Storytime

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trolls and giants!

Can three witches outwit
them?

The firebird
Robin Hood, Mr Nobody, King of the Cats,
a Mexican Myth, Sweeties and Meerkats!
“There were wrappers in every colour of the rainbow.”
 by H R H,
r sed
Endo of the Cats!
the Ki n g
Watch out, watch out! There are
witches about... and a giant, a troll,
a goblin, a firebird and Mr Nobody!
This issue belongs to:

Storytime™ magazine is published Illustrators:

every month by Luma Works, Lu Green  The Sweetie Jar
Studio 2B18, Southbank Technopark, Tim Budgen Alphabet Zoo
90 London Rd, London, SE1 6LN. Kathryn Durst Three Little Witches
© Luma Creative Ltd, 2017. All rights Lisa Sheehan  Mr Nobody
reserved. No part of this magazine Anne-Marie Hugot The Firebird
Maria Laura Brenlla King of the Cats
may be used or reproduced without
John Joven Robin Hood and Friar Tuck
prior written permission of the publisher.
Barbara Brun The Flower and the Hummingbird
Storytime is a trademark of Luma
Creative Ltd. Printed by Grange.

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 Read happily ever after...
Famous Fables Storyteller’s Corner
The Sweetie Jar
A cautionary tale for trick-and-
treaters and sweetie-eaters
everywhere!
6
King of the Cats
Perhaps your pet is related to
royalty. Read this story to your
30
cat and see what happens!

Poems and Rhymes Myths and Legends

Alphabet Zoo: M
Meet meerkats, macaws, maras
and minuscule marmosets! 9
Robin Hood and
Friar Tuck
The legendary archer tries to
34
add to his band of Merry Men.

Tales from Today Around the World Tales

Three Little Witches
By Polly Owen. Three witches
face big obstacles on their way
to the Great Grand Ball.
12 The Flower and the
Hummingbird
A Mexican legend about the
famous Day of the Dead flower.
40
Poems and Rhymes Storytime Playbox

17 45
Complete a creepy crossword,
Mr Nobody help Robin Hood cross a river,
By Elizabeth Prentiss. Who and spot all the objects hidden
made a mess? Was it you? by Mr Nobody!

Favourite Fairy Tales Story Magic

The Firebird
20 50
Two new books you shouldn’t
A firebird’s flaming feather miss, plus free goodies for you!
causes problems for Peter
and his horse of power.

n The
O ver
Co
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Famous Fables

The Sweetie Jar

T he day Daddy came home
with a huge jar of sweets,
Abigail jumped up and down
with excitement.

Daddy had won a competition at work

and he even had a certificate, just
like the ones Abigail got at school.
‘Employee of the Month’, it said.

“Is it like being ‘Star of the Week’?”

asked Abigail.

“Yes,” said Daddy, nodding proudly.

“Well done, Daddy.” Abigail hugged

him tightly.

He put the jar on top of the fridge,

where the brightly coloured sweetie
count it!
How many purple sweeties
wrappers seemed to twinkle like can you spot outside the jar
fairy lights. There were wrappers in in this picture? Write your
answer here.
every colour of the rainbow. Abigail
was wide-eyed with anticipation. She
looked at her daddy hopefully, sure
he would open the jar, but he didn’t.

She waited for him to hang up his

coat and put on his slippers, but he
still didn’t open the jar.

6
She waited for him to make a nice cup good as usual, because she couldn’t
of tea, but he still didn’t open the jar. stop thinking about the sweeties.

Feeling impatient, Abigail sat down at

the table, her head in her hands. She
Finally, Daddy finished eating his
stared up at the sweetie jar.
dinner. It seemed to take ages! He
“We’ll open it later,” said Daddy. “We unscrewed the lid of the jar and the
don’t want to ruin our dinner, do we?” room was suddenly filled with the
He patted her head, stuck his new sweet scent of chocolate and toffee,
certificate to the fridge and started and all kinds of delicious things.
to get dinner ready.
He tipped the jar towards Abigail and
It was Abigail’s favourite – fish fingers, said, “Help yourself!”
chips and peas – but it didn’t taste as

Answer: There are seven purple sweets.

7
Grinning, Abigail plunged her hand into the jar, past its narrow neck, and
grabbed a whole fistful of sweets. But, when she tried to pull her hand out again,
it was too full. It got stuck!

She tugged and she tugged, but her hand wouldn’t budge. In fact, the more she
tugged, the harder it was to get her hand out. And the more she tugged, the more
scrumptious the sweets seemed to smell. Abigail let out a cry of frustration.

“Abigail,” said Daddy. “That is what happens when your eyes are bigger than
your tummy. Take one sweetie at a time and you’ll be able to get your hand out.”

