Sammy Squirrel

Sammy, the little squirrel lived with his sisters in a lovely little house inside a big willow tree.  Sammy has five little sisters; their names are Susie, Sarah, Sandy, Cindy and Sally.  We already know about Sammy and his sisters from the previous story and we know that Sammy had made some new friends to play with and that he was a very happy little squirrel.

It was a lovely Saturday morning.  The sun was shining brightly.  There were a few white clouds blowing by slowly in the sky.  Sammy woke up rather early that morning, because today, he was going to visit his Daddy’s station!   He was a very excited squirrel!

Sammy’s Daddy was a fire fighter. He worked for the Local Fire Brigade.  Sammy’s Daddy, Mr. Squirrel, had been working there for as long as Sammy could remember, and today his Daddy had promised to take Sammy with him to work!

“Come on Sammy, let’s get a move on! We don’t want to be late on your first day at work!” Exclaimed Mr. Squirrel.  Sammy said goodbye to his Mummy and his five sisters, who were busy eating their breakfast, and set off with his Daddy.

They walked to the Fire Brigade Station. It wasn't far and it was a lovely warm day.  Mr. Squirrel liked to walk.  He always met a lot of his friends on the way. There was Mr. Rabbit, who was digging in his front garden.  Then there was Mr. Toad in the nearby pond, sunbathing on a lily pad.  Then they met Mr. Dog, the sheep dog, who looked after the sheep in the field.  Mr. Squirrel and sammy said good morning to all their friends and neighbours until they reached the Fire Brigade Station.

Sammy was very impressed with the station.  It was a big building painted in red with a blue roof and blue window shutters.  The building had just been painted recently and it looked lovely and bright and clean in the sun.  Mr. Squirrel took Sammy by the hand and led him into the garages.  “You can have a good look at our two brand new fire-engines.” Said Mr. Squirrel.

Sammy could not believe his eyes!  There were two beautiful fire engines standing next to each other.  They were bright red in colour with blue stripes all around the engines.  There were two huge ladders painted blue and a bright blue hose on both sides of the fire engine, but the thing that really caught his attention was the bright gold bell that hung inside the fire engine.

“These are our two beauties,” said Mr. Squirrel with pride.  “We drive in the front part of the engine as you can see over there.  When we drive off we pull on the bell to warn anyone in the way that we are passing through!”  “Wow!” Exclaimed Sammy “that sounds like fun”  Mr. Squirrel laughed.  “At the back of the engine we have the ladders and ropes which we use when we have to put out a fire”.  “Have you been up the ladders Daddy?” Asked Sammy.  “Why, of course! Plenty of times! Usually when we are drilling.” “What’s drilling?” Asked Sammy as he examined the fire engine for the tenth time.

“Drilling is when we are practising, it is like pretending there is a fire, say, in a house or in a field, we put the fire out using these hoses and the ladders, we hose down the flames with water, that is what drilling is all about.”  Mr. Squirrel explained to Sammy that although he enjoyed his work, it was still hard work, and should be taken seriously.

Sammy was having a wonderful time.  He met the other fire fighters who worked with his Daddy.  He was given a bright yellow helmet to wear and was shown all over the building.  Sammy even managed to slide down the emergency pole, which was used if they were in a hurry, instead of using stairs.

Sammy and his Daddy were having lunch out in the sunshine when they saw Mr. Dog.  Mr. Dog came bounding up the path towards the fire brigade building.  He started shouting. “Fire! Fire! There’s a fire at the Old Grange, near the sheep farm.  You must come quickly!  It will spread in my field if you don’t put it out!” The sheep dog was out of breath and was heaving and breathing heavily.  “Calm down now!” exclaimed Mr. Squirrel “Or we will need an ambulance as well as a fire engine!”  Mr. Squirrel ran off to ring the signal bell to warn the others that they were needed.

Mr. Squirrel then took Sammy by the hand and said “If you behave and do as you are told, I’ll let you ride with us in the engine”  Sammy was so thrilled!  He was lifted up in the front seat next to the driver and told to wear his helmet.  His Daddy was at the back of the engine holding on to the ladder with the rest of the crew.  “Now young man” Said the driver very seriously.  “You have a very important job to do.  It is your job to pull the bell whenever you see somebody in the middle of the road!  We can’t stop you know!  We must get to the fire as quickly a possible!”

Sammy was so happy! He was actually doing something useful and important for the fire brigade!  He pulled and pulled on the bell! CLANG! CLANG! Went the bell all over town.  The bell had never been rung so much or so well!  People in the streets kept out of the engine’s way.  Children ran out of their houses to follow the fire engine.  It was ever so exciting!

