Tales From The Stiperstones The First Adventure

By Jackie Ingham

Chapter One B The Animals Congress

Order, order! The owl raised his wing, a sign for obedience. A hush descended over the throng of animals at the animals congress. From small creatures of the field to beasts of the woodland a wave of silence moved through them as the white owl stood proudly at the front, commanding respect from his fellow creatures. Fellow creatures of field and woodland, we meet again at the animals congress. I am your elected leader and I will guide you through our discussions tonight. It was a cold, moonlit night on top of the Stiperstones, an ancient site of myth and mystery where the animal community of the surrounding hills and fields met twice a year to discuss and resolve issues that concerned them. The owl had been elected as their leader in these discussions as he was the wisest of creatures and the animals respected his word. With his wing still raised for silence, the owls voice resonated through the large gathering of creatures, from field mice to buzzards, rabbits and hares, foxes and badgers. All were united in listening to the owls words as the larger animals made way for their smaller neighbours so that all the creatures could see and hear the wise white owl address the audience. As the stars glimmered in the sky on the frosty night the owl spoke: Over the past months I have become increasingly concerned with a certain level of dissatisfaction amongst a small group of you. As animals of the fields, woods and hedgerows we are fortunate to have a free and wild life. Whilst this does not mean a carefree life as we have to find food to feed our families and we are forever vigilant and watchful of the harm that man can cause us, we are not bound by the constraints of a human life. The animals listened intently as the owl continued. However, fellow creatures, I am becoming increasingly concerned that a small group of you is discontent with the life we have and are envious of the lives of humans. There was a general muttering amongst the animals and an exclamation of shock and horror from some areas of the gathering. The owl raised his wing Yes, I know this is shocking to those of you who are happy but it is my duty as your leader to resolve this issue before the evil of envy destroys our community.

The animals looked around amongst each other trying to seek out who it was amongst them that felt this great envy of humans. There was a sudden hush as the fox walked forward and spoke in his deep resonating voice Leader and fellow animals I feel that I must speak up. For some time myself and others have felt that the humans in this world have a privileged life whilst we forage for food, sometimes barely able to feed our young. We are hunted for sport and chased from our homes, our hedgerow habitats and barns destroyed by farmers and builders. Our lives are changing for the worst whilst humans have the comfort and safety of their homes and families. I am not alone in my opinions; there are others amongst us who feel as I do. There broke out a general muttering amongst the throng as each animal looked to its neighbours, to identify who amongst them felt this deep dissatisfaction. The owl raised his wing to regain order I know how shocking this is to you. There were loud exclamations of agreement as the owl spoke again Fellow creatures, I must ask for order. Listen to me as your leader. The animals grew quiet. I have been giving this a lot of thought and I have a suggestion to make. What I am about to suggest will seem incredible to most of you, but we must act. If we do not, the envy of humans, which is growing amongst you, will eventually destroy our community. We must take action now! The crowd fell silent, wondering what the owl had in mind. To a hushed audience, with those at the back straining to listen, the owl explained his proposal. There is a way that animals can experience what it is like to live in the human world. At this a murmur of shock and disbelief resonated through the air. The great silver backed stag that lives in the valley of the Habberley Brook, deep in the woods that are rarely visited by mankind, has magical powers. Some of the older animals nodded their heads as they recalled the tales that their forefathers had told them of the elusive stag with magical powers. The owl continued. The great silver backed stag appears once a year at the place where the Habberley waters flow in to the Earlsdale pool, at the foot of the Lyddles water fall. From this magical pool the great silver backed stag is able to grant the wishes of animals at midnight on that one day in the year.