Abigail let go of the sweets, except for the big purple one, which looked extra-
shiny. She pulled her hand out of the jar with ease and gave Daddy a shy smile.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she said. “I hope you can be Employee of the Month next
month too.”

Daddy laughed, then they both unwrapped their sweeties and enjoyed them
very much indeed.

8
 Poems and Rhymes

Alphabet Zoo
Let’s take a trip to Bonnie and Boo’s zoo.
The letter M animals are waiting for you!

O ut in the sunshine, grooming and basking,

The meerkat mob knows the art of relaxing.
But one stays on guard at the top of the hill,
Looking for danger, it stands statue-still.

And who’s that popping its head out there?

A cute meerkat pup getting some air,
Hoping its daddy will give it a snack,
A scorpion sandwich or a fresh bug bap!

9
 The neighbours next door are harder to see,
Can you spot pygmy marmosets up in the tree?
They’re the tiniest monkeys in the Amazon.
One can fit in your palm, but it won’t stay long.

It dashes and dodges through the leaves,

And calls to its friends, “You can’t catch me!”
A rainforest pal is the scarlet macaw.
You can hear it for miles when it honks and squawks.

ANIMAL FACT!
Scarlet macaws love to eat soil. Experts think they eat
it to protect themselves against toxins in the fruit they
eat, or to get more minerals in their diet. Find out more
about letter M animals in our Alphabet Zoo Factsheet.

10
Download it from storytimemagazine.com/free
They flock together in the canopy,
And look for nuts to crack with their beaks.
They have colourful feathers: red, blue, green, gold,
Like they dipped their wings in a bright rainbow.

The marvellous mara is down on the ground,

Nibbling the leaves and the grass it has found.
This Patagonian rodent is so funny,
It can hop and bounce like a long-legged bunny!

With rabbit-like ears and the body of a deer,

Aren’t the animals amazing here?

e
Next tim
say
you can
animals
hello to
e g i n n i ng with
b !
N and O
11
Tales from Today

Three Little
Witches By Polly Owen

T hree little witches were heading off to the Great Grand Ball.
They were called Mary, Maggy and Molly.

They were poor witches and they had used all their money to buy tickets,
so they had none left to buy proper witches’ clothes. Mary had no hat,
Maggy had no cloak and Molly had no wand. And none of them had
a broomstick! So they set off on foot and they made up a song.
 “We may not have a broomstick, a wand, a hat or cloak.
But we are clever witches. Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!”
The three little witches cackled in delight, but as they turned the corner... SMACK!
They bumped into something big and black. It was stopping them from getting to
the Great Grand Ball.

“Who goes there?” came a menacing voice. They had walked straight into a giant’s
boot! He bent down and growled, “Fe fi fo fum, tonight my dinner’s three for one!”

But, instead of running away in fright, Mary stared into the giant’s eyes. She had
been blessed with petrifying features. She had a nose as big and warty as a
warthog’s, piercing eyes, and a long, pointy chin. With no hat to hide her face,
the giant was instantly turned to stone.

“Ha!” said the three little witches, and they went on their way, singing:

“We may not have a broomstick, a wand, a hat or cloak.

But we are clever witches. Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!”
They soon reached the Ragged River and were crossing its
little wobbly bridge when a troll jumped out before them.

13
“Mmm,” he said, licking his lips. “What With no cloak to get tangled in, she
a tasty trio!” was super-fast and leapt straight at
the troll. He was so scared, he
“Let us pass,” they cried. “We need to
plunged into the river to hide.
get to the Great Grand Ball!”
“Ha!” said the three little witches, and
“No!” shouted the troll.
they set off again, singing:
“But I don’t taste nice,” said Mary. “I’m
“We may not have a broomstick,
all bony.”
a wand, a hat or cloak.
“And I’m all fatty,” said Molly. But we are clever witches.
Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!”
“Well, I taste lovely,” said Maggy. “But
you’ll never find out because I’m too They were so close to the ball now,
quick for you!” Then she cackled they could see the lights glimmering.
crazily and bounded back and forth But as they walked up the muddy
across the bridge like a frog.
 track, they heard rustling. Molly The three little witches sang:
spotted a goblin in the bushes – and
“We may not have a broomstick,
everyone knows how much goblins
a wand, a hat or cloak.
like causing trouble for witches!
But we are clever witches.
“Evening!” called the goblin, and he Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!”
began to pelt them with stones.

“Uh oh,” said Molly. Quick as a flash,

Finally, they arrived at the Great
she cast the only goblin spell she
Grand Ball. It was full of witches
knew that didn’t need a wand.
from around the world, chatting
“Goblin, goblin, hiding in the trees. and dancing. They dined on slug
Sprout some twigs and grow some leaves!” stew and drank frog spit from golden
goblets. The three little witches had
In no time at all, he was rooted to the
a wonderful time.
spot and looked like a bush.