In no time at all they reached the Old Grange.  The Old Grange was a deserted farm that had been abandoned years ago.  The local villagers had wanted to pull it down but never got round to doing it.  Now it was in flames!  Sammy and the fire brigade arrived in time to put out the fire before it spread to Mr. Dog’s field.  Sammy had to wait in the fire engine for safety but he didn't mind at all, after all he helped by pulling the bell!

The fire brigade put out the fire using the hoses, they did not need the ladders, as the Old Grange wasn't a high building.  Children gathered round in awe, looking on at the men and especially at Sammy who sat proudly with his hat on in the front with his hand resting on the bell rope in case he was asked to ring it!  When the fire was out everyone cheered and clapped and all the children danced around the fire engine.

Sammy and the team drove back to the station, talking all at once, how they had succeeded in putting out the fire in time.  Mr, Squirrel carried Sammy on his shoulders into the station and all the crew patted Sammy on the back for doing a grand job.

Just before Sammy and his Daddy left the station for home, Sammy was approached by one of the team.  “Sammy Squirrel, we are presenting you with this gold badge for doing such a fine job today, we are all proud of you! Keep up the good work son!”

Sammy wore the badge all the way home, showing it off to all his friends and neighbours.  When he got home he proudly showed it to his sisters and his Mummy, relating the exciting day he had had with his Daddy and the Fire Brigade.  His sisters gathered round him to listen to his wonderful story and they made him repeat it over and over again!

It was time to go to bed and for once Sammy went up without complaining.  He was so tired!  “It is very tiring being a fire fighter!  When I grow up, I’m going to be a fire fighter just like my Dad!”  He was soon fast asleep with his badge stuck on his pyjamas, and his yellow helmet on his pillow!

Happy dreams Sammy!

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Charlie VS Tickles

Charlie and Tickles had become the best of friends.  Charlie was an orange and yellow striped cat, and Tickles was an orange and yellow striped tiger.  These two animals got on very well together.  They played a lot together and practically agreed on everything.  All the other animals at their school knew that Charlie and Tickles were best mates and nothing could separate them!  Well almost nothing!

Charlie and Tickles lived in a little village called The Oak Tree Village. It was a very small village and in the middle of the village was a very huge oak tree. The villagers named this village after the oak tree.  The oak tree was an excellent place for picnics, as its branches reached out and covered a great area with shade. Many families would meet together under the oak tree and pass the day chatting and catching up on local gossip, whilst the children would wander off, playing games together, racing, or swimming in the river nearby.

One fine Saturday morning, Charlie’s Mummy, Mrs. Cat was preparing a fine picnic for her and her family.  They were to meet other families for a picnic by the oak tree.  Charlie was getting his kite ready to take with him.  He couldn’t find the string for the kite and was frantically looking in his toy box when Tickles arrived to walk with him to the picnic site.  Tickles Mummy and Daddy were to meet them there later on.  Tickles Daddy, Mr. Tiger owned the local grocery shop and had to close up before he could come to the picnic.

Tickles helped Charlie look for the string.  They finally found it tied to the end of Charlie’s bed.  “I remember now,” said Charlie “We used the string to tie Felix up when we were playing prisoners last time!”  They bounded downstairs together nearly knocking over Mr. Cat, he was carrying the picnic basket full of goodies to eat.  “Slow down boys! I’m carrying something precious, we wouldn't want to drop this basket of lovely food, would we!”

They soon set off for the picnic site.  When Charlie, Tickles, Mr. and Mrs. Cat arrived, all their friends who lived nearby welcomed them.  There was Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel and their little ones; there was Mr. and Mrs. Duck and their ducklings, Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit and their numerous children.  The little rabbits were all over the place, there were so many of them that you could not stop to count them!  Even Mrs. Rabbit did not know how many children she had!

Mrs. Cat sat down under the big oak tree to keep out of the warm sun.  Mr. Cat went off with Charlie and Tickles to fly Charlie’s colourful kite.  When Ms. Cat had settled down, with the picnic basket right beside her, she turned to Mrs. Duck and the rest of her friends and said, “Have you heard the latest news?”  All her friends turned their heads towards Mrs. Cat and they said “What news? Do tell us!”

