By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Whiffy the Weasel walked down Hedgerow Lane,
then stopped...turned round...then went back again.
He was feeling quite nervous, what should he do?
Are they really my friends, he thought...Could this be true?
He took a deep breath, then turned round once more,
walked down the lane going straight to the door.
He timidly knocked, and the door opened wide,
Daddy Mouse smiled and said, "Come on inside.
They are all upstairs waiting; they said you'd be here."
Then added kindly, understanding his fear,
"Timmy and Tommy are so pleased you agreed,
to help find a den...you're just what they need!"
Feeling much happier than he felt before,
Whiffy went up to the boys' bedroom door.
With another deep breath, he knocked and went in,
and was oh so pleased when they all turned and grinned!
"Hello, Whiffy! Come and sit over here,
we are trying to think of a brilliant idea."
Timmy moved over and Whiffy sat down.
"We need an idea for our den," Tommy frowned.
"We want one that's near, not too far away,
big enough for us all to meet up in and play."
"We've thought and we've thought," Vicky said with sigh,
"But nothing sounds right...Would you like to try?"
Whiffy looked down as he tried hard to think,
then he suddenly clapped, making everyone blink!
"I'll show you a place, it's high and it's wide,
it's where I used to go when I needed to hide..."
Whiffy stopped speaking, his face turned quite green.
"Why did you hide?" they asked, "What do you mean?"
Poor Whiffy looked up; knowing what he would say
"I was frightened of you, when you came out to play.
I was on my own because no one liked me,
so I used to hide...where you couldn't see."
Cyril the Squirrel said, "It's sad...but it's true,
we didn't take time to get to know you."
Vicky said, "We're sorry!" Then taking his hand,
"We listened to others, and did not understand.
But now we are friends, you should never hide,
next time you see us, you must come outside."
"Now we're best friends!" declared Reggie the Rat,
with his big cheeky grin, "Well now, fancy that!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whiffy the Weasel led them through the wood,
to a place where the biggest of all the trees stood.
The tree was so wide, and so very high,
it looked as though it was touching the sky!
While they were staring, Whiffy walked round the tree,
then just disappeared! Where could he be?
"Whiffy! Where are you?" They called out his name,
"What are you doing? Are you playing a game?"
Then suddenly they heard him, laughing away,
"I'm here! Can't you see me? Come in and play."
Then he was there, he'd stepped out of the tree!
"Wow!" shouted Reggie, "can we come and see?"
They all followed Whiffy, through a crack in the bark,
that opened inside, yet wasn't that dark.
"This is my hidey hole; it makes a good den.
It can be yours too...if I can come now and then."
The friends were amazed, "Are you sure you don't mind?"
And Millie just hugged him, "You really are kind!"
Their new den was perfect, they'd make it look good,
cleaning and sweeping as much as they could.
Millie said, "I'll bring a rug for the floor,
I have one at home I don't use any more."
Off they all went to get dusters and brooms,
to set about making the nicest of rooms.
It didn't take long, it was soon nice and clean,
leaving them with the best den they had seen.
After laying the rug down on the clean floor,
Millie said, "Now we want a sign for the door."
"What a good idea," said Tommy...and then,
"How about calling it - Our Posh New Den!"
| Author Notes | I would like to thank Corrinas creations for this wonderful illustration! |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
HEDGEROW TALES
By Sandra Stoner Mitchell
Fire Drill at Hedgerow School
The school bus had stopped when the doors opened wide,
And the children jumped out then ran on inside.
Miss Freda the Frog was already there,
Inside the classroom just perched on her chair.
Once they were seated, she stood up and smiled,
Then called for attention from every child.
"Today we are going to learn something new,
If there's ever a fire, you must know what to do."
Timmy and Tommy nudged each other then,
"Miss Freda will teach us to be firemen!"
This sounded exciting; what a great game,
Throwing buckets of water onto the flames!
There were lots of murmuring, whispers, and grins,
Till Miss Freda told them "Here's how we'll begin!
It's very important; you must listen well,
To what you must do when you hear the fire bell."
Then pressing a button, a sound loud and shrill,
She startled them all into sitting quite still!
"That is the sound you will hear," she smiled,
"Then you will get up and walk single file,
Out to the playground...But please do not run!
Then once you are there, I can count everyone.
Is there anything that you don't understand?"
And Tommy Mouse quickly put up his small hand.
"When would we go to put the fire out?"
Miss Freda laughed, "There'll be firemen about!"
Then turned when she heard Reggie Rat say,
"Are we going to have a fire today?"
Miss Freda sat down, shaking her head,
Had any of them heard a word she had said?
"Now listen to me, I will try to explain
What I've just said...I will say once again.
We haven't a fire, and I hope never will
But just to be safe, we have fire drills.
So if the bell rings, you will know what to do.
When the firemen come they'll be so pleased with you!"
Miss Freda looked at her watch on her arm,
Then without being seen, she pressed the alarm.
"Now then, children, you know what to do;
Stand up and form a single file queue."
Just as they marched into the playground,
They heard a loud noise...a jangling sound!