SPOT IT! ese three

Can you find th
in this
close-up details
e boxes
picture? Tick th
them.
when you find

15
 When the dancing was over, the head Morgana pointed out the three little
witch, Morgana, took to the stage to witches. “Without any doubt, for being
give out her annual awards. the scariest, bravest and the most
inventive, these three little witches
“Good evening, witches,” she said.
are this year’s winners! Please come
“In order to find this year’s finest witch,
and collect your prizes.”
I played a little trick on you all tonight.
Some of you may recognise these Mary, Maggy and Molly were amazed,
special guests... Fred the gentle giant, especially when they saw the prize
John the friendly troll and Bob the – it was a smart new witch’s outfit! Of
kind goblin.” course, Mary put on the hat, Maggy
draped herself in the cloak and Molly
In strolled the giant, the troll and a
took the wand.
rather leafy goblin.
They decided to share the broomstick
“Oops!” gasped Mary. “I hope we
and, that night, they got home as
didn’t hurt them.”
quick as a flash – and nothing got
in their way!

16
 Poems and Rhymes

Mr Nobody By Elizabeth Prentiss

I know a funny little man,

As quiet as a mouse,
Who does the mischief that is done
In everybody’s house.

There’s no one ever sees his face,

And yet we all agree,
That every plate we break, was cracked
By Mr Nobody.

17
 ’Tis he who always tears our books,
Who leaves the doors ajar;
He pulls the buttons from our shirts,
And scatters pins afar.

He puts damp wood upon the fire

That kettles cannot boil;
His are the feet that bring in mud,
And all the carpets soil.

FindisIptla! te in our
pot th
Can you s the
ry p ic tu res? Tick !
to
s
e n y o u ’v e found it
box wh

18
The finger marks upon the doors
By none of us are made;
We never leave the blinds unclosed,
To let the curtains fade.

The ink we never spill; the boots

That lying round you see,
Are not our boots! They all belong
To Mr Nobody!

19
Favourite Fairy Tales

The Firebird
O nce upon a time, long ago and far away, there lived a
courageous young archer called Peter who worked for
a powerful but wicked and greedy Tsar.

Peter owned a very special horse. He called it the ‘horse of power’, because
it had a strong back, hooves like iron, and it could talk. Peter loved his horse.

One beautiful autumn day, he was riding though the forest when he spotted
something golden falling from the sky. It landed on the path before him, sparkling
and glimmering like a flame. Peter jumped off his horse to take a closer look and
he knew straight away that it was a feather from the legendary firebird.
He opened his satchel to pop the “But that’s impossible,” cried Peter.
feather inside, but his horse of power
“Even if your life depends on it?”
warned him against it. “Peter, leave the
threatened the Tsar. “Bring it to me!”
golden feather here. If you take it, it
will bring you nothing but trouble.” Peter bowed his head. “Yes, Your
Majesty.” Then he left the palace full
But Peter was mesmerised by the
of worry and woe.
glowing feather. “I won’t keep it,” he
told the horse. “I’ll give it straight to When his horse saw him, he asked,
the Tsar. He’s sure to reward me.” “What’s the matter?”

He galloped to the Tsar’s palace to “You were right. I should have listened
hand over the feather to him. At first, to you. The Tsar has ordered me to
the old Tsar was delighted with his gift. bring him the firebird too.”

“Thank you, young man,” he said. “But The horse sighed. “Didn’t I warn you?
as you have managed to bring me the Now, go back to the Tsar and ask his
feather of the firebird, I’m sure you can servants to scatter a hundred sacks of
bring me the firebird itself.” their finest grain over the field behind
the palace.”

21
 Silently, Peter’s horse trotted across
the field. It walked this way and that
until it was right behind the firebird.
Then it stepped on the firebird’s fiery
tail with its heavy iron hoof. The
firebird flapped and flapped, but it
couldn’t fly away.

Peter leapt up, bound the firebird with

ropes, and carried it to the palace,
where he placed it at the Tsar’s feet.

No ruler in the world had ever been

given so rare and precious a gift, but
the Tsar’s eyes lit up greedily. He
wanted more.

“If you can bring me the firebird, then

you can bring me my bride too. Her
name is Princess Vasilisa and she
lives on the edge of the world in the
Peter followed his horse’s instructions land of Never. Bring her to me and
and, that night, they went into the field I will reward you. You must not fail.”
and made themselves comfortable
Peter wished he had never set eyes
under a big oak tree.
on the firebird’s feather. He left the
They waited and waited. At last, at palace full of worry and woe.
sunrise, a warm wind blew across the
“What now?” asked the horse, sensing
field. The sky was suddenly alight with
his master’s distress.
red and gold. and, moments later, the
beautiful firebird appeared on the “The Tsar has ordered me to go to
horizon and descended on the field. the land of Never on the edge of the
world and bring back someone called
It swooped down gracefully and
Princess Vasilisa to be his bride.”
began to peck at the grain.
The horse sighed deeply. “Go
back to the Tsar and ask for a
silver tent with a golden roof,
and all the provisions we need
for our journey.”

