tales from the stiperstones

7/29/2019 Tales From the Stiperstones

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ales From Te Stiperstones

Te First Adventure

By Jackie Ingham


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Chapter One

BTe Animals Congress


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Order, order! Te owl raised his wing, a sign or obedience. A hush descendedover the throng o animals at the animals congress. From small creatures o theeld to beasts o the woodland a wave o silence moved through them as the whiteowl stood proudly at the ront, commanding respect rom his ellow creatures.

Fellow creatures o eld and woodland, we meet again at the animals congress. Iam your elected leader and I will guide you through our discussions tonight.

It was a cold, moonlit night on top o the Stiperstones, an ancient site o myth andmystery where the animal community o the surrounding hills and elds met twicea year to discuss and resolve issues that concerned them. Te owl had been electedas their leader in these discussions as he was the wisest o creatures and the animalsrespected his word.

With his wing still raised or silence, the owls voice resonated through the largegathering o creatures, rom eld mice to buzzards, rabbits and hares, oxes andbadgers. All were united in listening to the owls words as the larger animals madeway or their smaller neighbours so that all the creatures could see and hear thewise white owl address the audience.

As the stars glimmered in the sky on the rosty night the owl spoke:

Over the past months I have become increasingly concerned with a certainlevel o dissatisaction amongst a small group o you. As animals o the elds,woods and hedgerows we are ortunate to have a ree and wild lie. Whilstthis does not mean a careree lie as we have to nd ood to eed our amiliesand we are orever vigilant and watchul o the harm that man can cause us,we are not bound by the constraints o a human lie.

Te animals listened intently as the owl continued.

However, ellow creatures, I am becoming increasingly concerned that asmall group o you is discontent with the lie we have and are envious o thelives o humans.

Tere was a general muttering amongst the animals and an exclamation o shockand horror rom some areas o the gathering.

Te owl raised his wing Yes, I know this is shocking to those o you who arehappy but it is my duty as your leader to resolve this issue beore the evil o envydestroys our community.


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Te animals looked around amongst each other trying to seek out who it wasamongst them that elt this great envy o humans. Tere was a sudden hush asthe ox walked orward and spoke in his deep resonating voice Leader and ellowanimals I eel that I must speak up. For some time mysel and others have eltthat the humans in this world have a privileged lie whilst we orage or ood,sometimes barely able to eed our young.We are hunted or sport and chased rom our homes, our hedgerow habitats andbarns destroyed by armers and builders. Our lives are changing or the worstwhilst humans have the comort and saety o their homes and amilies. I am notalone in my opinions; there are others amongst us who eel as I do.

Tere broke out a general muttering amongst the throng as each animal looked to

its neighbours, to identiy who amongst them elt this deep dissatisaction.Te owl raised his wing to regain order I know how shocking this is to you. Terewere loud exclamations o agreement as the owl spoke again Fellow creatures, Imust ask or order. Listen to me as your leader. Te animals grew quiet.

I have been giving this a lot o thought and I have a suggestion to make. What Iam about to suggest will seem incredible to most o you, but we must act. I we donot, the envy o humans, which is growing amongst you, will eventually destroyour community. We must take action now!

Te crowd ell silent, wondering what the owl had in mind.

o a hushed audience, with those at the back straining to listen, the owl explainedhis proposal.

Tere is a way that animals can experience what it is like to live in the humanworld. At this a murmur o shock and disbelie resonated through the air.

Te great silver backed stag that lives in the valley o the Habberley rook, deepin the woods that are rarely visited by mankind, has magical powers.Some o the older animals nodded their heads as they recalled the tales that theiroreathers had told them o the elusive stag with magical powers.

Te owl continued.Te great silver backed stag appears once a year at the place where the Habberleywaters ow in to the Earlsdale pool, at the oot o the Lyddles water all. From thismagical pool the great silver backed stag is able to grant the wishes o animals atmidnight on that one day in the year.


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Great excitement lled the audience as the owl raised his wing or silence.