They all turned around to look in the lane,
As into the playground, a fire engine came!
Timmy and Tommy Mouse just stood and stared,
They couldn't believe a fire engine was there!
Cyril the Squirrel yelled, "Can we have a ride?"
And Reggie the Rat said, "Is there room inside?"
Rodney the Rabbit, in his black fireman coat,
Turned to the youngsters and clearing his throat,
Said, "The reason we're here is to make you aware,
That fire is dangerous, and you should take care.
If you can tell me what you shouldn't do,
When there's a fire, I might just let you!"
"I know! I know!" they all frantically cried,
"We mustn't run as we hurry outside!"
"And we must leave our coats on their hooks,
We mustn't take anything...even our books!"
Rodney the Rabbit said, "Very well done!
Now let's play firemen...come on everyone!"
Rodney the Rabbit then showed them the bell,
The fire hoses and the ladders as well.
"Sometimes we need them to do other things,
We never know what till the fire bell rings!"
"I knew a mouse who was stuck up a tree,"
Said Vicky the Vole. "He couldn't get free!"
"And I knew a rabbit jammed tight in a hole.
He was in the wrong one!" said Millie the Mole.
"Those are a few things that we have to do,"
Said Rodney the Rabbit, "there's other things too!"
"It must be exciting!" said Reggie the Rat,
"When I'm all grown up, I'm going to do that!"
Miss Freda the Frog turned around now to say,
"I think we should thank them for coming today.
The firemen are busy with much more to do."
So at the top of their voices, they shouted, "Thank you!"
This day was the best one they'd ever known,
Then the school bus came to take them all home.
| Author Notes | Thanks to Deloralock on FanArt, for this lovely little school bus picture! |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Reggie the Rat was out mooching around
looking at things that were down on the ground.
He saw something shiny; he bent down to see,
it looked very pretty, but what could it be?
He took a huge sniff to see how it smelt
but it flew round his nose and his mouth like a belt!
He tried pulling it off, but it just seemed to be
Getting tighter and tighter - he couldn't break free!
Now, he couldn't speak, he couldn't cry out
He wanted to scream, he wanted to shout.
He started to cry, so frightened was he,
He thought, "I'll go home, my dad will help me!"
Now, Oswald the Owl had seen Reggie's plight,
and flew down beside him with the hope that he might
be able to help him, but it wasn't to be.
So they went to his home, and his Dad set him free.
Oswald then told them how Humans would bring
waste to the forest, like this milk bottle ring,
cigarette butts, and plastic, and drinking straws too,
without thought of the dangers to creatures like you.
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Timmy and Tommy Mouse jumped out of bed
While pulling pyjama tops over their heads.
They had a quick wash, brushed their teeth, combed their hair,
Then dressed in a hurry and clambered downstairs.
Their breakfast was ready they quickly sat down,
And gulped down their porridge then saw Mummy frown!
As Daddy came in from the garden, he smiled.
"The wind is up nicely, your kites will go wild!
You'll have to hold on now as tight as you can;
I've already put your kites into the van."
When Mummy Mouse gave him their picnic and drinks,
The boys put their breakfast bowls into the sink.
They drove to the top of Hedgerow Village Hill,
And just sitting watching gave both boys a thrill.
They saw all their friends out there, flying their kites
Of all shapes and sizes with colours so bright.
Then Daddy Mouse called out, "Let's unload the van,
And get these kites flying as high as we can!"
On top of the hill the wind blew at a pace
they had a job trying to stay in one place.
The wind huffed and puffed at the kites as they flew
With all their bright colours of red, pink and blue,
Green mixed with orange, and purple with brown,
All different sizes, with tails hanging down.
With Timmy and Tommy, stood Reggie the Rat,
Whose kite was so big - and it looked like a cat!
"It's supposed to be Mitsie, the kitten." He grinned,
"Her tail wouldn't stick, so it had to be pinned!"
They thought it looked good as they watched it fly free!
"I'm sure she would laugh." And they had to agree.
Their kites began flying all over the place.
The wind spun them round; it was just like a race.
While Millie the Mole's kite climbed up in the sky,
She laughed and she squealed as she watched it fly high!
Poor Vicky the Vole couldn't hold hers for long,
The wind pulled her kite, it was awfully strong!
She struggled to hold on but then it broke free,
And Vicky just watched it fly into a tree.
"My Kite!" Vicky cried. "The wind blew it up there!"
She pointed her finger to show her friends where
Her lovely kite landed, "Oh! What can I do?"
A voice at her side said, "I'll get it for you!"
It was Cyril the Squirrel - he was so kind,
And he passed his kite over for Timmy to mind.
He raced up the tree and took hold of the kite,
When all of a sudden, the wind in its might
Snatched hold of the kite that was in Cyril's hand
And flew with him up and over the land.
The friends stood there watching, but what could they do?
Then Daddy Mouse shouted, "Come on, all of you,
We've got to get hold of the string hanging down,
And then we can pull him back down to the ground.
One of you put all the kites in the van;
The rest of you follow as fast as you can!"
Cyril was flying but holding on tight,
The view from up there was a wonderful sight!
