I.B.F.Fs: Tigress' Bedtime Story

This is my first story featuring the new I.B.F.Fs characters. I changed them around to avoid copyright issues, and I even changed their parents too. Tigress is a copyright free version of Cleo, a yellow cat with black stripes, and this is her story.

Alright, Sophie, time for bed. We’ve had a lovely day, and now it’s time to go to bed. Before we do that, I’ve got a bedtime story I would like to share with you. Settle down while I tell you the story of how we found you way back in the stone age….

Chapter 1:

The Baby

A hundred million years ago, when mankind was just starting to develop, there lived a cave cat named Tigress. She lived with her brothers, Ashfan the robot and Ocean the dog, in a cosy cave with their parents, surrounded by lush fields, green trees and fresh water. It wasn’t always like this. Sometimes it rained. Sometimes it snowed. During cold weather, they’d wear their furs and keep warm by the fire. During hot weather, they’d take off our furs entirely, and run around without any clothes in the warm air. They’d go swimming in the lake, or have a bath there. There were no modern baths in those times, so a lake bath was just as relaxing. The only problem we had with their lives was the amount of food they had.

Every Winter or Summer, they’d go hunting other animals who roamed the plains. Ocean, Afshan and Tigress would be accompanied by one of their parents, who were expert hunters. They’d go hunting for snow lions, or mammoths, or woolly rhino…but all they brought back was a rabbit or two. A small, worthless rabbit makes a little filling meal for rumbling tummies, but at least they enjoyed our catch. They’d skin our catch alive and then eat its flesh. That’s how people ate these days, but Tigress and her brothers didn’t mind. They ate their fill in small bites, and drank mammoth’s milk every night before bed. One Winter day, everything was about to change…

The snow was swirling like a whirlpool as Ocean, Ashfan, Tigress and her father Loron trudged through the snow, trying to battle the cold and heavy wind as they held their wooden spears tight. “We’re almost there!” called Tigress over the wind, “I think we’re approaching some kind of cave!” “A cave?” asked Ocean, “Finally!” They trudged with life and limb across the snow, then they stopped. The cave was big and hollow, and quite huge. “Hello!” called Ocean, and his voice echoed. “Hello, hello, hello!” it went. He tiptoed inside to see if it was safe. In the darkness, he saw a huge white snow lion sleeping soundly. He tried to be careful and avoid any noise as he held his spear up and tiptoed up towards the lion…suddenly, he tripped! A small rock tumbled and bounced off a cliff and landed on the snow lion’s head. BUMP!

The snow lion instantly jumped up and growled at Ocean. Ocean raced out of the cave screaming, and Ashfan, Loron and Tigress all ran screaming too. The snow lion struck Ocean with its sharp claws, and Ocean felt red blood trickling down his back, barely visible on his red fur. “You get him from behind!” called Ashfan, “I’ll take him by surprise!” Ocean chased the snow lion across the snowy plain and into the forest. Tigress galloped across the forest the other way, trying to search for Loron. “Dad? DAD!” she cried, but she tripped on a stone and tumbled downhill into a steep ravine. Ocean was just about to stab the lion with his spear, when he tripped and a thorn scarred his chest, drawing blood. At that moment, Ashfan jumped out, screaming and waving his spear. He stabbed it in the lion’s side. The lion roared in pain. “Your go, Ocean!” called Ashfan. Ocean knew he wasn’t about to give up yet. He screamed, and leapt at the lion, biting into its back, harder and harder, until it drew its last breath from its mouth.

At the same time, Tigress was recovering from her fall. She looked up, and saw the snow was falling lightly now, and up above, Ocean and Ashfan were cheering and whooping, shaking their kill in the air. “Woo! Look at that! We did it! We killed something other than a useless rabbit!” called Ocean. Tigress smiled and yelled back, then checked herself to see if there were any bruises. There weren’t. Her legs didn’t break. Her arms weren’t broken either. She had the strength to climb back up the cliff and reunite with her brothers again. Luckily, they helped her up as soon as she reached the cliff ledge. “Finally.” said Loron, “We killed something that’s big enough for the whole family to eat. Come on, let’s move forward and get home.”

