Blog 6 The Sack
Audio
We awoke the next morning with the sun streaming down on top of our heads. We were both dying of thirst and starving.
“I’m hungry,” moaned Gooney.
I don’t know what he thought I could do about it. I kept thinking of those lovely blue cheese muffins sitting on my kitchen table, but that only made me feel even worse. Never think about food when you’re hungry.
“I’m desperate for a wee,” complained Gooney.
I told him to cross his legs and hold on because Cobbles would be back soon.
We didn’t have to wait long. Cobbles appeared from nowhere. He’d brought a net with him and threw it down on top of us. We both screamed.
“Oh no! This is it! We’re dead,” cried Gooney.
Cobbles pulled us out in the net and stuffed us into a sack.
“If you make one sound, it’ll be your last. Do you hear me?”
We both nodded, knowing he meant it.
He slung the sack over his shoulder and began creeping through the bushes. We had no idea where we were going. Perhaps he had prepared a roaring fire to roast us on and I began to imagine the smell of smoke. Instead, I could smell the sea air so I guessed that we were out of the woods and walking near the beach. If only someone were nearby we could shout out, but what good would that do. He would probably strangle us. After about a half an hour he stopped, put down the sack and opened it up. The sunlight was blinding. He reached in and took me by the neck. I tried very hard to act bravely, preparing myself for death. Poor Gooney grabbed on to my foot as he didn’t want to be left alone but Cobbles pushed him off and closed the bag tightly over his head. To my utter amazement, I was standing right in front of my very own front door.
“Now listen. Go inside and bring out the sword that you’ve hidden. Make one false move, make one teeny tiny sound and I'll squash your friend flat. Do you understand?” I just nodded. I knew he meant it.
He had obviously followed us yesterday and knew about our discovery. I scurried inside straight to the hiding place. I dragged the sword with all my might out through the door, managing at the same time to stuff some blue cheese muffins into my pocket without him seeing. The sword weighed a tonne. I dropped it at his feet. He threw me back into the sack and once again he set off in the direction of the woods dragging the sword behind him. The sack swayed from side to side bouncing up and down on his back. It made us both feel sick. It seemed like ages, but we finally arrived at wherever he was taking us. Once again he took me out of the sack first and fastened a chain around my ankle then tied the end to a tree. He did the same to Gooney. Fortunately, the trees were next to each other.
We were in some sort of den in the middle of the woods. There was a small hut and a wooden table. Cobbles placed the sword on the table and then slowly held it above his head. He saw me watching him and a mean smile appeared on his lips. Now I understood. The sword was going to be used once again after one thousand years lying in the ground!
“I’m hungry,” moaned Gooney.
I don’t know what he thought I could do about it. I kept thinking of those lovely blue cheese muffins sitting on my kitchen table, but that only made me feel even worse. Never think about food when you’re hungry.
“I’m desperate for a wee,” complained Gooney.
I told him to cross his legs and hold on because Cobbles would be back soon.
We didn’t have to wait long. Cobbles appeared from nowhere. He’d brought a net with him and threw it down on top of us. We both screamed.
“Oh no! This is it! We’re dead,” cried Gooney.
Cobbles pulled us out in the net and stuffed us into a sack.
“If you make one sound, it’ll be your last. Do you hear me?”
We both nodded, knowing he meant it.
He slung the sack over his shoulder and began creeping through the bushes. We had no idea where we were going. Perhaps he had prepared a roaring fire to roast us on and I began to imagine the smell of smoke. Instead, I could smell the sea air so I guessed that we were out of the woods and walking near the beach. If only someone were nearby we could shout out, but what good would that do. He would probably strangle us. After about a half an hour he stopped, put down the sack and opened it up. The sunlight was blinding. He reached in and took me by the neck. I tried very hard to act bravely, preparing myself for death. Poor Gooney grabbed on to my foot as he didn’t want to be left alone but Cobbles pushed him off and closed the bag tightly over his head. To my utter amazement, I was standing right in front of my very own front door.
“Now listen. Go inside and bring out the sword that you’ve hidden. Make one false move, make one teeny tiny sound and I'll squash your friend flat. Do you understand?” I just nodded. I knew he meant it.
He had obviously followed us yesterday and knew about our discovery. I scurried inside straight to the hiding place. I dragged the sword with all my might out through the door, managing at the same time to stuff some blue cheese muffins into my pocket without him seeing. The sword weighed a tonne. I dropped it at his feet. He threw me back into the sack and once again he set off in the direction of the woods dragging the sword behind him. The sack swayed from side to side bouncing up and down on his back. It made us both feel sick. It seemed like ages, but we finally arrived at wherever he was taking us. Once again he took me out of the sack first and fastened a chain around my ankle then tied the end to a tree. He did the same to Gooney. Fortunately, the trees were next to each other.