Then Daddy Mouse caught the string and wound it round
His hand as he brought Cyril down to the ground!
When his friends rushed over he said, "That was fun!
It was the best thing that I've ever done!
Daddy Mouse smiled, but then told everyone
"He could have been hurt...then it wouldn't be fun!
If anyone's kite gets stuck up a tree,
You will just have to wait, or come and get me."
Everyone promised, and Cyril did too,
As now on the ground he felt tickity boo!
| Author Notes | Special thanks to Sunnyb for the superb picture of the flying kites! Colours and Pyjamas are UK spelling. Mitsie the kitten is a character from two stories in the previous book, Hedgerow Friends. I did try to keep the length a bit shorter, there are some longer! |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Evan the Egret was out flying alone
Far from his family and far from his home.
He'd only just learnt how to spread out his wings
Discovering feelings that flying high brings.
The breeze brushed his face while the sun warmed his back
And time had no meaning, he simply lost track.
His wings started tiring; he flew to the ground,
And stood for a moment and looked all around.
Where was his river? What place was this?
Where was his mummy he so badly missed?
Evan had no idea how far he'd flown,
How far from his river or from his home.
Just down the lane, not too far away,
Timmy and Tommy Mouse came out to play.
"Shall we go and see if Cyril is in?"
Said Timmy to Tommy, then started to grin,
"Let's get the girls and Reggie the Rat,
And play hide and seek, what do you think of that?"
"That sounds like good fun," his brother replied,
"But I want to seek, I don't want to hide!"
Timmy and Tommy Mouse knocked Cyril's door,
Then saw him come out of the winter nut store.
"What are you doing?" They called over to him.
"I'm making some room to put lots more nuts in."
Cyril the Squirrel then showed them inside.
"But you have got thousands!" Tommy Mouse cried
"They're not all for me," he laughed, shaking his head,
"I collect for old squirrels, and those ill in bed."
"Can we come and help you? Where do you go?"
"Not too far away is a place that I know."
"Then we can play hide and seek when it's done!"
Timmy told Cyril, who said, "That sounds fun
Just three more bags and the store will be full,
Taking the cart they'll be easy to pull."
Off they all went and soon they were there
And the sacks were soon full, with time left to spare.
Now Evan the Egret was still on the ground,
So sad that his river was nowhere around.
He felt so afraid he was lost in this wood
He'd searched all around but it didn't look good.
He was feeling so hungry, his throat felt so dry,
He wanted his mummy. He started to cry.
Evan he was feeling so lost and alone,
He thought he would never find his way home.
It was then he heard something, it sounded quite near,
His little heart fluttered, it filled up with fear.
Then out of the clearing there came three funny things,
They had little legs and they didn't have wings!
They stopped and then stared and Evan stared back,
He looked at their cart and their three bulging sacks.
Then Cyril smiled and said, "Are you alright?"
Timmy then added, "You gave us a fright!
Where did you come from? You're not from round here."
"I live by the river...but it's disappeared!"
Tommy looked at him; his legs were so long,
He was white like the snow, but he didn't look strong.
He had the softest of wings, just like a bird,
But a bird with long legs, of that he'd not heard.
Then gently he asked him, "How far have you flown?
There's no river here that sounds like your home."
"I'm not sure," whispered Evan, "this was my first go,
I just flew and I flew, how far I don't know.
I flew up in the air as high as could be,
I felt so happy; there was so much to see."
The three friends just listened, it sounded so good,
But now he was lost in their Hedgerow Wood!
"I know who'll help you!" cried out Tommy Mouse,
"Bodger the Beaver, let's go to his house!"
"Gosh, yes," agreed Cyril, "let's all go right now.
He'll come out of the water, if we make enough row!"
So off they all went down to Popsicorn Bog,
And once they were there, Timmy pulled out a log.
"Hey! Who is that messing around with my dam?"
Bodger called out, and Timmy answered, "I am!"
Bodger swam up and then growled at his friends,
But they all just laughed knowing it was pretend.
"Hi Bodger, how are you? Are you busy just now?
Our friend wants to go home but he doesn't know how!"
Bodger climbed out of the water, then said,
"I'm not doing much; I'm just making my bed."
He turned to their friend and asked, "What is your name?
I've a friend who's an Egret, and you look the same!"
Timmy and Tommy were pleased Bodger knew
What their new friend was and just what to do.
"My name is Evan, I've just learnt to fly,
And I flew and I flew way up in the sky!
But then I came down and my river's not here!
Can you help me find it? Is it very near?"
Bodger the Beaver then smiled at Evan.
"No, it's not far away, and help you, I can!"
The river turned out to be not far away,
And Evan was back to his river to stay.
His mummy then saw him and flew to his side,
"Where have you been? I've been worried!" she cried.
Evan told his story how they found him alone,
His new friends then helped him to find his way home.
She turned to the friends with a smile on her face
And spread out her wings to gently embrace
Each one of them there, and then said to them all
If they needed their help, they just had to call.
They all waved goodbye, and went back to their wood
Feeling quite happy this ending was good.
"Let's get the nuts and stack them away,
Then get the girls and ask them to play."