Tat day is approaching. It is one week rom tonight. Step orward any o you whowish to pass in to the human world.

A great noise broke out and lled the inky blackness o the night sky. Te starsseemed to twinkle aster as the animals ercely debated the owls proposal. Someo the older animals shouted out that the idea was disgraceul, whilst some o theyounger animals expressed their support or any amongst them who wanted toexperience the human world.

Trough the noisy throng, a small group o animals pushed their way orward to

join the owl at the ront o the audience. Te ox, the hare, badger and a small eldmouse stood at the owls side as silence once again descended.

Very well said the owl, addressing the audience and pointing towards the groupat his side. You our shall meet at the Lydles waterall, one week rom today at thehour o midnight. Tis is my will, this shall happen.

Tis is my nal word declared the owl, lowering his wings, indicating that themeeting was over.

Te animals turned their backs, returning to their homes. onights proceedingswould be the talk in hedgerows, elds and woods or many weeks to come.


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Chapter wo

B

Te Great Silver Backed Stag


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Te ull moon glowed yellow and cast its reection across the pool o cool waterthat ormed at the base o the Lyddles waterall.

In the middle o the pool a huge stag stood, languidly drinking the water. Hestamped as he shook water rom his antlers which caused sprays o ne mist to dritup in to the night sky. Te moonlight shimmered across his back and showed themagnicence o his silver coat.

A small group o animals stood timidly on the shore, waiting in silence. Te ullmoons ace seemed to smile down on them as they stood, awestruck by the scenein ront o them. Suddenly, the silence was broken. Over the top o the waterallcame a urry o wings as the owl hovered and then dived down towards the stag.

Te stag raised his head lotily and spoke to the owl in his deep, bellowing voice.What brings you here wise owl, its many years since you have crossed my path.

Te owl landed gently on the stags back.

I am here, not on my behal great stag but to ask you to use your magical powersand grant my companions stood on the shore, a very special wish.

Te stag looked over at the meek group stood on the shore and took a ew steps

orward towards them. He turned his huge head rom right to let and his eyesseemed to penetrate each one o them as he worked his way down the line oanimals the ox, the badger, the eld mouse and the hare.

What do you desire o me, ellow animals? the stag directed his question to thegroup.which one o you will speak?

Te ox stepped orward I shall speak great stag, said the ox looking up in to thestags mighty ace.

We our animals the hare, badger, eld mouse and I want to become humans.Can you grant this wish or us great stag?

Te stag shook his antlers and kicked his ront eet so that water sprayed up and acloak o water soaked the group. Te owl ew to the shore.

Te stag responded Tis is a very serious thing you ask o me. He paused, deepin thought.


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Te group o animals watched him intently, wondering i he would grant theirwish. Te atmosphere was tense. Ater some time, the stag turned back towardsthem. He looked at each one in turn and then let out a big sigh rom his greatnostrils.

Very well, I will grant your wish but listen very careully to what I say to you. Youare embarking on a very serious journey, which may be dangerous or you. Youmay nd that the human world is not what you imagine it to be. However, yourleader, the owl is wise and unless you experience this world or yourselves, you willalways wonder what it is like and you will never eel satised in the animal world.Your envy will turn to bitterness and your unhappiness will spread to your ellowcreatures.

Te ox looked across at the others with a smile o relie on his ace. Te othersnodded their happiness at the decision. Te eld mouse gave a little squeak ojoy and the hare hopped with glee. Te stag stamped his oot to re-gain theirattention. Silence descended once again, as the stag continued.

I will grant you human orm so that you may live in the human world. However,to each other and to other animals, you will appear hal human and hal animal sothat your own kind can recognise you. Also, and this is o the utmost importance.he continued.

Te animals listened intently as the stag stepped towards them, orcing them tolook in to his deep eyes.

