clancy’s scarf. The maze in there is complicated and only fairies know their way around. They might still be in there, he thought. He hurried to tell the bees and explained where the exits were. They quickly flew out. At the Northern entrance, Page led the way in.  

Suddenly he heard the Grumble. “Ok bees, you attack the Grumble and I’ll get Clancy,” he said. Slowly they flew up to them. The bees started to sting the Grumble. Page put some fairy dust behind Clancy’s ears and whispered,” Lightning and thunder, fairy dust, do your wonder” and they all flew off.

Page and Clancy said thank you to the bees and walked home as the fairy dust had worn off.

“What was the Grumble doing when we came to save you?”

“Well, the Grumble was going on about rubbish, so I said to him; I am with you. We hate rubbish as well and are here to protect the forest. You need me. I can help you tidy up some rubbish in the secret pathway.” The Grumble agreed, although he said I would go in the rubbish bag when finished”.

“Mm, clever, very clever,” said Page “and did you find a lot?”

We filled a bag with plastic, elastic, a fairy skateboard, a sword, a mouse tail, mail an more.

“Good job.” Page said.

“Just a shame we missed the party.” Clancy said.

“Yes, a shame. But the bees gave me a walnut full of honey so let’s have our own party.” Page said.


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Fairy dreams



Fairy Dreams
By Marja Blom

Shhht listen do you hear the rustle?
Do you notice the huzzle and buzzle,
in the garden when it is spring,
from bugs butterflies and birds that sing

But you are very lucky indeed
It you hear the pitter patter of little feet
or the chitter chatter from under a leaf
It's the sound of fairies you must believe

I found a book fairy under a palm
His name was Page He was very calm
Collecting words is for Page a must
He sprinkles them with fairy dust

Page gives all words a fairy sound
like "flutter flap flopsy fly around"
That means "a ball for butterflies"
and "trippety tea" is a party for mice

A party where mice keep there pinky up
when drinking tea from a flower cup
 and "bug buddy buzzy bee"
is a race club for bees and it is free

Page goes there and on the back of a bee
he buzzez around your bed you see
He whispers words in your ear on his flight
Giving you beautiful dreams at night

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Spots and dots

 Spots and dots
By Marja Blom

Chuck an old bug went for a walk and got stuck
Luckily he got help from a cute little bug
He asked little bug what he was doing here alone
"Oh" sighted little bug "I am always on my own"
The others don't like me because I haven't any spots
and you are only cool when you have lots of dots

Come with me little bug, where I live, dotless is the trend
Little bug looked surprised and became confident
He chatted and joked when they went on their way
A young bug heard his laughter and asked him to play
The two had great fun and became friends straight away
Little bug asked old chuck if his new friend could stay

"No he can't, at my place your friends spots will cause fear"
Does it so" mumbled little bug "than I will stay here"
"I like my new friend, about spots I don't care
I even wouldn't care if he had purple hair."
"That's fine" said Chuck and they went separate ways
Old Chuck the bug had a smile on his face.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Santa's beard



Santa's Beard
By Marja Blom


One morning after a deep sleep
Santa Claus heard peep, peep, peep
Oh my, he said now that is weird
I think I've got a nest in my beard

Mrs Claus please take the bird away
He said to her with great dismay
Mrs Claus tried and she was curious
Why the bird became so furious

Then next to the bird in the beard
8 wiggly, wobbly eyes appeared
4 lovely tiny chicks came out
and started squealing very loud

Oh Santa dear I know what's best
These chicks will have to keep their nest
but you can't go out like that you know
That beard of yours will have to go

Hence Santa went to cut of his beard
But Santa without a beard looks weird
He bought a fake one and what's more
Santa did look better than before

Now kids if you give Santa's beard a pull
and discover that it's made of wool
You know now why, believe my words
It's because he had to save the birds

Sunday, December 6, 2009

A kiwi night before Christmas

Guest Poem


The New Zealand version of "The night before Christmas" by Yvonne Morrison



A Kiwi Night Before Christmas

It was the night before Christmas, and all round the bach
Not a possum was stirring; not one we could catch.
We left on the table a meat pie and beer,
In hopes that Santa Claus soon would be here.