Great excitement filled the audience as the owl raised his wing for silence. That day is approaching. It is one week from tonight. Step forward any of you who wish to pass in to the human world. A great noise broke out and filled the inky blackness of the night sky. The stars seemed to twinkle faster as the animals fiercely debated the owls proposal. Some of the older animals shouted out that the idea was disgraceful, whilst some of the younger animals expressed their support for any amongst them who wanted to experience the human world. Through the noisy throng, a small group of animals pushed their way forward to join the owl at the front of the audience. The fox, the hare, badger and a small field mouse stood at the owls side as silence once again descended. Very well said the owl, addressing the audience and pointing towards the group at his side. You four shall meet at the Lydles waterfall, one week from today at the hour of midnight. This is my will, this shall happen. This is my final word declared the owl, lowering his wings, indicating that the meeting was over. The animals turned their backs, returning to their homes. Tonights proceedings would be the talk in hedgerows, fields and woods for many weeks to come.

Chapter Two B The Great Silver Backed Stag

The full moon glowed yellow and cast its reflection across the pool of cool water that formed at the base of the Lyddles waterfall. In the middle of the pool a huge stag stood, languidly drinking the water. He stamped as he shook water from his antlers which caused sprays of fine mist to drift up in to the night sky. The moonlight shimmered across his back and showed the magnificence of his silver coat. A small group of animals stood timidly on the shore, waiting in silence. The full moons face seemed to smile down on them as they stood, awestruck by the scene in front of them. Suddenly, the silence was broken. Over the top of the waterfall came a flurry of wings as the owl hovered and then dived down towards the stag. The stag raised his head loftily and spoke to the owl in his deep, bellowing voice. What brings you here wise owl, its many years since you have crossed my path. The owl landed gently on the stags back. I am here, not on my behalf great stag but to ask you to use your magical powers and grant my companions stood on the shore, a very special wish. The stag looked over at the meek group stood on the shore and took a few steps forward towards them. He turned his huge head from right to left and his eyes seemed to penetrate each one of them as he worked his way down the line of animals the fox, the badger, the field mouse and the hare. What do you desire of me, fellow animals? the stag directed his question to the group. which one of you will speak? The fox stepped forward I shall speak great stag, said the fox looking up in to the stags mighty face. We four animals the hare, badger, field mouse and I want to become humans. Can you grant this wish for us great stag? The stag shook his antlers and kicked his front feet so that water sprayed up and a cloak of water soaked the group. The owl flew to the shore. The stag responded This is a very serious thing you ask of me. He paused, deep in thought.

The group of animals watched him intently, wondering if he would grant their wish. The atmosphere was tense. After some time, the stag turned back towards them. He looked at each one in turn and then let out a big sigh from his great nostrils. Very well, I will grant your wish but listen very carefully to what I say to you. You are embarking on a very serious journey, which may be dangerous for you. You may find that the human world is not what you imagine it to be. However, your leader, the owl is wise and unless you experience this world for yourselves, you will always wonder what it is like and you will never feel satisfied in the animal world. Your envy will turn to bitterness and your unhappiness will spread to your fellow creatures. The fox looked across at the others with a smile of relief on his face. The others nodded their happiness at the decision. The field mouse gave a little squeak of joy and the hare hopped with glee. The stag stamped his foot to re-gain their attention. Silence descended once again, as the stag continued. I will grant you human form so that you may live in the human world. However, to each other and to other animals, you will appear half human and half animal so that your own kind can recognise you. Also, and this is of the utmost importance. he continued. The animals listened intently as the stag stepped towards them, forcing them to look in to his deep eyes. If you find that the human world is not what you expect it to be and you wish to return to the animal world, then you must meet me here, on this very night at this very time, one year from today. It will be your only chance to return. After that, you will be bound to live in the human world for ever more. You must not venture to your old home the Stiperstones, though there will be times when you are drawn there. If you do return to the Stiperstones in your human form you will be bound to stay as humans for ever and you will forfeit your chance to return to the animal world until the day you die. Do you understand me? Each one of the animals nodded that they understood and with that, the Great Stag turned and disappeared through the spray of the waterfall and was gone, as if he had never been there. And so the adventure began as the four friends entered the human world.