They trudged home through the snow. It was a long walk, but they finally made it back home, only to hear a strange noise. It sounded like…like crying. They raced to the front door and saw a tiny baby lying outside the doorstep in the freezing cold, wrapped in furs and waving her arms in agony. “Who’s that?” asked Ocean. “Looks like a baby to me,” said Ashfan. “I don’t care, she’s mine,” said Tigress. She took the baby in her warm arms and began to cradle her gently. The warmth and gentleness of her arms soothed the baby and caused her to stop crying. “How sweet,” said Loron, “You’re just like a big sister to this baby.” “Let me guess - we’re going to adopt it.” said Ashfan. “We’ll take it indoors with us. She has no mother, so I guess we should look after it ourselves.” Loron smiled. “She’ll be my favourite too, I don’t care how beloved my new baby sister is.” Tigress said, “I promise to be good to her and watch it grow up.”

Ocean, Ashfan, Tigress and Loron went indoors and saw their parents sitting in the warmth of their cave, waiting for them to return home. “Are you alright, Tigress?” asked Collar. “I’m fine. I would like to introduce you to a new member of our family. She’s a little small, but you’ll soon get used to her.” Tigress introduced. Everyone at once sighed and chorused, “Aaaaaaawwww.” They said things like “Isn’t she cute?” and “Welcome to the family!” Once the cute noises died down, Kennel said, “We haven’t given her a name yet.” “What shall we name her?” asked Rachael. “Mammoth’s tooth!” said Ocean. “Tortilla Tail!” said Ashfan. “No. We don’t need those names. All we can name her is…Sophie.” said Tigress. “Welcome, Sophie.” everyone sighed, as they quietly watched Tigress hold the baby close to her bosom.

Tigress was still cradling the baby as the family sat round the fire eating the remains of the snow lion. The fresh smell of killed meat filled the air as the family tucked into their first real meal they had in weeks. The snow whistled and blew great flakes of white outside, but they sat in the warm, feeling full, and talking about their day. Ocean, Ashfan and Tigress were getting really tired, and the yellow, black-striped cat carried on holding Sophie, feeding her the right amount of mammoth milk. She even patted her on her back, burping her. The family’s pet, Scruff the sabre-toothed dog, and the sabre-toothed mouse Cheese, gathered to look at the new baby with their family, and tickled and cuddled the new baby. Giggles and sounds of “Coochie-coochie-coo!” were heard all through the family as everyone admired Sophie and kissed her. Sophie’s eyes were starting to get a little heavy from all this fuss and attention, so Collar said, “Time for bed, everyone.”

Ocean, Ashfan and Tigress prepared a bed for what was now four of them with Sophie by their side. They piled up some furs and placed a pillow made out of duck feathers at the very top of the bed. It was getting dark as they did that, as the sound of Winter wind blew outside, and yawning and calls of “Goodnight.” we heard throughout the house. Ocean, Ashfan, Tigress and Sophie relaxed in bed, snug and safe inside their very own soft bed, under soft furry covers, as if a giant sabre-toothed cat was lying on top of them, keeping them warm and protected from the cold wind and weather. Their eyes grew heavy as the soothing sound of the Winter wind played its song outside the cave.

Tigress was lying right next to her new baby sister, whispering “There there. It’s alright. I’m here. Tigress’ here. It’s okay.” She kissed her and nuzzled her, touching her soft skin and snuggling with her. Sophie was so soothed that she and Tigress instantly fell asleep right away. With a new baby in the family, things will never be the same for them, because the family will have a new kid to look after and watch grow up through the next few years.

When I Think Of Returning Home...

Can't Get This Song Out Of My Head

Flintstones & Pooh Bears

Drawing Activity - Platinum Jubilee/String Quartet In F Major, Op.3 & Other Drawing Activities

Celebrate the long and treasured life of her majesty The Queen with this drawing activity! The Queen is very fond of afternoon tea, and my favourite part of the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee was seeing all those children's characters together on that big float! Using your coloured pens and pencils, draw your favourite characters from TV or books dressed in royal attire. Listen to this piece of music if you want inspiration:

And in the case of all my other stories, you could try these drawing prompts:

• Luke, Resus, Cleo and you wandering the Australian outback or partaking in Australian activities.
• Luke, Resus, Cleo and their parents looking after you as a toddler during the Stone Age.
• Luke, Resus, Cleo, Six and you building a fallout shelter in case of Scream Street's seasonal rot.
• Grace discovering the door leading to the magical world she's about to explore.
• Luke, Resus, Cleo and you drinking hot cocoa by the fire.
• Samantha standing before the Queen as she gives her her teddy bear back.

