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THEVICAROFNIBBLESWICKE

THEWONDERFULSTORYOFHENRYSUGARANDSIXMORE

RoaldDahl

JamesandtheGiantPeach

illustratedby

QuentinBlake

PUFFIN

PUFFINBOOKS

PublishedbythePenguinGroup

PenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,England

PenguinGroup(USA)Inc.,375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USA

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puffinbooks.com

FirstpublishedintheUSA1961

PublishedinGreatBritainbyGeorgeAllen&Unwin1967

PublishedinPuffinBooks1973

eissuedwithnewillustrations1995

Thiseditionpublished2007

2

Textcopyright©RoaldDahlNomineeLtd,1961

Illustrationscopyright©QuentinBlake,1995

Allrightsreserved

Themoralrightoftheauthorhasbeenasserted

ExceptintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,thisbookissoldsubjecttotheconditionthatitshallnot,bywayoftradeorotherwise,belent,re-sold,hiredout,orotherwisecirculatedwithoutthepublisher’spriorconsentinanyformofbindingorcoverotherthanthatinwhichitis

publishedandwithoutasimilarconditionincludingthisconditionbeingimposedonthe

subsequentpurchaser

BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationData

ACIPcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary

ISBN:978-0-14-192987-3

ThisbookisforOliviaandTessa

One

Untilhewasfouryearsold,JamesHenryTrotterhadahappylife.Helivedpeacefullywithhismotherandfatherinabeautifulhousebesidethesea.Therewerealwaysplentyofotherchildrenforhimtoplaywith,andtherewasthesandybeachforhimtorunabouton,andtheoceantopaddlein.Itwastheperfectlifeforasmallboy.

Then,oneday,James’smotherandfatherwenttoLondontodosomeshopping,andthereaterriblethinghappened.Bothofthemsuddenlygoteatenup(infulldaylight,mindyou,andonacrowdedstreet)byanenormousangryrhinoceroswhichhadescapedfromtheLondonZoo.

Nowthis,asyoucanwellimagine,wasarathernastyexperiencefortwosuchgentleparents.ButinthelongrunitwasfarnastierforJamesthanitwasforthem.Theirtroubleswerealloverinajiffy.Theyweredeadandgoneinthirty-fivesecondsflat.PoorJames,ontheotherhand,wasstillverymuchalive,andallatoncehefoundhimselfaloneandfrightenedinavastunfriendlyworld.Thelovelyhousebytheseasidehadtobesoldimmediately,andthelittleboy,carryingnothingbutasmallsuitcasecontainingapairofpyjamasandatoothbrush,wassentawaytolivewithhistwoaunts.

TheirnameswereAuntSpongeandAuntSpiker,andIamsorrytosaythattheywerebothreallyhorriblepeople.Theywereselfishandlazyandcruel,andrightfromthebeginningtheystartedbeatingpoorJamesforalmostnoreasonatall.Theynevercalledhimbyhisrealname,butalwaysreferredtohimas‘youdisgustinglittlebeast’or‘youfilthynuisance’or‘youmiserablecreature’,andtheycertainly

nevergavehimanytoystoplaywithoranypicturebookstolookat.Hisroomwasasbareasaprisoncell.

Theylived–AuntSponge,AuntSpiker,andnowJamesaswell–inaqueerramshacklehouseonthetopofahighhillinthesouthofEngland.ThehillwassohighthatfromalmostanywhereinthegardenJamescouldlookdownandseeformilesandmilesacrossamarvellouslandscapeofwoodsandfields;andonaveryclearday,ifhelookedintherightdirection,hecouldseeatinygreydotfarawayonthehorizon,whichwasthehousethatheusedtoliveinwithhisbelovedmotherandfather.Andjustbeyondthat,hecouldseetheoceanitself–alongthinstreakofblackish-blue,likealineofink,beneaththerimofthesky.

ButJameswasneverallowedtogodownoffthetopofthathill.NeitherAuntSpongenorAuntSpikercouldeverbebotheredtotakehimoutherself,notevenforasmallwalkorapicnic,andhecertainlywasn’tpermittedtogoalone.‘Thenastylittlebeastwillonlygetintomischiefifhegoesoutofthegarden,’AuntSpikerhadsaid.Andterriblepunishmentswerepromisedhim,suchasbeinglockedupin

thecellarwiththeratsforaweek,ifheevensomuchasdaredtoclimboverthefence.

Thegarden,whichcoveredthewholeofthetopofthehill,waslargeanddesolate,andtheonlytreeintheentireplace(apartfromaclumpofdirtyoldlaurelbushesatthefarend)wasanancientpeachtreethatnevergaveanypeaches.Therewasnoswing,noseesaw,nosandpit,andnootherchildrenwereeverinvitedtocomeupthehilltoplaywithpoorJames.Therewasn’tsomuchasadogoracataroundtokeephimcompany.Andastimewenton,hebecamesadderandsadder,andmoreandmorelonely,andheusedtospendhourseverydaystandingatthebottomofthegarden,gazingwistfullyatthelovelybutforbiddenworldofwoodsandfieldsandoceanthatwasspreadoutbelowhimlikeamagiccarpet.

Two

AfterJamesHenryTrotterhadbeenlivingwithhisauntsforthreewholeyearstherecameamorningwhensomethingratherpeculiarhappenedtohim.Andthisthing,whichasIsaywasonlyratherpeculiar,sooncausedasecondthingtohappenwhichwasverypeculiar.Andthentheverypeculiarthing,initsownturn,causedareallyfantasticallypeculiarthingtooccur.

Itallstartedonablazinghotdayinthemiddleofsummer.AuntSponge,AuntSpikerandJameswerealloutinthegarden.Jameshadbeenputtowork,asusual.Thistimehewaschoppingwoodforthekitchenstove.AuntSpongeandAuntSpikerweresittingcomfortablyindeck-chairsnearby,sippingtallglassesoffizzylemonadeandwatchinghimtoseethathedidn’tstopworkforonemoment.

AuntSpongewasenormouslyfatandveryshort.Shehadsmallpiggyeyes,asunkenmouth,andoneofthosewhiteflabbyfacesthatlookedexactlyasthoughithadbeenboiled.Shewaslikeagreatwhitesoggyoverboiledcabbage.AuntSpiker,ontheotherhand,wasleanandtallandbony,andsheworesteel-rimmedspectaclesthatfixedontotheendofhernosewithaclip.Shehadascreechingvoiceandlongwetnarrowlips,andwhenevershegotangryorexcited,littleflecksofspitwouldcomeshootingoutofhermouthasshetalked.Andtheretheysat,thesetwoghastlyhags,sippingtheirdrinks,andeverynowandagainscreamingatJamestochopfasterandfaster.Theyalsotalkedaboutthemselves,eachonesayinghowbeautifulshethoughtshewas.Aunt

Spongehadalong-handledmirroronherlap,andshekeptpickingitupandgazingatherownhideousface.

‘Ilookandsmell,’AuntSpongedeclared,‘aslovelyasarose!

Justfeastyoureyesuponmyface,observemyshapelynose!

Beholdmyheavenlysilkylocks!

AndifItakeoffbothmysocks

You’llseemydaintytoes.’

‘Butdon’tforget,’AuntSpikercried,‘howmuchyourtummyshows!’

AuntSpongewentred.AuntSpikersaid,‘Mysweet,youcannotwin,

BeholdMYgorgeouscurvyshape,myteeth,mycharminggrin!

Oh,beauteousme!HowIadore

Myradiantlooks!Andpleaseignore

Thepimpleonmychin.’

‘Mydearoldtrout!’AuntSpongecriedout,‘You’reonlybonesandskin!’

‘SuchlovelinessasIpossesscanonlytrulyshine

InHollywood!’AuntSpongedeclared:‘Oh,wouldn’tthatbefine!

I’dcaptureallthenations’hearts!

They’dgivemealltheleadingparts!

Thestarswouldallresign!’

‘Ithinkyou’dmake,’AuntSpikersaid,‘alovelyFrankenstein.’

PoorJameswasstillslavingawayatthechopping-block.Theheatwasterrible.Hewassweatingallover.Hisarmwasaching.Thechopperwasalargebluntthingfartooheavyforasmallboytouse.Andasheworked,Jamesbeganthinkingaboutalltheotherchildrenintheworldandwhattheymightbedoingatthismoment.Somewouldberidingtricyclesintheirgardens.Somewouldbewalkingincoolwoodsandpickingbunchesofwildflowers.Andallthelittlefriendswhomheusedtoknowwouldbedownbytheseaside,playinginthewetsandandsplashingaroundinthewater…

GreattearsbeganoozingoutofJames’seyesandrollingdownhischeeks.Hestoppedworkingandleanedagainstthechopping-block,overwhelmedbyhisownunhappiness.

‘What’sthematterwithyou?’AuntSpikerscreeched,glaringathimoverthetopofhersteelspectacles.

Jamesbegantocry.

‘Stopthatimmediatelyandgetonwithyourwork,younastylittlebeast!’AuntSpongeordered.

‘Oh,AuntieSponge!’Jamescriedout.‘AndAuntieSpiker!Couldn’tweall–please–justforonce–godowntotheseasideonthebus?Itisn’tveryfar–andIfeelsohotandawfulandlonely…’

‘Why,youlazygood-for-nothingbrute!’AuntSpikershouted.

‘Beathim!’criedAuntSponge.

‘Icertainlywill!’AuntSpikersnapped.SheglaredatJames,andJameslookedbackatherwithlargefrightenedeyes.‘IshallbeatyoulateroninthedaywhenIdon’tfeelsohot,’shesaid.‘Andnowgetoutofmysight,youdisgustinglittleworm,andgivemesomepeace!’

Jamesturnedandran.Heranoffasfastashecouldtothefarend

ofthegardenandhidhimselfbehindthatclumpofdirtyoldlaurelbushesthatwementionedearlieron.Thenhecoveredhisfacewithhishandsandbegantocryandcry.

Three

Itwasatthispointthatthefirstthingofall,theratherpeculiarthingthatledtosomanyothermuchmorepeculiarthings,happenedtohim.

Forsuddenly,justbehindhim,Jamesheardarustlingofleaves,andheturnedroundandsawanoldmaninafunnydark-greensuitemergingfromthebushes.Hewasaverysmalloldman,buthehadahugebaldheadandafacethatwascoveredalloverwithbristlyblackwhiskers.Hestoppedwhenhewasaboutthreeyardsaway,andhestoodthereleaningonhisstickandstaringhardatJames.

Whenhespoke,hisvoicewasveryslowandcreaky.‘Comeclosertome,littleboy,’hesaid,beckoningtoJameswithafinger.‘ComerightupclosetomeandIwillshowyousomethingwonderful.’

Jameswastoofrightenedtomove.

Theoldmanhobbledasteportwonearer,andthenheputahandintothepocketofhisjacketandtookoutasmallwhitepaperbag.

‘Youseethis?’hewhispered,wavingthebaggentlytoandfroinfrontofJames’sface.‘Youknowwhatthisis,mydear?Youknowwhat’sinsidethislittlebag?’

Thenhecamenearerstill,leaningforwardandpushinghisfacesoclosetoJamesthatJamescouldfeelbreathblowingonhischeeks.Thebreathsmelledmustyandstaleandslightlymildewed,likeairinanoldcellar.

‘Takealook,mydear,’hesaid,openingthebagandtiltingittowardsJames.Insideit,Jamescouldseeamassoftinygreenthingsthatlookedlikelittlestonesorcrystals,eachoneaboutthesizeofagrainofrice.Theywereextraordinarilybeautiful,andtherewasastrangebrightnessaboutthem,asortofluminousqualitythatmadethemglowandsparkleinthemostwonderfulway.

‘Listentothem!’theoldmanwhispered.‘Listentothemmove!’

Jamesstaredintothebag,andsureenoughtherewasafaintrustlingsoundcomingupfrominsideit,andthenhenoticedthatallthethousandsoflittlegreenthingswereslowly,veryveryslowlystirringaboutandmovingovereachotherasthoughtheywerealive.

‘There’smorepowerandmagicinthosethingsintherethaninalltherestoftheworldputtogether,’theoldmansaidsoftly.

‘But–but–whatarethey?’Jamesmurmured,findinghisvoiceatlast.‘Wheredotheycomefrom?’

‘Ah-ha,’theoldmanwhispered.‘You’dneverguessthat!’Hewas

crouchingalittlenowandpushinghisfacestillcloserandclosertoJamesuntilthetipofhislongnosewasactuallytouchingtheskinonJames’sforehead.Thensuddenlyhejumpedbackandbeganwavinghisstickmadlyintheair.‘Crocodiletongues!’hecried.‘Onethousandlongslimycrocodiletonguesboiledupintheskullofadeadwitchfortwentydaysandnightswiththeeyeballsofalizard!Addthefingersofayoungmonkey,thegizzardofapig,thebeakofagreenparrot,thejuiceofaporcupine,andthreespoonfulsofsugar.Stewforanotherweek,andthenletthemoondotherest!’

Allatonce,hepushedthewhitepaperbagintoJames’shands,andsaid,‘Here!Youtakeit!It’syours!’

Four

JamesHenryTrotterstoodthereclutchingthebagandstaringattheoldman.

‘Andnow,’theoldmansaid,‘allyou‘vegottodoisthis.Takealargejugofwater,andpourallthelittlegreenthingsintoit.Then,veryslowly,onebyone,addtenhairsfromyourownhead.Thatsetsthemoff!Itgetsthemgoing!Inacoupleofminutesthewaterwillbegintofrothandbubblefuriously,andassoonasthathappensyoumustquicklydrinkitalldown,thewholejugful,inonegulp.Andthen,mydear,youwillfeelitchurningandboilinginyourstomach,andsteamwillstartcomingoutofyourmouth,andimmediatelyafterthat,marvellousthingswillstarthappeningtoyou,fabulous,unbelievablethings–andyouwillneverbemiserableagaininyourlife.Becauseyouaremiserable,aren’tyou?Youneedn’ttellme!Iknowallaboutit!Now,offyougoanddoexactlyasIsay.Anddon’twhisperawordofthistothosetwohorribleauntsofyours!Notaword!Anddon’tletthosegreenthingsintheregetawayfromyoueither!Becauseiftheydoescape,thentheywillbeworkingtheirmagicuponsomebodyelseinsteadofuponyou!Andthatisn’twhatyouwantatall,isit,mydear?Whoevertheymeetfirst,beitbug,insect,animal,ortree,thatwillbetheonewhogetsthefullpoweroftheirmagic!Soholdthebagtight!Don’ttearthepaper!Offyougo!Hurryup!Don’twait!Now’sthetime!Hurry!’

Withthat,theoldmanturnedawayanddisappearedintothebushes.

Five

Thenextmoment,Jameswasrunningbacktowardsthehouseasfastashecouldgo.Hewoulddoitallinthekitchen,hetoldhimself–ifonlyhecouldgetintherewithoutAuntSpongeandAuntSpikerseeinghim.Hewasterriblyexcited.Heflewthroughthelonggrassandthestinging-nettles,notcaringwhetherhegotstungornotonhisbareknees,andinthedistancehecouldseeAuntSpongeandAuntSpikersittingintheirchairswiththeirbackstowardshim.Heswervedawayfromthemsoastogoroundtheothersideofthehouse,butthensuddenly,justashewaspassingunderneaththeoldpeachtreethatstoodinthemiddleofthegarden,hisfootslippedandhefellflatonhisfaceinthegrass.Thepaperbagburstopenasithitthegroundandthethousandsoftinygreenthingswerescatteredinalldirections.

Jamesimmediatelypickedhimselfupontohishandsandkneesandstartedsearchingaroundforhisprecioustreasures.Butwhatwasthis?Theywereallsinkingintothesoil!Hecouldactuallyseethemwrigglingandtwistingastheyburrowedtheirwaydownwardintothehardearth,andatoncehereachedoutahandtopicksomeofthemupbeforeitwastoolate,buttheydisappearedrightunderhisfingers.Hewentaftersomeothers,andthesamethinghappened!Hebeganscrabblingaroundfranticallyinanefforttocatchholdofthosethatwereleft,buttheyweretooquickforhim.Eachtimethetipsofhisfingerswerejustabouttotouchthem,theyvanishedintotheearth!Andsoon,inthespaceofonlyafewseconds,everysingleoneofthemhadgone!

Jamesfeltlikecrying.Hewouldnevergetthembacknow–they

werelost,lost,lostforever.

Butwherehadtheygoneto?Andwhyintheworldhadtheybeensoeagertopushdownintotheearthlikethat?Whatweretheyafter?Therewasnothingdownthere.Nothingexcepttherootsoftheoldpeachtree…andawholelotofearthwormsandcentipedesandinsectslivinginthesoil.

Butwhatwasitthattheoldmanhadsaid?Whoevertheymeetfirst,beitbug,insect,animal,ortree,thatwillbetheonewhogetsthefullpoweroftheirmagic!

Goodheavens,thoughtJames.Whatisgoingtohappeninthatcaseiftheydomeetanearthworm?Oracentipede?Oraspider?Andwhatiftheydogointotherootsofthepeachtree?

‘Getupatonce,youlazylittlebeast!’avoicewassuddenlyshoutinginJames’sear.JamesglancedupandsawAuntSpikerstandingoverhim,grimandtallandbony,glaringathimthroughhersteel-rimmedspectacles.‘Getbackoverthereimmediatelyandfinishchoppingupthoselogs!’sheordered.

AuntSponge,fatandpulpyasajellyfish,camewaddlingupbehindhersistertoseewhatwasgoingon.‘Whydon’twejustlowertheboydownthewellinabucketandleavehimthereforthenight?’shesuggested.‘Thatoughttoteachhimnottolazearoundlikethisthewholedaylong.’

‘That’saverygoodwheeze,mydearSponge.Butlet’smakehimfinishchoppingupthewoodfirst.Beoffwithyouatonce,youhideousbrat,anddosomework!’

Slowly,sadly,poorJamesgotupoffthegroundandwentbacktothewoodpile.Oh,ifonlyhehadn’tslippedandfallenanddropped

thatpreciousbag.Allhopeofahappierlifehadgonecompletelynow.Todayandtomorrowandthenextdayandalltheotherdaysaswellwouldbenothingbutpunishmentandpain,unhappinessanddespair.

Hepickedupthechopperandwasjustabouttostartchoppingawayagainwhenheheardashoutbehindhimthatmadehimstopandturn.

Six

‘Sponge!Sponge!Comehereatonceandlookatthis!’

‘Atwhat?’

‘It’sapeach!’AuntSpikerwasshouting.

‘Awhat?’

‘Apeach!Rightupthereonthehighestbranch!Can’tyouseeit?’

‘Ithinkyoumustbemistaken,mydearSpiker.Thatmiserabletreeneverhasanypeachesonit.’

‘There’soneonitnow,Sponge!Youlookforyourself!’

‘You’reteasingme,Spiker.You’remakingmymouthwateronpurposewhenthere’snothingtoputintoit.Why,thattree’snever

evenhadablossomonit,letaloneapeach.Rightuponthehighestbranch,yousay?Ican’tseeathing.Veryfunny…Ha,ha…Goodgraciousme!Well,I’llbeblowed!Therereallyisapeachupthere!’

‘Anicebigone,too!’AuntSpikersaid.

‘Abeauty,abeauty!’AuntSpongecriedout.

Atthispoint,Jamesslowlyputdownhischopperandturnedandlookedacrossatthetwowomenwhowerestandingunderneaththepeachtree.

Somethingisabouttohappen,hetoldhimself.Somethingpeculiarisabouttohappenanymoment.Hehadn’tthefaintestideawhatitmightbe,buthecouldfeelitinhisbonesthatsomethingwasgoingtohappensoon.Hecouldfeelitintheairaroundhim…inthesuddenstillnessthathadfallenuponthegarden…

Jamestiptoedalittleclosertothetree.Theauntswerenottalkingnow.Theywerejuststandingthere,staringatthepeach.Therewasnotasoundanywhere,notevenabreathofwind,andoverheadthesunblazeddownuponthemoutofadeepbluesky.

‘Itlooksripetome,’AuntSpikersaid,breakingthesilence.

‘Thenwhydon’tweeatit?’AuntSpongesuggested,lickingherthicklips.‘Wecanhavehalfeach.Hey,you!James!Comeoverhereatonceandclimbthistree!’