I you nd that the human world is not what you expect it to be and you wish toreturn to the animal world, then you must meet me here, on this very night at thisvery time, one year rom today. It will be your only chance to return. Ater that,you will be bound to live in the human world or ever more. You must not ventureto your old home the Stiperstones, though there will be times when you are drawnthere. I you do return to the Stiperstones in your human orm you will be boundto stay as humans or ever and you will oreit your chance to return to the animalworld until the day you die. Do you understand me?

Each one o the animals nodded that they understood and with that, the GreatStag turned and disappeared through the spray o the waterall and was gone, as ihe had never been there.

And so the adventure began as the our riends entered the human world.


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Chapter Tree

BMr Foxley Starts a New Job


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Mr Foxley walked proudly up the driveway towards Willowdale manor, to take uphis new job as estate manager or the Willowdale Estate.

His eet crunched on the gravel as he approached the ront door and he tapped hispipe on a nearby stone beore placing it in his jacket pocket.

He stood back and admired the magnicent castellated building beore steppingorward to lit the brass lion-headed door knocker. Just in time, he noticed a signby the door `would sta and tradesmen kindly use the rear door access.

Mr Foxley proceeded through the red-bricked archway at the side o the driveway insearch o the back door. Tis brought him out in to a horse-shoe shaped courtyard,

with stables on one side and the back entrance to the house on the other.On reaching the back door, Mr Foxley rang the doorbell. He could hear distantootsteps which ater a ew minutes reached the door. Te door opened and MrFoxley was greeted by a tall middle aged man who stepped out in to the courtyardto greet him. Te man looked Mr Foxley up and down, taking in his appearance.Mr Foxley looked quite distinguished with his neatly trimmed red hair, moustacheand beard. His smart tweed jacket, matching trousers and new boots were boundto make a good rst impression as he stood smiling with his hands in his pockets.

Ah, you must be Foxley, the new estate manager said the man oering his handand smiling warmly.

Im Jonathan, the owner o the estate. My wie Anna and I are very pleased to haveyou on board. Weve heard good things about you. Now let me show you around.

Jonathan led the way through a gate next to the stables which opened out in to alarge walled vegetable and herb garden. Mr Foxley inhaled the strong smell o theherbs and admired the neat rows o vegetables.

My, this is a glorious garden you have here he said admiringly.

Yes it has taken my wie and me quite some years to restore this garden to itsormer glory. y the way, I didnt catch your rst name, what is it? asked Jonathan.

Oh just call me Foxley, everyone does.

Tey continued to crunch along the gravelled path to a door in the wall that opened


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out in to a smaller enclosed orchard with sheds and a stable on one side and anumber o large chicken runs in the middle.We are very animal riendly on this estate Foxley said Jonathan walking towards

the chicken runs.ut there are three types o wild animal that plague us. Moles dig up our vegetableplot, rats inest our stables and oxes take our chickens, explained Jonathan pointingat the chicken runs.

Mr Foxley nearly laughed out loud but stopped in time. From his own experience,he could see many ways in which a ox could get in to the chicken runs!

I can make those runs more securely ox-proo or you

Jonathan looked at him with surprise.

Well old chap, i you can do what weve ailed to do, please go ahead.Jonathan gave a chuckle and looked at Mr FoxleyWell you must know the sly old ox better than I do. Perhaps its something to dowith your red hair.

Foxley replied:

Well, most people think that the ox kills or un, but he doesnt, he kills toeed his amily and will bury the chickens to retrieve later. I ever you nd deadchickens near the run, it is because the ox has been disturbed and hasnt had timeto take them away and bury them.

Jonathan did not look convinced but said Well in any case, they are a pest to usand whilst we do not go along with ox hunting, we do shoot oxes on the estate.I tell you what, later in the week you and I should go and shoot some o thosedamned vermin. I take it you can handle a shotgun Foxley?

Foxley gulped and tried not to look alarmed Yes, er, yes, o course Foxley triedto sound convincing but dreaded the thought o shooting a ellow ox or even onerelated to him.

Anyway Foxley continue Jonathan, seemingly not to notice Mr Foxleys alarm.