Peter followed the horse’s

instructions, and they rode
away. It took them many
days and nights to reach
the land of Never on the
edge of the world. But,
at last, standing on the
seashore...

WRITE IT!
Princess Vasilisa lives in the
land of Never on the edge of
the world. Can you come up
with a name for your own
imaginary land? Where
is it in the world?

23
25
Peter Vasilis a ro w ing
sp otted Princess
a little silver boat with go lde n oa r s.

Hidden Word!

There are eight letters hiding in this picture.

Find them all and rearrange them to spell out
the name of a character in this story.
Peter set up the shining silver tent, he “Sound the trumpets!” cried the Tsar.
laid out the food and drink that the “Today we will be married.”
Tsar had given him, and he waited.
So the trumpets were blown. The
noise woke Princess Vasilisa from
her deep slumber.
When Princess Vasilisa spotted the
silver tent glinting in the sunlight, she When she found herself sitting on a
wondered where it had come from. strange throne in a strange palace,
She rowed towards the shore to take she ran towards Peter and cried,
a closer look. “Where is my little silver boat?
Where is the sea? Where am I?”
When she stepped into the tent, Peter
greeted her warmly. “Hello, Princess The Tsar answered gruffly, “You
Vasilisa. Will you join me? This feast don’t need them. Today we
is a gift to you from the Tsar.” will be married! Can’t you
hear the trumpets?”
“How kind,” she said, and she took a
seat by Peter. They began to chat and
joke with each other.

Over the next few hours, the princess

tasted a little food from each plate
and took a sip from each goblet.
Soon, she felt tired, so she curled
up on a cushion and fell asleep.

Quickly, Peter lifted the princess,

mounted the horse of power and
rode back to the Tsar’s palace.

When Peter arrived and saw the poor

firebird trapped in a cage next to the
Tsar’s throne, he felt terrible. However,
he presented the sleeping princess to
the Tsar, who was overjoyed.

26
But Princess Vasilisa saw the old “What now?” asked his horse of power.
Tsar’s wicked and greedy eyes, and
Peter explained what the Tsar had
she did not want to marry him.
asked for and his horse sighed. “Let’s
“Not without my wedding dress,” she go and get the dress.”
said. “It lies in the land of Never at the
Off they went again to the land of
bottom of the ocean, beneath a stone
Never on the edge of the world. When
as white as the moon. If I cannot wear
they reached the shore, the horse of
it, I will not marry you!”
power spotted a giant lobster basking
The Tsar was furious, but his anger on the sand. The horse crept quietly
was useless. He turned to Peter and towards the lobster and placed a
snapped, “Bring me the dress or you heavy iron hoof on its shell.
know what will happen to you.”
“Release me!” cried the lobster, “or
you’ll break my shell and I’ll die.”

Peter left the palace filled with worry

and woe – and, this time, his heart
was also heavy with guilt.

27
 But the Tsar didn’t care for anyone but
himself. He announced that he would
marry Princess Vasilisa that morning.
He commanded the princess to change
into her wedding dress, and asked his
servants to prepare a great feast.

When the princess returned, she looked

more beautiful than a summer’s day. The
Tsar was thrilled but, when he saw how
“I will let you live,” said the horse, “if Peter looked at Vasilisa, he was jealous.
you bring us Princess Vasilisa’s wedding
dress from the bottom of the ocean. It sits “Guards!” he shouted. “Bring me a
beneath a stone as white as the moon.” cauldron of water. This young archer
loves my bride. He has betrayed me!”
The lobster agreed and scuttled into the
waves. An hour later, it returned with a Peter protested. He promised to ride
golden casket, which had the princess’s away and never return, but the Tsar
wedding dress inside. wouldn’t hear of it.

Peter thanked the lobster, and rode

like the wind back to the Tsar’s palace.

As Peter handed over the wedding

dress, he felt a great sadness in
his heart. He wished he had never
picked up the firebird’s feather. He
wished he had never caught the
magnificent firebird. He wished
he had never taken the princess
away from her home.