Tommy ran on, but turned round to yell,
"I'll go get Reggie, and Whiffy as well."
Bodger the Beaver went back to his dam
Pleased he could help little Egret Evan.
| Author Notes | My special thanks to photoglvr2 for the stunning photo of the Egret in flight. |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Timmy and Tommy Mouse lay in their beds,
Each with a pillow to prop up their heads.
They were eagerly waiting for Daddy to come
To read them their story, a Christmassy one.
Then Daddy Mouse came after just a short while,
"I hope you're not tired," he said with a smile.
He took hold of a chair and pulled it near,
So both of his sons could easily hear.
"This is a story of long, long ago,
About something special I want you to know."
Timmy and Tommy both loved to be told,
True stories of wonder that were very old.
"A long time ago, in a town far away,
Was a stable with cows and freshly mown hay.
The cows dreamt that something would happen that night,
Something so special, to make the world right.
They told all their friends, the mice and the sheep,
'We must make a cot where a baby can sleep.' "
"Why would a baby want to sleep in a shed?"
Tommy Mouse asked sitting up in his bed.
"I'll tell you," said Daddy. "Now where did I get?
Oh yes! The cot, but they've not found one yet.
The sheep offered wool to spread on the ground,
But the cow said, 'Could something better be found?'
'Why not the manger?' A mouse turned and said,
'With hay and your wool, it will make a nice bed!'
'That would be better; I'll clear it all out!
You pick up some hay and we'll spread it about.'
While the mice scurried off to gather some hay,
The sheep rubbed their coats till the wool came away.
The cow cleaned the manger of everything there,
Then pulled up a hay bale to make a soft chair.
With everything ready, the manger looked nice;
It was so soft and warm - all thanks to the mice.
The sheep made a blanket with wool soft and white,
To keep off the chill from this clear starlit night.
In the distance they heard a donkey's loud bray;
They knew without looking 'twas coming their way.
The mice all went over and stood by the cow,
And the sheep stood beside them, all happy now.
They knew they had made the best job they could do,
And the dream the cow had was soon to come true.
The donkey stopped outside the door of their home,
While a man and a lady came in all alone.
Then suddenly a bright light shone all around,
Just as the lady was laid on the ground.
The Angels watched over this lady, and then
She gave birth to a boy child, the saviour of men.
The cow gave her milk, and the sheep gave a shawl.
The mice smoothed the hay, and she smiled at them all.
The baby named Jesus, was sent from above,
And there in the stable, they all felt His love."
Timmy and Tommy both jumped out of bed;
"We helped baby Jesus!" Timmy Mouse said.
"And tonight it's His Birthday, and like the three Kings,
Santa is coming to bring you nice things."
"I did like the story," Tommy Mouse said,
As he snuggled down in his comfortable bed.
"Me too," whispered Timmy Mouse, trying to keep
His tired eyes open...then he fell asleep.
| Author Notes | Thank you so much, Curly Girly, for the beautiful illustration of Mary and Joseph. |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
As Miss Freda the Frog looked over her specs
She smiled at the children who sat at their desks.
In just a few moments the school bell would ring
And Christmas holidays would then begin.
Standing, she told them, "Put your books all away,
I hope that you'll all have a nice Christmas Day."
The children went home after school to get changed,
Then all met at Popsicorn Bog, as arranged.
"I'm just so excited!" laughed Reggie the Rat,
As he ambled to where his friend Tommy Mouse sat.
"Tomorrow my Daddy is getting our tree."
And Millie and Vicky declared, "So are we!"
"I hope you've all written your letter to say
What you'd like in your stocking this Christmas Day."
Said Millie the Mole, smiling. "I have sent mine;
I sent it last night...but I think there's still time."
Timmy and Tommy Mouse both said they had,
And Cyril the Squirrel gave his to his dad.
But Reggie cried, "I forgot! What shall I do?"
And Vicky the Vole groaned, "I forgot too!"
"Don't worry!" a voice called from inside the wood.
"He knows what you all want...he's ever so good!"
They all turned around thinking, who could it be?
"Who are you? Come out - so we can all see!"
"It's our friend the elf!" burst out Reggie the Rat,
As an elf dressed in green with a long pointed hat
Came out of the wood and smiling away,
Said, "Hello my friends! This is my lucky day!
I came here to find you, and here you all are,
I'm pleased I did not have to look very far!"
They sat down to hear what the elf had to say.
"We need lots of help, or there's no Christmas day.
You see lots of elves have come down with the flu,
And with many more presents to wrap left to do
I told him of you and our day in the wood,
So Santa has asked, would you help if you could?"
Well, Cyril the Squirrel and Reggie the Rat
Just looked at each other and started to clap!
While Timmy and Tommy and Vicky the Vole,
Danced in a circle with Millie the Mole.
"Can we help Santa? Of course we all can!
We will be happy to lend him a hand!"
"I'd like to go home first; I must ask my Mum,"
Said Millie the Mole, "for permission to come."
"We have to ask also," declared Tommy Mouse.
"But it's not very far to get to our house."