Ill leave you to discover the rest o the estate at your leisure. When youve had a


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look around, perhaps you could start by checking the rat traps in the stables andwith that Jonathan turned in the direction o the house. As Jonathan walked awayMr Foxley looked out over the garden, surveying his surroundings. Yes, he would

be very happy here, he thought.Mr Foxley spent the next couple o hours sizing up the estate, making a mentalnote o the work that needed doing. Just beore lunch he returned to the orchard tocheck the rat traps in the stable. His keen sense o smell told him that there was arat in one o the traps.Tere were two horses tethered in the stables and both neighed in alarm as MrFoxley walked by them. His sense o smell led him to the trap that containeda lovely, sleek black rat with a beautiul long tail. He looked very orlorn andrightened and as Mr Foxley picked up the trap the rat started to paw and bite at

the metal, desperate to escape. Te rat looked up as Mr Foxley knelt down.

Fox, Fox cried the rat please let me out, I have babies to eed.

I will let you out said Mr Foxley. And you can run home to your babies but dontcome back to these stables, as there are many traps that will catch you. Go down tothe brook and build your nest there, where you and your babies will be much saer.

And with that Mr Foxley opened the trap and the rat scurried away, only looking

back briey to raise a paw in gratitude. Mr Foxley sidled past the horses who hadrelaxed at his presence in the stables and who looked at him with disdain over thetop o the stable door. Te rst horse, a big old mare, looked at him insolently andsneered.

You are not supposed to release the rats like that, the master get rid o you.

Mr Foxley looked at the horse deantly who is going to tell the master exactly?and with that let the stable.

Mr Foxley spent a pleasant couple o days overseeing the repair o ences aroundthe estate and getting to know the lie o the land. owards the end o the week,Jonathan came out to greet him one morning as he arrived or work.

Well Foxley, hows it going? Settled in old chap?

Oh yes Im enjoying the job hugely thank you replied Mr Foxley.


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Well I tell you what continued Jonathan as its such a ne day and as I heardthose damned oxes in the night again last night, well take the guns and see i wecan shoot a couple o them later today.

Mr Foxley tried to hide the horror he was eeling inside and managed to stutter a reply

Ok, Ill meet you later; youll come and nd me I presume?

Jonathan nodded in the afrmative. Mr Foxley hastily turned away hoping that hisinner turmoil did not show on his ace.

Te ne morning was spoiled by the thought o what was to come later in the day.

It was hard to concentrate on his work when his stomach churned with anxiety andhe broke out in to a sweat every time he thought o shooting oxes.What was he going to do? For the rst time since living in the human world, MrFoxley wished he was back in the animal world.

A tap on his shoulder shook him rom his reverie. It was Jonathan carrying two shot guns.He held one out towards Foxley, indicating with a nod o his head that he should take it.

Right old chap, take this gun and well see i we can rid the world o a ox or two

and with that Jonathan marched across the eld, indicating that Mr Foxley shouldollow.

Over the eld they walked and Mr Foxley hated every step he took. As they nearedthe ox sett Jonathan indicated to keep silent. Tere was a natural rise in the landjust beore the sett and they lay down at this point, waiting or the oxes to emergerom their home.

Jonathan whispered Teyve got young and Ive seen them out at this time o day,so we may get lucky.

Just as he nished his sentence, a vixen and two cubs emerged rom the sett to playin the midday sunshine. Jonathan indicated to re and the next second there was aloud rapport as Jonathan red at the ox amily. Mr Foxley had his eyes closed andhardly dared open them or ear o what he may see beore him.


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Damn, just missed Jonathan was annoyed with himsel What happened toyou? he asked, as the mother and cubs scrambled back down the hole.I can see Ill have to send you up to the shooting range to practise

Mr Foxley breathed a huge sigh o relie. Sae until another day.