28
When the cauldron was ready, the “What is this magic?” cried the Tsar.
Tsar plucked a flaming feather from Thinking of his toothless gums, his
the firebird and dropped it into the grey hair and his aching, old body,
water. It began to bubble and boil. the Tsar hobbled over to the bubbling
cauldron and jumped in. And that
“Jump in, archer!” the Tsar shouted,
was the last anyone ever saw of their
but Princess Vasilisa interrupted. “Let
wicked, greedy ruler.
me check the water is boiling first.”
Princess Vasilisa was made the new
She waved her hand over the water,
Tsarina. Her first act was to free the
and gave Peter a wink that only he
firebird and her second was to build
could see. “It is boiling,” she said.
a wonderful golden stable for Peter’s
Peter said farewell to his horse of faithful horse of power.
power and bravely ran towards the
In time, Princess Vasilisa and Peter
cauldron. He dived head-first into
were married. They lived a good life
the bubbling water but, much to his
together, with many happy holidays
surprise, he found that it wasn’t hot
rowing their boat in the land of Never
at all! It felt as fresh and cool as the
on the edge of the world.
blue sea on the edge of the world.

Feeling full of energy, he climbed out

of the cauldron. The Tsar gasped.
Peter looked ten years younger!

29
Storyteller’s Corner

King of the Cats

P eople used to believe that every country had a king that
nobody knew about – the secret king of the cats.

One night, Aunty Mabel was sitting in her rocking chair by the fire, waiting
for her husband to come home. He’d taken the dog for a walk and should
have been back a long time ago.

30
“I wonder where they’ve got to, Tom,” she said, stroking the sleek black cat, who
was curled up on her lap. The cat purred lazily in reply.

At last, the door swung open and in walked her husband and their pet dog. They
were both short of breath and looked shaken.

“Where have you been?” cried Aunty Mabel. She noticed that her husband’s
hands were trembling as he took off his coat and boots.

“Do you know anyone called Tommy Tildrum?” he asked, nervously.

“Never heard of him!” she replied, but the cat sat up on her lap and looked at the
husband with great curiosity.

“Neither have I, but the strangest thing just happened to me. I’m sure I must have
dreamt it. We were walking through the woods just now when I heard a mournful
mewing sound.”

31
Tom the cat let out a long sad mew. Tom the cat leapt off Aunty Mabel’s
lap and sat in front of the husband,
“Yes, just like that,” said the husband,
looking up at him eagerly.
nodding. “I thought it was an injured
animal, so I followed the sound to a
big hollow oak tree that was lit up
“The hollow was lit up by candles and
from the inside. I heard noises, so
the cats were miaowing a haunting
I climbed onto a branch and looked
melody. I know you won’t believe
down. But you’ll never guess what I
me if I go on!” cried the husband.
saw there!”
“I will!” urged Aunty Mabel, and Tom
“Tell me. What did you see?” asked
the cat pawed at the husband’s foot.
Aunty Mabel, perched on the edge
of her chair. “Well, I can hardly believe it myself,
but eight black cats with smart white
“Cats! Black ones, ginger ones, white
chests, just like Tom here, walked into
ones, grey ones. All kinds of cats!
the hollow carrying a small coffin and,
Hundreds of them.”
with every step they took, the rest of
32 the cats gave a mighty miaow.”
Tom the cat miaowed loudly too. “The king’s dead, you say?” asked
Tom the cat, his eyes shining brightly.
“Yes, just like that,” said the husband.
“And on the coffin sat a red velvet Aunty Mabel leapt up in surprise and
pillow with a golden crown on top.” her husband stood, gaping.

Aunty Mabel gasped. “So what “Yes,” he managed to answer at last.

happened next?” Tom the cat jumped
“Well, thank you for everything,” said
onto the table, his tail up straight and
Tom. “I’d better be off. I’m the new
his ears alert.
King of the Cats!”
“Well, when they got to the centre of
And he jumped up, strolled across the
the hollow, the eight cats looked up at
room and disappeared through the
me with their shining green eyes and
cat flap, never to be seen again.
said, ‘Can you tell Tommy Tildrum that
King Charlie is dead, please?’ I was You never know... perhaps you know
so shocked, I took the dog and ran a cat with royal connections!
all the way back here.”

n It ! t cats
De sig s tha wn g ro
thin n a c s!
h e i g
lt s at
o f al nd de the C
nk a f
Thi best, King o
e
lik r the
fo

33
Myths and Legends

Robin Hood
and Friar Tuck
W hen the hero Robin
Hood first went into
hiding in Sherwood
Forest, he decided to find a
team of talented fighters who
could help him steal from the
rich and give to the poor.

Over time, he built up a cunning

band of outlaws. There was Little
John, who was a giant, hulking man,
brilliant with a bow and even better
with a wooden staff. There was Much
the Miller’s Son, who was fast on his
feet, an expert tree-climber and a
superb spy. Finally, there was Will
Scarlet, who always wore red and
was the most skilled swordsman
Robin Hood had ever met. Together,
they were known as the Merry Men.