Mrs. Cat started to clean her paws, leaving them all in suspense.  Mrs. Duck quacked loudly

“Don’t tease us so! We would like to know your news!” Mrs. Duck was not a very patient woman.  Mrs. Cat gave in and said, “Have you heard that a new couple of Cats have joined our neighbourhood?  They are a Mr. and Mrs. Whiskers.  They have a daughter by the name of Feline.  They moved in yesterday up at the old Granger House, you know the one by Mr. Tiger’s grocery store, actually it was Mrs. Tiger who told me, the Whiskers bought quite a few groceries from the store as soon as they arrived”.  “Well! That is news indeed!”  Said Mrs. Rabbit twitching her pink nose.  “I wonder if they are nice folk.”

No sooner had Mrs. Rabbit said this, Mr. and Mrs. Tiger arrived with the couple they had been talking about.  Mrs. Tiger said, “Hello everyone!  I would like you to meet our new neighbours.  This is Mr. and Mrs. Whiskers and this is their daughter Feline”.  All the animals said hello to Mr. and Mrs. Whiskers and then turned to Feline.  Feline was a lovely little cat.  She had beautiful striped orange and yellow fur which was quite long, and the most beautiful set of whiskers, just like her daddy’s.  The ladies kept on looking at Feline because she was so pretty.  Feline sat down and started  cleaning her paws pretending not to notice the other animals that were staring at her.  She hated being stared at and besides she was bored.  There didn’t seem to be anyone to play with all the children had gone off to play by themselves.

Mr. and Mrs. Whiskers settled down with the other animals underneath the oak tree and soon enough all the animals came back and sat down next to them, asking the new couple all sorts of questions which made Feline a little bit dizzy.  She decided to go for a walk on her own, so off she went in the direction Tickles and Charlie had taken, she could see the kite flying in the air.

Meanwhile Tickles and Charlie were taking it in turns to fly the kite.  Charlie’s Daddy had given up trying himself, he never got a chance between the two of them!  Mr. Cat had joined the others under the Oak Tree. When Feline approached Charlie and Tickles, she sat down on the grass and idly stared at the kite.  Charlie turned round to see who had arrived and as soon as he saw the pretty little cat he nearly let go of the string.  “Look Tickles behind you! There is a lovely girl watching us!”  Tickles turned round and saw Feline too!  “Hello!” He shouted. “Who are you?!” “My name is Feline, my mummy and daddy and I have moved here,” said Feline and she got up and walked near them.  “My name is Tickles,” said Tickles. Charlie said, “Yes, and my name is Charlie, and I live down the road and this is my kite, would you like to hold the string?”  Feline said yes, and in no time at all the three animals were talking away as if they had been friends forever!

It was soon time for lunch and all the children settled down with their parents and had a wonderful picnic together, eating all the good food their parents had prepared.  Feline was introduced to all the other children.  Tickles and Charlie were both trying to introduce the animals to Feline both at the same time and in the end they started fighting!  “She’s my friend! I saw her first!”  “She’s my friend!  I spoke to her first!” “I lent her my kite!”  The two animals glared at each other whilst Feline soon got bored with their fighting and walked off to sit somewhere else, where she could eat in peace.

Tickles and Charlie spent the rest of the day competing against each other to see who would win

Feline’s attention.  The other animals had never seen the two cats fighting before and they all thought that it was fun and amusing.  They watched Charlie and Tickles argue and tease one another and at one time they started a fight, which was soon stopped by one of the parents.  The only animal that wasn’t amused was Feline.  She was rather tired of the two animals competing for her attention.  She thought they were babies. At one time Charlie and Tickles asked Feline “Which of us do you like the most?”  Feline was about to say that she did not like any of them when she thought of a great idea, instead she said “I can’t seem to decide whom I like the most, you are both so handsome and so clever, it is difficult for me to choose”.  Charlie and Tickles liked what she said about them.  “But surely, one of you is better than the other.  I know!  Why don’t we have a competition, a race, and who wins will be the one I choose!

The two cats thought it was a great idea!

By the time they had agreed on what race to take part in, it was time to pack up and go.  They agreed to meet the next day in the morning, near the big oak tree to compete against each other.

The next morning, all the little animals in the village gathered round the big oak tree.  Charlie and Tickles were also there.  They had hardly said a word to each other since yesterday.  They were standing next to each other, ready to start the race, but they ignored each other, concentrating on their race, each one ready to come first and win Feline’s favour.  Feline was standing nearby, waiting to wave a pink ribbon in the air to start the race.  The two cats were to take part in an obstacle race.  They were to start off near the big oak tree run up a steep hill, down the hill, they were then to cross the river across a log which had fallen into the river and was used as a bridge to cross from one side of the river to the other side.  As soon as they got to the other side they had to cross over the log again, race up and down the hill and the first one to reach the big oak tree was the winner.