We were in some sort of den in the middle of the woods. There was a small hut and a wooden table. Cobbles placed the sword on the table and then slowly held it above his head. He saw me watching him and a mean smile appeared on his lips. Now I understood. The sword was going to be used once again after one thousand years lying in the ground!
Blog 7 Vanya
Audio
“This sword is filthy after lying so long under the ground. I want you to clean it so that it sparkles like the stars at night. Do you understand?”
Both Gooney and I nodded. He threw us two cleaning cloths and then disappeared into the woods. Gooney and I looked at each other. We grabbed the cloths and began polishing the sword with all our strength. It was hard work. Then, after about two minutes, a most unusual thing happened. To our amazement, the sword began to shake, followed by a flash of light, and standing before us was a tall man with a thick, bushy, red beard. His clothes seemed to be made from animal skins and he wore leather sandals on his feet and a metal helmet on his head with two horns.
“Hello dear friends. I am Vanya the Viking. Thank you for releasing me from the sword after over 1000 years. As a reward, I wish to protect and help you. What is your desire?”
I think by that, he meant how could he help us.
“Please rescue us from Cobbles the cat so that we can go home. He has trapped us and we think he is going to eat us.”
“As you wish, my dear friends.”
He took his sword, waved it in the air and the chains around our ankles fell off. We were free.
“Now, off you run home.”
We didn’t need to be told again, but we both ran like the wind through the trees, over the bridge along the beach until we reached the little green door of my house, opened it, bolted it closed and collapsed on the floor, breathless.
I can’t remember how long we must have stayed there, but neither of us could move we were so out of breath. It felt as though my heart was in my ears it was beating that loudly.
After quite a long time, we pulled ourselves over to the window and looked out to see if anyone had followed us. No sign of Cobbles, no sign of the Viking. It just looked like any normal day, but normal it hadn’t been. I lit a fire and we both sat next to it and gobbled up as many blue cheese muffins that our tummies could hold. We were just about to fall asleep in the armchairs when there was a gentle knock at the door. We both froze. Could Cobbles have come back?
“Don’t answer it,” whispered Gooney.
I nodded and instead pulled a chair over to the window and climbed on it look out. Slowly, I opened it and looked out. There, leaning against my door was the sword! Carefully, we opened the door and dragged it inside. Stuck to the handle was a little note which read:
Both Gooney and I nodded. He threw us two cleaning cloths and then disappeared into the woods. Gooney and I looked at each other. We grabbed the cloths and began polishing the sword with all our strength. It was hard work. Then, after about two minutes, a most unusual thing happened. To our amazement, the sword began to shake, followed by a flash of light, and standing before us was a tall man with a thick, bushy, red beard. His clothes seemed to be made from animal skins and he wore leather sandals on his feet and a metal helmet on his head with two horns.
“Hello dear friends. I am Vanya the Viking. Thank you for releasing me from the sword after over 1000 years. As a reward, I wish to protect and help you. What is your desire?”
I think by that, he meant how could he help us.
“Please rescue us from Cobbles the cat so that we can go home. He has trapped us and we think he is going to eat us.”
“As you wish, my dear friends.”
He took his sword, waved it in the air and the chains around our ankles fell off. We were free.
“Now, off you run home.”
We didn’t need to be told again, but we both ran like the wind through the trees, over the bridge along the beach until we reached the little green door of my house, opened it, bolted it closed and collapsed on the floor, breathless.
I can’t remember how long we must have stayed there, but neither of us could move we were so out of breath. It felt as though my heart was in my ears it was beating that loudly.
After quite a long time, we pulled ourselves over to the window and looked out to see if anyone had followed us. No sign of Cobbles, no sign of the Viking. It just looked like any normal day, but normal it hadn’t been. I lit a fire and we both sat next to it and gobbled up as many blue cheese muffins that our tummies could hold. We were just about to fall asleep in the armchairs when there was a gentle knock at the door. We both froze. Could Cobbles have come back?
“Don’t answer it,” whispered Gooney.
I nodded and instead pulled a chair over to the window and climbed on it look out. Slowly, I opened it and looked out. There, leaning against my door was the sword! Carefully, we opened the door and dragged it inside. Stuck to the handle was a little note which read:
Please take care of this for me. Be sure to keep it safe.