Jamescamerunningover.

‘Iwantyoutopickthatpeachupthereonthehighestbranch,’AuntSpongewenton.‘Canyouseeit?’

‘Yes,AuntieSponge,Icanseeit!’

‘Anddon’tyoudareeatanyofityourself.YourAuntSpikerandI

aregoingtohaveitbetweenusrighthereandnow,halfeach.Getonwithyou!Upyougo!’

Jamescrossedovertothetreetrunk.

‘Stop!’AuntSpikersaidquickly.‘Holdeverything!’Shewasstaringupintothebrancheswithhermouthwideopenandhereyesbulgingasthoughshehadseenaghost.‘Look!’shesaid.‘Look,Sponge,look!’

‘What’sthematterwithyou?’AuntSpongedemanded.

‘It’sgrowing!’AuntSpikercried.‘It’sgettingbiggerandbigger!’

‘Whatis?’

‘Thepeach,ofcourse!’

‘You’rejoking!’

‘Well,lookforyourself!’

‘ButmydearSpiker,that’sperfectlyridiculous.That’simpossible.That’s–that’s–that’s–Now,waitjustaminute–No–Nothatcan’tberight–No–Yes–GreatScott!Thethingreallyisgrowing!’

‘It’snearlytwiceasbigalready!’AuntSpikershouted.

‘Itcan’tbetrue!’

‘Itistrue!’

‘Itmustbeamiracle!’

‘Watchit!Watchit!’

‘Iamwatchingit!’

‘Greatheavensalive!’AuntSpikeryelled.‘Icanactuallyseethethingbulgingandswellingbeforemyveryeyes!’

Seven

Thetwowomenandthesmallboystoodabsolutelystillonthegrassunderneaththetree,gazingupatthisextraordinaryfruit.James’slittlefacewasglowingwithexcitement,hiseyeswereasbigandbrightastwostars.Hecouldseethepeachswellinglargerandlargerasclearlyasifitwereaballoonbeingblownup.

Inhalfaminute,itwasthesizeofamelon!

Inanotherhalf-minute,itwastwiceasbigagain!

‘Justlookatitgrowing!’AuntSpikercried.

‘Williteverstop!’AuntSpongeshouted,wavingherfatarmsandstartingtodancearoundincircles.

Andnowitwassobigitlookedlikeanenormousbutter-colouredpumpkindanglingfromthetopofthetree.

‘Getawayfromthattreetrunk,youstupidboy!’AuntSpikeryelled.‘TheslightestshakeandI‘msureit’llfalloff!Itmustweightwentyorthirtypoundsatleast!’

Thebranchthatthepeachwasgrowinguponwasbeginningtobendoverfurtherandfurtherbecauseoftheweight.

‘Standback!’AuntSpongeshouted.‘It’scomingdown!Thebranchisgoingtobreak!’

Butthebranchdidn’tbreak.Itsimplybentovermoreandmoreasthepeachgotheavierandheavier.

Andstillitwentongrowing.

Inanotherminute,thismammothfruitwasaslargeandroundandfatasAuntSpongeherself,andprobablyjustasheavy.

‘Ithastostopnow!’AuntSpikeryelled.‘Itcan’tgoonforever!’

Butitdidn’tstop.

Soonitwasthesizeofasmallcar,andreachedhalfwaytotheground.

Bothauntswerenowhoppingroundandroundthetree,clappingtheirhandsandshoutingallsortsofsillythingsintheirexcitement.

‘Hallelujah!’AuntSpikershouted.‘Whatapeach!Whatapeach!’

‘Terrifico!’AuntSpongecriedout,‘Magnifico!Splendifico!Andwhatameal!’

‘It’sstillgrowing.’

‘Iknow!Iknow!’

AsforJames,hewassospellboundbythewholethingthathecouldonlystandandstareandmurmurquietlytohimself,‘Oh,isn’titbeautiful.It’sthemostbeautifulthingI‘veeverseen.’

‘Shutup,youlittletwerp!’AuntSpikersnapped,happeningtooverhearhim.‘It’snoneofyourbusiness!’

‘That’sright,’AuntSpongedeclared.‘It’sgotnothingtodowithyouwhatsoever!Keepoutofit.’

‘Look!’AuntSpikershouted.‘It’sgrowingfasterthanevernow!It’sspeedingup!’

‘Iseeit,Spiker!Ido!Ido!’

Biggerandbiggergrewthepeach,biggerandbiggerandbigger.

Thenatlast,whenithadbecomenearlyastallasthetreethatitwasgrowingon,astallandwide,infact,asasmallhouse,thebottompartofitgentlytouchedtheground–andthereitrested.

‘Itcan’tfalloffnow!’AuntSpongeshouted.

‘It’sstoppedgrowing!’AuntSpikercried.

‘No,ithasn‘t!’

‘Yes,ithas!’

‘It’sslowingdown,Spiker,it’sslowingdown!Butithasn’tstoppedyet!Youwatchit!’

Therewasapause.

‘Ithasnow!’

‘Ibelieveyou’reright.’

‘Doyouthinkit’ssafetotouchit?’

‘Idon’tknow.We’dbetterbecareful.’

AuntSpongeandAuntSpikerbeganwalkingslowlyroundthepeach,inspectingitverycautiouslyfromallsides.Theywerelikeacoupleofhunterswhohadjustshotanelephantandwerenotquitesurewhetheritwasdeadoralive.Andthemassiveroundfruittoweredoverthemsohighthattheylookedlikemidgetsfromanotherworldbesideit.

Theskinofthepeachwasverybeautiful–arichbutteryyellowwithpatchesofbrilliantpinkandred.AuntSpongeadvancedcautiouslyandtoucheditwiththetipofonefinger.‘It’sripe!’shecried.‘It’sjustperfect!Now,lookhere,Spiker.Whydon’twegoandgetashovelrightawayanddigoutagreatbigchunkofitforyouand

metoeat?’

‘No,’AuntSpikersaid.‘Notyet.’

‘Whyevernot?’

‘BecauseIsayso.’

‘ButIcan’twaittoeatsome!’AuntSpongecriedout.Shewaswateringatthemouthnowandathintrickleofspitwasrunningdownonesideofherchin.

‘MydearSponge,’AuntSpikersaidslowly,winkingathersisterandsmilingasly,thin-lippedsmile.‘There’sapileofmoneytobemadeoutofthisifonlywecanhandleitright.Youwaitandsee.’

Eight

Thenewsthatapeachalmostasbigasahousehadsuddenlyappearedinsomeone’sgardenspreadlikewildfireacrossthecountryside,andthenextdayastreamofpeoplecamescramblingupthesteephilltogazeuponthismarvel.

Quickly,AuntSpongeandAuntSpikercalledincarpentersandhadthembuildastrongfenceroundthepeachtosaveitfromthecrowd;andatthesametime,thesetwocraftywomenstationedthemselvesatthefrontgatewithalargebunchofticketsandstartedchargingeveryoneforcomingin.

‘Rollup!Rollup!’AuntSpikeryelled.‘Onlyoneshillingtoseethegiantpeach!’

‘Halfpriceforchildrenundersixweeksold!’AuntSpongeshouted.

‘Oneatatime,please!Don’tpush!Don’tpush!You’reallgoingtogetin!’

‘Hey,you!Comeback,there!Youhaven’tpaid!’

Bylunchtime,thewholeplacewasaseethingmassofmen,women,andchildrenallpushingandshovingtogetaglimpseofthismiraculousfruit.Helicopterswerelandinglikewaspsalloverthehill,andoutofthempouredswarmsofnewspaperreporters,cameramen,andmenfromthetelevisioncompanies.

‘It’llcostyoudoubletobringinacamera!’AuntSpikershouted.

‘Allright!Allright!’theyanswered.‘Wedon’tcare!’Andthemoneycamerollingintothepocketsofthetwogreedyaunts.

Butwhileallthisexcitementwasgoingonoutside,poorJameswasforcedtostaylockedinhisbedroom,peepingthroughthebarsofhiswindowatthecrowdsbelow.

‘Thedisgustinglittlebrutewillonlygetineveryone’swayifwelethimwanderabout,’AuntSpikerhadsaidearlythatmorning.

‘Oh,please!’hehadbegged.‘Ihaven’tmetanyotherchildrenforyearsandyearsandtherearegoingtobelotsofthemdownthereformetoplaywith.AndperhapsIcouldhelpyouwiththetickets.’

‘Shutup!’AuntSpongehadsnapped.‘YourAuntSpikerandIareabouttobecomemillionaires,andthelastthingwewantisthelikesofyoumessingthingsupandgettingintheway.’

Later,whentheeveningofthefirstdaycameandthepeoplehadallgonehome,theauntsunlockedJames’sdoorandorderedhimtogooutsideandpickupallthebananaskinsandorangepeelandbitsofpaperthatthecrowdhadleftbehind.

‘CouldIpleasehavesomethingtoeatfirst?’heasked.‘Ihaven’thadathingallday.’

‘No!’theyshouted,kickinghimoutofthedoor.‘We’retoobusytomakefood!Wearecountingourmoney!’

‘Butit’sdark!’criedJames.

‘Getout!’theyyelled.‘Andstayoutuntilyou‘vecleanedupallthemess!’Thedoorslammed.Thekeyturnedinthelock.

Nine

Hungryandtrembling,Jamesstoodaloneoutintheopen,wonderingwhattodo.Thenightwasallaroundhimnow,andhighoverheadawildwhitemoonwasridinginthesky.Therewasnotasound,notamovementanywhere.

Mostpeople–andespeciallysmallchildren–areoftenquitescaredofbeingoutofdoorsaloneinthemoonlight.Everythingissodeadlyquiet,andtheshadowsaresolongandblack,andtheykeepturningintostrangeshapesthatseemtomoveasyoulookatthem,andtheslightestlittlesnapofatwigmakesyoujump.

Jamesfeltexactlylikethatnow.Hestaredstraightaheadwithlargefrightenedeyes,hardlydaringtobreathe.Notfaraway,inthemiddleofthegarden,hecouldseethegiantpeachtoweringovereverythingelse.Surelyitwasevenbiggertonightthaneverbefore?Andwhatadazzlingsightitwas!Themoonlightwasshiningandglintingonitsgreatcurvingsides,turningthemtocrystalandsilver.Itlookedlikeatremendoussilverballlyingthereinthegrass,silent,mysterious,andwonderful.

Andthenallatonce,littleshiversofexcitementstartedrunningovertheskinonJames’sback.

Somethingelse,hetoldhimself,somethingstrangerthaneverthistime,isabouttohappentomeagainsoon.Hewassureofit.Hecouldfeelitcoming.

Helookedaroundhim,wonderingwhatonearthitwasgoingtobe.Thegardenlaysoftandsilverinthemoonlight.Thegrasswaswet

withdewandamilliondewdropsweresparklingandtwinklinglikediamondsaroundhisfeet.Andnowsuddenly,thewholeplace,thewholegardenseemedtobealivewithmagic.

Almostwithoutknowingwhathewasdoing,asthoughdrawnbysomepowerfulmagnet,JamesHenryTrotterstartedwalkingslowlytowardsthegiantpeach.Heclimbedoverthefencethatsurroundedit,andstooddirectlybeneathit,staringupatitsgreatbulgingsides.Heputoutahandandtoucheditgentlywiththetipofonefinger.Itfeltsoftandwarmandslightlyfurry,liketheskinofababymouse.Hemovedastepcloserandrubbedhischeeklightlyagainstthesoftskin.Andthensuddenly,whilehewasdoingthis,hehappenedtonoticethatrightbesidehimandbelowhim,closetotheground,therewasaholeinthesideofthepeach.

Ten

Itwasquitealargehole,thesortofthingananimalaboutthesizeofafoxmighthavemade.

Jameskneltdowninfrontofit,andpokedhisheadandshouldersinside.

Hecrawledin.

Hekeptoncrawling.

Thisisn’tahole,hethoughtexcitedly.It’satunnel!

Thetunnelwasdampandmurky,andallaroundhimtherewasthecuriousbittersweetsmelloffreshpeach.Thefloorwassoggyunderhisknees,thewallswerewetandsticky,andpeachjuicewasdrippingfromtheceiling.Jamesopenedhismouthandcaughtsomeofitonhistongue.Ittasteddelicious.

Hewascrawlinguphillnow,asthoughthetunnelwereleadingstraighttowardstheverycentreofthegiganticfruit.Everyfewsecondshepausedandtookabiteoutofthewall.Thepeachfleshwassweetandjuicy,andmarvellouslyrefreshing.

Hecrawledonforseveralmoreyards,andthensuddenly–bang–thetopofhisheadbumpedintosomethingextremelyhardblockinghisway.Heglancedup.Infrontofhimtherewasasolidwallthatseemedatfirstasthoughitweremadeofwood.Hetoucheditwithhisfingers.Itcertainlyfeltlikewood,exceptthatitwasveryjaggedandfullofdeepgrooves.

‘Goodheavens!’hesaid.‘Iknowwhatthisis!I‘vecometothestone

inthemiddleofthepeach!’

Thenhenoticedthattherewasasmalldoorcutintothefaceofthepeachstone.Hegaveapush.Itswungopen.Hecrawledthroughit,andbeforehehadtimetoglanceupandseewherehewas,heheardavoicesaying,‘Lookwho’shere!’Andanotheronesaid,‘We‘vebeenwaitingforyou!’

Jamesstoppedandstaredatthespeakers,hisfacewhitewithhorror.

Hestartedtostandup,buthiskneeswereshakingsomuchhehadtositdownagainonthefloor.Heglancedbehindhim,thinkinghecouldboltbackintothetunnelthewayhehadcome,butthedoorwayhaddisappeared.Therewasnowonlyasolidbrownwallbehindhim.

Eleven

James’slargefrightenedeyestravelledslowlyroundtheroom.

Thecreatures,somesittingonchairs,othersrecliningonasofa,wereallwatchinghimintently.

Creatures?

Orweretheyinsects?

Aninsectisusuallysomethingrathersmall,isitnot?Agrasshopper,forexample,isaninsect.

Sowhatwouldyoucallitifyousawagrasshopperaslargeasadog?Aslargeasalargedog.Youcouldhardlycallthataninsect,couldyou?

TherewasanOld-Green-GrasshopperaslargeasalargedogsittingdirectlyacrosstheroomfromJamesnow.

AndnexttotheOld-Green-Grasshopper,therewasanenormousSpider.

AndnexttotheSpider,therewasagiantLadybirdwithnineblackspotsonherscarletshell.

Eachofthesethreewassquattinguponamagnificentchair.

Onasofanearby,recliningcomfortablyincurled-uppositions,therewereaCentipedeandanEarthworm.

Ontheflooroverinthefarcorner,therewassomethingthickandwhitethatlookedasthoughitmightbeaSilkworm.Butitwassleepingsoundlyandnobodywaspayinganyattentiontoit.

Everyoneofthese‘creatures’wasatleastasbigasJameshimself,andinthestrangegreenishlightthatshonedownfromsomewhereintheceiling,theywereabsolutelyterrifyingtobehold.

‘I‘mhungry!’theSpiderannouncedsuddenly,staringhardatJames.

‘I‘mfamished!’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.

‘SoamI!’theLadybirdcried.

TheCentipedesatupalittlestraighteronthesofa.‘Everyone’sfamished!’hesaid.‘Weneedfood!’

FourpairsofroundblackglassyeyeswereallfixeduponJames.

TheCentipedemadeawrigglingmovementwithhisbodyasthoughhewereabouttoglideoffthesofa–buthedidn‘t.

Therewasalongpause–andalongsilence.

TheSpider(whohappenedtobeafemalespider)openedhermouthandranalongblacktonguedelicatelyoverherlips.‘Aren’tyouhungry?’sheaskedsuddenly,leaningforwardandaddressingherselftoJames.

PoorJameswasbackedupagainstthefarwall,shiveringwithfrightandmuchtooterrifiedtoanswer.

‘What’sthematterwithyou?’theOld-Green-Grasshopperasked.‘Youlookpositivelyill!’

‘Helooksasthoughhe’sgoingtofaintanysecond,’theCentipedesaid.

‘Oh,mygoodness,thepoorthing!’theLadybirdcried.‘Idobelievehethinksit’shimthatwearewantingtoeat!’

Therewasaroaroflaughterfromallsides.

‘Ohdear,ohdear!’theysaid.‘Whatanawfulthought!’

‘Youmustn’tbefrightened,’theLadybirdsaidkindly.‘Wewouldn’tdreamofhurtingyou.Youareoneofusnow,didn’tyouknowthat?Youareoneofthecrew.We’reallinthesameboat.’

‘We‘vebeenwaitingforyoualldaylong,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.‘Wethoughtyouwerenevergoingtoturnup.I‘mgladyoumadeit.’

‘Socheerup,myboy,cheerup!’theCentipedesaid.‘AndmeanwhileIwishyou’dcomeoverhereandgivemeahandwiththeseboots.Ittakesmehourstogetthemalloffbymyself.’

Twelve

Jamesdecidedthatthiswasmostcertainlynotatimetobedisagreeable,sohecrossedtheroomtowheretheCentipedewassittingandkneltdownbesidehim.

‘Thankyousomuch,’theCentipedesaid.‘Youareverykind.’

‘Youhavealotofboots,’Jamesmurmured.

‘Ihavealotoflegs,’theCentipedeansweredproudly.‘Andalotoffeet.Onehundred,tobeexact.’

‘Therehegoesagain!’theEarthwormcried,speakingforthefirsttime.‘Hesimplycannotstoptellingliesabouthislegs!Hedoesn’thaveanythinglikeahundredofthem!He’sonlygotforty-two!Thetroubleisthatmostpeopledon’tbothertocountthem.Theyjusttakehisword.Andanyway,thereisnothingmarvellous,youknow,Centipede,abouthavingalotoflegs.’

‘Poorfellow,’theCentipedesaid,whisperinginJames’sear.‘He’sblind.Hecan’tseehowsplendidIlook.’

‘Inmyopinion,’theEarthwormsaid,‘thereallymarvellousthingistohavenolegsatallandtobeabletowalkjustthesame.’

‘Youcallthatwalking!’criedtheCentipede.‘You’reaslitherer,that’sallyouare!Youjustslitheralong!’

‘Iglide,’saidtheEarthwormprimly.

‘Youareaslimybeast,’answeredtheCentipede.

‘Iamnotaslimybeast,’theEarthwormsaid.‘Iamausefulandmuchlovedcreature.Askanygardeneryoulike.Andasforyou…’

‘Iamapest!’theCentipedeannounced,grinningbroadlyandlookingroundtheroomforapproval.

‘Heissoproudofthat,’theLadybirdsaid,smilingatJames.‘ThoughforthelifeofmeIcannotunderstandwhy.’

‘Iamtheonlypestinthisroom!’criedtheCentipede,stillgrinningaway.‘UnlessyoucountOld-Green-Grasshopperoverthere.Butheislongpastitnow.Heistoooldtobeapestanymore.’

TheOld-Green-Grasshopperturnedhishugeblackeyesuponthe

Centipedeandgavehimawitheringlook.‘Youngfellow,’hesaid,speakinginadeep,slow,scornfulvoice,‘Ihaveneverbeenapestinmylife.Iamamusician.’

‘Hear,hear!’saidtheLadybird.

‘James,’theCentipedesaid.‘YournameisJames,isn’tit?’

‘Yes.’

‘Well,James,haveyoueverinyourlifeseensuchamarvellouscolossalCentipedeasme?’

‘Icertainlyhaven‘t,’Jamesanswered.‘Howonearthdidyougettobelikethat?’

‘Verypeculiar,’theCentipedesaid.‘Very,verypeculiarindeed.Letmetellyouwhathappened.Iwasmessingaboutinthegardenundertheoldpeachtreeandsuddenlyafunnylittlegreenthingcamewrigglingpastmynose.Brightgreenitwas,andextraordinarilybeautiful,anditlookedlikesomekindofatinystoneorcrystal…’

‘Oh,butIknowwhatthatwas!’criedJames.

‘Ithappenedtome,too!’saidtheLadybird.

‘Andme!’MissSpidersaid.‘Suddenlytherewerelittlegreenthingseverywhere!Thesoilwasfullofthem!’