Chapter Three B Mr Foxley Starts a New Job

Mr Foxley walked proudly up the driveway towards Willowdale manor, to take up his new job as estate manager for the Willowdale Estate. His feet crunched on the gravel as he approached the front door and he tapped his pipe on a nearby stone before placing it in his jacket pocket. He stood back and admired the magnificent castellated building before stepping forward to lift the brass lion-headed door knocker. Just in time, he noticed a sign by the door `would staff and tradesmen kindly use the rear door access. Mr Foxley proceeded through the red-bricked archway at the side of the driveway in search of the back door. This brought him out in to a horse-shoe shaped courtyard, with stables on one side and the back entrance to the house on the other. On reaching the back door, Mr Foxley rang the doorbell. He could hear distant footsteps which after a few minutes reached the door. The door opened and Mr Foxley was greeted by a tall middle aged man who stepped out in to the courtyard to greet him. The man looked Mr Foxley up and down, taking in his appearance. Mr Foxley looked quite distinguished with his neatly trimmed red hair, moustache and beard. His smart tweed jacket, matching trousers and new boots were bound to make a good first impression as he stood smiling with his hands in his pockets. Ah, you must be Foxley, the new estate manager said the man offering his hand and smiling warmly. Im Jonathan, the owner of the estate. My wife Anna and I are very pleased to have you on board. Weve heard good things about you. Now let me show you around. Jonathan led the way through a gate next to the stables which opened out in to a large walled vegetable and herb garden. Mr Foxley inhaled the strong smell of the herbs and admired the neat rows of vegetables. My, this is a glorious garden you have here he said admiringly. Yes it has taken my wife and me quite some years to restore this garden to its former glory. By the way, I didnt catch your first name, what is it? asked Jonathan. Oh just call me Foxley, everyone does. They continued to crunch along the gravelled path to a door in the wall that opened
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out in to a smaller enclosed orchard with sheds and a stable on one side and a number of large chicken runs in the middle. We are very animal friendly on this estate Foxley said Jonathan walking towards the chicken runs. But there are three types of wild animal that plague us. Moles dig up our vegetable plot, rats infest our stables and foxes take our chickens, explained Jonathan pointing at the chicken runs. Mr Foxley nearly laughed out loud but stopped in time. From his own experience, he could see many ways in which a fox could get in to the chicken runs! I can make those runs more securely fox-proof for you Jonathan looked at him with surprise. Well old chap, if you can do what weve failed to do, please go ahead. Jonathan gave a chuckle and looked at Mr Foxley Well you must know the sly old fox better than I do. Perhaps its something to do with your red hair. Foxley replied: Well, most people think that the fox kills for fun, but he doesnt, he kills to feed his family and will bury the chickens to retrieve later. If ever you find dead chickens near the run, it is because the fox has been disturbed and hasnt had time to take them away and bury them. Jonathan did not look convinced but said Well in any case, they are a pest to us and whilst we do not go along with fox hunting, we do shoot foxes on the estate. I tell you what, later in the week you and I should go and shoot some of those damned vermin. I take it you can handle a shotgun Foxley? Foxley gulped and tried not to look alarmed Yes, er, yes, of course Foxley tried to sound convincing but dreaded the thought of shooting a fellow fox or even one related to him. Anyway Foxley continue Jonathan, seemingly not to notice Mr Foxleys alarm. Ill leave you to discover the rest of the estate at your leisure. When youve had a
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look around, perhaps you could start by checking the rat traps in the stables and with that Jonathan turned in the direction of the house. As Jonathan walked away Mr Foxley looked out over the garden, surveying his surroundings. Yes, he would be very happy here, he thought. Mr Foxley spent the next couple of hours sizing up the estate, making a mental note of the work that needed doing. Just before lunch he returned to the orchard to check the rat traps in the stable. His keen sense of smell told him that there was a rat in one of the traps. There were two horses tethered in the stables and both neighed in alarm as Mr Foxley walked by them. His sense of smell led him to the trap that contained a lovely, sleek black rat with a beautiful long tail. He looked very forlorn and frightened and as Mr Foxley picked up the trap the rat started to paw and bite at the metal, desperate to escape. The rat looked up as Mr Foxley knelt down. Fox, Fox cried the rat please let me out, I have babies to feed. I will let you out said Mr Foxley. And you can run home to your babies but dont come back to these stables, as there are many traps that will catch you. Go down to the brook and build your nest there, where you and your babies will be much safer. And with that Mr Foxley opened the trap and the rat scurried away, only looking back briefly to raise a paw in gratitude. Mr Foxley sidled past the horses who had relaxed at his presence in the stables and who looked at him with disdain over the top of the stable door. The first horse, a big old mare, looked at him insolently and sneered. You are not supposed to release the rats like that, the master get rid of you. Mr Foxley looked at the horse defiantly who is going to tell the master exactly? and with that left the stable. Mr Foxley spent a pleasant couple of days overseeing the repair of fences around the estate and getting to know the lie of the land. Towards the end of the week, Jonathan came out to greet him one morning as he arrived for work. Well Foxley, hows it going? Settled in old chap? Oh yes Im enjoying the job hugely thank you replied Mr Foxley.