Vanya X
How very, very strange. We put the sword back into its hiding place. Hopefully, we would never need it again. We climbed onto the bed, and discussed what kind of trap we could build to catch Cobbles for good. Before long, we were both fast
Blog 3 Cobbles
Audio
Cobbles
I knew who it was. Cobbles! Cobbles the cat. Fortunately, I had locked the door behind us. He’s not just any cat. He’s the meanest, ugliest cat you’ll ever see, and he’s fat. He’s so fat that his tummy scrapes along the ground especially after he’s eaten. He’s always stealing everyone’s food, especially mine. He loves my blue cheese, but he’s particularly fond of mice, as all cats are, and as I’m a mouse I have to be very careful. Of course, I’m faster than he is, because he’s so heavy and slow. However, he has the sharpest claws I have ever seen. They can pin you to the ground in a flash and then with one enormous swipe he will take your head off. Just like that. I know, because sadly that’s what happened to one of my brothers when he was playing near the river. Cobbles just appeared out of nowhere and attacked my brother from behind. My brother didn’t stand a chance. He was killed instantly.
So now, the whole family is very nervous and we won’t rest until we see the end of him. I plan to build a trap one day to catch him. I’ve got a few ideas but need to find the materials. He’d better watch out.
Well, getting back to the door and the handle turning. Once I was over the shock of him being there I grabbed a bin lid and started banging on it with a metal spoon and shouted, “Go away you big, fat cat or I’ll beat you up ‘til your nose goes splat!”
I sounded brave but I wasn’t. I was shaking like a leaf. Silence. There was silence at the door and then, very slowly, his long, dark shadow disappeared into the night. He was gone, but he’d be back, I just knew it.
I knew who it was. Cobbles! Cobbles the cat. Fortunately, I had locked the door behind us. He’s not just any cat. He’s the meanest, ugliest cat you’ll ever see, and he’s fat. He’s so fat that his tummy scrapes along the ground especially after he’s eaten. He’s always stealing everyone’s food, especially mine. He loves my blue cheese, but he’s particularly fond of mice, as all cats are, and as I’m a mouse I have to be very careful. Of course, I’m faster than he is, because he’s so heavy and slow. However, he has the sharpest claws I have ever seen. They can pin you to the ground in a flash and then with one enormous swipe he will take your head off. Just like that. I know, because sadly that’s what happened to one of my brothers when he was playing near the river. Cobbles just appeared out of nowhere and attacked my brother from behind. My brother didn’t stand a chance. He was killed instantly.
So now, the whole family is very nervous and we won’t rest until we see the end of him. I plan to build a trap one day to catch him. I’ve got a few ideas but need to find the materials. He’d better watch out.
Well, getting back to the door and the handle turning. Once I was over the shock of him being there I grabbed a bin lid and started banging on it with a metal spoon and shouted, “Go away you big, fat cat or I’ll beat you up ‘til your nose goes splat!”
I sounded brave but I wasn’t. I was shaking like a leaf. Silence. There was silence at the door and then, very slowly, his long, dark shadow disappeared into the night. He was gone, but he’d be back, I just knew it.
Blog 4 The Letter
Audio
The postman usually arrives about 9 o’clock in the morning. I am usually awake by then, but because of our adventures the day before and the late night we had, I was still fast asleep when the pink letter dropped onto the mat. Gooney spotted it first after breakfast as he opened the door to go back to his own house. My heart missed a beat when I saw it. I knew who’d sent it. Daisy of course! she always sends me letters in a pink envelope. I suppose you could call her my girlfriend. We’ll marry some day when we get older. She’s the prettiest mouse you’ve ever seen and so kind, gentle and clever. She lives nearby but she had been spending the Summer holidays visiting her aunt in Thropton. She had kept to her promise and written to me nearly every day. I couldn’t wait to tell her about the sword. I ripped open the letter and began to read. It said that she was arriving by train that afternoon and she asked if I could meet her from the station. Oh I was so excited. I hadn’t seen her for four whole weeks. I decided to make blue cheese muffins for tea. They’re Daisy’s favourite and mine too. Mmm… my mouth is watering just thinking about them.
Before long, it was 3 o’clock. Cautiously I crept out the door, making sure of course that there was no sign of Cobbles. Off I skipped along the country path, picking flowers as I went to give to dear Daisy. I was careful not to step into any puddles as I had made a very special effort and washed my smelly foot.
Just as I was about to climb over the last fence before the hill sloped down to the train station, I noticed a most peculiar thing. There was writing in the sand, which spelled HELP! Little arrows, pointed away from the word towards the woods - in a different direction to where I was going. I hesitated. If I followed the sign I would miss Daisy getting off the train and she would think that I had not bothered to meet her. However, if I ignored the writing, maybe someone was in serious trouble. What was I to do? I decided to follow the arrows. It might be a life or death situation.