‘Iactuallyswallowedone!’theEarthwormdeclaredproudly.

‘SodidI!’theLadybirdsaid.

‘Iswallowedthree!’theCentipedecried.‘Butwho’stellingthisstoryanyway?Don’tinterrupt!’

‘It’stoolatetotellstoriesnow,’theOld-Green-Grasshopperannounced.‘It’stimetogotosleep.’

‘Irefusetosleepinmyboots!’theCentipedecried.‘Howmanymorearetheretocomeoff,James?’

‘IthinkI‘vedoneabouttwentysofar,’Jamestoldhim.

‘Thenthatleaveseightytogo,’theCentipedesaid.

‘Twenty-two,noteighty!’shriekedtheEarthworm.‘He’slyingagain.’

TheCentipederoaredwithlaughter.

‘StoppullingtheEarthworm’sleg,’theLadybirdsaid.

ThissenttheCentipedeintohysterics.‘Pullinghisleg!’hecried,wrigglingwithgleeandpointingattheEarthworm.‘WhichlegamIpulling?Youtellmethat!’

JamesdecidedthatheratherlikedtheCentipede.Hewasobviouslyarascal,butwhatachangeitwastohearsomebodylaughingonceinawhile.HehadneverheardAuntSpongeorAuntSpikerlaughingaloudinallthetimehehadbeenwiththem.

‘Wereallymustgetsomesleep,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.‘We‘vegotatoughdayaheadofustomorrow.Sowouldyoubekindenough,MissSpider,tomakethebeds?’

Thirteen

Afew-minuteslater,MissSpiderhadmadethefirstbed.Itwashangingfromtheceiling,suspendedbyaropeofthreadsateitherendsothatactuallyitlookedmorelikeahammockthanabed.Butitwasamagnificentaffair,andthestuffthatitwasmadeofshimmeredlikesilkinthepalelight.

‘Idohopeyou’llfinditcomfortable,’MissSpidersaidtotheOld-Green-Grasshopper.‘ImadeitassoftandsilkyasIpossiblycould.Ispunitwithgossamer.That’samuchbetterqualitythreadthantheoneIuseformyownweb.’

‘Thankyousomuch,mydearlady,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid,climbingintothehammock.‘Ah,thisisjustwhatIneeded.Goodnight,everybody.Goodnight.’

ThenMissSpiderspunthenexthammock,andtheLadybirdgotin.

Afterthat,shespunalongonefortheCentipede,andanevenlongeronefortheEarthworm.

‘Andhowdoyoulikeyourbed?’shesaidtoJameswhenitcametohisturn.‘Hardorsoft?’

‘Ilikeitsoft,thankyouverymuch,’Jamesanswered.

‘Forgoodness’sakestopstaringroundtheroomandgetonwithmyboots!’theCentipedesaid.‘YouandIarenevergoingtogetanysleepatthisrate!Andkindlylinethemupneatlyinpairsasyoutakethemoff.Don’tjustthrowthemoveryourshoulder.’

JamesworkedawayfranticallyontheCentipede’sboots.Eachone

hadlacesthathadtobeuntiedandloosenedbeforeitcouldbepulledoff,andtomakemattersworse,allthelacesweretiedupinthemostterriblecomplicatedknotsthathadtobeunpickedwithfingernails.Itwasjustawful.Ittookabouttwohours.AndbythetimeJameshadpulledoffthelastbootofallandhadlinedthemupinarowonthefloor–twenty-onepairsaltogether–theCentipedewasfastasleep.

‘Wakeup,Centipede,’whisperedJames,givinghimagentlediginthestomach.‘It’stimeforbed.’

‘Thankyou,mydearchild,’theCentipedesaid,openinghiseyes.Thenhegotdownoffthesofaandambledacrosstheroomandcrawledintohishammock.Jamesgotintohisownhammock–andoh,howsoftandcomfortableitwascomparedwiththehardbareboardsthathisauntshadalwaysmadehimsleepuponathome.

‘Lightsout,’saidtheCentipededrowsily.

Nothinghappened.

‘Turnoutthelight!’hecalled,raisinghisvoice.

Jamesglancedroundtheroom,wonderingwhichoftheothershemightbetalkingto,buttheywereallasleep.TheOld-Green-Grasshopperwassnoringloudlythroughhisnose.TheLadybirdwasmakingwhistlingnoisesasshebreathed,andtheEarthwormwascoileduplikeaspringatoneendofhishammock,wheezingandblowingthroughhisopenmouth.AsforMissSpider,shehadmadealovelywebforherselfacrossonecorneroftheroom,andJamescouldseehercrouchingrightintheverycentreofit,mumblingsoftlyinherdreams.

‘Isaidturnoutthelight!’shoutedtheCentipedeangrily.

‘Areyoutalkingtome?’Jamesaskedhim.

‘OfcourseI‘mnottalkingtoyou,youass!’theCentipedeanswered.‘ThatcrazyGlow-wormhasgonetosleepwithherlighton!’

Forthefirsttimesinceenteringtheroom,Jamesglancedupattheceiling–andtherehesawamostextraordinarysight.Somethingthatlookedlikeagiganticflywithoutwings(itwasatleastthreefeetlong)wasstandingupsidedownuponitssixlegsinthemiddleoftheceiling,andthetailendofthiscreatureseemedtobeliterallyonfire.Abrilliantgreenishlightasbrightasthebrightestelectricbulbwasshiningoutofitstailandlightingupthewholeroom.

‘IsthataGlow-worm?’askedJames,staringatthelight.‘Itdoesn’tlooklikeawormofanysorttome.’

‘Ofcourseit’saGlow-worm,’theCentipedeanswered.‘Atleastthat’swhatshecallsherself.Althoughactuallyyouarequiteright.Sheisn’treallyawormatall.Glow-wormsareneverworms.Theyaresimplyladyfireflieswithoutwings.Wakeup,youlazybeast!’

ButtheGlow-wormdidn’tstir,sotheCentipedereachedoutofhishammockandpickeduponeofhisbootsfromthefloor.‘Putoutthatwretchedlight!’heshouted,hurlingthebootupattheceiling.

TheGlow-wormslowlyopenedoneeyeandstaredattheCentipede.‘Thereisnoneedtoberude,’shesaidcoldly.‘Allingoodtime.’

‘Comeon,comeon,comeon!’shoutedtheCentipede.‘OrI’llputitoutforyou!’

‘Oh,hello,James!’theGlow-wormsaid,lookingdownandgivingJamesalittlewaveandasmile.‘Ididn’tseeyoucomein.Welcome,mydearboy,welcome–andgoodnight!’

Thenclick–andoutwentthelight.

JamesHenryTrotterlaythereinthedarknesswithhiseyeswideopen,listeningtothestrangesleepingnoisesthatthe‘creatures’weremakingallaroundhim,andwonderingwhatonearthwasgoingtohappentohiminthemorning.Already,hewasbeginningtolikehisnewfriendsverymuch.Theywerenotnearlyasterribleastheylooked.Infacttheyweren’treallyterribleatall.Theyseemedextremelykindandhelpfulinspiteofalltheshoutingandarguingthatwentonbetweenthem.

‘Goodnight,Old-Green-Grasshopper,’hewhispered.‘Goodnight,Ladybird–Goodnight,MissSpider–’Butbeforehecouldgothroughthemall,hehadfallenfastasleep.

Fourteen

‘We’reoff!’someonewasshouting.‘We’reoffatlast!’

Jameswokeupwithajumpandlookedabouthim.Thecreatureswerealloutoftheirhammocksandmovingexcitedlyaroundtheroom.Suddenly,thefloorgaveagreatheave,asthoughanearthquakeweretakingplace.

‘Herewego!’shoutedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,hoppingupanddownwithexcitement.‘Holdontight!’

‘What’shappening?’criedJames,leapingoutofhishammock.‘What’sgoingon?’

TheLadybird,whowasobviouslyakindandgentlecreature,cameoverandstoodbesidehim.‘Incaseyoudon’tknowit,’shesaid,‘weareabouttodepartforeverfromthetopofthisghastlyhillthatwe‘veallbeenlivingonforsolong.Weareabouttorollawayinsidethisgreatbigbeautifulpeachtoalandof…of…of…toalandof–’

‘Ofwhat?’askedJames.

‘Neveryoumind,’saidtheLadybird.‘Butnothingcouldbeworsethanthisdesolatehilltopandthosetworepulsiveauntsofyours–’

‘Hear,hear!’theyallshouted.‘Hear,hear!’

‘Youmaynothavenoticedit,’theLadybirdwenton,‘butthewholegarden,evenbeforeitreachesthesteepedgeofthehill,happenstobeonasteepslope.Andthereforetheonlythingthathasbeenstoppingthispeachfromrollingawayrightfromthebeginningisthethickstemattachingittothetree.Breakthestem,andoffwego.’

‘Watchit!’criedMissSpider,astheroomgaveanotherviolentlurch.‘Herewego!’

‘Notquite!Notquite!’

‘Atthismoment,’continuedtheLadybird,‘ourCentipede,whohasapairofjawsassharpasrazors,isupthereontopofthepeachnibblingawayatthatstem.Infact,hemustbenearlythroughit,asyoucantellfromthewaywe’relurchingabout.Wouldyoulikemetotakeyouundermywingsothatyouwon’tfalloverwhenwestartrolling?’

‘That’sverykindofyou,’saidJames,‘butIthinkI’llbeallright.’

Justthen,theCentipedestuckhisgrinningfacethroughaholeintheceilingandshouted,‘I‘vedoneit!We’reoff!’

‘We’reoff!’theotherscried.‘We’reoff!’

‘Thejourneybegins!’shoutedtheCentipede.

‘Andwhoknowswhereitwillend,’mutteredtheEarthworm,‘ifyouhaveanythingtodowithit.Itcanonlymeantrouble.’

‘Nonsense,’saidtheLadybird.‘Wearenowabouttovisitthemostmarvellousplacesandseethemostwonderfulthings!Isn’tthatso,Centipede?’

‘Thereisnoknowingwhatweshallsee!’criedtheCentipede.

‘WemayseeaCreaturewithforty-nineheads

Wholivesinthedesolatesnow,

Andwheneverhecatchesacold(whichhedreads)

Hehasforty-ninenosestoblow.

‘WemayseethevenomousPink-SpottedScrunch

Whocanchewupamanwithonebite.

Itlikestoeatfiveofthemroastedforlunch

Andeighteenforitssupperatnight.

‘WemayseeaDragon,andnobodyknows

Thatwewon’tseeaUnicornthere.

WemayseeaterribleMonsterwithtoes

Growingoutofthetuftsofhishair.

‘WemayseethesweetlittleBiddy-BrightHen

Soplayful,sokindandwell-bred;

Andsuchbeautifuleggs!Youjustboilthemandthen

Theyexplodeandtheyblowoffyourhead.

‘AGnuandaGnoceroussurelyyou’llsee

AndthatgnormousandgnorribleGnat

Whosestingwhenitstingsyougoesinattheknee

Andcomesoutthroughthetopofyourhat.

‘Wemayevengetlostandbefrozenbyfrost.

Wemaydieinanearthquakeortremor.

Ornastierstill,wemayevenbetossed

OnthehornsofafuriousDilemma.

‘Butwhocares!Letusgofromthishorriblehill!

Letusroll!Letusbowl!Letusplunge!

Let’sgorollingandbowlingandspinninguntil

We’reawayfromoldSpikerandSponge!’

Onesecondlater…slowly,insidiously,ohmostgently,thegreatpeachstartedtoleanforwardandstealintomotion.Thewholeroombegantotiltoverandallthefurniturewentslidingacrossthefloor,andcrashedagainstthefarwall.SodidJamesandtheLadybirdandtheOld-Green-GrasshopperandMissSpiderandtheEarthworm,andalsotheCentipede,whohadjustcomeslitheringquicklydownthewall.

Fifteen

Outsideinthegarden,atthatverymoment,AuntSpongeandAuntSpikerhadjusttakentheirplacesatthefrontgate,eachwithabunchofticketsinherhand,andthefirststreamofearlymorningsightseerswasvisibleinthedistanceclimbingupthehilltoviewthepeach.

‘Weshallmakeafortunetoday,’AuntSpikerwassaying.‘Justlookatallthosepeople!’

‘Iwonderwhatbecameofthathorridlittleboyofourslastnight,’AuntSpongesaid.‘Heneverdidcomebackin,didhe?’

‘Heprobablyfelldowninthedarkandbrokehisleg,’AuntSpikersaid.

‘Orhisneck,maybe,’AuntSpongesaidhopefully.

‘JustwaittillIgetmyhandsonhim,’AuntSpikersaid,wavinghercane.‘He’llneverwanttostayoutallnightagainbythetimeI‘vefinishedwithhim.Goodgraciousme!What’sthatawfulnoise?’

Bothwomenswungroundtolook.

Thenoise,ofcourse,hadbeencausedbythegiantpeachcrashingthroughthefencethatsurroundedit,andnow,gatheringspeedeverysecond,itcamerollingacrossthegardentowardstheplacewhereAuntSpongeandAuntSpikerwerestanding.

Theygaped.Theyscreamed.Theystartedtorun.Theypanicked.Theybothgotineachother’sway.Theybeganpushingandjostling,andeachoneofthemwasthinkingonlyaboutsavingherself.AuntSponge,thefatone,trippedoveraboxthatshe’dbroughtalongto

keepthemoneyin,andfellflatonherface.AuntSpikerimmediatelytrippedoverAuntSpongeandcamedownontopofher.Theybothlayontheground,fightingandclawingandyellingandstrugglingfranticallytogetupagain,butbeforetheycoulddothis,themightypeachwasuponthem.

Therewasacrunch.

Andthentherewassilence.

Thepeachrolledon.Andbehindit,AuntSpongeandAuntSpikerlayironedoutuponthegrassasflatandthinandlifelessasacoupleofpaperdollscutoutofapicturebook.

Sixteen

Andnowthepeachhadbrokenoutofthegardenandwasovertheedgeofthehill,rollingandbouncingdownthesteepslopeataterrificpace.Fasterandfasterandfasteritwent,andthecrowdsofpeoplewhowereclimbingupthehillsuddenlycaughtsightofthisterriblemonsterplungingdownuponthemandtheyscreamedandscatteredtorightandleftasitwenthurtlingby.

Atthebottomofthehillitchargedacrosstheroad,knockingoveratelegraphpoleandflatteningtwoparkedcarsasitwentby.

Thenitrushedmadlyacrossabouttwentyfields,breakingdownallthefencesandhedgesinitspath.ItwentrightthroughthemiddleofaherdoffineJerseycows,andthenthroughaflockofsheep,andthenthroughapaddockfullofhorses,andthenthroughayardfullofpigs,andsoonthewholecountrysidewasaseethingmassofpanic-strickenanimalsstampedinginalldirections.

Thepeachwasstillgoingatatremendousspeedwithnosignofslowingdown,andaboutamilefartheronitcametoavillage.

Downthemainstreetofthevillageitrolled,withpeopleleapingfranticallyoutofitspathrightandleft,andattheendofthestreetitwentcrashingrightthroughthewallofanenormousbuildingandouttheotherside,leavingtwogapingroundholesinthebrickwork.

Thisbuildinghappenedtobeafamousfactorywheretheymadechocolate,andalmostatonceagreatriverofwarmmeltedchocolatecamepouringoutoftheholesinthefactorywall.Aminutelater,thisbrownstickymesswasflowingthrougheverystreetinthevillage,

oozingunderthedoorsofhousesandintopeople’sshopsandgardens.Childrenwerewadinginituptotheirknees,andsomewereeventryingtoswiminitandallofthemweresuckingitintotheirmouthsingreatgreedygulpsandshriekingwithjoy.

Butthepeachrushedonacrossthecountryside–onandonandon,leavingatrailofdestructioninitswake.Cowsheds,stables,pigsties,barns,bungalows,hayricks,anythingthatgotinitswaywenttopplingoverlikeaninepin.Anoldmansittingquietlybesideastreamhadhisfishingrodwhiskedoutofhishandsasitwentdashingby,andawomancalledDaisyEntwistlewasstandingsoclosetoitasitpassedthatshehadtheskintakenoffthetipofherlongnose.

Woulditeverstop?

Whyshouldit?Aroundobjectwillalwayskeeponrollingaslongasitisonadownhillslope,andinthiscasethelandslopeddownhillallthewayuntilitreachedtheocean–thesameoceanthatJameshadbeggedhisauntstobeallowedtovisitthedaybefore.

Well,perhapshewasgoingtovisititnow.Thepeachwasrushingcloserandclosertoiteverysecond,andcloseralsotothetoweringwhitecliffsthatcamefirst.

ThesecliffsarethemostfamousinthewholeofEngland,andtheyarehundredsoffeethigh.Belowthem,theseaisdeepandcoldandhungry.Manyshipshavebeenswallowedupandlostforeveronthispartofthecoast,andallthemenwhowereinthemaswell.Thepeachwasnowonlyahundredyardsawayfromthecliff–nowfifty–nowtwenty–nowten–nowfive–andwhenitreachedtheedgeofthecliffitseemedtoleapupintotheskyandhangtheresuspendedforafewseconds,stillturningoverandoverintheair.

Thenitbegantofall…

Down…

Down…

Down…

Down…

Down…

SMACK!Ithitthewaterwithacolossalsplashandsanklikeastone.

Butafewsecondslater,upitcameagain,andthistime,upitstayed,floatingserenelyuponthesurfaceofthewater.

Seventeen

Atthismoment,thesceneinsidethepeachitselfwasoneofindescribablechaos.JamesHenryTrotterwaslyingbruisedandbatteredontheflooroftheroomamongstatangledmassofCentipedeandEarthwormandSpiderandLadybirdandGlowwormandOld-Green-Grasshopper.Inthewholehistoryoftheworld,notravellershadeverhadamoreterriblejourneythantheseunfortunatecreatures.Ithadstartedoutwell,withmuchlaughingandshouting,andforthefirstfewseconds,asthepeachhadbeguntorollslowlyforward,nobodyhadmindedbeingtumbledaboutalittlebit.AndwhenitwentBUMP!,andtheCentipedehadshouted,‘ThatwasAuntSponge!’andthenBUMP!again,and‘ThatwasAuntSpiker!’therehadbeenatremendousburstofcheeringallround.

Butassoonasthepeachrolledoutofthegardenandbegantogodownthesteephill,rushingandplungingandboundingmadlydownward,thenthewholethingbecameanightmare.Jamesfoundhimselfbeingflungupagainsttheceiling,thenbackontothefloor,thensidewaysagainstthewall,thenupontotheceilingagain,andupanddownandbackandforthandroundandround,andatthesametimealltheothercreatureswereflyingthroughtheairineverydirection,andsowerethechairsandthesofa,nottomentiontheforty-twobootsbelongingtotheCentipede.Everythingandallofthemwerebeingrattledaroundlikepeasinsideanenormousrattlethatwasbeingrattledbyamadgiantwhorefusedtostop.Tomakeitworse,somethingwentwrongwiththeGlow-worm’slightingsystem,andtheroomwasinpitchydarkness.Therewerescreamsandyells

andcursesandcriesofpain,andeverythingkeptgoingroundandround,andonceJamesmadeafranticgrabatsomethickbarsstickingoutfromthewallonlytofindthattheywereacoupleoftheCentipede’slegs.‘Letgo,youidiot!’shoutedtheCentipede,kickinghimselffree,andJameswaspromptlyflungacrosstheroomintotheOld-Green-Grasshopper’shornylap.TwicehegottangledupinMissSpider’slegs(ahorridbusiness),andtowardstheend,thepoorEarthworm,whowascrackinghimselflikeawhipeverytimeheflewthroughtheairfromonesideoftheroomtotheother,coiledhimselfaroundJames’sbodyinapanicandrefusedtounwind.

Oh,itwasafranticandterribletrip!

Butitwasallovernow,andtheroomwassuddenlyverystillandquiet.Everybodywasbeginningslowlyandpainfullytodisentanglehimselffromeverybodyelse.

‘Let’shavesomelight!’shoutedtheCentipede.

‘Yes!’theycried.‘Light!Giveussomelight!’

‘I‘mtrying,’answeredthepoorGlow-worm.‘I‘mdoingmybest.Pleasebepatient.’

Theyallwaitedinsilence.