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Well I tell you what continued Jonathan as its such a fine day and as I heard those damned foxes in the night again last night, well take the guns and see if we can shoot a couple of them later today. Mr Foxley tried to hide the horror he was feeling inside and managed to stutter a reply Ok, Ill meet you later; youll come and find me I presume? Jonathan nodded in the affirmative. Mr Foxley hastily turned away hoping that his inner turmoil did not show on his face. The fine morning was spoiled by the thought of what was to come later in the day. It was hard to concentrate on his work when his stomach churned with anxiety and he broke out in to a sweat every time he thought of shooting foxes. What was he going to do? For the first time since living in the human world, Mr Foxley wished he was back in the animal world. A tap on his shoulder shook him from his reverie. It was Jonathan carrying two shot guns. He held one out towards Foxley, indicating with a nod of his head that he should take it. Right old chap, take this gun and well see if we can rid the world of a fox or two and with that Jonathan marched across the field, indicating that Mr Foxley should follow. Over the field they walked and Mr Foxley hated every step he took. As they neared the fox sett Jonathan indicated to keep silent. There was a natural rise in the land just before the sett and they lay down at this point, waiting for the foxes to emerge from their home. Jonathan whispered Theyve got young and Ive seen them out at this time of day, so we may get lucky. Just as he finished his sentence, a vixen and two cubs emerged from the sett to play in the midday sunshine. Jonathan indicated to fire and the next second there was a loud rapport as Jonathan fired at the fox family. Mr Foxley had his eyes closed and hardly dared open them for fear of what he may see before him.

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Damn, just missed Jonathan was annoyed with himself What happened to you? he asked, as the mother and cubs scrambled back down the hole. I can see Ill have to send you up to the shooting range to practise Mr Foxley breathed a huge sigh of relief. Safe until another day.

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Chapter Four B Mrs Mousehole Takes a Walk

Mrs Mousehole loved living in her cosy cottage in the village with her husband and two children. The cottage was very old with white washed exterior walls and quaint little windows and a latched front door. The cottage garden was carefully tended by Mr Mousehole who grew seasonal vegetables as well as an array of flowers which were much admired by their neighbours. They grew plants that would attract bees and butterflies and there were lots of birds attracted to the garden in the spring time. Mr Mousehole joked that it was like motorway services as the blue tits, robins and sparrows as well as the occasional thrush flew in to feed on the seeds and nuts Mrs Mousehole put out for them. Sometimes a pheasant would be brave enough to venture in and the wonderful bright colours of its plumage would be much admired by the Mouseholes. Living in the human world was everything Mrs Mousehole had hoped it would be. She was warm, had plenty to eat and had a loving family to keep her company. There was no longer the constant search for food or the need to be vigilant against predators. Her daily life followed a familiar pattern. She would rise early, prepare breakfast for her husband and children, and wave her dear husband goodbye as he went to work. Later she would put the baby in the pram as she walked her young son to the village Primary School. Along the way, she would chat to other mothers and from time to time, wonder in silence at her good luck in finding such a contented life. She led a wonderful domestic life, rarely venturing far from the village. Why would she? She had everything she ever dreamed of and she felt sorry when she thought about her fellow creatures struggling on in the animal world. She would wave to the villagers on her return from the Primary School, calling in to the local store to buy groceries to feed her family. Oh life was so much easier as a human. Except for one thing occasionally Mrs Mousehole would find herself daydreaming about the past and yearning for the freedom of life on the Stiperstones. To scurry amongst the rocks, smell the heather, nibble the whinberries and feel the wind in her fur. Life as a human felt constrained in comparison. There were so many expectations of her, so many responsibilities. On a very fine spring day, Mrs Mousehole dropped her son at the Primary School and with the baby in a sling, decided to climb Earlsdale Hill. This was the first time she had ventured out of the village and her heart pounded in her chest. What would she find on the hill? How would she feel away from the safe, familiar surroundings of the village?