"Of course you must all ask, and I will come too."
The little elf smiled. "It's the right thing to do."
When all of the Mummies and Daddies had heard
There might not be Christmas, they said, "How absurd!
Not to have Christmas! That's never been done!
Of course you must go; I'm sure you'll have fun!"
As he turned to the elf Daddy Mouse said,
"Make sure they're not too late going to bed!"
Back in the wood they all wanted to know,
"How do we get there and when do we go?"
"We are going right now and we're going this way,"
With a flick of his fingers, there was the sleigh!
With six magic reindeer, they all climbed on board,
Then up and away with the reindeers they soared.
It didn't take long to get up in the sky
Near to the moon, they went ever so high!
Then after a while the reindeer came down,
And suddenly there they were back on the ground.
Then there was Santa Claus standing right there...
And all they could do was just sit there and stare!
Santa leaned back with his hands on his hips
And a little smile played on the edge of his lips.
"So you are the ones who found out the way
To the place in the woods where my little elves play!"
Well, Timmy and Tommy Mouse squirmed in their seat,
While Reggie the Rat just looked down at his feet.
Then Santa Claus laughed his loud, ho, ho, ho,
And carried on laughing, just letting them know
That he really was pleased that they had all come
To help with the work the sick elves should have done.
"Let's all go inside as I'd like you to meet
The rest of the elves that are still on their feet!"
The friends looked around; they still didn't know
Where Santa's home was - there was nothing but snow!
Then Santa, still smiling said, "Come, follow me,"
And opened a door that nobody could see!
They all went inside, and, WOW! What a sight
There were thousands of presents, all packed in so tight!
"Well now, my dear friends," Santa's hearty voice boomed
As they stood there wide-eyed in the toy-wrapping room.
"There isn't much time, and there's much to be done,
If we all pull together this race will be won."
"There are thousands of toys! Where do we begin?"
Gasped Reggie the Rat, as it quite baffled him!
Just then Mummy Claus bustled into the room
And called over to Santa, 'It's supper time soon.
It's too late to start any wrapping tonight,
We will go to bed early and start at first light."
Santa agreed with what Mummy Claus said,
And rubbing his tummy said, "Time to be fed!"
Early next morning there were six sleepy heads,
Yawning and stretching, they climbed out of bed.
They looked for their clothes and saw they were gone;
Instead they found outfits in green to put on.
"What do I do look like?" asked Vicky the Vole.
"We all look like elves!" giggled Millie the Mole.
They all met for breakfast and when they were done,
Santa Claus said, "Now who wants some fun?"
"I do!" said Cyril, and the others did too.
"Then let's go and find something magic to do."
They marched down the hallway and then through a door,
Into the room that they'd all come here for.
There were toys on the tables and toys on the shelves,
And more piled up high just in front of some elves.
So many toys, more than they could believe,
To be wrapped up and sorted before Christmas Eve!
"Where do we begin?" Tommy asked with surprise.
"There are so many toys here in front of my eyes!"
Santa Claus smiled and said, "Come over here.
Can you feel your arms tingle as you draw near?"
Tommy Mouse stopped, and then tried to step back
But just then he found himself holding a sack!
"Where did this come from? What's wrong with my arm?"
Then he saw his friends also were filled with alarm!
"Don't worry," smiled Santa, "it's magic you know,
Just lift up your arm and watch everything flow."
They did as he told them, and suddenly...Wow
They were wrapping the presents and didn't know how!
Santa Claus began laughing. "Isn't this fun?
At the speed you are going, we'll soon have it done!"
The friends thought it magic, the best they had seen,
When an elf said it came from their outfits of green.
"These clothes that we're wearing have got magic sleeves
But they will only work - on those who believe."
The youngsters were puzzled. "Believe in what?"
"Believe in Santa! There are some who do not!"
"It's a terrible thing," another elf said,
"That so many children will go up to bed
And believe there's no Santa Claus coming tonight."
Then Millie the Mole gasped, "But that isn't right!"
"No," the elf sighed, "you can see how we feel,
But how can we prove to them Santa is real?"
Then Santa came over and with a sad smile,
Said, "This has been happening for quite a while.
You'll see lots of people dressed up to be me,
And it doesn't take long for the children to see
There can't be a Santa Claus in every store.
Then on every street you will see even more!"
"But you must do something!" declared Timmy Mouse.
"Why don't you just wake them when you're in their house?"
"Because they won't see me," was Santa's reply.
"You have to believe to see with your eyes."
"Well, I will believe for ever and ever,"
Said Reggie the Rat. "Because I am clever!"
Everyone laughed, and then Santa Claus clapped,
"It's time to begin; there are lots to get wrapped."
The wrapping was easy; they sped through the pile,
As presents kept coming, for mile after mile.
But with magical sleeves they'd soon get it done,
Never had wrapping before been such fun!
When they were finished they all looked around-
Not one single present was there on the ground.
Where had they all gone? They looked round the back,
And there was Santa Claus filling his sack.
With thousands of presents, some big and some small,
Tommy Mouse asked, "Is there room for them all?"
"This is my magic sack...come over here,
If you look closer, gold stars will appear.