Choose any piece of music that fits the prompt's theme. It can be any kind of music you want - folk, world, classical, Scream Street music...almost anything that fits!

Furaha & Bumpy Dog's Listening Adventure

A CBeebies Radio-exclusive dramatised adventure for younger listeners to join in with. Furaha and Bumpy Dog want to play with Noddy and Tessie Bear, but they're too busy. A kind, trusting voiceover presents them with a game they can play using only their ears - a listening game! They listen to sounds around them like Mr Plod's squeaky shoes, Mr Sparks working in his garage, and Dinah Doll humming as she sets up her stall.

Shoo Plum Pie

This is me making plum crumble at my support worker's house. When I tried different flavours to put on the crumble, like apple and vanilla, I tried almond oil, and it smells of feet! Yuck!

Idea Of The Day: Chip N Dale Diaries

This was an idea that was roaming around my head while I was out with Ben on this carsick journey this week.

Chip and Dale have just moved to Hollywood. Searching for fame, they got their part in commercials and even a cameo appearance in some TV shows, until they were contacted by an agent to star in their own show, Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers. While meeting their new friends Montgomery Jack, Gadget and Zipper, they film the episodes, unaware that real adventure happens around every corner. Join them for mysteries, drama, friendship and nuts!

Jungle Music!

Today's The Day I Met The Queen

To Your Majesty,

Thank you for giving me the honourable mention and MBE at your Platinum Jubilee. I keep it in a jar so that my big sister Sarah can’t see it or tear it to pieces. Now that you’ve passed away, I couldn’t forget the day I met you when I went to London with my mum and sister a few months ago. I remember it like it was yesterday…

Mum, Sarah and I were out walking in London. We’ve just had fish and chips at the local cafe, and scoured through endless markets and gift shops. When we passed your home, Buckingham Palace, I thought we’d stop and look at it for a while. “It’s so beautiful!” I said as I gazed at this great, magnificent building. “Isn’t it,” said my mum, “It's the home of a very special person indeed - the Queen.” “The Queen?” My eyes lit up. “How long has she been ruler of England for?” “Years, maybe weeks, maybe centuries, I presume,” said Mum. “I don’t get it,” said Sarah, who was only 15 wheras I was six. It’ll be my seventh birthday soon, so don’t get me wrong if I don’t celebrate without you. Hiring you to a birthday party would be too expensive.

“Sarah, show some respect. This is a British empire, and you are to be on your best behaviour when meeting the Queen,” said Mum. I was holding Teddy in my hand this entire time. I had taken him to London on the train, so it would be a first for him. I’ve had him since I was a baby, and he proved to be my favourite toy of all time. I reached through the big black gates, and as if I didn’t know it, I accidentally dropped Teddy through them. “Teddy!” I cried. “Told ya,” said Sarah. “Sarah!” said Mum as I began crying. “Don’t be so disrespectful to your sister. By the way, look at the time! We have to go home now.” “But what about Teddy?!” I wailed. “Don’t worry, Sam, I’m sure the Queen will give the bear to her children to play with.”

I was crying all the way home, and my eyes were still red when it’s time for dinner. In fact, I refused to eat because of Teddy’s absence, and Sarah teased me for being a baby all the way until bedtime. I sat on my bed and sulked. I had never felt so lonely in my entire life. Teddy had been there for me since I was born, but now it feels like we’re miles apart. I’m not talking about me and you, your majesty, I’m talking about me and Teddy. At bedtime, Mum offered me a pink toy rabbit, but I screamed and threw it against the wall. “No! I don’t want Pink Rabbit! I want Teddy!” “There’s nothing we can do,” said Mum, “He’s in his new home now.” I cried again, this time I cried myself to sleep as Mum switched the lights off. There was a huge hole in my heart where Teddy once was. I cried until I could squeeze no more tears, then finally, I went to sleep.