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As she walked along the path leading to the hill she relaxed in the sunshine and the rhythm of her walking lulled the baby to sleep. She found herself thinking back once again to her previous life and she smiled as she recalled her former world. She looked at the greenery surrounding her and the familiar musty smell of the undergrowth. She could not resist bending down to take in the smell of the earth. What a privilege to roam freely, unfettered by the cares and responsibilities of the human world. How lucky she had been living her life on the Stiperstones. How could she have yearned for a human existence? She banished these thoughts from her mind and concentrated on the path in front of her. Mrs Mousehole climbed the steep, mossy path up to the very summit of the hill. She shielded the sun from her eyes with her hands and looked across at the far distant hills the Stiperstones! How she longed to go there. To once again run around amongst the rocks and be truly free. She remembered the warning the great stag had given her and her animal friends and cast the thought from her mind. She heard a buzzard overhead, its shrill call slicing through the silence. It woke her from her reverie and reminded her that life on the Stiperstones had not been entirely carefree. In her former life, the buzzard would have regarded her as his dinner. And with that thought, Mrs Mousehole turned and headed back down to the path that would take her to the village and her safe human life. As she rounded a bend in the path, she was stopped in her tracks by a big black dog bounding towards her. Where was its owner? she thought as she peered along the path in front of her. With horror Mrs Mousehole realised that the dog had a small rabbit in its jaws and was vigorously shaking the poor creature. Oh help me, help me mouse, this brute will shake me to death cried the rabbit. Mrs Mousehole lunged towards the dog and managed to catch hold of it by its collar. The sudden motion awoke the baby in the sling who started to scream. The scene was one of commotion but the noise of the baby screaming made the dog bark and as it did so the rabbit was released from its jaws and it instantly ran off in to the undergrowth. Seconds later the dogs owner came sauntering around the corner. Oh Bobby, did you catch a rabbit then? Good boy laughed the owner, a middle aged woman, as she took the dog back from Mrs Mousehole.

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Mrs Mousehole looked at the owner horrified: How could you congratulate your dog for catching a poor defenceless rabbit? Its cruel, remonstrated Mrs Mousehole. The owner looked at Mrs Mousehole with surprise and contempt. Whats another dead rabbit? Theyre a nuisance, they get in to my garden and eat all the plants. They cost me a fortune. I encourage Bobby here to kill as many as he wants to. And with that Bobby and his owner flounced off. Well, thought Mrs Mousehole, Why cant humans show more respect to their fellow creatures. What gives them the right to class animals as a nuisance and to treat them in such a careless manner? She walked on her way feeling very cross and upset. Suddenly the human world did not seem so attractive to Mrs Mousehole and she was hugely relieved when she opened the door to her cottage to find sanctuary again within its walls.