Feline waved the pink ribbon and they were off!  Charlie was a fast pussycat, but Tickles being a tiger cub and a little older than Charlie was faster.  In no time at all Tickles had reached to top of the hill and was bounding down it when Charlie reached the top as well.  Charlie tried hard to catch up with Tickles but the tiger was going so fast!  Tickles reached the bottom of the hill and raced to cross the bridge.  He was going too fast though and as soon as he started to cross the log he skidded right across it! forgetting that it was wet and slippery  and by the time Charlie reached the bottom of the hill Tickles fell right into the river!  Charlie stopped in his tracks near the bank of the river when he saw Tickles fall in.  Tickles’ head came up out of the water and he yelled, “Help! Help me! I can’t swim!” And he went under the water!

Meanwhile most of the animals had reached the top of the hill along with Feline and were horrified to see Tickles in the water.  Charlie was shouting “I’m coming Tickles! I’ll save you!”  Charlie stepped onto the log as carefully as he could to reach his friend who kept bobbing up and down.  “I’ll save you!” Charlie reached Tickles and grabbing him from the neck, he helped him out of the river and onto the log.  Tickles came up coughing and spluttering and heaving.  “Are you all right my friend?” asked Charlie.  Tickles, all wet, just looked at Charlie and gave him a big soggy hug!

All the animals started clapping and cheering.  Charlie and Tickles walked off the log together

and sat down on the grass whilst all their other friends came down to congratulate Charlie and to pat Tickles on the back.

“You saved my life. You are the best friend I ever had!” Said Tickles. “You are the best friend I ever had! And I am sorry we fought over a silly girl!”  “Yeh! Silly!” They both laughed and punched each other playfully, rolling over in the grass.  The other animals joined in the fun and laughter, relieved that Tickles and Charlie were the best of friends once more.

The only animal who didn't join in was Feline, she sad down on the grass and looked on at the others.  She contentedly cleaned her paws and smiled to herself.  Her little plan had worked.  She managed to get the two cats to leave her alone and she also managed to get them to become good friends again!  “What a clever little pussy-cat I am!”

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CHARLIE’S DAY OUT

Charlie the pussycat had settled down nicely at school, he had made a lot of new friends and was behaving himself as best as he could. Mrs. Cat was very proud of him, so was his teacher, Miss Hazel.

One fine day, Miss Hazel told her class that they were all going on an outing the very next day. She told them that they would be going on a picnic by the big oak tree in the woods. Charlie and his classmates were so excited! They spent their lunch break talking about their outing: what they would bring along to eat, (very important!) and what exciting games they would all play together. When Charlie arrived home after school he told his Mummy and Daddy about the wonderful outing they were to have the next day. Mrs. Cat was happy for Charlie, she knew he loved picnics, especially on a school day!

The next morning Tickles, Charlie’s best friend, arrived bright and early, they always walked to school together. The tiger had packed his rucksack full of food, he had peanut butter sandwiches, two bananas, an apple, orange and some homemade cookies his Mummy had baked just for the picnic. He also had a ball, which he was carrying in his paws.

Charlie’s Mummy was preparing Charlie’s picnic food when Tickles arrived. “You are here early this morning!” Exclaimed Mrs. Cat. When she let Tickles in, “I’m afraid Charlie is still sleeping in bed, you know how lazy he is about getting up in the mornings! I think you had better go upstairs and wake him up yourself!” Tickles went up to wake the lazy pussycat and to remind him also to get his lovely colourful kite.

The two animals scampered downstairs as excited as two bees buzzing around a flower. “Can you imagine!”

Squealed Charlie “No school work today, just fun and play!” “Now, you behave yourself, Charlie! Don’t get up to any mischief!” Warned Charlie’s Mummy. And do what Miss Hazel tells you!”

Charlie went to say goodbye to his Daddy, and the two friends set off for school. They met other animals on the way, who were all carrying their rucksacks with food and toys. When they got to school, Miss Hazel was waiting for them by the gate to line up for the short walk to the big oak tree in the woods. Everyone arrived on time and they soon set off for their picnic.

Miss Hazel had brought a huge blanket that she had knitted herself and when they got to their site she laid it on the grass, underneath the big oak tree which was the shadiest area around them. The children placed their rucksacks on the blanket and went to play with Tickle’s ball. Miss Hazel sat down on her blanket and surveyed her surroundings. It was a lovely day! The sun was shining brightly and all the flowers and leaves looked fresh and bright and colourful as the sun dried up the last few remaining wet diamonds that had fallen on the plants and grass the night before. She thought that it was a perfect day for a picnic and she was in high spirits! She was happy she picked this lovely day for a picnic!