We children were snuggled up in our bunk beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced in our heads;
And mum in her nightie, and dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports.

When outside the bach such a ho-ha arose,
I woke up at once from my wonderful doze.
I ran straight to the sliding door, looking about,
Jumped out on the deck, and let out a shout.

The fairy lights dad had strung up around the door
Let me see everything down to the shore.
And what did I see, when I took a peep?
But a miniature tractor and eight tiny sheep.

With a little old driver, his dog on his knee.
I knew at once who this joker might be.
He patted his dog, and in a voice not unkind,
Cried "Good on ya, boy! Now, get in behind!

"Now, Flossy! now Fluffy! now Shaun and Shane!
On, Bossy! on, Buffy on, Jason and Wayne!
Up that red tree, to the top of the bach!
But mind you don't trample the vegetable patch."

So up on the roof those sheep quickly flew,
With the tractor of toys, Santa and his dog too.
As my sister awoke and I turn around,
In through the window he came with a bound.

He wore a black singlet and little white shorts,
And stuck on his feet were gumboots of course;
A sack full of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a postie just opening his pack.

His eyes right as paua shell - oh, how they twinkled!
Like an old tuatara, his skin was all wrinkled!
He had a wide face and a round, fat tummy,
That looked like he'd eaten lots that was yummy.

He spoke not a word, but got down on one knee,
And placed a cricket set under the tree,
A present for sis, one for dad, one for mum,
Then he turned and he winked and held up his thumb.

He jumped on his tractor, to his dog gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, as fast as a missile.
I called out "thanks," as he flew past the gate.
He called back: "Kia ora to all, and good on ya, mate."

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Paradise Island



Paradise Island
By Marja Blom

Pssst I played the most amazing game
Come a bit closer and I explain
I went to an Island on a ship
where kids can all day skate and skip

On the island I found a Teepee
and danced with Indians around a tree
To their chief I said Tag you're it
He chased me with a spear but didn't hit

I also met Alice from wonderland
I went to a tea party with her as a friend
We played with walking cards and Alice was better
 she even was better than the mad hatter

Than some pirates  threw me in the sea
after captain Hook played dice with me
I got saved from the sharks by Peter Pan
That was a great adventure, oh man

With tiny Tinklebell I flew a kite
Till Peter Pan brought me home that night
I told mum about all the games I played
She said; "Dreaming you do in bed. Off you go. It's late"

Monday, November 23, 2009

My dolls




My dolls
By Marja Blom


What a mess these toys she dares to say
she, who has never time to play
I'll tell you this you Miss O midy
You are the one who makes this place look untidy

What a snobbery, a snobbery
to want to do away
with these dolls of me
I confine in them, I dine with them

I drink a cup of tea with them
They play with me, they pray with me
They are patient when I talk oui oui
I am their mother, teacher friend

They've got all that time with me to spent
avec moi, with me, with me
They cuddle hug and snuggle me
At night when I'm alone in my bed

They look so pretty and cute to me
They are my dearest company
my dolls my friends to be

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The dancing frog



The dancing Frog
By Marja Blom


One, two three O'clock four O'clock rock
In Billie's garden lives a dancing frog
on rock 'n roll he is particularly fond
when Billie plays the guitar he jumps out of the pond

He plays "rock around the clock tonight"
Frog moves his hips to the left and to the right
The frog makes a nice big turn around
Then he hops in the air and down to the ground

The lady frogs think he is cool and fun
One day he decided to marry one
They had a big party and frog stole the show
He danced like Elvis Presley and he made a little bow

After the marriage his lady said "You hear,
No more dancing is that clear."
From now on you bring some flies on the table
and  jump  like a frog if you are able

But when Billie wakes up one day at night
He looks out of the window and sees to his delight
on a lily pad a fat frog shakes and twists
He went out with his guitar; frog can I assist?