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Chapter Five B Mr Brock at School

Mr Brock loved his job as headmaster of the village primary school. He particularly enjoyed teaching the children about nature and the countryside, subjects he knew a lot about from his life as a badger on the Stiperstones. In his free time he would wander near his old home but being careful never to venture to the Stiperstone hills, remembering the warning that the Great Stag had issued when he and his fellow creatures had been granted their wish to live in the human world. He would walk through the lovely Onny valley and gaze up at the craggy rocks that silhouetted the sky line on the Stiperstone hills. At the weekend, Mr Brock would pack up his rucksack and wearing his stoutest walking boots head off in to the secret places of the Upper Onny Valley. Each season brought new delights to Mr Brocks eyes the heather, bluebells and march marigolds as well as butterflies, dragonflies and the Crane Fly or as he taught the children at school, the `Daddy-Long-Legs. His ears were in tune with the sound of birds, such as the gold crest, curlews with their long beaks, lapwings with their `pee-wit call, as well as the buzzard circling overhead with its distinctive cry, seeking out its next meal in the grasslands below. The environment was rich in earthworms and in his previous life in the animal world, he would have foraged the undergrowth for them at night because they provided a tasty supper. No longer the need to search out his food, he enjoyed the luxury of the human world by buying his food at the local shop. He would find a shady spot near to the Onny stream and unpack his carefully wrapped sandwiches and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. One particularly fine spring morning, Mr Brock decided to take some of the children to the school pond for a spot of pond dipping. Before he took the children to the pond he had visited it briefly to alert the pond animals of the impending visit. The frogs were very busy at this time of year producing the frog spawn and it was a very delicately balanced environment which he did not want the children to destroy so he would teach them to be sensitive and respectful to the creatures living in the pond. As he crouched down at the edge of the pond there was a plop as a frog popped her head out of the water. Good morning badger, how are you today? she asked, blinking her bulbous eyes at him. I am fine thank you Mrs Frog. What a lovely warm morning it is and I see you have been busy laying frog spawn said Mr Brock, admiring the clusters of white eggs in

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the shallows of the pond. The weather is turning warmer and soon you will have lots of tadpoles. Yes, it will be a veritable crche soon and we shall be very busy parents indeed replied Mrs Frog. Mr Brock cleared his throat and continued Ive just called by to tell you that I am bringing some of the children down to the pond this morning to do some pond dipping. As always I shall tell the children to be careful and gentle but its such a wonderful way of teaching them about the diversity of the wildlife in the pond he explained. Oh thank you for warning me badger, Ill let the other creatures know. Weve got a very busy community living here nowadays as its such a lovely, clean pond. Weve just had some screech beetles and whirligig beetles move in, as well as the newts and sticklebacks which moved here towards the end of last summer. Great, the children will love it. Ill go and get them ready said Mr Brock waving farewell to Mrs Frog and heading back along the path to the school. Now children said Mr Brock addressing the group before him in the school hall. Please make sure each of you is wearing your wellies and that you have a net. When we get to the pond I shall put some pond water in our clear plastic containers so that you can put your discoveries in them. When you get to the pond please be very careful not to slip in and tread softly so as not to scare any of the creatures away. There are around 50 types of creatures in the pond and I want you to start by sweeping your net gently among the plants at the edge of the pond and then amongst the submerged weeds, being careful not to damage them. Finally, we will plunge our nets deep in the sludge at the bottom of the pond, where there are lots of water insects living. The children spent a contented morning collecting and observing the creatures they had discovered in the pond. There were water boatmen found at the bottom of the pond and pond skaters which used their long legs to skim across the surface, ambushing smaller insects on the ponds surface. The children were delighted with the whirling beetles which spun on the surface in groups and with the screech beetle which made a squeaking noise when Mr Brock gently squeezed them. Blue and red damsel flies fluttered gracefully amongst the plants at the edge of the pond and the frogs made a brief appearance, bobbing up above the surface so that the children could catch a glimpse of their bulbous eyes. Having returned all the creatures carefully to their home in the pond the children