Each one is a present, that's how they fit in."
The friends were amazed, and they started to grin.
"Have we got a present? Are they a star?"
Then Timmy said shyly, "I'd like a toy car!"
Everyone giggled, and then Santa said,
"It's time to go home and get ready for bed."
They all said goodbye to all their new friends,
And hoped they would see them once Christmas time ends.
Then, in Santa's sleigh, they flew up in the sky,
And waved to the moon as they went flying by.
Then they were home and with so much to tell
About the nice elves, and their costumes as well!
About all the presents, and Santa's big sack;
How toys became stars when they looked round the back.
Mummy and Daddy Mouse laughed at their boys,
And realised just how much they'd missed the noise!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Come on...Wake up you two!" Daddy Mouse said,
"There's a sack full of toys at the end of your bed!"
The two boys jumped up, shouting, "It's Christmas Day!"
And into their sacks they both dived straight away.
Each of the presents had its own special star,
Then Timmy Mouse shrieked, "I have got my toy car!"
| Author Notes | Sorry it's long, (Not really!) This story will have lot's of illustrations in it later, but I didn't know how to do it on here. Thank you so much Tammy Gail for this lovely illustration you did especially for this story! |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Timmy and Tommy picked up their school bags,
Then looked down to read what was on their name tags.
"This one is yours," Tommy said to his twin,
"It's heavier than mine." Then he saw Timmy grin.
"What's in here?" he asked him, "Can I look inside?"
"Yes. But be careful," his brother replied.
"Why? What have you got?" Tommy wanted to know,
Undoing the bag now exceedingly slow.
Then Tommy peeped in and his eyes opened wide,
And Timmy Mouse laughed so much, he almost cried!
Cedric the Spider dressed up in school socks,
Was sitting there grinning on Timmy's lunch box!
"He wants to come with us and learn how to read,"
Timmy told Tommy, "Of course, I agreed.
He wants to read stories and learn to write too,
It's something that he's always wanted to do."
Cedric looked worried; he wanted to know,
"Will you still take me? Don't say I can't go!"
Tommy Mouse smiled and said, "I think it's good,
That you want to read; I think everyone should."
"We'd better get going," Timmy Mouse cried,
Seeing their school bus was waiting outside.
They picked up their bags and shouted, "Bye, Mum!"
And Cedric held tightly, so pleased he could come.
They climbed on the bus and waved to their friends
Who sat waiting for them down at the end.
There on the back seat was Vicky the Vole,
With Cyril the Squirrel and Millie the Mole.
Reggie the Rat called out, "Come on down here;
I've saved your seats," he smiled, when they were near.
The bus pulled away, and after a while
It reached the school gates, and then with a smile,
Timmy Mouse quickly walked into his class
Holding his school bag as if it was glass.
Straight up to Miss Freda, with bag open wide
He showed her to Cedric, still sitting inside.
"Who have we got here, then?" Miss Freda smiled.
"It's Cedric the Spider, Miss," Timmy replied.
"He wants you to teach him to read and to write;
I told him you would - I hope that's alright?"
Cedric climbed out and his face turned quite red.
"I'll work very hard if you let me," he said.
Into the room now, the others all came,
And when they saw Cedric, they asked him his name.
Miss Freda then told them to go and sit down,
While one more desk for the classroom was found.
Cedric stood there with a smile on his face,
So happy to be in this wonderful place.
The day passed too quickly for Cedric, but then,
He now knew that soon he would be back again.
He'd learnt a few letters and numbers too.
The friends that he'd made had shown him what to do.
Millie the Mole had shown him how to draw,
Not just with one hand, but two, three, and four!
Everyone went home so pleased with their day,
And Timmy asked Cedric to come out to play.
Millie and Vicky told him that he should,
And Reggie the Rat told him it would be good.
They'd go home for tea just like they always do,
And Cyril said, "That would be tickety boo!"
| Author Notes | Thank you Bertodi for this lovely little picture of a school. |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Timmy and Tommy Mouse stood by their door,
Today was the day they'd been waiting for.
Their cases were packed with lots of warm clothes,
Gloves for their hands and thick socks for their toes.
The coach had arrived; they were ready to go,
To a place far away that always had snow.
Mummy Mouse tried very hard not to cry,
As she and Daddy Mouse waved them good-bye.
"Have a good time and make sure you take care!"
She worried so much when she couldn't be there.
After their cases were up on the rack,
The boys went and sat with their friends at the back.
They reached the hotel after traveling all day,
Just stopping for lunch and a drink on the way.
Tired and hungry but they didn't care,
As soon as they saw there was snow everywhere!
Miss Freda the Frog called to them and said,
"We'll go and have dinner and then go to bed."
Next day they all stood outside in the snow,
All wondering where they were going to go.
Miss Freda had told them it was a surprise,
And smiled at them all with a gleam in her eyes!
She looked at their clothing and saw without doubt,
They all were dressed warmly to keep the chill out.
Off they all went for a very short ride,
Each sat by a window and looking outside.
All of a sudden they heard Timmy shout,
"Hey, look over there, it's the sea!" he cried out.