The next day, we were having breakfast, but I was too sad to eat my cornflakes. Suddenly, a trumpet fanfare blasted the air, and Sarah shrieked and fell off her seat. I ran to see where the noise had come from and looked out the window. To my surprise, a golden carriage pulled by two majestic white horses wheeled its way down the road and into the parking area near my house. The door swung open, and out walked you. Your majesty. Seeing you in person made me a little nervous, but I was so glad to finally meet you. You were dressed in your best clothes and your finest hat, and you had a pearl necklace around your neck. Two guards followed you to the front door.

I raced to the front door, and there you were, carrying something in your hand. That something was something I might’ve forgotten forever - Teddy! “Teddy!” I cried, and you gave it to me, resulting in me giving it a literal bear hug. “I’m glad you’re reunited with your bear at last.” you said proudly, “In fact, while I was out playing fetch with one of my corgis he found your bear outside Buckingham Palace and brought it to me. The label had scribbly writing which said ‘Samantha’ and had your address on the other side, and I knew exactly who it belonged to, so I thought I’d just drop by and give you your bear back.” “Nice to meet you, your majesty,” said my mum, “Thank you for bringing Sam’s bear back, she was so worried.” “A pleasure,” you said. “And, as you had made your bear officially British, I’m making you a guest of honour at my Platinum Jubilee!” I squealed and jumped up and down. It was an opportunity I wasn’t going to miss.

When the time came, all of London was in full swing. I was dressed in regal clothing with a tiara upon my head. Not a plastic one, a real, actual tiara. My float was coloured orange and pink - my favourite colours - and people dressed as princes and princesses marched alongside me while tumbling acrobats twisted and jumped and did leaps around me. Mum and Sarah were watching from the sidelines, cheering along with the crowd. I held my bear tight, so I won’t lose it again. Loud, graceful music and trumpet fanfares came blasting out from both directions, and behind me trailed the little Corgi puppets, all gracefully alike with fake fur and little plastic tongues. People were waving Union Jacks proudly, and I waved politely to the crowd-goers.

Later, as the crowd quietened down, I approached you before the hushed crowd and bowed low. Mum and Sarah watched on, tears streaming from Mum’s face. “By the honourable privilege of the British empire, I’d like to award young Samantha Johnson an MBE for making her beloved teddy bear truly British.” you announced. The crowd cheered and waved their Union Jacks as the MBE was handed to me. I felt so proud, and even Sarah cheered and whistled for me. “Now, Samantha, what is it you’d like to say to the crowd before you go?” you asked. I cleared my throat and looked at the crowd. I was a little nervous. I never talked in front of a crowd before. I knew I had to do what’s best for my family, so I cleared my throat and began to speak:

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for making my bear an official British symbol. I haven’t had to meet the Queen without your love and support, and you are all great people to me inside and out. I hope the Queen leaves a lasting legacy on you all as it has on me.”

The crowd’s cheers started up again, and even you were so moved you took out a hankie from your precious bag and dabbed at your streaming eyes. The cheers still fill my head this time as I write. I keep my MBE safe in a jar, and just so you know, I feel so proud I had this massive achievement meeting you and becoming a guest of honour at your Platinum Jubilee celebrations. I even had your picture taken with you after the celebrations were over.

Oh, that’s my mum calling that it’s time for school. I can’t wait to tell all my friends about meeting you in person, and I hope to write to you again soon. Thanks again and enjoy your new castle in the clouds.

Love,

Samantha.

Hot Cocoa, Warm Kisses

One morning, Luke, Resus, Cleo and I awoke to hear a strange whistling noise coming from outside. It couldn’t be the postman, because his whistling sounds jolly and not so spooky at all. We looked out the window and saw what was making the whistling sound. It was the snowy breath of Winter air, covering everything in our town so that it made everything quiet. But we weren’t quiet when we saw the snow. “SNOW!” we cried, high-fiving each other. “Oh boy, I can’t believe it snowed overnight!” I cried, “We’re going to do all the stuff kids do when it snows outside.” “Like…build snowmen?” asked Luke. “You bet!” I said. “And make snowballs to use in snowball fights?” asked Cleo. “Sure,” I said. “And make snow angels?” “Oh baby, yes!” I cried.