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returned to the school. Mr Brock hoped he had taught the children something of the wonderful diversity of the environment they shared with other creatures and to respect them. Mr Brock continued with his headmasters duties feeling contentment with the mornings activities. His peacefulness was disturbed when he thought he heard a distant cry for help. He looked up from his desk and tried to focus on the sound. It wasnt a childs voice he could hear, it was however somehow familiar, but he just couldnt quite place what it was. He wandered out around the school hall and passed by the classroom doors but he no longer heard the sound. `How strange, he thought, as he returned to his office to continue with his paper work, not a task he enjoyed but a necessary evil of being a headmaster. Later in the day, Mr Brock was teaching a class of children about the geology of the local area. He had planned the lesson carefully so that the children would find the history of their landscape interesting. It had taken over 500 million years to arrive at the present scene and he hoped that the story of the rocks that he had written for the children would bring history to life for them. Part way through the lesson Mr Brock was suddenly distracted by the same cry he had heard earlier in the day but this time it was nearer and he could just about make out what sounded like help me, help me, let me out. Mr Brock was totally puzzled by this and cocked his ear to see if he could hear it again. But there was nothing, no sound whatsoever. `How bizarre, thought Mr Brock, he must be imagining things or perhaps he had been overdoing things lately and made a mental note to get an early night. He had an allotment where he passed his leisure hours when he wasnt out walking, perhaps he would switch on the television tonight and retire to bed a little earlier than normal. After the geology lesson Mr Brock paid a brief visit to the pool to thank the creatures for their hospitality that morning. As he knelt down by the edge of the pool he was greeted by a frantic sounding Mrs Frog. Oh badger, thank goodness youve come. Since your visit this morning Ive not been able to find Mr Frog. Whatever can have happened to him? Mr Brock was at a loss to explain Mr Frog disappearance but tried to reassure Mrs Frog and promised to look for him.

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On returning to the school hall, he was greeted by the sight and noise of the children unpacking their school lunches. Despite the hubbub in the hall he was stopped in his tracks by the same cry he had heard earlier. Yes, there it was again but where was it coming from? Mr Brock casually wandered in and out of the tables, informally glancing around him, trying to establish the source of the cry for help. As he approached a table in the corner of the room where two little boys were huddled over something they clearly did not want to share with the rest of the room, Mr Brock heard the cry again, but this time much louder than before Help me someone, help me please! the voice cried out. Mr Brock felt his heart beat faster; some poor creatures were clearly in distress. He peered over the heads of the two boys who were furtively examining something on the edge of the table and then Mr Brock saw, with a feeling of shock and dismay, what the boys were looking at. It was poor Mr Frog in a match box. Mr Brock fought back his feelings of anger and indignation at the sight before him. These boys had clearly not listened or understood what Mr Brock had tried to teach them about treating fellow creatures with respect and leaving them to live in their own environment. Poor Mr Frog looked desperately frightened and his eyes blinked rapidly with panic. As Mr Brock reached over the heads of the boys to rescue Mr Frog there was a loud meow as the school cat pounced up on to the table and swept a paw in the direction of Mr Frog. Mr Frog must have felt he was in the middle of a battle field one moment held captive and the next a huge cat trying to sweep him away. He somehow found the will to hop off the table and took refuge on the floor against one of the table legs. By this time the whole school had become aware of the commotion as Mr Brock scrabbled around on the floor trying to retrieve Mr Frog and at the same time warding off the advancing cat. Just as the cat took another swipe at Mr Frog, Mr Brock managed to sweep him up to safety. Mr Brock heaved a huge sigh of relief as he walked rapidly to the door with Mr Frog safely in the palm of his hand. As he stepped out in to the school grounds and headed for the pond he apologised profusely to Mr Frog. Oh I am so sorry for your distress Mr Frog, those naughty boys taking you out of the pond like that. I really had no idea they had taken you. Are you alright?

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Well, replied Mr Frog I am a little shaken but I shall be fine when I am reunited with Mrs Frog. I dare say the old girl is worrying about me. Thats very forgiving of you Mr Frog. I cant apologise enough for the dreadful behaviour of some of the children. They clearly had not listened to a word I said to them. Oh its not your fault badger. Unfortunately, its what some humans are like. We are smaller than them and they feel they can do whatever they want to us and our homes. Mr Brock returned Mr Frog to the pond and a very relieved Mrs Frog. Mr Brock retraced his steps to the school deep in thought. It would be a while before he took the children pond dipping again. This incident reminded him that he still did not entirely understand humans and not for the first time, he wondered whether he would have been happier if he had remained in the animal world.