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Chapter Four

BMrs Mousehole akes a Walk


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Mrs Mousehole loved living in her cosy cottage in the village with her husband andtwo children. Te cottage was very old with white washed exterior walls and quaintlittle windows and a latched ront door. Te cottage garden was careully tended byMr Mousehole who grew seasonal vegetables as well as an array o owers whichwere much admired by their neighbours. Tey grew plants that would attract beesand butteries and there were lots o birds attracted to the garden in the springtime. Mr Mousehole joked that it was like motorway services as the blue tits, robinsand sparrows as well as the occasional thrush ew in to eed on the seeds and nutsMrs Mousehole put out or them. Sometimes a pheasant would be brave enough toventure in and the wonderul bright colours o its plumage would be much admiredby the Mouseholes.

Living in the human world was everything Mrs Mousehole had hoped it would

be. She was warm, had plenty to eat and had a loving amily to keep her company.Tere was no longer the constant search or ood or the need to be vigilant againstpredators. Her daily lie ollowed a amiliar pattern. She would rise early, preparebreakast or her husband and children, and wave her dear husband goodbye as hewent to work. Later she would put the baby in the pram as she walked her young sonto the village Primary School. Along the way, she would chat to other mothers androm time to time, wonder in silence at her good luck in nding such a contented lie.

She led a wonderul domestic lie, rarely venturing ar rom the village. Why would

she? She had everything she ever dreamed o and she elt sorry when she thoughtabout her ellow creatures struggling on in the animal world. She would wave to thevillagers on her return rom the Primary School, calling in to the local store to buygroceries to eed her amily.

Oh lie was so much easier as a human. Except or one thing occasionally MrsMousehole would nd hersel daydreaming about the past and yearning or thereedom o lie on the Stiperstones. o scurry amongst the rocks, smell the heather,nibble the whinberries and eel the wind in her ur. Lie as a human elt constrainedin comparison. Tere were so many expectations o her, so many responsibilities.

On a very ne spring day, Mrs Mousehole dropped her son at the Primary Schooland with the baby in a sling, decided to climb Earlsdale Hill.

Tis was the rst time she had ventured out o the village and her heart pounded inher chest. What would she nd on the hill? How would she eel away rom the sae,amiliar surroundings o the village?


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As she walked along the path leading to the hill she relaxed in the sunshine and therhythm o her walking lulled the baby to sleep. She ound hersel thinking back onceagain to her previous lie and she smiled as she recalled her ormer world. She lookedat the greenery surrounding her and the amiliar musty smell o the undergrowth.She could not resist bending down to take in the smell o the earth. What a privilegeto roam reely, unettered by the cares and responsibilities o the human world. Howlucky she had been living her lie on the Stiperstones. How could she have yearnedor a human existence? She banished these thoughts rom her mind and concentratedon the path in ront o her.

Mrs Mousehole climbed the steep, mossy path up to the very summit o the hill. Sheshielded the sun rom her eyes with her hands and looked across at the ar distanthills the Stiperstones! How she longed to go there. o once again run around

amongst the rocks and be truly ree. She remembered the warning the great stag hadgiven her and her animal riends and cast the thought rom her mind.

She heard a buzzard overhead, its shrill call slicing through the silence. It woke herrom her reverie and reminded her that lie on the Stiperstones had not been entirelycareree. In her ormer lie, the buzzard would have regarded her as his dinner.

And with that thought, Mrs Mousehole turned and headed back down to the paththat would take her to the village and her sae human lie.

As she rounded a bend in the path, she was stopped in her tracks by a big black dogbounding towards her. Where was its owner? she thought as she peered along thepath in ront o her. With horror Mrs Mousehole realised that the dog had a smallrabbit in its jaws and was vigorously shaking the poor creature.

Oh help me, help me mouse, this brute will shake me to death cried the rabbit.Mrs Mousehole lunged towards the dog and managed to catch hold o it by its collar.Te sudden motion awoke the baby in the sling who started to scream.

Te scene was one o commotion but the noise o the baby screaming made the dogbark and as it did so the rabbit was released rom its jaws and it instantly ran o in tothe undergrowth.

Seconds later the dogs owner came sauntering around the corner.Oh obby, did you catch a rabbit then? Good boy laughed the owner, a middleaged woman, as she took the dog back rom Mrs Mousehole.