We brushed our teeth and raced downstairs to have our breakfast. It was cornflakes. The grownups had toast. “What’s all the rush?” asked Alston Negative. “It snowed!” I shouted with glee. “I can’t believe it!” cried Luke. “Woohoo!” cried Cleo. “I know you’re all excited,” laughed Mrs Watson, “Now eat up your breakfast. You don’t want to be late for school.” “Where’s Mum?” I asked. “Mum’s on the phone two times this morning.” said Niles, “I heard she’s been on the phone with Calypso. Now she’s on the phone with Dr Skulley.” As we started on our cornflakes, Mum was really speaking to Dr Skulley on the phone. “Yes, it’s alright with me. What? You mean the snow’s blocked the school entrance? Okay, I’ll let everyone know. Yeah, it’s alright. See you later. Bye!” Mum put down the phone and walked up to the breakfast table.

“Well, guys, sounds like you’re having a snow day.” said Mum. “Really?” I asked. “School’s closed because of the snow, so how would you like to spend the day playing in it?” “Yeah!” we cried, and we high-fived each other yet again. “Kids these days. Full of energy, they are.” laughed Bella Negative. “What will you be doing whilst we’re playing in the snow?” I asked. “We’re going to be shovelling the snow away from the front door.” said Mr Watson. “It seems like hard work for a simple-minded man like myself.” Luke tried not to laugh. “I know that smirk hiding under that grin, Luke.” said Mr Watson with a determined look on his face. “Sorry, dad, I guess I thought you were doing what Bandit, Stripe and Lucky’s Dad do every Summer when the stumps come out to roast.” “That’s Stumpfest,” I said. “Stumpfest doesn’t occur in Winter. It occurs in Summer.” “But they cut down trees to make Christmas trees in Winter,” said Cleo. “That’s when you hear them shout…” I made a drum roll on the table using two spoons. “TIMBER!!” “Okay, not so loudly,” Mum laughed, “Finish your breakfast like good kids before you go out and play.”

After breakfast, the big moment came. We put on our hats and scarves and coats and Winter boots, and ran outside with our sledge towards the park. All the playground equipment was covered with snow, and there were children playing everywhere. We saw Coco and Indy sledging downhill. We saw Honey and Mackenzie making a snowman. We saw Winston trying to dig for treasure in the snow, which made us laugh. First, we sledged down the hill. The Winter wind whipped our hair and bandages as we screamed and yelled with delight riding down the hill. I was sitting behind Resus, and I held onto him as the cold wind blew in my face. At last, the sledge hit a rock, and we were sent tumbling head over heels in the snow. We got up, laughing in joy. Next, we lay back down on the snow and made snow angels. Making a snow angel is very simple, really - you just have to lie down and wave your arms and legs up and down to make a white cotton gown and beautiful golden wings - except the gold and cotton are never to be found anywhere. The only cottony softness exists in the snow, and it was very soft and cold against our skin.

Not long afterward, we decided to have a snowball fight. We made snowballs and threw them at each other, ducking and dodging and trying to avoid every single throw. We hid behind snow-covered walls to avoid the snowballs coming straight at us like they did in the army. Resus was trying his best to avoid Luke’s snowballs, but he fell over and almost slid towards the icy pond, but someone caught him just in time. It was Bluey! “You know, mate, a snowball fight could be very dangerous.” she said. “Why’s that, Bluey?” asked Cleo. “Because of the frozen pond! Don’t you see? The pond is frozen solid, and if anyone pretends to slide on it the ice might crack, and then you’ll be trapped under the ice forever!” I shuddered just thinking about being entombed in an ice cube for all eternity. “Gee, I don’t think we’d go on the pond then.” I said. “Why don’t we build a snowman instead?” “No worries, mate,” said Bluey.

Bluey helped us make a snowdog. Luke, Resus, Cleo and Bluey rolled lumps of snow towards the hill, the lumps getting bigger and bigger until they became snowballs, while I tried to find sticks and lumps of coal to make the snowdog’s arms, eyes and mouth.