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Final Chapter B The Return

From time to time, the four animal friends met up and went walking together. They could be themselves in each others company and did not have to pretend to be something they were not, as they had to when they were with humans. One warm summers day they decided to take a walk in the lanes and they ambled along happily in one anothers company, each telling the others a little about their human life. On this particular day, everything around them seemed to be abuzz with life. There were flowers in the hedgerows, birds singing in the trees and the four friends felt happy and contented. Their contentment was suddenly broken by a familiar, distant sound over the fields. Oh no exclaimed Mr Foxley, its the hunt. A few minutes later a pack of fox hounds, tales aloft and horses sweating from the chase, thronged out in to the lane. How despicable muttered Mr Brock. The four friends stood and watched as the pack of dogs sniffed the ground before picking up the scent and racing off up the lane, followed by the horses and riders. I wonder where the poor fox is? said Mrs Mousehole sadly. The friends wandered on feeling sad for their fellow creature. The glow of the day had disappeared to be filled with a grey despair. Suddenly, out of the hedge darted something red. It was the fox. He turned to the friends and pleaded Oh help me, help me please, Im exhausted. The dogs are hot on my trail and theyll have me in their jaws at any moment and rip me apart. The friends looked at one another determined to help, but what could they do against a pack of dogs baying for blood and determined huntsmen on horses? They could hear the call of the hunting horn ahead of them up the lane as the pack returned towards them. Time was running out. Quick, cause a diversion said Mr Hopper. Mrs Mousehole, quick as ever, ran ahead up the lane, determined to divert the hunt away from the fox. The others stayed with the fox to try to hide him in some way, though they knew the dogs would pick up his scent and he was too exhausted to go anywhere.

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They were trying to think of some way to conceal him when a loud thud and screech of breaks behind them made them turn. A blue car had come tearing around the corner of the lane and bang! It threw Mrs Mousehole up in the air and she rolled across the bonnet of the car and in to the ditch at the side of the lane. The friends ran in alarm up the lane to the limp body of Mrs Mousehole. The driver of the car speeded off without a backward glance. The friends were beside themselves. Oh poor, poor Mrs Mousehole cried Mr Brock picking up her limp hand. They tried to comfort her and assess her injuries. Mrs Mousehole lay still and lifeless. She was badly hurt. There had been a thud as her head hit the ground and blood seeped in to the mud of the verge. As the life drained from her Mrs Mouseholes body started to revert to its animal form, gradually losing her human features. For a brief moment, she opened her big mouse eyes and two tears welled up and rolled down the fur on her face and caught in her whiskers. Her whiskers twitched and her tail momentarily curled before lying limp on the ground. She whispered one last time to her grief stricken friends: Take me home to the Stiperstones and with her last wish so Mrs Mousehole closed her eyes. We must take her home said Mr Brock, gulping back tears. He picked up Mrs Mouseholes tiny, delicate mouse body from the ground and carefully placed it in the big pocket of his overcoat. But how can we? asked Mr Foxley. You remember what the great silver backed stag said? We cannot return to the Stiperstones in our human form But we must said Mr Hopper with urgency. It was mouses dying wish, we cannot let her down and in truth, I would like to return. I find that as each day passes, so my longing to return to the animal world grows stronger. The others nodded their heads in agreement. We must seek out the great silver backed stag at the midnight hour on the special day at the Lyddles waterfall said Mr Foxley But it is much more than a year since we entered this world, surely it is too late? asked Mr Brock

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We must try to find him, we owe it to mouse said Mr Foxley determinedly. And so the three friends resolved to return to the animal world of the Stiperstones, to take their dear friend mouse home to where she belonged. To place her body amongst the rocks and heather so her spirit would be at peace. The friends would set out on another journey to find the Great Stag again and their way back home - the return journey to the place where they truly belonged!

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Written By Jackie Ingham Illustrated by Jacinta Ingham