Everyone looked and as sure as could be,
The coach really was heading down to the sea.
When the coach stopped and they'd all tumbled out,
They all found they couldn't stop slipping about.
Miss Freda then opened the box in her hand,
"I've brought you all snow sticks they'll help you to stand."
Once they were steady, she said, "Follow me,
We have some nice friends who live here by the sea."
They turned round the corner and there by the shore,
Were creatures that none of them had seen before!
"These are called Penguins, they live on the ice."
Miss Freda then told them, "They're all very nice.
Let's go and meet them." She said with a smile,
"I'm sure they would all like to talk for a while."
Just as they started, the penguins turned round,
The friends all stopped talking, not making a sound.
Watching the penguins glide over the ice,
They made it look easy, such fun and so nice.
"How do you do that?!" asked Reggie the Rat,
"You walk on the ice! I wish I could do that."
The first Penguin chuckled, "What is your name?"
And Reggie then told her, and she did the same.
"I'm Penny Penguin, have you come to play?
We'll teach you to ice walk if you'd like to stay."
Cyril the Squirrel nudged Reggie the Rat,
Then said to Miss Freda, "Please, can we do that?"
Miss Freda the Frog smiled down at them all,
"Well, that's what we've come for, but try not to fall!"
Reggie then told Penny all his friend's names,
Then Cyril hollered, "We like to play games."
So Penny's two brothers, Perky and Pin,
Said "Right now, it's time, let the lessons begin!"
Perky the Penguin showed them how to glide,
With feet pointed outward, so they wouldn't slide.
"Gracefully does it, one foot at a time.
I'll stand in the front so you all can see mine!"
Millie fell over, then Reggie the Rat,
Then Timmy and Vicky as down they both sat.
Tommy laughed so much he fell over too,
While Cyril just giggled, "Well, tickity boo!
With Penguins all laughing and fooling around,
When Miss Freda looked, they were all on the ground.
The loud noise they made, brought more Penguins there
And soon it was like all the fun at the fair!
Slipping and sliding they just couldn't stand,
They started to hold onto each other's hand!
Once they were up, they were soon falling down,
Just like at the circus, they acted like clowns!
Miss Freda stood watching and shaking her head,
"I think you had better calm down." she said.
Then one of the Penguins had an idea,
And calling his friends, said, "Come over here!
If we are going to show them our slide,
We'd best get our sled and give them a ride."
So Pinky and Pin went off in a rush,
Turning fresh snow into wet soggy slush!
Once in the sled they were all whisked away,
To a large ice slide where they could all play.
The Penguins then took them up to the top,
But when they slid down, they just couldn't stop!
Laughing and squealing, they had so much fun,
As back to the top they all went, one by one!
Soon it was time when they all had to go,
The Penguins went off to their homes in the snow.
Timmy and Tommy Mouse waved them good bye,
While Millie the Mole let out a long sigh.
Vicky the Vole said, "We'll see them some more."
And everyone nodded and said,"That's for sure!"
| Author Notes | These are the continuing stories of the Hedgerow series. My little furry friends are humanoid critters, always helpful to others regardless of what species they are, Mice help kittens, and help a badger build a dam, they are a friendly little group, always there for each other. This is now the 29th story. |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Timmy and Tommy ran into their house
Calling out loudly "We're home, Mummy Mouse!"
Mummy came out of her kitchen and said,
"Go change your school clothes for the ones on your bed.
Then, after your tea, you'll be ready to go,
To help make the float for the carnival show."
With school lessons over, the weekend was here,
A weekend of fun and of laughter and cheer.
Their float was a pirate ship, they were the crew;
They wished they could do what the real pirates do!
They'd search for some treasure of jewels and gold,
All had an eye patch and toy parrot to hold.
When Timmy and Tommy had finished their tea,
They went and told Mummy Mouse where they would be.
Then off they both went to Hedgerow Village Hall,
And when they arrived, they could hear Cyril call,
"We're all over here; we've been waiting for you!
We've started the painting, there's plenty to do."
They were painting their boat bright yellow and green;
They'd make it the best pirate ship ever seen,
While Reggie the Rat had been making their flags
By cutting out squares from his mother's old rags.
Then Vicky the Vole had to tie them on poles
As it was held tightly by Millie the Mole.
Just over the lane on Hedgerow Village Green,
Were lots of things happening, lots to be seen.
Every Carnival time, the fair would come too,
So that the whole weekend had fun things to do.
With bumper-cars, dippers, and merry-go-rounds,
And coconut shy's, knocking nuts to the ground.
Mega Mouse would come and lift up two large mice;
There were candy-floss stalls and lots of things nice.
What with so many things - the carnival too,
There was not much time left, but still lots to do.
With Timmy and Tommy and all their best mates
Came Whiffy the Weasel; he'd bought paper plates!
"I thought these would do for the port-holes," he said,
And everyone cheered him, 'till Whiffy turned red!
"How will they stay on?" Reggie asked with a frown.
"With glue!" called out Millie. "They'll never fall down!"
So it was decided, and with any luck,
They'll be there forever, once they are all stuck.