The arrows took me along the stream, over a bridge and through the woods. I didn't know anyone who lived in these woods. They were very dark and it wasn’t easy to see where I was going. Suddenly, my foot gave way and I fell into a huge, deep hole. Before I could shout “blue cheese more please!” I was up to my waist in slimy mud and when I looked up, what should I see but two dark, red eyes staring down at me with the meanest look ever. Cobbles! I felt sick. “Oh no, I’m dead, this is it.”
Before long, it was 3 o’clock. Cautiously I crept out the door, making sure of course that there was no sign of Cobbles. Off I skipped along the country path, picking flowers as I went to give to dear Daisy. I was careful not to step into any puddles as I had made a very special effort and washed my smelly foot.
Just as I was about to climb over the last fence before the hill sloped down to the train station, I noticed a most peculiar thing. There was writing in the sand, which spelled HELP! Little arrows, pointed away from the word towards the woods - in a different direction to where I was going. I hesitated. If I followed the sign I would miss Daisy getting off the train and she would think that I had not bothered to meet her. However, if I ignored the writing, maybe someone was in serious trouble. What was I to do? I decided to follow the arrows. It might be a life or death situation.
The arrows took me along the stream, over a bridge and through the woods. I didn't know anyone who lived in these woods. They were very dark and it wasn’t easy to see where I was going. Suddenly, my foot gave way and I fell into a huge, deep hole. Before I could shout “blue cheese more please!” I was up to my waist in slimy mud and when I looked up, what should I see but two dark, red eyes staring down at me with the meanest look ever. Cobbles! I felt sick. “Oh no, I’m dead, this is it.”
Blog 5 Trapped
Audio
Just as quickly as he had appeared, he disappeared. I stood there, shivering in the mud waiting for his claw to reach down and tear me into one hundred million tiny bits. Never would I see Gooney or Daisy again and never would they see me. What a sad, sad thought.
As everything had gone very quiet up above, I decided to try and climb up the sides. Carefully, I dug my paws into the sides of the hole and pull myself up. However, the walls of the hole were so slimy and slippery I slid straight back down. I tried over and over again, but it was useless. The water was freezing cold and my toes were now numb. As I looked up, I could see clouds floating past in the sky. Then, to my absolute shock, whose head should suddenly appear over the edge but Gooney’s!
“Lendel! What on earth are you doing down there?” he asked.
“ Well, I am not having swimming lessons, that’s for sure!” I replied, rather unkindly.
Then thump! and before I could warn him, Cobbles had shoved him into the hole. He landed right on top of me with his bottom squashed up against my nose. Not nice. Not nice at all.
“Well that’s just great. Now we are really done for,” I exclaimed. Cobbles just glared down at us and gave a blood-curdling laugh before he disappeared into the night.
Gooney explained that he also had seen the HELP sign written in the sand and had decided to follow it. Well, now we know, it was obviously a sick trick set up by Cobbles. He was probably going to leave us here until he felt a bit hungry and then have us for a feast. What fools we were! But how did we know? We were only trying to be kind. The worst thing about it all was that no one knew where we were. We had disappeared into thin air! Daisy would be worried sick. Before long, we tried to get some sleep, not easy next to Gooney with his big tummy and big feet, and he snores. Eventually, we nodded off, leaning against each other standing up.
As everything had gone very quiet up above, I decided to try and climb up the sides. Carefully, I dug my paws into the sides of the hole and pull myself up. However, the walls of the hole were so slimy and slippery I slid straight back down. I tried over and over again, but it was useless. The water was freezing cold and my toes were now numb. As I looked up, I could see clouds floating past in the sky. Then, to my absolute shock, whose head should suddenly appear over the edge but Gooney’s!
“Lendel! What on earth are you doing down there?” he asked.
“ Well, I am not having swimming lessons, that’s for sure!” I replied, rather unkindly.
Then thump! and before I could warn him, Cobbles had shoved him into the hole. He landed right on top of me with his bottom squashed up against my nose. Not nice. Not nice at all.
“Well that’s just great. Now we are really done for,” I exclaimed. Cobbles just glared down at us and gave a blood-curdling laugh before he disappeared into the night.
Gooney explained that he also had seen the HELP sign written in the sand and had decided to follow it. Well, now we know, it was obviously a sick trick set up by Cobbles. He was probably going to leave us here until he felt a bit hungry and then have us for a feast. What fools we were! But how did we know? We were only trying to be kind. The worst thing about it all was that no one knew where we were. We had disappeared into thin air! Daisy would be worried sick. Before long, we tried to get some sleep, not easy next to Gooney with his big tummy and big feet, and he snores. Eventually, we nodded off, leaning against each other standing up.