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Mrs Mousehole looked at the owner horried:

How could you congratulate your dog or catching a poor deenceless rabbit? Itscruel, remonstrated Mrs Mousehole.

Te owner looked at Mrs Mousehole with surprise and contempt.Whats another dead rabbit? Teyre a nuisance, they get in to my garden and eatall the plants. Tey cost me a ortune. I encourage obby here to kill as many as hewants to. And with that obby and his owner ounced o.

Well, thought Mrs Mousehole, Why cant humans show more respect to theirellow creatures. What gives them the right to class animals as a nuisance and to treat

them in such a careless manner? She walked on her way eeling very cross and upset.

Suddenly the human world did not seem so attractive to Mrs Mousehole and shewas hugely relieved when she opened the door to her cottage to nd sanctuary againwithin its walls.


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Chapter Five

BMr Brock at School


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Mr rock loved his job as headmaster o the village primary school. He particularlyenjoyed teaching the children about nature and the countryside, subjects he knew alot about rom his lie as a badger on the Stiperstones.

In his ree time he would wander near his old home but being careul never to ventureto the Stiperstone hills, remembering the warning that the Great Stag had issuedwhen he and his ellow creatures had been granted their wish to live in the humanworld.

He would walk through the lovely Onny valley and gaze up at the craggy rocks thatsilhouetted the sky line on the Stiperstone hills. At the weekend, Mr rock wouldpack up his rucksack and wearing his stoutest walking boots head o in to the secretplaces o the Upper Onny Valley. Each season brought new delights to Mr rocks

eyes the heather, bluebells and march marigolds as well as butteries, dragoniesand the Crane Fly or as he taught the children at school, the `Daddy-Long-Legs.His ears were in tune with the sound o birds, such as the gold crest, curlews withtheir long beaks, lapwings with their `pee-wit call, as well as the buzzard circlingoverhead with its distinctive cry, seeking out its next meal in the grasslands below.

Te environment was rich in earthworms and in his previous lie in the animal world,he would have oraged the undergrowth or them at night because they provided atasty supper. No longer the need to search out his ood, he enjoyed the luxury o the

human world by buying his ood at the local shop. He would nd a shady spot nearto the Onny stream and unpack his careully wrapped sandwiches and enjoy thepeaceul surroundings.

One particularly ne spring morning, Mr rock decided to take some o the childrento the school pond or a spot o pond dipping. eore he took the children to thepond he had visited it briey to alert the pond animals o the impending visit. Terogs were very busy at this time o year producing the rog spawn and it was a verydelicately balanced environment which he did not want the children to destroy so hewould teach them to be sensitive and respectul to the creatures living in the pond.

As he crouched down at the edge o the pond there was a plop as a rog popped herhead out o the water.

Good morning badger, how are you today? she asked, blinking her bulbous eyes athim.

I am ne thank you Mrs Frog. What a lovely warm morning it is and I see you havebeen busy laying rog spawn said Mr rock, admiring the clusters o white eggs in


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the shallows o the pond. Te weather is turning warmer and soon you will have lotso tadpoles.

Yes, it will be a veritable crche soon and we shall be very busy parents indeedreplied Mrs Frog.

Mr rock cleared his throat and continued Ive just called by to tell you that I ambringing some o the children down to the pond this morning to do some ponddipping. As always I shall tell the children to be careul and gentle but its such awonderul way o teaching them about the diversity o the wildlie in the pond heexplained.

Oh thank you or warning me badger, Ill let the other creatures know. Weve got

a very busy community living here nowadays as its such a lovely, clean pond. Wevejust had some screech beetles and whirligig beetles move in, as well as the newts andsticklebacks which moved here towards the end o last summer.

Great, the children will love it. Ill go and get them ready said Mr rock wavingarewell to Mrs Frog and heading back along the path to the school.