ThenafaintgreenishlightbegantoglimmeroutoftheGlow-worm’stail,andthisgraduallybecamestrongerandstrongeruntilitwasanywayenoughtoseeby.

‘Somegreatjourney!’theCentipedesaid,limpingacrosstheroom.

‘Ishallneverbethesameagain,’murmuredtheEarthworm.

‘NorI,’theLadybirdsaid.‘It’stakenyearsoffmylife.’

‘Butmydearfriends!’criedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,tryingtobecheerful.‘Wearethere!’

‘Where?’theyasked.‘Where?Whereisthere?’

‘Idon’tknow,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.‘ButI’llbetit’ssomewheregood.’

‘Weareprobablyatthebottomofacoalmine,’theEarthwormsaidgloomily.‘Wecertainlywentdownanddownanddownverysuddenlyatthelastmoment.Ifeltitinmystomach.Istillfeelit.’

‘Perhapsweareinthemiddleofabeautifulcountryfullofsongsandmusic,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.

‘Orneartheseashore,’saidJameseagerly,‘withlotsofotherchildrendownonthesandformetoplaywith!’

‘Pardonme,’murmuredtheLadybird,turningatriflepale,‘butamIwronginthinkingthatweseemtobebobbingupanddown?’

‘Bobbingupanddown!’theycried.‘Whatonearthdoyoumean?’

‘You’restillgiddyfromthejourney,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppertoldher.‘You’llgetoveritinaminute.Iseverybodyreadytogoupstairsnowandtakealookround?’

‘Yes,yes!’theychorused.‘Comeon!Let’sgo!’

‘Irefusetoshowmyselfoutofdoorsinmybarefeet,’theCentipedesaid.‘Ihavetogetmybootsonagainfirst.’

‘Forheaven’ssake,let’snotgothroughallthatnonsenseagain,’theEarthwormsaid.

‘Let’salllendtheCentipedeahandandgetitoverwith,’theLadybirdsaid.‘Comeon.’

Sotheydid,allexceptMissSpider,whosetaboutweavingalongrope-ladderthatwouldreachfromtheflooruptoaholeintheceiling.TheOld-Green-Grasshopperhadwiselysaidthattheymustnotriskgoingoutofthesideentrancewhentheydidn’tknowwheretheywere,butmustfirstofallgoupontothetopofthepeachandhavealookround.

Sohalfanhourlater,whentherope-ladderhadbeenfinishedandhung,andtheforty-secondboothadbeenlacedneatlyontotheCentipede’sforty-secondfoot,theywereallreadytogoout.Amidstmountingexcitementandshoutsof‘Herewego,boys!ThePromisedLand!Ican’twaittoseeit!’thewholecompanyclimbeduptheladderonebyoneanddisappearedintoadarksoggytunnelintheceilingthatwentsteeply,almostvertically,upward.

Eighteen

Aminutelater,theywereoutintheopen,standingontheverytopofthepeach,nearthestem,blinkingtheireyesinthestrongsunlightandpeeringnervouslyaround.

‘Whathappened?’

‘Wherearewe?’

‘Butthisisimpossible!’

‘Unbelievable!’

‘Terrible!’

‘Itoldyouwewerebobbingupanddown,’theLadybirdsaid.

‘We’reinthemiddleofthesea!’criedJames.

Andindeedtheywere.Astrongcurrentandahighwindhadcarriedthepeachsoquicklyawayfromtheshorethatalreadythelandwasoutofsight.Allaroundthemlaythevastblackocean,deepandhungry.Littlewaveswerebibblingagainstthesidesofthepeach.

‘Buthowdidithappen?’theycried.‘Wherearethefields?Wherearethewoods?WhereisEngland?’Nobody,notevenJames,couldunderstandhowintheworldathinglikethiscouldhavecomeabout.

‘Ladiesandgentlemen,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid,tryingveryhardtokeepthefearanddisappointmentoutofhisvoice,‘Iamafraidthatwefindourselvesinaratherawkwardsituation.’

‘Awkward!’criedtheEarthworm.‘MydearOldGrasshopper,wearefinished!Everyoneofusisabouttoperish!Imaybeblind,youknow,

butthatmuchIcanseequiteclearly.’

‘Offwithmyboots!’shoutedtheCentipede.‘Icannotswimwithmybootson!’

‘Ican’tswimatall!’criedtheLadybird.

‘NorcanI,’wailedtheGlow-worm.

‘NorI!’saidMissSpider.‘Noneofusthreegirlscanswimasinglestroke.’

‘Butyouwon’thavetoswim,’saidJamescalmly.‘Wearefloatingbeautifully.Andsoonerorlaterashipisboundtocomealongandpickusup.’

Theyallstaredathiminamazement.

‘Areyouquitesurethatwearenotsinking?’theLadybirdasked.

‘OfcourseI‘msure,’answeredJames.‘Goandlookforyourselves.’

Theyallranovertothesideofthepeachandpeereddownatthewaterbelow.

‘Theboyisquiteright,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.‘Wearefloatingbeautifully.Nowwemustallsitdownandkeepperfectlycalm.Everythingwillbeallrightintheend.’

‘Whatabsolutenonsense!’criedtheEarthworm.‘Nothingiseverallrightintheend,andwellyouknowit!’

‘PoorEarthworm,’theLadybirdsaid,whisperinginJames’sear.‘Helovestomakeeverythingintoadisaster.Hehatestobehappy.Heisonlyhappywhenheisgloomy.Nowisn’tthatodd?Butthen,IsupposejustbeinganEarthwormisenoughtomakeapersonprettygloomy,don’tyouagree?’

‘Ifthispeachisnotgoingtosink,’theEarthwormwassaying,‘andifwearenotgoingtobedrowned,theneveryoneofusisgoingtostarvetodeathinstead.Doyourealizethatwehaven’thadathingtoeatsinceyesterdaymorning?’

‘Bygolly,he’sright!’criedtheCentipede.‘Foronce,Earthwormisright!’

‘OfcourseI‘mright,’theEarthwormsaid.‘Andwe’renotlikelytofindanythingaroundhereeither.Weshallgetthinnerandthinnerandthirstierandthirstier,andweshallalldieaslowandgrislydeathfromstarvation.Iamdyingalready.Iamslowlyshrivellingupforwantoffood.Personally,Iwouldratherdrown.’

‘Butgoodheavens,youmustbeblind!’saidJames.

‘YouknowverywellI‘mblind,’snappedtheEarthworm.‘There’snoneedtorubitin.’

‘Ididn’tmeanthat,’saidJamesquickly.‘I‘msorry.Butcan’tyouseethat–’

’See?’shoutedthepoorEarthworm.‘HowcanIseeifIamblind?’

Jamestookadeep,slowbreath.‘Can’tyourealize,’hesaidpatiently,‘thatwehaveenoughfoodheretolastusforweeksandweeks?’

‘Where?’theysaid.‘Where?’

‘Why,thepeachofcourse!Ourwholeshipismadeoffood!’

‘JumpingJehoshophat!’theycried.‘Weneverthoughtofthat!’

‘MydearJames,’saidtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,layingafrontlegaffectionatelyonJames’sshoulder,‘Idon’tknowwhatwe’ddowithoutyou.

Youaresoclever.Ladiesandgentlemen–wearesavedagain!’

‘Wearemostcertainlynot!’saidtheEarthworm.‘Youmustbecrazy!Youcan’teattheship!It’stheonlythingthatiskeepingusup!’

‘Weshallstarveifwedon‘t!’saidtheCentipede.

‘Andweshalldrownifwedo!’criedtheEarthworm.

‘Ohdear,ohdear,’saidtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.‘Nowwe’reworseoffthanbefore!’

‘Couldn’twejusteatalittlebitofit?’askedMissSpider.‘Iamsodreadfullyhungry.’

‘Youcaneatallyouwant,’Jamesanswered.‘Itwouldtakeusweeksandweekstomakeanysortofadentinthisenormouspeach.Surelyyoucanseethat?’

‘Goodheavens,he’srightagain!’criedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,clappinghishands.‘Itwouldtakeweeksandweeks!Ofcourseitwould!Butlet’snotgomakingalotofholesalloverthedeck.Ithinkwe’dbettersimplyscoopitoutofthattunneloverthere–theonethatwe‘vejustcomeupby.’

‘Anexcellentidea,’saidtheLadybird.

‘Whatareyoulookingsoworriedabout,Earthworm?’theCentipedeasked.‘What’stheproblem?’

‘Theproblemis…’theEarthwormsaid,‘theproblemis…well,theproblemisthatthereisnoproblem!’

Everyoneburstoutlaughing.‘Cheerup,Earthworm!’theysaid.‘Comeandeat!’Andtheyallwentovertothetunnelentranceandbeganscoopingoutgreatchunksofjuicy,golden-colouredpeachflesh.

‘Oh,marvellous!’saidtheCentipede,stuffingitintohismouth.

‘Dee-licious!’saidtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.

‘Justfabulous!’saidtheGlow-worm.

‘Ohmy!’saidtheLadybirdprimly.‘Whataheavenlytaste!’ShelookedupatJames,andshesmiled,andJamessmiledbackather.Theysatdownonthedecktogether,bothofthemchewingawayhappily.‘Youknow,James,’theLadybirdsaid,‘upuntilthismoment,Ihaveneverinmylifetastedanythingexceptthosetinylittlegreenfliesthatliveonrosebushes.Theyhaveaperfectlydelightfulflavour.Butthispeachisevenbetter.’

‘Isn’titglorious!’MissSpidersaid,comingovertojointhem.‘Personally,Ihadalwaysthoughtthatabig,juicy,caught-in-the-webbluebottlewasthefinestdinnerintheworld–untilItastedthis.’

‘Whataflavour!’theCentipedecried.‘It’sterrific!There’snothinglikeit!Thereneverhasbeen!AndIshouldknowbecauseIpersonallyhavetastedallthefinestfoodsintheworld!’Whereupon,theCentipede,withhismouthfullofpeachandwithjuicerunningdown

alloverhischin,suddenlyburstintosong:

‘I‘veeatenmanystrangeandscrumptiousdishesinmytime,

Likejelliedgnatsanddandypratsandearwigscookedinslime,

Andmicewithrice–they’rereallynice

Whenroastedintheirprime.

(Butdon’tforgettosprinklethemwithjustapinchofgrime.)

‘I‘veeatenfreshmudburgersbythegreatestcooksthereare,

Andscrambleddregsandstinkbugs’eggsandhornetsstewedintar,

Andpailsofsnailsandlizards’tails,Andbeetlesbythejar.

(Abeetleisimprovedbyjustasplashofvinegar.)

‘IofteneatboiledslobbagesThey’regrandwhenservedbeside

Minceddoodlebugsandcurriedslugs.Andhaveyouevertried

Mosquitoes’toesandwampfishroesMostdelicatelyfried?

(Theonlytroubleistheydisagreewithmyinside.)

‘I‘mmadforcrispywasp-stingsonapieceofbutteredtoast,

Andpickledspinesofporcupines.Andthenagorgeousroast

Ofdragon’sflesh,wellhung,notfresh–

Itcostsapoundatmost.

(Andcomestoyouinbarrelsifyouorderitbypost.)

‘Icravethetastytentaclesofoctopifortea

Ilikehot-dogs,ILOVEhot-frogs,andsurelyyou’llagree

Aplateofsoilwithengineoil’s

Asuperrecipe.

(Ihardlyneedtomentionthatifspracticallyfree.)

‘FordinneronmybirthdayshallItellyouwhatIchose:

Hotnoodlesmadefrompoodlesonasliceofgardenhose–

Andarathersmellyjelly

Madeofarmadillo’stoes.

(Thejellyisdelicious,butyouhavetoholdyournose.)

‘Nowcomes,’theCentipededeclared,‘theburdenofmyspeech:

Thesefoodsarerarebeyondcompare–somearerightoutofreach;

Butthere’snodoubtI’dgowithout

Amillionplatesofeach

Foronesmallmite,

Onetinybite,

OfthisFANTASTICPEACH!’

Everybodywasfeelinghappynow.Thesunwasshiningbrightlyoutofasoftblueskyandthedaywascalm.Thegiantpeach,withthesunlightglintingonitsside,waslikeamassivegoldenballsailinguponasilversea.

Nineteen

‘Look!’criedtheCentipedejustastheywerefinishingtheirmeal.‘Lookatthatfunnythinblackthingglidingthroughthewateroverthere!’

Theyallswungroundtolook.

‘Therearetwoofthem,’saidMissSpider.

‘Therearelotsofthem!’saidtheLadybird.

‘Whatarethey?’askedtheEarthworm,gettingworried.

‘Theymustbesomekindoffish,’saidtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.‘Perhapstheyhavecomealongtosayhello.’

‘Theyaresharks!’criedtheEarthworm.‘I’llbetyouanythingyoulikethattheyaresharksandtheyhavecomealongtoeatusup!’

‘Whatabsoluterot!’theCentipedesaid,buthisvoiceseemedsuddenlytohavebecomealittleshaky,andhewasn’tlaughing.

‘Iampositivetheyaresharks!’saidtheEarthworm.Tjustknowtheyaresharks!’

Andso,inactualfact,dideverybodyelse,buttheyweretoofrightenedtoadmitit.

Therewasashortsilence.Theyallpeereddownanxiouslyatthesharkswhowerecruisingslowlyroundandroundthepeach.

‘Justassumingthattheyaresharks,’theCentipedesaid,‘therestillcan’tpossiblybeanydangerifwestayuphere.’

Butevenashespoke,oneofthosethinblackfinssuddenlychanged

directionandcamecuttingswiftlythroughthewaterrightuptothesideofthepeachitself.Thesharkpausedandstaredupatthecompanywithsmallevileyes.

‘Goaway!’theyshouted.‘Goaway,youfilthybeast!’

Slowly,almostlazily,thesharkopenedhismouth(whichwasbigenoughtohaveswallowedaperambulator)andmadealungeatthepeach.

Theyallwatched,aghast.

Andnow,asthoughatasignalfromtheleader,alltheothersharkscameswimmingintowardsthepeach,andtheyclusteredarounditandbegantoattackitfuriously.Theremusthavebeentwentyorthirtyofthematleast,allpushingandfightingandlashingtheirtailsandchurningthewaterintoafroth.

Panicandpandemoniumbrokeoutimmediatelyontopofthepeach.

‘Oh,wearefinishednow!’criedMissSpider,wringingherfeet.‘Theywilleatupthewholepeachandthenthere’llbenothingleftforustostandonandthey’llstartonus!’

‘Sheisright!’shoutedtheLadybird.‘Wearelostforever!’

‘Oh,Idon’twanttobeeaten!’wailedtheEarthworm.‘ButtheywilltakemefirstofallbecauseIamsofatandjuicyandIhavenobones!’

‘Istherenothingwecando?’askedtheLadybird,appealingtoJames.‘Surelyyoucanthinkofawayoutofthis.’

SuddenlytheywerealllookingatJames.

‘Think!’beggedMissSpider.‘Think,James,think!’

‘Comeon,’saidtheCentipede.‘Comeon,James.Theremustbesomethingwecando.’

Theireyeswaiteduponhim,tense,anxious,patheticallyhopeful.

Twenty

‘ThereissomethingthatIbelievewemighttry,’JamesHenryTrottersaidslowly.‘I‘mnotsayingit’llwork…’

‘Tellus!’criedtheEarthworm.‘Tellusquick!’

‘We’lltryanythingyousay!’saidtheCentipede.‘Buthurry,hurry,hurry!’

‘Bequietandlettheboyspeak!’saidtheLadybird.‘Goon,James.’

Theyallmovedalittleclosertohim.Therewasalongishpause.

‘Goon!’theycriedfrantically.‘Goon!’

Andallthetimewhiletheywerewaitingtheycouldhearthesharksthreshingaroundinthewaterbelowthem.Itwasenoughtomakeanyonefrantic.

‘Comeon,James,’theLadybirdsaid,coaxinghim.

I…I…I‘mafraidit’snogoodafterall,’Jamesmurmured,shakinghishead.‘I‘mterriblysorry.Iforgot.Wedon’thaveanystring.We’dneedhundredsofyardsofstringtomakethiswork.’

‘Whatsortofstring?’askedtheOld-Green-Grasshoppersharply.

‘Anysort,justsolongasit’sstrong.’

‘Butmydearboy,that’sexactlywhatwedohave!We‘vegotallyouwant!’

‘How?Where?’

‘TheSilkworm!’criedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.‘Didn’tyouevernoticetheSilkworm?She’sstilldownstairs!Shenevermoves!Shejust

liestheresleepingalldaylong,butwecaneasilywakeherupandmakeherspin!’

‘Andwhataboutme,mayIask?’saidMissSpider.‘IcanspinjustaswellasanySilkworm.What’smore,Icanspinpatterns.’

‘Canyoumakeenoughbetweenyou?’askedJames.

‘Asmuchasyouwant.’

‘Andquickly?’

‘Ofcourse!Ofcourse!’

‘Andwoulditbestrong?’

‘Thestrongestthereis!It’sasthickasyourfinger!Butwhy?Whatareyougoingtodo?’

‘I‘mgoingtoliftthispeachclearoutofthewater!’Jamesannouncedfirmly.

‘You’remad!’criedtheEarthworm.

‘It’souronlychance.’

‘Theboy’scrazy.’

‘He’sjoking.’

‘Goon,James,’theLadybirdsaidgently.‘Howareyougoingtodoit?’

‘Skyhooks,Isuppose,’jeeredtheCentipede.

‘Seagulls,’Jamesansweredcalmly.‘Theplaceisfullofthem.Lookupthere!’

Theyalllookedupandsawagreatmassofseagullswheelingroundandroundinthesky.

‘I‘mgoingtotakealongsilkstring,’Jameswenton,‘andI‘mgoingtolooponeendofitroundaseagull’sneck.AndthenI‘mgoingtotietheotherendtothestemofthepeach.’Hepointedtothepeachstem,whichwasstandinguplikeashortthickmastinthemiddleofthedeck.

‘ThenI‘mgoingtogetanotherseagullanddothesamethingagain,thenanotherandanother–’

‘Ridiculous!’theyshouted.

‘Absurd!’

‘Poppycock!’

‘Balderdash!’

‘Madness!’

AndtheOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid,‘Howcanafewseagullsliftanenormousthinglikethisupintotheair,andallofusaswell?Itwouldtakehundreds…thousands…’

‘Thereisnoshortageofseagulls,’Jamesanswered.‘Lookforyourself.We’llprobablyneedfourhundred,fivehundred,sixhundred…maybeevenathousand…Idon’tknow…Ishallsimplygoonhookingthemuptothestemuntilwehaveenoughtoliftus.They’llbeboundtoliftusintheend.It’slikeballoons.Yougivesomeoneenoughballoonstohold,Imeanreallyenough,thenuphegoes.Andaseagullhasfarmoreliftingpowerthanaballoon.Ifonlywehavethetimetodoit.Ifonlywearenotsunkfirstbythoseawfulsharks…’

‘You’reabsolutelyoffyourhead!’saidtheEarthworm.

‘Howonearthdoyouproposetogetaloopofstringroundaseagull’sneck?Isupposeyou’regoingtoflyupthereyourselfandcatchit!’

‘Theboy’sdotty!’saidtheCentipede.

‘Lethimfinish,’saidtheLadybird.‘Goon,James.Howwouldyoudoit?’

‘Withbait.’

‘Bait!Whatsortofbait?’

‘Withaworm,ofcourse.Seagullsloveworms,didn’tyouknowthat?Andluckilyforus,wehaveherethebiggest,fattest,pinkest,juiciestEarthwormintheworld.’

‘Youcanstoprightthere!’theEarthwormsaidsharply.‘That’squiteenough!’

‘Goon,’theotherssaid,beginningtogrowinterested.‘Goon!’

‘Theseagullshavealreadyspottedhim,’Jamescontinued.‘That’swhytherearesomanyofthemcirclinground.Buttheydaren’tcomedowntogethimwhilealltherestofusarestandinghere.Sothisiswhat–’

‘Stop!’criedtheEarthworm.‘Stop,stop,stop!Iwon’thaveit!Irefuse!I–I–I–I–’

‘Bequiet!’saidtheCentipede.‘Mindyourownbusiness!’

‘Ilikethat!’