34
But Robin Hood was always on the the sick, but he was thrown out of
look-out for more people to join his the abbey for being rude to the
band, and he longed for someone Sheriff of Nottingham.”
who was well educated and who
The Sheriff of Nottingham was an
knew enough about medicine to
enemy of Robin’s. Robin smiled.
heal their injuries.
“Any foe of the Sheriff’s is a friend
One day, Much the Miller’s Son of mine. Come, let’s see if this friar
returned to their secret camp after is fit to join us.”
scouting for rich travellers to steal
Much the Miller’s Son led the way
from. He was excited.
through the forest. Robin and the
“Robin, I think I’ve found the person other Merry Men followed close
you’re looking for. There’s a friar behind. When they reached the
camping out beneath the trees, down riverbank, Robin whispered to his
by the river. I heard he used to heal men, “Hide in the bushes here.
Only come out if I signal for you.
I’d like to put our friar to the test.”

35
Robin stepped out onto the riverside “That is a pity,” said Robin. “I’m on my
and was surprised to see a big round way to a wedding and I don’t want to
man with a bald head and a jolly face. get my shoes wet. I see you are a man
He was biting into a roast chicken leg of religion and you have a strong back.
and, spread before him, was a picnic Would you be kind enough to carry
large enough to feed five people. me across, please?”

“Good afternoon, sir!” said Robin. The friar looked longingly at his lunch.
He really wanted to be left alone to
The friar didn’t move from his feast,
eat it, but he couldn’t refuse to help.
but he smiled and answered politely.
He sighed heavily, and jumped to his
“A good afternoon it is indeed. What
feet. “Very well. Climb on.”
brings you this way?”

“I don’t wish to disturb you. I can see

you are enjoying your banquet, but Robin Hood put down his bow and
I need to get to the other side of this arrow and clambered onto the friar’s
river. Is there a bridge near here?” back. They began to cross the river.
Robin knew that there wasn’t. The water was shallow and barely
reached the friar’s knees, but the
“Alas not,” said the friar, taking a bite.
riverbed made for a wobbly path.

Nobody knows whether Robin Hood really lived or not, but at Kirklees Park
Estate in Yorkshire, England, there is a grave for Robin Hood, carved with
the following words: “Never archer were as he so good, and people call him Robin Hood.”
There is another grave for Little John in Derbyshire, which contains the skeleton
of a man who was over seven feet (two metres) tall!

36
The sight of the friar giving Robin a “Why don’t I just walk across and get
piggyback was so comical, the Merry them for you?” asked the friar. He was
Men struggled to stifle their laughter. desperate to get back to his lunch.

When they reached the other side, “Oh, I can’t have anyone touching my
Robin Hood jumped down. “Thank you bow and arrow. What if you dropped
so much. What should I call you, sir?” them in the river? They’re precious
to me. Please, would you mind?”
“Friar Tuck,” replied the friar, looking
pleased with his good deed. The friar did mind, but he didn’t say
so. “Jump on, then!” he cried, and
“Friar Tuck, I am sorry to say it, but I’ve
Robin Hood once again rode across
just realised that I left my bow and
the river on the back of the fat friar. By
arrow on the other side. Could you
now, he was starting to huff and puff.
carry me back and I’ll pick them up?”

37
 Back where they started, Robin Hood “Oh, I always put in a few big rocks,
slung his bow and arrow over his just in case I meet robbers along the
shoulder, while the friar surveyed way. I don’t like to waste my arrows
his waiting lunch and licked his lips. in battle,” replied Robin.

“Do you mind?” asked Robin. “Just “Rocks? Rocks! Why, you great foolish
one more time.” lump!” shouted the friar. “You could
have picked up rocks on the other
“Of course, jump on,” said the friar,
side of the river!”
trying to keep his temper.
Friar Tuck lost his temper completely
Off they splashed again but, this time,
and tipped Robin Hood head-first into
the friar’s burden felt much heavier.
the water, then he turned around and
Though he was big and strong, he
waded back to his riverbank feast.
was struggling to carry his load.
Robin landed with a great splash.
“Tell me, sir, what exactly is in your
“Doesn’t want to get his feet wet!”
sling of arrows that weighs so much?”
Friar Truck grumbled. “Carrying rocks!
he panted.
Does he think I’m a fool?”

38
But the friar’s moans were interrupted “Are you Robin Hood?” gasped the
by laughter – first from Robin Hood, friar. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
who was soaked from head to toe,
“In these times, it’s hard to know who
and then by the Merry Men, who
is an enemy and who is a true friend,”
stumbled out of the bushes, grinning.
said Robin, water dripping from the
The friar grabbed his sword and got end of his nose.
ready to fight them all.
The friar dropped his sword and
“Put down your weapon. There’s no joined in the laughter of Robin and
need for that,” laughed Robin. “You his Merry Men. “Well, how about we
are an enemy of the Sheriff, you are have a feast to celebrate our new
a good, strong man, and you have friendship?” he suggested, and the
proved that you are no fool. How Merry Men all cheered and sat
would you like to join me and my down to enjoy the friar’s picnic.
band of Merry Men?”
And that is how jolly Friar Tuck
came to join Robin Hood and his
Merry Men on their adventures in
Sherwood Forest.