When the port-holes were on and all painted blue,
They couldn't see anything left now to do.
Their float was now ready, the flags all looked good,
The paint was all shining, the way that it should.
The portholes were gleaming, the ship was all done;
Tomorrow was going to be such great fun.
When Daddy Mouse came to look over their boat,
He said it was so good! It was the best float!
He looked at their painting; he looked at their flags,
That Reggie had made from his mother's old rags.
He looked at their port-holes; he said they were great,
But now it was bed time, it was getting late.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Much later next day at Hedgerow Village green,
There were lots of wonderful sights to be seen.
Many colourful floats all lined up to go,
With a band at the front to lead off the show.
As trumpeters trumpeted and cymbals clanged
So the crowd all cheered, and the pageant began.
Now everyone gasped when the pirate's boat came,
And they laughed when they saw its comical name.
"Mummies Little Pirates," just didn't sound right,
But their Mummies all smiled with happy delight.
Cyril the Squirrel had a patch on one eye,
While Reggie the Rat held his hook hand up high!
Now Timmy and Tommy were stood at the side
Of their fabulous boat, enjoying their ride.
They smiled as they threw pretend pieces of gold
In return the young ones gave gifts for the old.
With blankets and socks, cozy mittens and rugs,
The elderly would be as snug as the bugs.
Dressed up like her Grandma, was Millie the Mole,
And dressed in the same way was Vicky the Vole.
They both stood there shouting, "Remember your Gran;
Make sure they're kept warm, give as much as you can!"
Then Reggie the Rat came and held out his hook,
And more things were offered, which he gladly took.
The pageant was over; they jumped off their boat,
They each won a star for their very fine float.
And now to the fairground to have lots of fun--
There's lots of time left now the pageant is done.
Now Whiffy the Weasel ran over to say,
"The fair has got bumper-cars! Let's go and play!"
| Author Notes | This is the last chapter in this book. Hope you enjoy it! |
By Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Timmy and Tommy Mouse sat in their beds,
both had a soft pillow for resting their heads.
Eagerly waiting for Daddy to come
and read them a story—a Christmassy one.
Daddy Mouse came after just a short time,
and carried a book that was written in rhyme.
He pulled up a chair and sat down beside
his sons, who were now wearing grins a mile wide.
“On this special night I’ll tell you the one
about Christmas Eve and the birth of God’s son.”
The boys snuggled down and Daddy Mouse read...
The night baby Jesus was born in a shed.
"Long, long ago, in a town far away,
a cow in a stable stood on the fresh hay.
An angel was standing right by her side,
and passed on God’s message, which filled her with pride.
“Miss Cow told her friends, the mice and Miss Sheep,
to find a nice cot where a baby could sleep.”
“How could they make up a nice cosy bed?”
young Tommy Mouse asked his dad, and scratched his head.
“Just wait a minute, and then you will see,
how clever and helpful Miss Cow’s friends can be.
Miss Sheep offered wool, to spread over the ground,
but hoped that a much better bed could be found.
'Why not the manger?' a mouse turned and said.
'With hay and your wool, it will make a nice bed!'
Miss Cow was excited. ‘I'll clean the inside.’
‘And we’ll go and get the hay,’ all the mice cried!’
The mice scurried off to gather some hay;
Miss Sheep rubbed her coat till the wool came away.
Miss Cow cleaned the manger until it was bare,
then pulled up a hay bale, which made a great chair.
Soon all was ready; the manger looked nice,
With Miss Sheep’s wool blanket and hay from the mice.
Miss Cow stood back smiling, a shine lit her eye;
the babe in the manger would be warm and dry.
Then in the distance they heard a loud bray;
a donkey was coming, twas heading their way.
Miss Cow was excited, and so were her friends;
a good thing would happen before this night ends.
The donkey arrived and stood by the shed;
he carried a lady who needed a bed.
A man helped her down and then took her inside
while the donkey stood watching, puffed up with pride.
All of a sudden a light shone around,
just as the nice lady was laid on the ground.
Miss Cow, with her friends and the angels, stood by,
and suddenly they heard a new baby cry!
Miss Cow and Miss Sheep had tears in their eyes,
the mice were amazed at this sudden surprise!
And that’s how God’s son, baby Jesus, was born,
right there in a stable when Christmas Day dawned!
Timmy and Tommy Mouse both smiled with joy
"Mice helped baby Jesus when he was a boy!”
“And tonight is his Birthday.” Daddy Mouse smiled.
"And Santa is bringing a gift for each child."
"I did like the story," Tommy Mouse said,
as he snuggled down in his comfortable bed.
"Me too," whispered Timmy, who tried hard to keep
his tired eyes open … then both fell asleep.
| Author Notes | Timmy and Tommy Mouse are part of a group called the Hedgerow Capers Gang. Cute little creatures who like to go around helping other creatures, and having fun at the same time. I've written about 50 stories with them all in. All have been posted on here many years ago. This is a new one for Christmas. The old one is on here somewhere called, The Night Before Christmas Eve, with the whole gang in it. I hope you like this one. Thank you for reading. |
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