Now children said Mr rock addressing the group beore him in the school hall.Please make sure each o you is wearing your wellies and that you have a net. When

we get to the pond I shall put some pond water in our clear plastic containers so thatyou can put your discoveries in them. When you get to the pond please be very careulnot to slip in and tread sotly so as not to scare any o the creatures away. Tere arearound 50 types o creatures in the pond and I want you to start by sweeping yournet gently among the plants at the edge o the pond and then amongst the submergedweeds, being careul not to damage them. Finally, we will plunge our nets deep inthe sludge at the bottom o the pond, where there are lots o water insects living.

Te children spent a contented morning collecting and observing the creaturesthey had discovered in the pond. Tere were water boatmen ound at the bottomo the pond and pond skaters which used their long legs to skim across the surace,ambushing smaller insects on the ponds surace. Te children were delighted withthe whirling beetles which spun on the surace in groups and with the screech beetlewhich made a squeaking noise when Mr rock gently squeezed them. lue and reddamsel ies uttered graceully amongst the plants at the edge o the pond and therogs made a brie appearance, bobbing up above the surace so that the childrencould catch a glimpse o their bulbous eyes.

Having returned all the creatures careully to their home in the pond the children


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On returning to the school hall, he was greeted by the sight and noise o the childrenunpacking their school lunches. Despite the hubbub in the hall he was stopped inhis tracks by the same cry he had heard earlier. Yes, there it was again but where wasit coming rom? Mr rock casually wandered in and out o the tables, inormallyglancing around him, trying to establish the source o the cry or help.

As he approached a table in the corner o the room where two little boys were huddledover something they clearly did not want to share with the rest o the room, Mrrock heard the cry again, but this time much louder than beore Help me someone,help me please! the voice cried out.

Mr rock elt his heart beat aster; some poor creatures were clearly in distress.

He peered over the heads o the two boys who were urtively examining somethingon the edge o the table and then Mr rock saw, with a eeling o shock and dismay,what the boys were looking at. It was poor Mr Frog in a match box. Mr rockought back his eelings o anger and indignation at the sight beore him. Teseboys had clearly not listened or understood what Mr rock had tried to teach themabout treating ellow creatures with respect and leaving them to live in their ownenvironment. Poor Mr Frog looked desperately rightened and his eyes blinkedrapidly with panic.

As Mr rock reached over the heads o the boys to rescue Mr Frog there was a loudmeow as the school cat pounced up on to the table and swept a paw in the direction oMr Frog. Mr Frog must have elt he was in the middle o a battle eld one momentheld captive and the next a huge cat trying to sweep him away. He somehow oundthe will to hop o the table and took reuge on the oor against one o the table legs.

y this time the whole school had become aware o the commotion as Mr rockscrabbled around on the oor trying to retrieve Mr Frog and at the same timewarding o the advancing cat. Just as the cat took another swipe at Mr Frog, Mrrock managed to sweep him up to saety.

Mr rock heaved a huge sigh o relie as he walked rapidly to the door with Mr Frogsaely in the palm o his hand. As he stepped out in to the school grounds and headedor the pond he apologised prousely to Mr Frog.

Oh I am so sorry or your distress Mr Frog, those naughty boys taking you out o thepond like that. I really had no idea they had taken you. Are you alright?


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Well, replied Mr Frog I am a little shaken but I shall be ne when I am reunitedwith Mrs Frog. I dare say the old girl is worrying about me.

Tats very orgiving o you Mr Frog. I cant apologise enough or the dreadulbehaviour o some o the children. Tey clearly had not listened to a word I said tothem.

Oh its not your ault badger. Unortunately, its what some humans are like. Weare smaller than them and they eel they can do whatever they want to us and ourhomes.

Mr rock returned Mr Frog to the pond and a very relieved Mrs Frog. Mr rockretraced his steps to the school deep in thought. It would be a while beore he took

the children pond dipping again. Tis incident reminded him that he still did notentirely understand humans and not or the rst time, he wondered whether he wouldhave been happier i he had remained in the animal world.


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Final Chapter

BTe Return


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From time to time, the our animal riends met up and went walking together.Tey could be themselves in each others company and did not have to pretend tobe something they were not, as they had to when they were with humans.