39
Around the World Tales

The Flower and

the Hummingbird
M
any hundreds of years ago in an Aztec village in
Mexico, there lived a girl called Xochitl and a boy
called Huitzilin. They were the best of friends.

As children, they played together every day, swimming in lagoons or

splashing about in jungle waterfalls. They were rarely apart. Over
time, as they grew older, they began to fall in love – just as their
families always thought they would.

One day, they walked all the way to the top of their favourite mountain
and they made an offering of beautiful flowers to the sun god Tonatiuh,
asking for his blessing.

Suddenly, the clouds parted and the sun smiled down on them both,
warming them with its rays. They felt truly blessed and happy.

40
 However, soon after, a terrible war
broke out between the Aztecs and the
rulers of another kingdom. Like all the
young men of the village, Huitzilin was
forced to join the army.

“I promise I’ll return as soon as I can,”

said Huitzilin, as they said farewell.
Xochitl tried to be brave, but she had
a terrible feeling about it all.

Many months passed with no news

from the war and Xochitl began to
feel despair. Every day, she prayed
for Huitzilin’s safe return.

Say It!
The names in this story
look tricky, but they’re easy
to pronounce. For Xochitl,
just say ‘So-sheel’ and for
Huitzilin, say ‘Weetsy-lin’.
Xochitl means ‘princess of
the flower’ and Huitzilin
means ‘hummingbird’.

41
 This is one of many myths in Mexico, which explain why the cempasuchil
(we know it as a marigold) became known as the ‘Flower of the Dead’. During
Day of the Dead celebrations in November, people decorate altars with this
flower and make paths of petals leading to their homes. The bright colours
and strong scent are thought to guide spirits back to their families,
where they can join in the festivities held in their honour.

42
One day, she got the news she feared flower. It was a flower as bright and
most – Huitzilin had died in battle. beautiful as the sun itself.

Xochitl was heartbroken. She grieved Moments later, a spectacular emerald

for many days and nights until, at last, green hummingbird came to hover by
one evening at sunset, she climbed to the flower and kissed its petals with its
the top of the mountain where they long beak. The sun god had brought
had left their offering to the sun god. Huitzilin back to life as a bird. The
There, she begged the sun god to flower opened its petals with joy.
reunite her with Huitzilin, her true love.
The flower became known as the
Tonatiuh, the sun god, couldn’t bear to cempasuchil – the flower of twenty
see such sadness and he took pity on petals – and people believe that, as
her. He sent down a dazzling ray of long as there are cempasuchils and
light. When it touched Xochitl’s cheek, hummingbirds in Mexico, Xochitl and
she was instantly turned into a golden Huitzilin will always be together.

43
 super skulls!
Colour in our Day of the Dead skulls and make them as
bright and cheerful as possible. We’ve left one blank so
you can create your own design.
’t you
Why don lds
igo
add mar l?
kul
to this s

44
 Story t i m e
Play b x
Read our stories, and then have fun with our story-themed
puzzles, activities and game!

1 Creepy Across
1. A stick you cast spells with.
Crossword 2. A big pot to make spells in.
Help the three little witches 4. They ate this stew at the
complete this spooky puzzle! Great Grand Ball.
5. He lives under a bridge
1 and scares billy goats.
3 6. He lives at the top of a beanstalk.
7
2
6

4 DOWN
1. Mary, Maggy and
5 Molly are these.

2 3. A witch rides one.

6. He likes to make
trouble for witches.
find the 7. A witch wears it on her head.
feather
The Firebird has dropped a flaming
feather on our puzzle pages. Can you
find it? Tick the box when you do. 45
 6 MAKE the King of the Cats A sk a
grow
Create your very own standing King of the Cats in a few easy n -up!
steps. Here’s how…
• Take a piece of card in the colour of your choice and cut it in
half down the middle.
• Fold it so that the two shortest edges touch each other. Cut a rectangle out of the
bottom open edges. (When opened up, the card should look like a letter H with a
wide bar across the centre.)
• Using the remaining half of your card, cut a semi-circle – you
could draw around a plate or mug for this.
• Also cut out three triangles to make two cat ears and a cat
nose, then cut out a long curvy tail.
• Stick the ears and nose to the semi-circle, and draw on your
cat’s mouth, eyes and whiskers.
• Stick the cat’s head to the front of your folded card and stick
the tail to the back.
• Stand your card up. If you designed a crown on page 33,
colour it in, cut it out and stick it to the cat to make him a king!

TIP!
 Why not cut out more cats in different colours and give them
stripes and spots, and then use them to act out our story?

7 gone
MISSING!
Mr Nobody has been
hiding things! Find the
items below in the picture.
Tick them off when you
spot them.