‘MydearEarthworm,you’regoingtobeeatenanyway,sowhatdifferencedoesitmakewhetherit’ssharksorseagulls?’

‘Iwon’tdoit!’

‘Whydon’twehearwhattheplanisfirst?’saidtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.

‘Idon’tgiveahootwhattheplanis!’criedtheEarthworm.‘Iamnotgoingtobepeckedtodeathbyabunchofseagulls!’

‘Youwillbeamartyr,’saidtheCentipede.‘Ishallrespectyoufortherestofmylife.’

‘SowillI,’saidMissSpider.‘Andyournamewillbeinallthenewspapers.Earthwormgiveslifetosavefriends…’

‘Buthewon’thavetogivehislife,’Jamestoldthem.‘Nowlistentome.Thisiswhatwe’lldo…’

Twenty-one

‘Why,it’sabsolutelybrilliant!’criedtheOld-Green-GrasshopperwhenJameshadexplainedhisplan.

‘Theboy’sagenius!’theCentipedeannounced.‘NowIcankeepmybootsonafterall.’

‘Oh,Ishallbepeckedtodeath!’wailedthepoorEarthworm.

‘Ofcourseyouwon‘t.’

‘Iwill,IknowIwill!AndIwon’tevenbeabletoseethemcomingatmebecauseIhavenoeyes!’

JameswentoverandputanarmgentlyroundtheEarthworm’sshoulders.‘Iwon’tletthemtouchyou,’hesaid.‘IpromiseIwon‘t.Butwe‘vegottohurry!Lookdownthere!’

Thereweremoresharksthanevernowaroundthepeach.Thewaterwasboilingwiththem.Theremusthavebeenninetyorahundredatleast.Andtothetravellersupontop,itcertainlyseemedasthoughthepeachweresinkinglowerandlowerintothewater.

‘Actionstations!’Jamesshouted.‘Jumptoit!There’snotamomenttolose!’Hewasthecaptainnow,andeveryoneknewit.Theywoulddowhateverhetoldthem.

‘AllhandsbelowdeckexceptEarthworm!’heordered.

‘Yes,yes!’theysaideagerlyastheyscuttledintothetunnelentrance.‘Gomeon!Let’shurry!’

‘Andyou–Centipede!’Jamesshouted.‘HopdownstairsandgetthatSilkwormtoworkatonce!Tellhertospinasshe’sneverspunbefore!Ourlivesdependuponit!Andthesameappliestoyou,MissSpider!Hurryondown!Startspinning.’

Twenty-two

Inafewminuteseverythingwasready.

Itwasveryquietnowonthetopofthepeach.Therewasnobodyinsight–nobodyexcepttheEarthworm.

OnehalfoftheEarthworm,lookinglikeagreat,thick,juicy,pinksausage,layinnocentlyinthesunforalltheseagullstosee.

Theotherhalfofhimwasdanglingdownthetunnel.

JameswascrouchingclosebesidetheEarthworminthetunnelentrance,justbelowthesurface,waitingforthefirstseagull.Hehadaloopofsilkstringinhishands.

TheOld-Green-GrasshopperandtheLadybirdwerefurtherdownthetunnel,holdingontotheEarthworm’stail,readytopullhimquicklyinoutofdangerassoonasJamesgavetheword.

Andfarbelow,inthegreatstoneofthepeach,theGlow-wormwaslightinguptheroomsothatthetwospinners,theSilkwormandMissSpider,couldseewhattheyweredoing.TheCentipedewasdowntheretoo,exhortingthembothfranticallytogreaterefforts,andeverynowandagainJamescouldhearhisvoicecomingupfaintlyfromthedepths,shouting,‘Spin,Silkworm,spin,yougreatfatlazybrute!Faster,faster,orwe’llthrowyoutothesharks!’

‘Herecomesthefirstseagull!’whisperedJames.‘Keepstillnow,Earthworm.Keepstill.Therestofyougetreadytopull.’

‘Pleasedon’tletitspikeme,’beggedtheEarthworm.

‘Iwon‘t,Iwon‘t.Ssshh…’

Outofthecornerofoneeye,JameswatchedtheseagullasitcameswoopingdowntowardstheEarthworm.Andthensuddenlyitwassoclosethathecouldseeitssmallblackeyesanditscurvedbeak,andthebeakwasopen,readytograbanicepieceoffleshoutoftheEarthworm’sback.

‘Pull!’shoutedJames.’

TheOld-Green-GrasshopperandtheLadybirdgavetheEarthworm’stailanenormoustug,andlikemagictheEarthwormdisappearedintothetunnel.Atthesametime,upwentJames’shandandtheseagullflewrightintotheloopofsilkthathewasholdingout.Theloop,whichhadbeencleverlymade,tightenedjusttherightamount(butnottoomuch)arounditsneck,andtheseagullwascaptured.

‘Hooray!’shoutedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,peeringoutofthetunnel.‘Welldone,James!’

UpflewtheseagullwithJamespayingoutthesilkstringasitwent.Hegaveitaboutfiftyyardsandthentiedthestringtothestemofthepeach.

‘Nextone!’heshouted,jumpingbackintothetunnel.‘Upyougetagain,Earthworm!Bringupsomemoresilk,Centipede!’

‘Oh,Idon’tlikethisatall,’wailedtheEarthworm.‘Itonlyjustmissedme!Ievenfeltthewindonmybackasitwentswishingpast!’

‘Ssshh!’whisperedJames.‘Keepstill!Herecomesanotherone!’

Sotheydiditagain.

Andagain,andagain,andagain.

Andtheseagullskeptcoming,andJamescaughtthemoneaftertheotherandtetheredthemtothepeachstem.

‘Onehundredseagulls!’heshouted,wipingthesweatfromhisface.

‘Keepgoing!’theycried.‘Keepgoing,James!’

‘Twohundredseagulls!’

‘Threehundredseagulls!’

‘Fourhundredseagulls!’

Thesharks,asthoughsensingthattheywereindangeroflosingtheirprey,werehurlingthemselvesatthepeachmorefuriouslythanever,andthepeachwassinkinglowerandlowerstillinthewater.

‘Fivehundredseagulls!’Jamesshouted.

‘Silkwormsaysshe’srunningoutofsilk!’yelledtheCentipedefrombelow.‘Shesaysshecan’tkeepitupmuchlonger.NorcanMissSpider!’

‘Tellthemthey‘vegotto!’Jamesanswered.‘Theycan’tstopnow!’

‘We’relifting!’somebodyshouted.

‘No,we’renot!’

‘Ifeltit!’

‘Putonanotherseagull,quick!’

‘Quiet,everybody!Quiet!Here’sonecomingnow!’

Thiswasthefivehundredandfirstseagull,andthemomentthatJamescaughtitandtetheredittothestemwithalltheothers,thewholeenormouspeachsuddenlystartedrisingupslowlyoutofthewater.

‘Lookout!Herewego!Holdon,boys!’

Butthenitstopped.

Andthereithung.

Ithoveredandswayed,butitwentnohigher.

Thebottomofitwasjusttouchingthewater.Itwaslikeadelicatelybalancedscalethatneededonlythetiniestpushtotipitonewayortheother.

‘Onemorewilldoit!’shoutedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,lookingoutofthetunnel.‘We’realmostthere!’

Andnowcamethebigmoment.Quickly,thefivehundredandsecondseagullwascaughtandharnessedtothepeach-stem…

Andthensuddenly…

Butslowly…

Majestically…

Likesomefabulousgoldenballoon…

Withalltheseagullsstrainingatthestringsabove…

Thegiantpeachroseupdrippingoutofthewaterandbeganclimbingtowardstheheavens.

Twenty-three

Inaflash,everybodywasupontop.

‘Oh,isn’titbeautiful!’theycried.

‘Whatamarvellousfeeling!’

‘Good-bye,sharks!’

‘Oh,boy,thisisthewaytotravel!’

MissSpider,whowasliterallysquealingwithexcitement,grabbedtheCentipedebythewaistandthetwoofthemstarteddancingroundandroundthepeachstemtogether.TheEarthwormstooduponhistailanddidasortofwriggleofjoyallbyhimself.TheOld-Green-Grasshopperkepthoppinghigherandhigherintheair.TheLadybirdrushedoverandshookJameswarmlybythehand.TheGlow-worm,whoatthebestoftimeswasaveryshyandsilentcreature,satglowingwithpleasurenearthetunnelentrance.EventheSilkworm,lookingwhiteandthinandcompletelyexhausted,camecreepingoutofthetunneltowatchthismiraculousascent.

Upanduptheywent,andsoontheywereashighasthetopofachurchsteepleabovetheocean.

‘I‘mabitworriedaboutthepeach,’Jamessaidtotheothersassoonasallthedancingandtheshoutinghadstopped.‘Iwonderhowmuchdamagethosesharkshavedonetoitunderneath.It’squiteimpossibletotellfromuphere.’

‘Whydon’tIgooverthesideandmakeaninspection?’MissSpidersaid.‘It’llbenotroubleatall,Iassureyou.’Andwithoutwaitingfor

ananswer,shequicklyproducedalengthofsilkthreadandattachedtheendofittothepeachstem.‘I’llbebackinajiffy,’shesaid,andthenshewalkedcalmlyovertotheedgeofthepeachandjumpedoff,payingoutthethreadbehindherasshefell.

Theotherscrowdedanxiouslyaroundtheplacewhereshehadgoneover.

‘Wouldn’titbedreadfulifthethreadbroke,’theLadybirdsaid.

Therewasaratherlongsilence.

‘Areyouallright,MissSpider?’shoutedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.

‘Yes,thankyou!’hervoiceansweredfrombelow.‘I‘mcomingupnow!’Andupshecame,climbingfootoverfootupthesilkthread,andatthesametimetuckingthethreadbackcleverlyintoherbodyassheclimbedpastit.

‘Isitawful?’theyaskedher.‘Isitalleatenaway?Aretheregreatholesiniteverywhere?’

MissSpiderclamberedbackontothedeckwithapleasedbutalsoaratherpuzzledlookonherface.‘Youwon’tbelievethis,’shesaid,‘butactuallythere’shardlyanydamagedownthereatall!Thepeachisalmostuntouched!Therearejustafewtinypiecesoutofithereandthere,butnothingmore.’

‘Youmustbemistaken,’Jamestoldher.

‘Ofcourseshe’smistaken!’theCentipedesaid.

‘IpromiseyouI‘mnot,’MissSpideranswered.

‘Buttherewerehundredsofsharksaroundus!’

‘Theychurnedthewaterintoafroth!’

‘Wesawtheirgreatmouthsopeningandshutting!’

‘Idon’tcarewhatyousaw,’MissSpideranswered.‘Theycertainlydidn’tdomuchdamagetothepeach.’

‘Thenwhydidwestartsinking?’theCentipedeasked.

‘Perhapswedidn’tstartsinking,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersuggested.‘Perhapswewereallsofrightenedthatwesimplyimaginedit.’

This,inpointoffact,wasclosertothetruththananyofthemknew.Ashark,yousee,hasanextremelylongsharpnose,anditsmouthissetveryawkwardlyunderneathitsfaceandalongwayback.Thismakesitmoreorlessimpossibleforittogetitsteethintoavastsmoothcurvingsurfacesuchasthesideofapeach.Evenifthecreatureturnsontoitsbackitstillcan’tdoit,becausethenosealwaysgetsintheway.Ifyouhaveeverseenasmalldogtryingtogetitsteethintoanenormousball,thenyouwillbeabletoimagineroughlyhowitwaswiththesharksandthepeach.

‘Itmusthavebeensomekindofmagic,’theLadybirdsaid.‘Theholesmusthavehealedupbythemselves.’

‘Oh,look!There’sashipbelowus!’shoutedJames.

Everybodyrushedtothesideandpeeredover.Noneofthemhadeverseenashipbefore.

‘Itlookslikeabigone.’

‘It’sgotthreefunnels.’

‘Youcanevenseethepeopleonthedecks!’

‘Let’swavetothem.Doyouthinktheycanseeus?’

NeitherJamesnoranyoftheothersknewit,buttheshipthatwasnowpassingbeneaththemwasactuallytheQueenMarysailingoutoftheEnglishChannelonherwaytoAmerica.AndonthebridgeoftheQueenMary,theastonishedCaptainwasstandingwithagroupofhisofficers,allofthemgapingatthegreatroundballhoveringoverhead.

‘Idon’tlikeit,’theCaptainsaid.

‘NordoI,’saidtheFirstOfficer.

‘Doyouthinkit’sfollowingus?’saidtheSecondOfficer.

‘ItellyouIdon’tlikeit,’mutteredtheCaptain.

‘Itcouldbedangerous,’theFirstOfficersaid.

‘That’sit!’criedtheCaptain.‘It’sasecretweapon!Holycats!SendamessagetotheQueenatonce!Thecountrymustbewarned!Andgivemeraytelescope.’

TheFirstOfficerhandedthetelescopetotheCaptain.TheCaptainputittohiseye.

‘There’sbirdseverywhere!’hecried.‘Thewholeskyisteemingwithbirds!Whatintheworldaretheydoing?Andwait!Waitasecond!Therearepeopleonit!Icanseethemmoving!There’sa–a–doIhavethisdarnedthingfocusedright?Itlookslikealittleboyinshorttrousers!Yes,Icandistinctlyseealittleboyinshorttrousersstandingupthere!Andthere’sa–there’sa–there’sa–a–a–asortofgiantladybird!’

‘Nowjustaminute,Captain!’theFirstOfficersaid.

‘Andacolossalgreengrasshopper!’

‘Captain!’theFirstOfficersaidsharply.‘Captain,please!’

‘Andamammothspider!’

‘Ohdear,he’sbeenatthewhiskyagain,’whisperedtheSecondOfficer.

‘Andanenormous–asimplyenormouscentipede!’screamedtheCaptain.

‘CalltheShip’sDoctor,’theFirstOfficersaid.‘OurCaptainisnotwell.’

Amomentlater,thegreatroundballdisappearedintoacloud,andthepeopleontheshipneversawitagain.

Twenty-four

Butuponthepeachitself,everyonewasstillhappyandexcited.

‘Iwonderwherewe’llfinishupthistime,’theEarthwormsaid.

‘Whocares?’theyanswered.‘Seagullsalwaysgobacktothelandsoonerorlater.’

Upanduptheywent,highabovethehighestclouds,thepeachswayinggentlyfromsidetosideasitfloatedalong.

‘Wouldn’tthisbeaperfecttimeforalittlemusic?’theLadybirdasked.‘Howaboutit,OldGrasshopper?’

‘Withpleasure,dearlady,’theOld-Green-Grasshopperanswered,bowingfromthewaist.

‘Oh,hooray!He’sgoingtoplayforus!’theycried,andimmediatelythewholecompanysatthemselvesdowninacirclearoundtheOldGreenMusician–andtheconcertbegan.

Fromthemomentthatthefirstnotewasstruck,theaudiencebecamecompletelyspellbound.AndasforJames,neverhadheheardsuchbeautifulmusicasthis!Inthegardenathomeonsummerevenings,hehadlistenedmanytimestothesoundofgrasshopperschirpinginthegrass,andhehadalwayslikedthenoisethattheymade.Butthiswasadifferentkindofnoisealtogether.Thiswasrealmusic–chords,harmonies,tunes,andalltherestofit.

AndwhatawonderfulinstrumenttheOld-Green-Grasshopperwasplayingupon.Itwaslikeaviolin!Itwasalmostexactlyasthoughhewereplayinguponaviolin!

Thebowoftheviolin,thepartthatmoved,washisbackleg.Thestringsoftheviolin,thepartthatmadethesound,wastheedgeofhiswing.

Hewasusingonlythetopofhisbackleg(thethigh),andhewasstrokingthisupanddownagainsttheedgeofhiswingwithincredibleskill,sometimesslowly,sometimesfast,butalwayswiththesameeasyflowingaction.Itwaspreciselythewayacleverviolinistwouldhaveusedhisbow;andthemusiccamepouringoutandfilledthewholeblueskyaroundthemwithmagicmelodies.

Whenthefirstpartwasfinished,everyoneclappedmadly,andMissSpiderstoodupandshouted,‘Bravo!Encore!Giveussomemore!’

‘Didyoulikethat,James?’theOld-Green-Grasshopperasked,smilingatthesmallboy.

‘Oh,Ilovedit!’Jamesanswered.‘Itwasbeautiful!Itwasasthoughyouhadarealviolininyourhands!’

‘Arealviolin!’theOld-Green-Grasshoppercried.‘Goodheavens,Ilikethat!Mydearboy,Iamarealviolin!Itisapartofmyownbody!’

‘Butdoallgrasshoppersplaytheirmusiconviolins,thesamewayasyoudo?’Jamesaskedhim.

‘No,’heanswered,‘notall.Ifyouwanttoknow,Ihappentobea“short-horned”grasshopper.Ihavetwoshortfeelerscomingoutofmyhead.Canyouseethem?Theretheyare.Theyarequiteshort,aren’tthey?That’swhytheycallmea“short-horn”.Andwe“short-horns”aretheonlyoneswhoplayourmusicintheviolinstyle,usingabow.My“long-horned”relatives,theoneswhohavelongcurvyfeelerscomingoutoftheirheads,maketheirmusicsimplybyrubbingtheedgesoftheirtwotopwingstogether.Theyarenotviolinists,theyare

wing-rubbers.Andaratherinferiornoisethesewing-rubbersproduce,too,ifImaysayso.Itsoundsmorelikeabanjothanafiddle.’

‘Howfascinatingthisallis!’criedJames.‘AndtothinkthatupuntilnowIhadneverevenwonderedhowagrasshoppermadehissounds.’

‘Mydearyoungfellow,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaidgently,‘thereareawholelotofthingsinthisworldofoursthatyouhaven’tstartedwonderingaboutyet.Where,forexample,doyouthinkthatIkeepmyears?’

‘Yourears?Why,inyourhead,ofcourse.’

Everyoneburstoutlaughing.

‘Youmeanyoudon’tevenknowthat?’criedtheCentipede.

‘Tryagain,’saidtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,smilingatJames.

‘Youcan’tpossiblykeepthemanywhereelse?’

‘Oh,can’tI?’

‘Well–Igiveup.Wheredoyoukeepthem?’

‘Righthere,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.‘Oneoneachsideofmytummy.’

‘It’snottrue!’

‘Ofcourseit’strue.What’ssopeculiaraboutthat?Yououghttoseewheremycousinsthecricketsandthekatydidskeeptheirs.’

‘Wheredotheykeepthem?’

‘Intheirlegs.Oneineachfrontleg,justbelowtheknee.’

‘Youmeanyoudidn’tknowthateither?’theCentipedesaidscornfully.

‘You’rejoking,’Jamessaid.‘Nobodycouldpossiblyhavehisearsinhislegs.’

‘Whynot?’

‘Because…becauseit’sridiculous,that’swhy.’

‘YouknowwhatIthinkisridiculous?’theCentipedesaid,grinningawayasusual.‘Idon’tmeantoberude,butIthinkitisridiculoustohaveearsonthesidesofone’shead.Itcertainlylooksridiculous.Yououghttotakeapeekinthemirrorsomedayandseeforyourself.’

‘Pest!’criedtheEarthworm.‘Whymustyoualwaysbesorudeandrambunctioustoeveryone?YououghttoapologizetoJamesatonce.’

Twenty-five

Jamesdidn’twanttheEarthwormandtheCentipedetogetintoanotherargument,sohesaidquicklytotheEarthworm,‘Tellme,doyouplayanykindofmusic?’

‘No,butIdootherthings,someofwhicharereallyquiteextraordinary’theEarthwormsaid,brightening.

‘Suchaswhat?’askedJames.

‘Well,’theEarthwormsaid.‘Nexttimeyoustandinafieldorinagardenandlookaroundyou,thenjustrememberthis:thateverygrainofsoiluponthesurfaceoftheland,everytinylittlebitofsoilthatyoucanseehasactuallypassedthroughthebodyofanEarthwormduringthelastfewyears!Isn’tthatwonderful?’

‘It’snotpossible!’saidJames.

‘Mydearboy,it’safact.’

‘Youmeanyouactuallyswallowsoil?’

‘Likemad,’theEarthwormsaidproudly.‘Inoneendandouttheother.’

‘Butwhat’sthepoint?’