One warm summers day they decided to take a walk in the lanes and they ambledalong happily in one anothers company, each telling the others a little about theirhuman lie. On this particular day, everything around them seemed to be abuzzwith lie. Tere were owers in the hedgerows, birds singing in the trees and theour riends elt happy and contented.

Teir contentment was suddenly broken by a amiliar, distant sound over the elds.Oh no exclaimed Mr Foxley, its the hunt.

A ew minutes later a pack o ox hounds, tales alot and horses sweating rom thechase, thronged out in to the lane.How despicable muttered Mr rock.

Te our riends stood and watched as the pack o dogs snied the ground beorepicking up the scent and racing o up the lane, ollowed by the horses and riders.

I wonder where the poor ox is? said Mrs Mousehole sadly.

Te riends wandered on eeling sad or their ellow creature. Te glow o the dayhad disappeared to be lled with a grey despair.

Suddenly, out o the hedge darted something red. It was the ox. He turned to theriends and pleaded Oh help me, help me please, Im exhausted. Te dogs are hoton my trail and theyll have me in their jaws at any moment and rip me apart.

Te riends looked at one another determined to help, but what could they doagainst a pack o dogs baying or blood and determined huntsmen on horses?

Tey could hear the call o the hunting horn ahead o them up the lane as the packreturned towards them. ime was running out.

Quick, cause a diversion said Mr Hopper.Mrs Mousehole, quick as ever, ran ahead up the lane, determined to divert thehunt away rom the ox. Te others stayed with the ox to try to hide him in someway, though they knew the dogs would pick up his scent and he was too exhaustedto go anywhere.


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Tey were trying to think o some way to conceal him when a loud thud andscreech o breaks behind them made them turn.

A blue car had come tearing around the corner o the lane and bang! It threw MrsMousehole up in the air and she rolled across the bonnet o the car and in to theditch at the side o the lane.

Te riends ran in alarm up the lane to the limp body o Mrs Mousehole. Tedriver o the car speeded o without a backward glance.

Te riends were beside themselves.Oh poor, poor Mrs Mousehole cried Mr rock picking up her limp hand. Teytried to comort her and assess her injuries.

Mrs Mousehole lay still and lieless. She was badly hurt. Tere had been a thud asher head hit the ground and blood seeped in to the mud o the verge.

As the lie drained rom her Mrs Mouseholes body started to revert to its animalorm, gradually losing her human eatures. For a brie moment, she opened her bigmouse eyes and two tears welled up and rolled down the ur on her ace and caughtin her whiskers. Her whiskers twitched and her tail momentarily curled beorelying limp on the ground. She whispered one last time to her grie stricken riends:ake me home to the Stiperstones and with her last wish so Mrs Mousehole

closed her eyes.We must take her home said Mr rock, gulping back tears. He picked up MrsMouseholes tiny, delicate mouse body rom the ground and careully placed it inthe big pocket o his overcoat.ut how can we? asked Mr Foxley.You remember what the great silver backed stag said? We cannot return to theStiperstones in our human ormut we must said Mr Hopper with urgency. It was mouses dying wish, wecannot let her down and in truth, I would like to return. I nd that as each daypasses, so my longing to return to the animal world grows stronger.Te others nodded their heads in agreement.

We must seek out the great silver backed stag at the midnight hour on the specialday at the Lyddles waterall said Mr Foxley

ut it is much more than a year since we entered this world, surely it is too late?asked Mr rock


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We must try to nd him, we owe it to mouse said Mr Foxley determinedly.

And so the three riends resolved to return to the animal world o the Stiperstones,to take their dear riend mouse home to where she belonged. o place her bodyamongst the rocks and heather so her spirit would be at peace.

Te riends would set out on another journey to nd the Great Stag again and theirway back home - the return journey to the place where they truly belonged!


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Written By Jackie Ingham

Illustrated by Jacinta Ingham

tales from the stiperstones

Documents