K
C N
I I
T R O L L
5
S L U G S B
4
E M O
H O G I A N T
6

2
C A U L D R O N A 3. Sweetie Sum – 7; 4. Quick Quiz – C. Sun.
T R H
7
I
3
B Answers: 1. Creepy Crossword – see right;
W A N D
1
 START
RO B I N ’ S
challen ge
mi gh
ck t ha
isn’ ve
t ar ou
pla nd
ye ,
d so
‘pica
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th
u
Yoiar Tu
Fr
be ping
fore, st
buont esth
in toiscrne s the river?
osw
on
H the
ood usdo
e nk
th ey
e st’ ep
nkey
game, your challenge is to pin do

How to Play
ears on King Midas! Ee-aw!

where’re are my eqars??

s one player. Robin
This game only need d Donkey pic
ards, backwards an
can only move forw
agonally. Plus, to
sideways, but not di
n only step on
make it trickier, he ca
stones in this order:

n
how quickly you ca
Time yourself to see ie nd s
t to th e ot he r si de . Play with your fr
ge !
the fastest crossing
and see who can do
haracter
t of f ou r Ro bi n H oo d and Merry Men C
Prin ree
imemagazine.com/f
Counters from storyt

TIP!
Make up routes
using different
combinations of
stones to test
yourself and
48
your friends!
finish
 STORY MAGIC
This month’s books feature two of our favourite things: libraries and
Halloween! Perhaps you could combine the two this month?

Books of the Month! Luna loves bugs. Dad

hates bugs.
go all
They make his face
!
errrnnnnnggggggg
Luna loves library day by Joseph Coelho There are bug book
s with ants, spiders
and...

and illustrated by Fiona Lumbers (Andersen Press)

is a truly lovely story about Luna’s favourite day of
the week – and why it’s so special to her. Featuring
a magical story within a story, this is a great read
for children whose parents are separated or who
are going through a divorce. It’s also a poignant Maurice Ma
,
ndible s Mini
In the book bag it
Monsters.
goes – check.

reminder of the healing powers of books – and

why everyone should own a library card.
Hugo makes a change by Scott Emmons and
illustrated by Mauro Gatti (Flying Eye Books) is a
huge feast of fun, which comes with a simple but
important message served on the side. Hugo the
vampire decides to vary his usual meaty diet – with
surprising results. Read this to kids who refuse to
let fruit and veg pass their lips, and you may just
change their minds. Kids will love its funny rhymes
and bold illustrations. Not just for Halloween!

WIN! R FREE !
FUN FO n downlo
ad

!
o u c a

ON
ty

TI rget tha ,

COMP ETI Don’t fo

masks,
posters
puppet
, puzzle
s, c
sa
o
n
l
d
o u
w
r in
h
it
g pages
ole stor
h activit
y-
ies
rilliant l l e d w
s on our b packs fi for free
!
Get your
h a n d
una Love
s themed e s – a l l
o n th , L r two sit com/fre
e
books of
the m kes a from ou gazine.
n d Hugo Ma imema
Library D
a y a
v is it our web
site: • storyt r s c h ools.co
m
To en te r, ime f o
Change. /win • storyt
magaz ine.com
s torytime
 al rea d ever !
the most magic However
broke out
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between
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join
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. Like all
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Tom the

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pillow with
cat miao

the coffin
a golden
wed loud
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sat a red
crown on
ly too.

husband.
velvet
top.”
“The king’
Tom the

Aunty Mab
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cat, his eyes

el leapt up
say?” aske
shining brigh
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forced to as I can,
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they said onto the the cat jump “Yes,” he
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said Huit be brav his ears tail up straig to answer
at last.
tried to all. alert. ht and “Well, than
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TM
better be
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ths pass began to w, the eigh re of Cats!” new
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that never to gh the
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.” a cat with perhaps
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Say It!
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story
it!
The nam
, but they
look tricky e. For Xoch
’re easy
itl, Design t cats
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Huitzilin, ns ‘princess
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mea ilin for the
r’ and Huitz
the flowe bird’.
‘humming
means

41

the doors
The finger marks upon
33
17 17:45
30-33_ST

By none of us are made;

11/09/20
_38.indd
33
our books,
‘Tis he who always tears blinds unclosed.
ajar; We never leave the
Who leaves the doors
from our shirts, To let the curtains fade.
He pulls the buttons 41 11/09/201
7 17:42

py,
_38.indd
40-44_ST

e cano s.
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The ink we never spill; the boots
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for nu thers: t rainb He puts damp wood all belong
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And colou s in a That kettles cannot
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have wing
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They dippe e grou bring in mud,
they on th d. His are the feet that
Like down s foun soil.
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llo us m th e gras
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The ma the leave so fu d bu
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hello nnin O!
begi n d
Na

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