‘Whatdoyoumean,what’sthepoint?’

‘Whydoyoudoit?’

‘Wedoitforthefarmers.Itmakesthesoilniceandlightandcrumblysothatthingswillgrowwellinit.Ifyoureallywanttoknow,thefarmerscouldn’tdowithoutus.Weareessential.Wearevital.So

itisonlynaturalthatthefarmershouldloveus.Helovesusevenmore,Ibelieve,thanhelovestheLadybird.’

‘TheLadybird!’saidJames,turningtolookather.‘Dotheyloveyou,too?’

‘Iamtoldthattheydo,’theLadybirdansweredmodestly,blushingallover.‘Infact,IunderstandthatinsomeplacesthefarmersloveussomuchthattheygooutandbuyliveLadybirdsbythesackfulandtakethemhomeandsetthemfreeintheirfields.TheyareverypleasedwhentheyhavelotsofLadybirdsintheirfields.’

‘Butwhy?’Jamesasked.

‘Becausewegobbleupallthenastylittleinsectsthataregobblingupallthefarmer’scrops.Ithelpsenormously,andweourselvesdon’tchargeapennyforourservices.’

‘Ithinkyou’rewonderful,’Jamestoldher.‘CanIaskyouonespecialquestion?’

‘Pleasedo.’

‘Well,isitreallytruethatIcantellhowoldaLadybirdisbycountingherspots?’

‘Ohno,that’sjustachildren’sstory,’theLadybirdsaid.‘Weneverchangeourspots.Someofus,ofcourse,arebornwithmorespots

thanothers,butweneverchangethem.ThenumberofspotsthataLadybirdhasissimplyawayofshowingwhichbranchofthefamilyshebelongsto.I,forexample,asyoucanseeforyourself,amaNine-SpottedLadybird.Iamverylucky.Itisafinethingtobe.’

‘Itis,indeed,’saidJames,gazingatthebeautifulscarletshellwiththenineblackspotsonit.

‘Ontheotherhand,’theLadybirdwenton,’someofmylessfortunaterelativeshavenomorethantwospotsaltogetherontheirshells!Canyouimaginethat?TheyarecalledTwo-SpottedLadybirds,andverycommonandill-manneredtheyare,Iregrettosay.Andthen,ofcourse,youhavetheFive-SpottedLadybirdsaswell.TheyaremuchnicerthantheTwo-Spottedones,althoughImyselffindthematrifletoosaucyformytaste.’

‘Buttheyareallofthemloved?’saidJames.

‘Yes,’theLadybirdansweredquietly.‘Theyareallofthemloved.’

‘Itseemsthatalmosteveryonearoundhereisloved!’saidJames.‘Hownicethisis!’

‘Notme!’criedtheCentipedehappily.‘IamapestandI‘mproudofit!Oh,Iamsuchashockingdreadfulpest!’

‘Hear,hear,’theEarthwormsaid.

‘Butwhataboutyou,MissSpider?’askedJames.‘Aren’tyoualsomuchlovedintheworld?’

‘Alas,no,’MissSpideranswered,sighinglongandloud.‘Iamnotlovedatall.AndyetIdonothingbutgood.AlldaylongIcatchfliesandmosquitoesinmywebs.Iamadecentperson.’

‘Iknowyouare,’saidJames.

‘ItisveryunfairthewayweSpidersaretreated,’MissSpiderwenton.‘Why,onlylastweekyourownhorribleAuntSpongeflushedmypoordearfatherdowntheplug-holeinthebathtub.’

‘Oh,howawful!’criedJames.

‘Iwatchedthewholethingfromacornerupintheceiling,’MissSpidermurmured.‘Itwasghastly.Weneversawhimagain.’Alargetearrolleddownhercheekandfellwithasplashonthefloor.

‘Butisitnotveryunluckytokillaspider?’Jamesinquired,lookingaroundattheothers.

‘Ofcourseit’sunluckytokillaspider!’shoutedtheCentipede.‘It’sabouttheunluckiestthinganyonecando.LookwhathappenedtoAuntSpongeaftershe’ddonethat!Bump!Weallfeltit,didn’twe,asthepeachwentoverher?Oh,whatalovelybumpthatmusthavebeenforyou,MissSpider!’

‘Itwasverysatisfactory,’MissSpideranswered.Willyousingusasongaboutit,please?’

SotheCentipededid.

‘AuntSpongewasterrificallyfat,

Andtremendouslyflabbyatthat.

Hertummyandwaist

Wereassoggyaspaste–

Itwasworseontheplacewhereshesat!

Soshesaid,“Imustmakemyselfflat.

Imustmakemyselfsleekasacat.

Ishalldowithoutdinner

Tomakemyselfthinner.”

Butalongcamethepeach!

Oh,thebeautifulpeach!

Andmadeherfarthinnerthanthat!’

‘Thatwasverynice,’MissSpidersaid.‘NowsingoneaboutAuntSpiker.’

‘Withpleasure,’theCentipedeanswered,grinning:

‘AuntSpikerwasthinasawire,

Anddryasabone,onlydrier.

Shewassolongandthin

Ifyoucarriedherin

Youcoulduseherforpokingthefire!

‘“Imustdosomethingquickly,”shefrowned.

‘IwantFAT.Iwantpounduponpound!

Imusteatlotsandlots

Ofmarshmallowsandchocs

TillIstartbulgingoutallaround.”

‘“Ah,yes,”sheannounced,“Ihavesworn

ThatI’llaltermyfigurebydawn!”

Criedthepeachwithasnigger,

“I’LLalteryourfigure–”

Andironedheroutonthelawn!’

EverybodyclappedandcalledoutformoresongsfromtheCentipede,whoatoncelaunchedintohisfavouritesongofall:

‘Onceuponatime

Whenpigswereswine

Andmonkeyschewedtobacco

Andhenstooksnuff

Tomakethemselvestough

Andtheduckssaidquack-quack-quacko,

Andporcupines

Drankfierywines

Andgoatsatetapioca

AndOldMotherHubbard

Gotstuckinthec–’

‘Lookout,Centipede!’criedJames.‘Lookout!’

Twenty-six

TheCentipede,whohadbegundancingwildlyroundthedeckduringthissong,hadsuddenlygonetooclosetothedownwardcurvingedgeofthepeach,andforthreeawfulsecondshehadstoodteeteringonthebrink,swinginghislegsfranticallyincirclesinanefforttostophimselffromfallingoverbackwardintospace.Butbeforeanyonecouldreachhim–downhewent!Hegaveashriekofterrorashefell,andtheothers,rushingtothesideandpeeringover,sawhispoorlongbodytumblingoverandoverthroughtheair,gettingsmallerandsmalleruntilitwasoutofsight.

‘Silkworm!’yelledJames.‘Quick!Startspinning!’

TheSilkwormsighed,forshewasstillverytiredfromspinningallthatsilkfortheseagulls,butshedidasshewastold.

‘I‘mgoingdownafterhim!’criedJames,grabbingthesilkstringasitstartedcomingoutoftheSilkwormandtyingtheendofitaroundhiswaist.‘TherestofyouholdontoSilkwormsoIdon’tpullheroverwithme,andlateron,ifyoufeelthreetugsonthestring,starthaulingmeupagain!’

Hejumped,andhewenttumblingdownaftertheCentipede,down,down,downtowardstheseabelow,andyoucanimaginehowquicklytheSilkwormhadtospintokeepupwiththespeedofhisfall.

‘We’llneverseeeitherofthemagain!’criedtheLadybird.‘Oh,dear!Ohdear!Justwhenwewereallsohappy,too!’

MissSpider,theGlow-worm,andtheLadybirdallbegantocry.SodidtheEarthworm.‘Idon’tcareabitabouttheCentipede,’the

Earthwormsobbed.‘ButIreallydidlovethatlittleboy.’

Verysoftly,theOld-Green-GrasshopperstartedtoplaytheFuneralMarchonhisviolin,andbythetimehehadfinished,everyone,includinghimself,wasinafloodoftears.

Suddenly,therecamethreesharptugsontherope.‘Pull!’shoutedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.‘Everyonegetbehindmeandpull!’

Therewasaboutamileofstringtobehauledin,buttheyallworkedlikemad,andintheend,overthesideofthepeach,thereappearedadripping-wetJameswithadripping-wetCentipedeclingingtohimtightlywithallforty-twoofhislegs.

‘Hesavedme!’gaspedtheCentipede.‘HeswamaroundinthemiddleoftheAtlanticOceanuntilhefoundme!’

‘Mydearboy,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid,pattingJamesontheback.‘Idocongratulateyou.’

‘Myboots!’criedtheCentipede.‘Justlookatmypreciousboots!

Theyareruinedbythewater!’

‘Bequiet!’theEarthwormsaid.‘Youareluckytobealive.’

‘Arewestillgoingupandup?’askedJames.

‘Wecertainlyare,’answeredtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.‘Andit’sbeginningtogetdark.’

‘Iknow.It’llsoonbenight.’

‘Whydon’tweallgodownbelowandkeepwarmuntiltomorrowmorning?’MissSpidersuggested.

‘No,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.‘Ithinkthatwouldbeveryunwise.Itwillbesaferifweallstayupherethroughthenightandkeepwatch.Then,ifanythinghappens,weshallanywaybereadyforit.’

Twenty-seven

JamesHenryTrotterandhiscompanionscrouchedclosetogetherontopofthepeachasthenightbeganclosinginaroundthem.Cloudslikemountainstoweredhighabovetheirheadsonallsides,mysterious,menacing,overwhelming.Graduallyitgrewdarkeranddarker,andthenapalethree-quartermooncameupoverthetopsofthecloudsandcastaneerielightoverthewholescene.Thegiantpeachswayedgentlyfromsidetosideasitfloatedalong,andthehundredsofsilkywhitestringsgoingupwardfromitsstemwerebeautifulinthemoonlight.Soalsowasthegreatflockofseagullsoverhead.

Therewasnotasoundanywhere.Travellinguponthepeachwasnotintheleastliketravellinginanaeroplane.Theaeroplanecomesclatteringandroaringthroughthesky,andwhatevermightbelurkingsecretlyupthereinthegreatcloud-mountainsgoesrunningforcoveratitsapproach.Thatiswhypeoplewhotravelinaeroplanesneverseeanything.

Butthepeach…ah,yes…thepeachwasasoft,stealthytraveller,makingnonoiseatallasitfloatedalong.Andseveraltimesduringthatlongsilentnightridehighupoverthemiddleoftheoceaninthemoonlight,Jamesandhisfriendssawthingsthatnoonehadeverseenbefore.

Once,astheydriftedsilentlypastamassivewhitecloud,theysawonthetopofitagroupofstrange,tall,wispy-lookingthingsthatwereabouttwicetheheightofordinarymen.Theywerenoteasytoseeatfirstbecausetheywerealmostaswhiteastheclouditself,butasthepeachsailedcloser,itbecameobviousthatthese‘things’wereactuallylivingcreatures–tall,wispy,wraithlike,shadowy,whitecreatureswholookedasthoughtheyweremadeoutofamixtureofcotton-woolandcandyflossandthinwhitehairs.

‘Oooooooooooooh!’theLadybirdsaid.‘Idon’tlikethisatall!’

‘Ssshh!’Jameswhisperedback.‘Don’tletthemhearyou!TheymustbeCloud-Men!’

‘Cloud-Men!’theymurmured,huddlingclosertogetherforcomfort.‘Ohdear,ohdear!’

‘I‘mgladI‘mblindandcan’tseethem,’theEarthwormsaid,‘orIwouldprobablyscream.’

‘Ihopetheydon’tturnroundandseeus,’MissSpiderstammered.

‘Doyouthinktheywouldeatus?’theEarthwormasked.

‘Theywouldeatyou,’theCentipedeanswered,grinning.‘Theywouldcutyouuplikeasalamiandeatyouinthinslices.’

ThepoorEarthwormbegantoquiveralloverwithfright.

‘Butwhataretheydoing?’theOld-Green-Grasshopperwhispered.

‘Idon’tknow,’Jamesansweredsoftly.‘Let’swatchandsee.’

TheCloud-Menwereallstandinginagroup,andtheyweredoingsomethingpeculiarwiththeirhands.First,theywouldreachout(allofthematonce)andgrabhandfulsofcloud.Thentheywouldrollthesehandfulsofcloudintheirfingersuntiltheyturnedintowhatlookedlikelargewhitemarbles.Thentheywouldtossthemarblestoonesideandquicklygrabmorebitsofcloudandstartoveragain.

Itwasallverysilentandmysterious.Thepileofmarblesbesidethemkeptgrowinglargerandlarger.Soontherewasatruckloadof

themthereatleast.

‘Theymustbeabsolutelymad!’theCentipedesaid.‘There’snothingtobeafraidofhere!’

‘Bequiet,youpest!’theEarthwormwhispered.‘Weshallallbeeateniftheyseeus!’

ButtheCloud-Menweremuchtoobusywithwhattheyweredoingtohavenoticedthegreatpeachfloatingsilentlyupbehindthem.

ThenthewatchersonthepeachsawoneoftheCloud-Menraisinghislongwispyarmsabovehisheadandtheyheardhimshouting,‘Allright,boys!That’senough!Gettheshovels!’AndalltheotherCloud-Menimmediatelyletoutastrangehigh-pitchedwhoopofjoyandstartedjumpingupanddownandwavingtheirarmsintheair.Thentheypickedupenormousshovelsandrushedovertothepileofmarblesandbeganshovellingthemasfastastheycouldoverthesideofthecloud,intospace.‘Downtheygo!’theychantedastheyworked.

‘Downtheygo!

Hailandsnow!

Freezesandsneezesandnoseswillblow!’

‘It’shailstones!’whisperedJamesexcitedly.‘They‘vebeenmakinghailstonesandnowtheyareshoweringthemdownontothepeopleintheworldbelow!’

‘Hailstones?’theCentipedesaid.‘That’sridiculous!Thisissummertime.Youdon’thavehailstonesinsummertime.’

‘Theyarepractisingforthewinter,’Jamestoldhim.

‘Idon’tbelieveit!’shoutedtheCentipede,raisinghisvoice.

‘Ssshh!’theotherswhispered.AndJamessaidsoftly,‘Forheaven’ssake,Centipede,don’tmakesomuchnoise.’

TheCentipederoaredwithlaughter.‘Thoseimbecilescouldn’thear

anything!’hecried.‘They’redeafasdoorknobs!Youwatch!’Andbeforeanyonecouldstophim,hehadcuppedhisfrontfeettohismouthandwasyellingattheCloud-Menasloudashecould.‘Idiots!’heyelled.‘Nincompoops!Half-wits!Blunderheads!Asses!Whatonearthdoyouthinkyou’redoingoverthere!’

Theeffectwasimmediate.TheCloud-Menjumpedroundasiftheyhadbeenstungbywasps.Andwhentheysawthegreatgoldenpeachfloatingpastthemnotfiftyyardsawayinthesky,theygaveayelpofsurpriseanddroppedtheirshovelstotheground.Andtheretheystoodwiththemoonlightstreamingdownalloverthem,absolutelymotionless,likeagroupoftallwhitehairystatues,staringandstaringatthegiganticfruitasitwentsailingby.

Thepassengersonthepeach(allexcepttheCentipede)satfrozenwithterror,lookingbackattheCloud-Menandwonderingwhatwasgoingtohappennext.

‘Nowyou‘vedoneit,youloathsomepest!’whisperedtheEarthwormtotheCentipede.

‘I‘mnotfrightenedofthem!’shoutedtheCentipede,andtoshoweverybodyonceagainthathewasn‘t,hestooduptohisfullheightandstarteddancingaboutandmakinginsultingsignsattheCloud-Menwithallforty-twoofhislegs.

ThisevidentlyinfuriatedtheCloud-Menbeyondbelief.Allatonce,theyspunroundandgrabbedgreathandfulsofhailstonesandrushedtotheedgeofthecloudandstartedthrowingthematthepeach,shriekingwithfuryallthetime.

‘Lookout!’criedJames.‘Quick!Liedown!Lieflatonthedeck!’

Itwasluckytheydid!Alargehailstonecanhurtyouasmuchasa

rockoralumpofleadifitisthrownhardenough–andmygoodness,howthoseCloud-Mencouldthrow!Thehailstonescamewhizzingthroughtheairlikebulletsfromamachine-gun,andJamescouldhearthemsmashingagainstthesidesofthepeachandburyingthemselvesinthepeachfleshwithhorriblesquelchingnoises–plop!plop!plop!plop!Andthenping!ping!ping!astheybouncedoffthepoorLadybird’sshellbecauseshecouldn’tlieasflatastheothers.Andthencrack!asoneofthemhittheCentipederightonthenoseandcrack!againasanotheronehithimsomewhereelse.

‘Ow!’hecried.‘Ow!Stop!Stop!Stop!’

ButtheCloud-Menhadnointentionofstopping.Jamescouldseethemrushingaboutonthecloudlikealotofhugehairyghosts,pickinguphailstonesfromthepile,dashingtotheedgeofthecloud,hurlingthehailstonesatthepeach,dashingbackagaintogetmore,andthen,whenthepileofstoneswasallgone,theysimplygrabbedhandfulsofcloudandmadeasmanymoreastheywanted,andmuchbiggeronesnow,someofthemaslargeascannonballs.

‘Quickly!’criedJames.‘Downthetunnelorwe’llallbewipedout!’

Therewasarushforthetunnelentrance,andhalfaminutelatereverybodywassafelydownstairsinsidethestoneofthepeach,tremblingwithfrightandlisteningtothenoiseofthehailstonesastheycamecrashingagainstthesideofthepeach.

‘I‘mawreck!’groanedtheCentipede.‘Iamwoundedallover!’

‘Itservesyouright,’saidtheEarthworm.

‘Wouldsomebodykindlylookandseeifmyshelliscracked?’theLadybirdsaid.

‘Giveussomelight!’shoutedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.

‘Ican‘t!’wailedtheGlow-worm.‘They‘vebrokenmybulb!’

‘Thenputinanotherone!’theCentipedesaid.

‘Bequietamoment,’saidJames.‘Listen!Idobelievethey’renothittingusanymore!’

Theyallstoppedtalkingandlistened.Yes–thenoisehadceased.Thehailstoneswerenolongersmashingagainstthepeach.

‘We‘veleftthembehind!’

‘Theseagullsmusthavepulledusawayoutofdanger.

‘Hooray!Let’sgoupandsee!’

Cautiously,withJamesgoingfirst,theyallclimbedbackupthetunnel.Jamespokedhisheadoutandlookedaround.‘It’sallclear!’hecalled.‘Ican’tseethemanywhere!’

Twenty-eight

Onebyone,thetravellerscameoutagainontothetopofthepeachandgazedcarefullyaround.Themoonwasstillshiningasbrightlyasever,andtherewerestillplentyofhugeshimmeringcloud-mountainsonallsides.ButtherewerenoCloud-Meninsightnow.

‘Thepeachisleaking!’shoutedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,peeringovertheside.‘It’sfullofholesandthejuiceisdrippingouteverywhere!’

‘Thatdoesit!’criedtheEarthworm.‘Ifthepeachisleakingthenweshallsurelysink!’

‘Don’tbeanass!’theCentipedetoldhim.‘We’renotinthewaternow!’

‘Oh,look!’shoutedtheLadybird.‘Look,look,look!Overthere!’

Everybodyswungroundtolook.

Inthedistanceanddirectlyaheadofthem,theynowsawamostextraordinarysight.Itwasakindofarch,acolossalcurvy-shapedthingthatreachedhighupintotheskyandcamedownagainatbothends.Theendswererestinguponahugeflatcloudthatwasasbigasadesert.

‘Nowwhatintheworldisthat?’askedJames.

‘It’sabridge!’

‘It’sanenormoushoopcutinhalf!’

‘It’sagianthorseshoestandingupsidedown!’

‘StopmeifI‘mwrong,’murmuredtheCentipede,goingwhiteintheface,‘butmightthosenotbeCloud-Menclimbingalloverit?’

Therewasadreadfulsilence.Thepeachfloatedcloserandcloser.

‘TheyareCloud-Men!’

‘Therearehundredsofthem!’

‘Thousands!’

‘Millions!’

‘Idon’twanttohearaboutit!’shriekedthepoorblindEarthworm.‘I’dratherbeontheendofafishhookandusedasbaitthancomeupagainstthoseterriblecreaturesagain!’