Winnie The Pooh Cake

Onesies - Chapter 1: Love From Aunt Marleen

The moment after my birthday party was when I found that flamingo onesie. I was saying goodbye to the party guests and handing out party bags. Each contained pencils, mini notebooks, little smiley-faced chocolate buttons and colouring pens - my favourite scented ones. I had to choose them because I thought the guests might share them too. As each party guest left in their best dresses and frocks, I waved goodbye, ran into the house and out into the garden. The pink bouncy castle set up for me was my favourite part of my party, and I just couldn’t wait to try it out before it deflated.

I began bouncing on the castle, having such a lot of fun that I didn’t want to leave. I bounced so high, I almost reached for the sky as its afternoon hugh of blue stretched far and wide. The bouncy castle was still filled with balloons coloured pink, green, yellow and orange, so I was very careful not to bounce on one - POP! Oops! I almost did! I fell back in shock, but suddenly I almost sat on something cardboardy. A bit too cardboardy for my liking. It was small, rectangular and coloured pink with lots of palm trees on it. I was curious about the parcel. I looked hard at it. There was something pink and foamy inside.

At that moment, my dad and mum came running outside. “What’s going on?” asked Dad. “We heard screaming!” said Mum, but then they both noticed the little box I was sitting beside. “Ah, is this the new present Aunt Marleen got you?” Aunt Marleen was always my favourite member of the family. She’s always travelling places, like Hawaii and Australia. This time, she was visiting New Zealand, and that was at the appropriate time of my birthday too, because the label on the box said: “Made in New Zealand”. “All the way from New Zealand? Cool!” I cried. “Aunt Marleen was meant to give you this present, but she was away on her travels, so she sent it via air mail instead. We thought we could wait until after your birthday party to give you this.” said Mum. “Then what is it?” I asked. “Well, open it and see.” said Dad.

I opened it alright. It was indeed a foamy pink thing with orange and black bits. “What is it?” I asked for the second time that afternoon. “It’s a flamingo onesie,” said Dad, “Aunt Marleen saw it in the shops and hoped you’d like it for a change from scruffy old pyjamas.” “There’s also a letter with the onesie. Read it, Grace.” I read the letter. It said:

“Dear Grace,

Happy birthday! Just to let you know I found this flamingo onesie in the shops on my travels in New Zealand, and I thought it would be a good idea to give it to you as a birthday present. With this onesie, there’s a hint of magic and mystery in the air whenever someone puts it on. Within seconds, you will find the onesie’s purpose in life. I hope you enjoy your new present!

Love,

Aunt Marleen.”

“I’m going to put on the onesie right now!” I cried, and raced inside and upstairs to my bedroom to get dressed. I looked very swanky in my new flamingo onesie. My mum and dad clapped as I turned around for them to admire my new fashion statement. “Bravo!” cried Dad. “Well, Grace, I think your flamingo onesie looks brilliant!” said Mum, then she added, “But you have to take it off and put on your pyjamas, because you can’t eat with your hands invisible under those wings.” I looked. My hands were not visible under those wings. They were foam and barely made of feathers at all.

I took off my flamingo onesie and put on my purple pyjamas, then went downstairs to have dinner with my mum and dad. As I ate, I thought about all the possibilities my onesie would do. What would its purpose be? Maybe it’s to bring me some magic like the letter explained? Maybe it could fly me to a place I’ve always dreamed of going…like Africa? “I want the onesie to take me to Africa!” I blurted out. “Africa? Why do you think that?” asked Dad. “Because Africa is a cool place, filled with giraffes and ostriches and lions and stuff!” “It’s impossible for a onesie to take you places you dream of going,” said Mum, “And besides, it’s not like you to imagine a onesie being able to fly you all the way to Africa so you can get malaria.” “Malaria?!” I cried. “Yes, it’s a serious disease you find in Africa, tiny mosquitoes cause it. Glad we don’t have any in this country.” “I’m being serious, there is no disease in Africa!” I said. “We’ll talk about this later. Now, eat up your dinner like a good girl.”