‘I’dratherbefriedaliveandeatenbyaMexican!’wailedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.

‘Pleasekeepquiet,’whisperedJames.‘It’souronlyhope.’

Theycrouchedverystillontopofthepeach,staringattheCloud-Men.Thewholesurfaceofthecloudwasliterallyswarmingwiththem,andtherewerehundredsmoreupaboveclimbingaboutonthatmonstrouscrazyarch.

‘Butwhatisthatthing?’whisperedtheLadybird.‘Andwhataretheydoingtoit?’

‘Idon’tcarewhatthey’redoingtoit!’theCentipedesaid,scuttlingovertothetunnelentrance.‘I‘mnotstayinguphere!Good-bye!’

Buttherestofthemweretoofrightenedortoohypnotizedbythewholeaffairtomakeamove.

‘Doyouknowwhat?’Jameswhispered.

‘What?’theysaid.‘What?’

‘Thatenormousarch–theyseemtobepaintingit!They‘vegotpotsofpaintandbigbrushes!Youlook!’

Andhewasquiteright.ThetravellerswerecloseenoughnowtoseethatthiswasexactlywhattheCloud-Menweredoing.Theyallhadhugebrushesintheirhandsandtheyweresplashingthepaintontothegreatcurvyarchinafrenzyofspeed,sofast,infact,thatinafewminutesthewholeofthearchbecamecoveredwiththemostgloriouscolours–reds,blues,greens,yellows,andpurples.

‘It’sarainbow!’everyonesaidatonce.‘Theyaremakingarainbow!’

‘Oh,isn’titbeautiful!’

‘Justlookatthosecolours!’

‘Centipede!’theyshouted.‘Youmustcomeupandseethis!’Theyweresoenthralledbythebeautyandbrillianceoftherainbowthattheyforgottokeeptheirvoiceslowanylonger.TheCentipedepokedhisheadcautiouslyoutofthetunnelentrance.

‘Well,well,well,’hesaid.‘I‘vealwayswonderedhowthosethingsweremade.Butwhyalltheropes?Whataretheydoingwiththoseropes?’

‘Goodheavens,theyarepushingitoffthecloud!’criedJames.‘Thereitgoes!Theyareloweringitdowntotheearthwithropes!’

‘AndI’lltellyousomethingelse,’theCentipedesaidsharply.‘IfI‘mnotgreatlymistaken,weourselvesaregoingtobumprightintoit!’

‘Blessmysoul,he’sright!’theOld-Green-Grasshopperexclaimed.

Therainbowwasnowdanglingintheairbelowthecloud.Thepeachwasalsojustbelowthelevelofthecloud,anditwasheading

directlytowardstherainbow,travellingratherfast.

‘Wearelost!’MissSpidercried,wringingherfeetagain.‘Theendhascome!’

‘Ican’tstandit!’wailedtheEarthworm.‘Tellmewhat’shappening!’

‘We’regoingtomissit!’shoutedtheLadybird.

‘No,we’renot!’

‘Yes,weare!’

‘Yes!–Yes!–No!–Oh,myheavens!’

‘Holdon,everybody!’Jamescalledout,andsuddenlytherewasatremendousthudasthepeachwentcrashingintothetopoftherainbow.Thiswasfollowedbyanawfulsplinteringnoiseastheenormousrainbowsnappedrightacrossthemiddleandbecametwoseparatepieces.

Thenextthingthathappenedwasextremlyunfortunate.TheropesthattheCloud-Menhadbeenusingforloweringtherainbowgottangledupwiththesilkstringsthatwentupfromthepeachtotheseagulls!Thepeachwastrapped!Panicandpandemoniumbrokeoutamongthetravellers,andJamesHenryTrotter,glancingupquickly,sawthefacesofathousandfuriousCloud-Menpeeringdownathimovertheedgeofthecloud.Thefaceshadalmostnoshapeatallbecauseofthelongwhitehairsthatcoveredthem.Therewerenonoses,nomouths,noears,nochins–onlytheeyeswerevisibleineachface,twosmallblackeyesglintingmalevolentlythroughthehairs.

Thencamethemostfrighteningthingofall.OneCloud-Man,ahugehairycreaturewhomusthavebeenfourteenfeettallatleast,suddenlystoodupandmadeatremendousleapoffthesideofthe

cloud,tryingtogettooneofthesilkstringsabovethepeach.Jamesandhisfriendssawhimgoflyingthroughtheairabovethem,hisarmsoutstretchedinfrontofhim,reachingfortheneareststring,andtheysawhimgrabitandclingtoitwithhishandsandlegs.Andthen,veryveryslowly,handoverhand,hebegantocomedownthestring.

‘Mercy!Help!Saveus!’criedtheLadybird.

‘He’scomingdowntoeatus!’wailedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.‘Jumpoverboard!’

‘TheneattheEarthwormfirst!’shoutedtheCentipede.‘It’snogoodeatingme,I‘mfullofboneslikeakipper!’

‘Centipede!’yelledJames.‘Quickly!Bitethroughthatstring,theonehe’scomingdownon!’

TheCentipederushedovertothestemofthepeachandtookthesilkstringinhisteethandbitthroughitwithonesnapofhisjaws.Immediately,farabovethem,asingleseagullwasseentocomeawayfromtherestoftheflockandgoflyingoffwithalongstringtrailing

fromitsneck.Andclingingdesperatelytotheendofthestring,shoutingandcursingwithfury,wasthehugehairyCloud-Man.Upanduphewent,swingingacrossthemoonlitsky,andJamesHenryTrotter,watchinghimwithdelight,said,‘Mygoodness,hemustweighalmostnothingatallforoneseagulltobeabletopullhimuplikethat!Hemustbeallhairandair!’

TherestoftheCloud-Menweresoflabbergastedatseeingoneoftheircompanycarriedawayinthismannerthattheyletgotheropestheywereholdingandthenofcoursedownwenttherainbow,bothhalvesofittogether,tumblingtowardstheearthbelow.Thisfreedthepeach,whichatoncebegansailingawayfromthatterriblecloud.

Butthetravellerswerenotintheclearyet.TheinfuriatedCloud-Menjumpedupandranafterthemalongthecloud,peltingthemmercilesslywithallsortsofhardandhorribleobjects.Emptypaintbuckets,paintbrushes,stepladders,stools,saucepans,frying-pans,rotteneggs,deadrats,bottlesofhair-oil–anythingthosebrutescouldlaytheirhandsoncamerainingdownuponthepeach.OneCloud-Man,takingverycarefulaim,tippedagallonofthickpurplepaintovertheedgeofthecloudrightontotheCentipedehimself.

TheCentipedescreamedwithanger.‘Mylegs!’hecried.‘Theyareallstickingtogether!Ican’twalk!Andmyeyelidswon’topen!Ican’tsee!Andmyboots!Mybootsareruined!’

ButforthemomenteveryonewasfartoobusydodgingthethingsthattheCloud-MenwerethrowingtopayanyattentiontotheCentipede.

‘Thepaintisdrying!’hemoaned.‘It’sgoinghard!Ican’tmovemylegs!Ican’tmoveanything!’

‘Youcanstillmoveyourmouth,’theEarthwormsaid.‘Andthatisagreatpity.’

‘James!’bawledtheCentipede.‘Pleasehelpme!Washoffthispaint!Scrapeitoff!Anything!’

Twenty-nine

Itseemedlikealongtimebeforetheseagullswereabletopullthepeachawayfromthathorriblerainbow-cloud.Buttheymanageditatlast,andtheneverybodygatheredaroundthewretchedCentipedeandbeganarguingaboutthebestwaytogetthepaintoffhisbody.

Hereallydidlookasight.Hewaspurpleallover,andnowthatthepaintwasbeginningtodryandharden,hewasforcedtositverystiffandupright,asthoughhewereencasedincement.Andallforty-twoofhislegswerestickingoutstraightinfrontofhim,likerods.Hetriedtosaysomething,buthislipswouldn’tmove.Allhecoulddonowwastomakegurglingnoisesinhisthroat.

TheOld-Green-Grasshopperreachedoutandtouchedhimcarefullyonthestomach.‘Buthowcoulditpossiblyhavedriedsoquickly?’heasked.

‘It’srainbow-paint,’Jamesanswered.‘Rainbow-paintdriesveryquickandveryhard.’

‘Idetestpaint,’MissSpiderannounced.‘Itfrightensme.Itreminds

meofAuntSpiker–thelateAuntSpiker,Imean–becausethelasttimeshepaintedherkitchenceilingmypoordarlinggrandmothersteppedintoitbymistakewhenitwasstillwet,andthereshestuck.Andallthroughthenightwecouldhearhercallingtous,saying“Help!help!help!”anditwasheartbreakingtolistentoher.Butwhatcouldwedo?Notathinguntilthenextdaywhenthepainthaddried,andthenofcourseweallrushedovertoherandcalmedherdownandgavehersomefood.Believeitornot,shelivedforsixmonthslikethat,upsidedownontheceilingwithherlegsstuckpermanentlyinthepaint.Shereallydid.Wefedhereveryday.Webroughtherfreshfliesstraightfromtheweb.Butthenonthetwenty-sixthofAprillast,AuntSponge–thelateAuntSponge,Imean–happenedtoglanceupattheceiling,andshespottedher.“Aspider!”shecried.“Adisgustingspider!Quick!Fetchmethemopwiththelonghandle!”Andthen–Oh,itwassoawfulIcan’tbeartothinkofit…’MissSpiderwipedawayatearandlookedsadlyattheCentipede.‘Youpoorthing,’shemurmured.‘Idofeelsorryforyou.’

‘It’llnevercomeoff,’theEarthwormsaidbrightly.‘OurCentipedewillnevermoveagain.Hewillturnintoastatueandweshallbeabletoputhiminthemiddleofthelawnwithabird-bathonthetopofhishead.’

‘Wecouldtrypeelinghimlikeabanana,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersuggested.

‘Orrubbinghimwithsandpaper,’theLadybirdsaid.

‘Nowifhestuckouthistongue,’theEarthwormsaid,smilingalittleforperhapsthefirsttimeinhislife,‘ifhestuckitoutreallyfar,thenwecouldallcatchholdofitandstartpulling.Andifwepulledhardenough,wecouldturnhiminsideoutandhewouldhaveanew

skin!’

Therewasapausewhiletheothersconsideredthisinterestingproposal.

‘Ithink,’Jamessaidslowly,‘Ithinkthatthebestthingtodo…’Thenhestopped.‘Whatwasthat?’heaskedquickly.‘Iheardavoice!Iheardsomeoneshouting!’

Thirty

Theyallraisedtheirheads,listening.

‘Ssshh!Thereitisagain!’

Butthevoicewastoofarawayforthemtohearwhatitwassaying.

‘It’saCloud-Man!’MissSpidercried.‘Ijustknowit’saCloud-Man!They’reafterusagain!’

‘Itcamefromabove!’theEarthwormsaid,andautomaticallyeverybodylookedupward,everybodyexcepttheCentipede,whocouldn’tmove.

‘Ouch!’theysaid.‘Help!Mercy!We’regoingtocatchitthistime!’Forwhattheynowsaw,swirlingandtwistingdirectlyovertheirheads,wasanimmenseblackcloud,aterrible,dangerous,thundery-lookingthingthatbegantorumbleandroarevenastheywerestaringatit.Andthen,fromhighuponthetopofthecloud,thefarawayvoicecamedowntothemonceagain,thistimeveryloudandclear.

‘Onwiththefaucets!’itshouted.‘Onwiththefaucets!Onwiththefaucets!’

Threesecondslater,thewholeunderneathofthecloudseemedtosplitandburstopenlikeapaperbag,andthen–outcamethewater!Theysawitcoming.Itwasquiteeasytoseebecauseitwasn’tjustraindrops.Itwasn’traindropsatall.Itwasagreatsolidmassofwaterthatmighthavebeenalakeorawholeoceandroppingoutoftheskyontopofthem,anddownitcame,downanddownanddown,crashingfirstontotheseagullsandthenontothepeachitself,whilethepoortravellersshriekedwithfearandgropedaroundfrantically

forsomethingtocatchholdof–thepeachstem,thesilkstrings,anythingtheycouldfind–andallthetimethewatercamepouringandroaringdownuponthem,bouncingandsmashingandsloshingandslashingandswashingandswirlingandsurgingandwhirlingandgurglingandgushingandrushingandrushing,anditwaslikebeingpinneddownunderneaththebiggestwaterfallintheworldandnotbeingabletogetout.Theycouldn’tspeak.Theycouldn’tsee.Theycouldn’tbreathe.AndJamesHenryTrotter,holdingonmadlytooneofthesilkstringsabovethepeachstem,toldhimselfthatthismustsurelybetheendofeverythingatlast.Butthen,justassuddenlyasithadstarted,thedelugestopped.Theywereoutofitanditwasallover.Thewonderfulseagullshadflownrightthroughitandhadcomeoutsafelyontheotherside.Onceagainthegiantpeachwassailingpeacefullythroughthemysteriousmoonlitsky.

‘Iamdrowned!’gaspedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper,spittingoutwaterbythepint.

‘It’sgonerightthroughmyskin!’theEarthwormgroaned.‘Ialwaysthoughtmyskinwaswaterproofbutitisn’tandnowI‘mfullofrain!’

‘Lookatme,lookatme!’shoutedtheCentipedeexcitedly.‘It’swashedmeclean!Thepaint’sallgone!Icanmoveagain!’

‘That’stheworstnewsI‘vehadinalongtime,’theEarthwormsaid.

TheCentipedewasdancingaroundthedeckandturningsomersaultsintheairandsingingatthetopofhisvoice:

‘Oh,hoorayforthestormandtherain!

Icanmove!Idon’tfeelanypain!

AndnowI‘mapest,

I‘mthebiggestandbest,

Themostmarvellouspestonceagain!’

‘Oh,doshutup,’theOld-Green-Grasshoppersaid.

‘Lookatme!’criedtheCentipede.

‘LookatME!Iamfreed!Iamfreed!

Notascratchnorabruisenorableed!

Tohisgravethisfinegent

Theyallthoughttheyhadsent

AndIverynearwent!

Oh,IVERYnearwent!

ButtheycentquitethewrongSentipede!’

Thirty-one

‘Howfastwearegoingallofasudden,’theLadybirdsaid.‘Iwonderwhy?’

‘Idon’tthinktheseagullslikethisplaceanybetterthanwedo,’Jamesanswered.‘Iimaginetheywanttogetoutofitassoonastheycan.Theygotabadfrightinthatstormwe‘vejustbeenthrough.’

Fasterandfasterflewtheseagulls,skimmingacrosstheskyatatremendouspace,withthepeachtrailingoutbehindthem.Cloudaftercloudwentbyoneitherside,allofthemghostlywhiteinthemoonlight,andseveralmoretimesduringthenightthetravellerscaughtglimpsesofCloud-Menmovingaroundonthetopsoftheseclouds,workingtheirsinistermagicupontheworldbelow.

Oncetheypassedasnowmachineinoperation,withtheCloud-Menturningthehandleandablizzardofsnowflakesblowingoutofthegreatfunnelabove.Theysawthehugedrumsthatwereusedformakingthunder,andtheCloud-Menbeatingthemfuriouslywithlonghammers.TheysawthefrostfactoriesandthewindproducersandtheplaceswherecyclonesandtornadoesweremanufacturedandsentspinningdowntowardstheEarth,andonce,deepinthehollowofalargebillowycloud,theyspottedsomethingthatcouldonlyhavebeenaCloud-Men’scity.Therewerecaveseverywhererunningintothecloud,andattheentrancestothecavestheCloud-Men’swiveswerecrouchingoverlittlestoveswithfrying-pansintheirhands,fryingsnowballsfortheirhusbands’suppers.AndhundredsofCloud-Men’schildrenwerefriskingaboutallovertheplaceandshriekingwithlaughterandslidingdownthebillowsofthecloudontoboggans.

Anhourlater,justbeforedawn,thetravellersheardasoftwhooshingnoiseabovetheirheadsandtheyglancedupandsawanimmensegreybatlikecreatureswoopingdowntowardsthemoutofthedark.Itcircledroundandroundthepeach,flappingitsgreatwingsslowlyinthemoonlightandstaringatthetravellers.Thenitutteredaseriesoflongdeepmelancholycriesandflewoffagainintothenight.

‘Oh,Idowishthemorningwouldcome!’MissSpidersaid,shiveringallover.

‘Itwon’tbelongnow,’Jamesanswered.‘Look,it’sgettinglighterovertherealready.’

Theyallsatinsilencewatchingthesunasitcameupslowlyovertherimofthehorizonforanewday.

Thirty-two

Andwhenfulldaylightcameatlast,theyallgottotheirfeetandstretchedtheirpoorcrampedbodies,andthentheCentipede,whoalwaysseemedtoseethingsfirst,shouted,‘Look!There’slandbelow!’

‘He’sright!’theycried,runningtotheedgeofthepeachandpeeringover.‘Hooray!Hooray!’

‘Itlookslikestreetsandhouses!’

‘Buthowenormousitallis!’

Avastcity,glisteningintheearlymorningsunshine,layspreadoutthreethousandfeetbelowthem.Atthatheight,thecarswerelikelittlebeetlescrawlingalongthestreets,andpeoplewalkingonthepavementslookednolargerthantinygrainsofsoot.

‘Butwhattremendoustallbuildings!’exclaimedtheLadybird.‘I‘veneverseenanythinglikethembeforeinEngland.Whichtowndoyouthinkitis?’

‘Thiscouldn’tpossiblybeEngland,’saidtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.

‘Thenwhereisit?’askedMissSpider.

‘Youknowwhatthosebuildingsare?’shoutedJames,jumpingupanddownwithexcitement.‘Thoseareskyscrapers!SothismustbeAmerica!Andthat,myfriends,meansthatwehavecrossedtheAtlanticOceanovernight!’

‘Youdon’tmeanit!’theycried.

‘It’snotpossible!’

‘It’sincredible!It’sunbelievable!’

‘Oh,I‘vealwaysdreamedofgoingtoAmerica!’criedtheCentipede.‘Ihadafriendoncewho–’

‘Bequiet!’saidtheEarthworm.‘Whocaresaboutyourfriend?Thethingwe‘vegottothinkaboutnowishowoneartharewegoingtogetdowntoearth?’

‘AskJames,’saidtheLadybird.

‘Idon’tthinkthatshouldbesoverydifficult,’Jamestoldthem.‘Allwe’llhavetodoistocutlooseafewseagulls.Nottoomany,mindyou,butjustenoughsothattheotherscan’tquitekeepusupintheair.Thendownweshallgo,slowlyandgently,untilwereachtheground.Centipedewillbitethroughthestringsforusoneatatime.’

Thirty-three

Farbelowthem,intheCityofNewYork,somethinglikepandemoniumwasbreakingout.AgreatroundballasbigasahousehadbeensightedhoveringhighupintheskyovertheverycentreofManhattan,andthecryhadgoneupthatitwasanenormousbombsentoverbyanothercountrytoblowthewholecitytosmithereens.Air-raidsirensbeganwailingineverysection.Allradioandtelevisionprogrammeswereinterruptedwithannouncementsthatthepopulationmustgodownintotheircellarsimmediately.Onemillionpeoplewalkinginthestreetsontheirwaytoworklookedupintotheskyandsawthemonsterhoveringabovethem,andstartedrunningforthenearestsubwayentrancetotakecover.Generalsgrabbedholdoftelephonesandshoutedorderstoeveryonetheycouldthinkof.TheMayorofNewYorkcalledupthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesdowninWashington,D.C.,toaskhimforhelp,andthePresident,whoatthatmomentwashavingbreakfastinhispyjamas,quicklypushedawayhishalf-finishedplateofSugarCrispsandstartedpressingbuttonsrightandlefttosummonhisAdmiralsandhisGenerals.AndallthewayacrossthevaststretchofAmerica,inallthefiftyStatesfromAlaskatoFlorida,fromPennsylvaniatoHawaii,thealarmwassoundedandthewordwentoutthatthebiggestbombinthehistoryoftheworldwashoveringoverNewYorkCity,andthatatanymomentitmightgooff.

Thirty-four

‘Comeon,Centipede,bitethroughthefirststring,’Jamesordered.

TheCentipedetookoneofthesilkstringsbetweenhisteethandbitthroughit.Andonceagain(butnotwithanangryCloud-Mandanglingfromtheendofthestringthistime)asingleseagullcameawayfromtherestoftheflockandwentflyingoffonitsown.

‘Biteanother,’Jamesordered.

TheCentipedebitthroughanotherstring.

‘Whyaren’twesinking?’

‘Wearesinking!’

‘No,we’renot!’

‘Don’tforgetthepeachisalotlighternowthanwhenwestartedout,’Jamestoldthem.‘Itlostanawfullotofjuicewhenallthosehailstoneshititinthenight.Cutawaytwomoreseagulls,Centipede!’

‘Ah,that’sbetter!’

‘Herewego!’

‘Nowwereallyaresinking!’

‘Yes,thisisperfect!Don’tbiteanymore,Centipede,orwe’llsinktoofast!Gentlydoesit!’

Slowlythegreatpeachbeganlosingheight,andthebuildingsandstreetsdownbelowbegancomingcloserandcloser.

‘Doyouthinkwe’llallgetourpicturesinthepaperswhenwegetdown?’theLadybirdasked.

‘Mygoodness,I‘veforgottentopolishmyboots!’theCentipedesaid.‘Everyonemusthelpmetopolishmybootsbeforewearrive.’

‘Oh,forheaven’ssake!’saidtheEarthworm.‘Can’tyoueverstopthinkingabout–’

Butheneverfinishedhissentence.Forsuddenly…WHOOOSH!…andtheylookedupandsawahugefour-enginedplanecomeshootingoutofanear-bycloudandgowhizzingpastthemnotmorethantwentyfeetovertheirheads.ThiswasactuallytheregularearlymorningpassengerplanecomingintoNewYorkfromChicago,andasitwentby,itslicedrightthrougheverysingleoneofthesilkenstrings,andimmediatelytheseagullsbrokeaway,andtheenormouspeach,havingnothingtoholditupintheairanylonger,wenttumblingdowntowardstheearthlikealumpoflead.

‘Help!’criedtheCentipede.

‘Saveus!’criedMissSpider.

‘Wearelost!’criedtheLadybird.

‘Thisistheend!’criedtheOld-Green-Grasshopper.

‘James!’criedtheEarthworm.‘Dosomething,James!Quickly,dosomething!’

‘Ican‘t!’criedJames.‘I‘msorry!Good-bye!Shutyoureyeseverybody!Itwon’tbelongnow!’

Thirty-five

Roundandroundandupsidedownwentthepeachasitplummetedtowardstheearth,andtheywereallclingingdesperatelytothestemtosavethemselvesfrombeingflungintospace.

Fasterandfasteritfell.Downanddownanddown,racingcloserandclosertothehousesandstreetsbelow,whereitwouldsurelysmashintoamillionpieceswhenithit.AndallthewayalongFifthAvenueandMadisonAvenue,andalongalltheotherstreetsintheCity,peoplewhohadnotyetreachedtheundergroundshelterslookedupandsawitcoming,andtheystoppedrunningandstoodtherestaringinasortofstuporatwhattheythoughtwasthebiggestbombinalltheworldfallingoutoftheskyontotheirheads.Afewwomenscreamed.Otherskneltdownonthesidewalksandbeganprayingaloud.Strongmenturnedtooneanotherandsaidthingslike,‘Iguessthisisit,Joe,’and‘Good-bye,everybody,good-bye.’AndforthenextthirtysecondsthewholeCityhelditsbreath,waitingfortheendtocome.

Thirty-six

‘Good-bye,Ladybird!’gaspedJames,clingingtothestemofthefallingpeach.‘Good-bye,Centipede.Good-bye,everybody!’Therewereonlyafewsecondstogonowanditlookedasthoughtheyweregoingtofallrightinamongallthetallestbuildings.Jamescouldseetheskyscrapersrushinguptomeetthematthemostawfulspeed,andmostofthemhadsquareflattops,buttheverytallestofthemallhadatopthattaperedoffintoalongsharppoint–likeanenormoussilverneedlestickingupintothesky.

Anditwaspreciselyontothetopofthisneedlethatthepeachfell!

Therewasasquelch.Theneedlewentindeep.Andsuddenly–therewasthegiantpeach,caughtandspikedupontheverypinnacleoftheEmpireStateBuilding.

Thirty-seven

Itwasreallyanamazingsight,andintwoorthreeminutes,assoonasthepeoplebelowrealizedthatthisnowcouldn’tpossiblybeabomb,theycamepouringoutofthesheltersandthesubwaystogapeatthemarvel.Thestreetsforhalfamilearoundthebuildingwerejammedwithmenandwomen,andwhenthewordspreadthattherewereactuallylivingthingsmovingaboutonthetopofthegreatroundball,theneveryonewentwildwithexcitement.

‘It’saflyingsaucer!’theyshouted.

‘TheyarefromOuterSpace!’

‘TheyaremenfromMars!’

‘OrmaybetheycamefromtheMoon!’

Andamanwhohadapairofbinocularstohiseyessaid,‘Theylookpritt-typeculiartome,I’lltellyouthat.’

PolicecarsandfireenginescamescreaminginfromalloverthecityandpulledupoutsidetheEmpireStateBuilding.Twohundredfiremenandsixhundredpolicemenswarmedintothebuildingandwentupintheelevatorsashighastheycouldgo.Thentheypouredoutontotheobservationroof–whichistheplacewheretouristsstand–justatthebottomofthebigspike.

Allthepolicemenwereholdingtheirgunsattheready,withtheirfingersonthetriggers,andthefiremenwereclutchingtheirhatchets.Butfromwheretheystood,almostdirectlyunderneaththepeach,theycouldn’tactuallyseethetravellersupontop.

‘Ahoythere!’shoutedtheChiefofPolice.‘Comeoutandshowyourselves!’

Suddenly,thegreatbrownheadoftheCentipedeappearedoverthesideofthepeach.Hisblackeyes,aslargeandroundastwomarbles,glareddownatthepolicemenandthefiremenbelow.Thenhismonstrousuglyfacebrokeintoawidegrin.

Thepolicemenandthefiremenallstartedshoutingatonce.‘Lookout!’theycried.‘It’saDragon!’

‘It’snotaDragon!It’saWampus!’

‘It’saGorgon!’

‘It’saSea-serpent!’

‘It’saProck!’

‘It’saManticore!’

Threefiremenandfivepolicemenfaintedandhadtobecarriedaway.

‘It’saSnozzwanger!’criedtheChiefofPolice.

‘It’saWhangdoodle!’yelledtheHeadoftheFireDepartment.

TheCentipedekeptongrinning.Heseemedtobeenjoyingenormouslythecommotionthathewascausing.

‘Nowseehere!’shoutedtheChiefofPolice,cuppinghishandstohismouth.‘Youlistentome!Iwantyoutotellmeexactlywhereyou‘vecomefrom!’

‘We‘vecomefromthousandsofmilesaway!’theCentipedeshoutedback,grinningmorebroadlythaneverandshowinghisbrownteeth.

‘Thereyouare!’calledtheChiefofPolice.‘Itoldyoutheycame

fromMars!’

‘Iguessyou’reright!’saidtheHeadoftheFireDepartment.

Atthispoint,theOld-Green-Grasshopperpokedhishugegreenheadoverthesideofthepeach,alongsidetheCentipede’s.Sixmorebigstrongmenfaintedwhentheysawhim.

‘Thatone’sanOinck!’screamedtheHeadoftheFireDepartment.‘Ijustknowit’sanOinck!’

‘OraCockatrice!’yelledtheChiefofPolice.‘Standback,men!Itmayjumpdownonusanymoment!’

‘Whatoneartharetheytalkingabout?’theOld-Green-GrasshoppersaidtotheCentipede.

‘Searchme,’theCentipedeanswered.‘Buttheyseemtobeinanawfulstewaboutsomething.’

ThenMissSpider’slargeblackmurderous-lookinghead,whichtoastrangerwasprobablythemostterrifyingofall,appearednexttotheGrasshopper‘s.

‘Snakesandladders!’yelledtheHeadoftheFireDepartment.‘Wearefinishednow!It’sagiantScorpula!’

‘It’sworsethanthat!’criedtheChiefofPolice.‘It’savermiciousKnid!Oh,justlookatitsvermiciousgruesomeface!’

‘Isthatthekindthateatsfully-grownmenforbreakfast?’theHeadoftheFireDepartmentasked,goingwhiteasasheet.

‘I‘mafraiditis,’theChiefofPoliceanswered.

‘Oh,pleasewhydoesn’tsomeonehelpustogetdownfromhere?’MissSpidercalledout.‘It’smakingmegiddy.’

‘Thiscouldbeatrick!’saidtheHeadoftheFireDepartment.‘Don’tanyonemakeamoveuntilIsay!’

‘They‘veprobablygotspaceguns!’mutteredtheChiefofPolice.

‘Butwe‘vegottodosomething!’theHeadoftheFireDepartmentannouncedgrimly.‘Aboutfivemillionpeoplearestandingdownthereonthestreetswatchingus.’

‘Thenwhydon’tyouputupaladder?’theChiefofPoliceaskedhim.‘I’llstandatthebottomandholditsteadyforyouwhileyougoupandseewhat’shappening.’

‘Thanksverymuch!’snappedtheHeadoftheFireDepartment.

Soontherewerenolessthansevenlargefantasticfacespeeringdownoverthesideofthepeach–theCentipede‘s,theOld-Green-Grasshopper‘s,MissSpider‘s,theEarthworm‘s,theLadybird‘s,theSilkworm‘s,andtheGlow-worm‘s.Andasortofpanicwasbeginningtobreakoutamongthefiremenandthepolicemenontherooftop.

Then,allatonce,thepanicstoppedandagreatgaspofastonishmentwentupallround.Fornow,asmallboywasseentobestandinguptherebesidetheothercreatures.Hishairwasblowinginthewind,andhewaslaughingandwavingandcallingout,‘Hello,everybody!Hello!’

Forafewmoments,themenbelowjuststoodandstaredandgaped.Theysimplycouldn’tbelievetheireyes.

‘Blessmysoul!’criedtheHeadoftheFireDepartment,goingredintheface.‘Itreallyisalittleboy,isn’tit?’

‘Don’tbefrightenedofus,please!’Jamescalledout.‘Wearesogladtobehere!’

‘Whataboutthoseothersbesideyou?’shoutedtheChiefofPolice.‘Areanyofthemdangerous?’

‘Ofcoursethey’renotdangerous!’Jamesanswered.‘They’rethenicestcreaturesintheworld!AllowmetointroducethemtoyouonebyoneandthenI‘msureyouwillbelieveme.’

‘Myfriends,thisistheCentipede,andletmemakeitknown

Heissosweetandgentlethat(althoughhe’sovergrown)

TheQueenofSpain,againandagain,hassummonedhimbyphone

Tobaby-sitandsingandknitandbeachaperone

Whennurseisoffandalltheroyalchildrenarealone.’

(‘Smallwonder,’saidaFireman,‘they’renolongeronthethrone.’)

‘TheEarthworm,ontheotherhand,’

SaidJames,beginningtoexpand,

‘Isgreatfordigginguptheland

Andmakingoldsoilsnewer.

Moreover,youshouldunderstand

Hewouldbeabsolutelygrand

Fordiggingsubwaytunnelsand

Formakingyouasewer.’

(TheEarthwormblushedandbeamedwithpride.

MissSpiderclappedandcheeredandcried,

‘Couldanywordsbetruer?’)

‘AndtheGrasshopper,ladiesandgents,isaboon

Inmillionsandmillionsofways.

Youhaveonlytoaskhimtogiveyouatune

Andheplaysandheplaysandheplays.

Asatoyforyourchildrenhe’sperfectlysweet;

There’snothingsogoodintheshops–

You‘veonlytoticklethesolesofhisfeet

Andhehopsandhehopsandhehops.’

(‘Hecan’tbeveryfierce!’exclaimed

TheHeadofalltheCops.)

‘Andnowwithoutexcuse

I’dliketointroduce

ThischarmingGlow-worm,loverofsimplicity.

Sheiseasytoinstall

Onjourceilingoryourwall,

Andalthoughthissmacksabitofeccentricity,

It’sreallyratherclever

Forthereafteryouwillnever

YouwillNEVERNEVERNEVER

Havetheslightestneedforusingelectricity.’

(Atwhich,nolessthanfifty-two

Policemencried,‘Ifthisistrue

Thatcreature’llgetsomefabulouspublicity!’)

‘AndherewehaveMissSpider

Withamileofthreadinsideher

Whohaspersonallyrequestedmetosay

Thatshe‘sNEVERmetMissMuffet

Onhercharminglittletuffet–

Ifshehadshe‘dNOThavefrightenedheraway.

Shouldherlookssometimesalarmyou

ThenIdon’tthinkitwouldharmyou

Torepeatatleastahundredtimesaday:

“ImustNEVERkillaspider

Imustonlyhelpandguideher

Andinviteherinthenurserytoplay.”’

(ThePoliceallnoddedslightly,

AndtheFiremensmiledpolitely,

Andaboutadozenpeoplecried,‘Hooray!’)

‘Andhere’smydarlingLadybird,sobeautjul,sokind,

Mygreatestcomfortsincethistripbegan.

Shehasfourhundredchildrenandshe’sleftthemallbehind,

Butthey’recomingonthenextpeachofthecan.’

(TheCopscried,‘She’sentrancing!’

AlltheFiremenstarteddancing,

Andthecrowdsallstartedcheeringtoaman!)

‘Andnow,theSilkworm,’Jameswenton,

‘Whosesilkwillbearcomparison

Withallthegreatestsilksthereare

InRomeandPhiladelphia.

Ifyouwouldsearchthewholeworldthrough

FromParaguaytoTimbuctoo

Idon’tthinkyouwouldfindonebit

Ofsilkthatcouldcomparewithit.

EventheshopsinSingapore

Don’thavethestuff.Andwhatismore,

ThisSilkwormhad,I’llhaveyouknow,

Thehonour,notsolongago,

Tospinandweaveandsewandpress

TheQueenofEngland’sweddingdress.

Andshe’salreadymadeandsent

AwaistcoatforyourPresident.’

(‘Well,goodforher!’theCopscriedout,

Andallatonceamightyshout

WentuparoundtheEmpireState,

Let’sgetthemdownatonce!WhyWAIT?’)

Thirty-eight

Fiveminuteslater,theywereallsafelydown,andJameswasexcitedlytellinghisstorytoagroupofflabbergastedofficials.

Andsuddenly–everyonewhohadcomeoveronthepeachwasahero!TheywereallescortedtothestepsofCityHall,wheretheMayorofNewYorkmadeaspeechofwelcome.Andwhilehewasdoingthis,onehundredsteeplejacks,armedwithropesandladdersandpulleys,swarmeduptothetopoftheEmpireStateBuildingandliftedthegiantpeachoffthespikeandloweredittotheground.

ThentheMayorshouted,‘Wemustnowhaveaticker-tapeparadeforourwonderfulvisitors!’

Andsoaprocessionwasformed,andintheleadingcar(whichwasanenormousopenlimousine)satJamesandallhisfriends.

Nextcamethegiantpeachitself.Menwithcranesandhookshadquicklyhoisteditontoaverylargetruckandthereitnowsat,lookingjustashugeandproudandbraveasever.Therewas,ofcourse,abitofaholeinthebottomofitwherethespikeoftheEmpireStateBuildinghadgonein,butwhocaredaboutthat–orindeedaboutthepeachjuicethatwasdrippingoutofitontothestreet?

Behindthepeach,skiddingaboutallovertheplaceinthepeachjuice,cametheMayor’slimousine,andbehindtheMayor’slimousinecameabouttwentyotherlimousinescarryingalltheimportantpeopleoftheCity.

Andthecrowdswentwildwithexcitement.Theylinedthestreets

andtheyleanedoutofthewindowsoftheskyscrapers,cheeringandyellingandscreamingandclappingandthrowingoutbitsofwhitepaperandticker-tape,andJamesandhisfriendsstoodupintheircarandwavedbackatthemastheywentby.

Thenarathercuriousthinghappened.TheprocessionwasmovingslowlyalongFifthAvenuewhensuddenlyalittlegirlinareddressranoutfromthecrowdandshouted,‘Oh,James,James!CouldIpleasehavejustatinytasteofyourmarvellouspeach?’

‘Helpyourself!’Jamesshoutedback.‘Eatallyouwant!Itwon’tkeepforever,anyway!’

Nosoonerhadhesaidthisthanaboutfiftyotherchildrenexplodedoutofthecrowdandcamerunningontothestreet.

‘Canwehavesome,too?’theycried.

‘Ofcourseyoucan!’Jamesanswered.‘Everyonecanhavesome!’

Thechildrenjumpedupontothetruckandswarmedlikeantsalloverthegiantpeach,eatingandeatingtotheirhearts’content.Andasthenewsofwhatwashappeningspreadquicklyfromstreettostreet,moreandmoreboysandgirlscamerunningfromalldirectionstojointhefeast.Soon,therewasatrailofchildrenamilelongchasingafterthepeachasitproceededslowlyupFifthAvenue.Really,itwasafantasticsight.TosomepeopleitlookedasthoughthePiedPiperofHamelinhadsuddenlydescendeduponNewYork.AndtoJames,whohadneverdreamedthattherecouldbesomanychildrenasthisintheworld,itwasthemostmarvellousthingthathadeverhappened.

Bythetimetheprocessionwasover,thewholegiganticfruithadbeencompletelyeatenup,andonlythebigbrownstoneinthemiddle,lickedcleanandshinybytenthousandeagerlittletongues,

wasleftstandingonthetruck.

Thirty-nine

Andthusthejourneyended.Butthetravellerslivedon.Everyoneofthembecamerichandsuccessfulinthenewcountry.

TheCentipedewasmadeVice-President-in-Charge-of-Salesofahigh-classfirmofbootandshoemanufacturers.

TheEarthworm,withhislovelypinkskin,wasemployedbyacompanythatmadewomen’sfacecreamstospeakcommercialsontelevision.

TheSilkwormandMissSpider,aftertheyhadbothbeentaughttomakenylonthreadinsteadofsilk,setupafactorytogetherandmaderopesfortightropewalkers.

TheGlow-wormbecamethelightinsidethetorchontheStatueofLiberty,andthussavedagratefulCityfromhavingtopayahugeelectricitybilleveryyear.

TheOld-Green-GrasshopperbecameamemberoftheNewYorkSymphonyOrchestra,wherehisplayingwasgreatlyadmired.

TheLadybird,whohadbeenhauntedallherlifebythefearthatherhousewasonfireandherchildrenallgone,marriedtheHeadoftheFireDepartmentandlivedhappilyeverafter.

Andasfortheenormouspeachstone–itwassetuppermanentlyinaplaceofhonourinCentralParkandbecameafamousmonument.Butitwasnotonlyafamousmonument.Itwasalsoafamoushouse.Andinsidethefamoushousetherelivedafamousperson–

JAMESHENRYTROTTER

himself.

Andallyouhadtodoanydayoftheweekwastogoandknockuponthedoor,andthedoorwouldalwaysbeopenedtoyou,andyouwouldalwaysbeaskedtocomeinsideandseethefamousroomwhereJameshadfirstmethisfriends.Andsometimes,ifyouwereverylucky,youwouldfindtheOld-Green-Grasshopperinthereaswell,restingpeacefullyinachairbeforethefire,orperhapsitwouldbetheLadybirdwhohaddroppedinforacupofteaandagossip,ortheCentipedetoshowoffanewbatchofparticularlyelegantbootsthathehadjustacquired.

Everydayoftheweek,hundredsandhundredsofchildrenfromfarandnearcamepouringintotheCitytoseethemarvellouspeachstoneinthePark.AndJamesHenryTrotter,whoonce,ifyouremember,hadbeenthesaddestandloneliestlittleboythatyoucouldfind,nowhadallthefriendsandplaymatesintheworld.Andbecausesomanyofthemwerealwaysbegginghhntotellandtellagainthestoryofhisadventuresonthepeach,hethoughtitwouldbeniceifonedayhesatdownandwroteitasabook.

Sohedid.

Andthatiswhatyouhavejustfinishedreading