My mum and dad continued eating. I continued eating too, but it wasn’t long until something caught my eye. Lying on the sofa was the flamingo onesie. How did it get there? I wondered. I stared at the onesie with awe and disbelief, but it wasn’t long until it started to glow a deep pink. The sound of a doorbell ringing came from the suit. I dropped my knife and fork and ran towards the onesie. It was glowing bright as the sun, right into my eyes. It then made another noise, much like…tinkly music. “Mum! Dad!” I called, “The onesie glowed! And it’s playing music!” But Mum and Dad were finishing their dinner. Crossly, I stormed back to the table and finished eating my dinner in a grumpy mood.

Once I’ve finished eating, Mum said, “You good girl. You ate all your dinner! Perhaps you wouldn’t mind if we gave you a nice slice of chocolate fudge cake, hmm?” “Yes.” I said, with my arms folded. “What’s the magic word?” asked Mum. “Please.” I continued. Mum cut a slice of creamy chocolate fudge cake from the kitchen and placed it in front of me. But with the slice was a fortune cookie. We didn’t have fortune cookies in our house, we only had regular chocolate chip cookies. How did it get there? I wondered for the second time that day. Gratefully, I ate my cake in big bites, then examined the fortune cookie. It looked like a regular old fortune cookie, except it had a purple jewel embedded in it. No fortune cookie was ever made like this - except when jewellery was thrown into the fortune cookie batter. I broke open the cookie and found a message inside, like every fortune cookie would. I read the message carefully.

“Tonight, you will go on a magical adventure.”

My eyes lit up! I’ve never been on a magical adventure before. But I’ve yet to keep it hidden from Mum and Dad, so I whispered to myself, “A magical adventure! A magical adventure! I’m having an adventure!” “Why are you whispering like that, sweetie?” asked Mum. I just said, “Nothing, Mum, I’m just telling myself what a great cake I had.” “I’m sure you were whispering something,” said Dad. “I was whispering something. Something about the cake.” “Make sure you save us slices next time, and don’t shove a whole slice into your mouth. It’s bad manners. Make sure you show some real manners this time.” “Real manners? Like what?” I asked. “Well, saying please and thank you and eating in small bites.” said Mum.

After dinner, I tried on my flamingo onesie again. It was ultra comfortable, and fitted me perfectly. I played and danced about in my flamingo onesie all afternoon, until Mum called “Time for bed!” “Can I wear my flamingo onesie?” I asked. “Of course you can,” said Mum. I brushed my teeth and washed my face, then climbed into bed as Mum read me a story. The story was Alice In Wonderland. As she read, my pink flamingo onesie glowed, and I have to admit, it tickled quite a bit. I roared with laughter! “What’s so funny?” asked Mum. “Oh, er…I just thought the bit with the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party was funny.” I said. “Okay then, well settle down now. We all need to get some sleep.” Mum switched off the light and exited the room, so I snuggle down to get some sleep at last.

A few minutes into midnight, as the stars twinkled in the sky, my onesie started to glow again. I couldn’t help giggling quietly, but then I heard a strange tapping noise on my door. I ignored it and went back to sleep. The tapping got louder. I shot right out of bed, and looked out the window. It was a sparkling ball of light, all purplish-blue, floating in the sky. I opened the window, and it shot in, knocking books off the shelf and toys off my cabinet. “Get out of here, you’re making a mess!” I cried, but the sparkle didn’t listen. It began to twinkle and fly around me, playing a tune similar to ‘Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy’. The tune at once enchanted me. I was tired, but I was wide awake enough to listen to the most beautiful music my ears have ever heard. It flittered around the room, putting books back onto the shelf and toys back onto the cabinet. “Thanks,” I said, “For a mischievous sphere of light, you could do a lot of chores.”

It then approached my wall. Was it going to smash through it? No, it wasn’t. It morphed into a little door shape, and then it became a little door. It was coloured light blue and its doorknob was purple, like blackberries in an Autumn bramble bush. I got down on my hands and knees and crawled towards the door. I knocked three times, and it opened, revealing pure darkness. Curious, I crawled inside. I was intrigued outside, but inside, I was excited. It was going to be a new adventure for me…