BEDTIME

ADVENTUrES!

Storytime
TM

help
BATS! A princess gets
iends!
from her little flying fr

CATS! What happens when

they wander after dark?

NIGHT BEAR
STRIKES AGAIN!
PLUS a Fairy Snake, Cake Thieves and a Sleepy Giant!
 Heroes come
in all shapes
and sizes!
Some wear armour,
while others wear hats!
Some are furry,
like bears, bats or cats!
My super hero name is:

SPOT IT!
Doyou kno
w which
story th
is spotte
jug is fr d
om?

Storytime™ magazine is published ILLUSTRATORS:

every month by Storytime Magazine Ltd, Monika Suska The Cats’ Elopement
3 Endless Street, Salisbury SP1 1DL. Martina Naldi Leander and the
Red Cap
© Storytime Magazine Ltd, 2022. All rights
Bea Tormo The Bat Goddess
reserved. No part of this magazine may be
Jacqueline Nicolau Bedtime for Gulliver
used or reproduced without prior written
Raitan Ohi Night Bear Strikes Again!
permission of the publisher.
Mikhail Dunakovskiy The Midnight
Printed by Warner Group.
Cake Thief
Editorial Director: Lulu Skantze Adam Pekalski The Unexpected
Editor: Sven Wilson Heroine
Commercial Director: Leslie Coathup Rodolfo Melo The Willow Wren
Storytime and its paper suppliers have been and the Bear
independently certified in accordance with the
rules of the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council)®.

www.storytimemagazine.com Tales from France,

Samoa and Japan!
 Read happily ever after...
Around the World Tales Famous Fables
The Cats’ Elopement The Midnight cake thief

6 30
Two cats from Japan run away The greedy hare gets the baboon
– but will they find a new home into trouble – so the monkey
in the city? decides to get even!

Favourite Fairy Tales Awesome Adventures

Leander and The Unexpected
the red cap heroine
A hero rescues a princess –
with a little help from his hat! 10 The true tale of a brave girl
who fights for her country... 34
Myths and Legends Storyteller’s Corner
The bat goddess The Willow Wren

16
And the bear
40
A classic tale from Samoa
about a girl who saves a bat Who will win when the birds
and gains magical powers! and the animals go to war?

Short Stories, Big Dreams Storytime Playbox

Bedtime for Gulliver Make a Halloween decoration,

20 44
How can he get a good draw your favourite toy as
night’s sleep when all the a superhero and count the
beds in Lilliput are so tiny? squares in a Lilliputian quilt!

Worlds of Wonder Story Magic

Night Bear
Strikes Again!
The thrilling night-time
22 Four new books about a great
escape, unusual friends, fabulous
families and African tales!
50
adventures of a furry hero! OUR COVER ST
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Try out a tricky PAGE 48!
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MONSTROUSLY GOOD STORIES
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Around the World Tales

The Cats’ Elopement

I n a town in Japan, there lived a cat whose name
was Gon. His owner was a musician, and he loved
the cat very much – in fact, Gon treated the man
as if he was his faithful servant!
Everybody thought that Gon was the
handsomest cat in the neighbourhood,
for he was a silky-coated tabby with
beautiful brown eyes. Each day, he
would slink over the fences between
the nearby houses so people could
give him pats and treats. Gon was
very happy with his life!

But one day, he saw another cat in a

window across the street – and his life
was changed forever. She was the loveliest
lady cat he had ever seen! She was a
Siamese, with a coat as smooth and
shiny as chocolate.

He prowled over and meowed gently

at her through the glass. She thought
Gon was very nice, and told him that
her name was Koma. Unfortunately,
her owner would not let her outside
to see him. Nevertheless, Gon would
come and gaze at her through the
window every night.

6
Gon asked his owner if he could The pair slunk away and ventured
persuade Koma’s owner to let into the city. Everywhere, they saw
her visit them. The musician tried, bustling crowds, whizzing trains
but Koma’s owner refused to let and neon signs that glowed in
her beloved kitty near a rough all the colours of the rainbow!
outdoors cat! Gon and Koma found scraps to
eat in a bin – but they were not
as tasty as the treats they had
One night, Gon decided that he enjoyed at home!
could not bear to be separated
At last, Gon led Koma over
from Koma any longer.
a high wall. On the other
“If we cannot visit each other, then side was a garden with trees,
we must run away!” he told her. ponds and paths of raked
“We will live a nice life together, gravel. It seemed calm and
far away from here!” peaceful, so both cats relaxed.

Koma agreed! They used their That was when a fierce guard
paws to pull open a window, dog charged at them, barking!
and Koma slipped through. Koma clawed her way up a
She then touched noses with tree and hissed at the hound.
Gon (which is how cats greet Meanwhile, Gon arched his
those that they love). back and yowled, determined
to protect her.

7
A gardener heard the commotion Gon became the pet of the prince of
and ran to help. He scared the dog Japan. He was fed only the tastiest
away with his rake and grabbed cuts of fish and pampered every
the frightened Gon. day! But Gon never stopped
worrying about his beloved Koma.
The cat heard a door slide open.
What had happened to her?
“What is making that terrible noise?”
The cat tried to tell the prince
a boy’s voice asked.
what he was worried about, but
“The guard dog was attacking the boy just thought he was hungry
this cat, my prince!” the gardener and fed him more fish! At night,
replied. “But I have saved him!” Gon would slip out of the palace
and prowl through the streets,
“Oh, let me see!” said the voice. meowing Koma’s name.
The gardener carried Gon inside He had almost given up hope
and showed him to a young boy of finding his beloved – but one
in a traditional kimono. He smiled evening, he heard shrieks and
at the cat and stroked his fur. yowling in an alley. A skinny,
Gon purred in appreciation. bedraggled cat had been
“Oh, what a handsome fellow!” cornered by a big scarred tom.
the prince said. “Would you like The smaller cat looked terrified!
to live with me in this palace?”

8
Gon did not hesitate! He ran The prince was pleased to have
forward, scratching and hissing, two fine cats instead of one, and
and drove the surprised tomcat took very good care of them.
away. When Gon got closer to the He put a pair of big embroidered
smaller cat, he realised that it was cushions by his bed so they would
his beloved Koma. She was much stay in at night and keep out of
thinner and dirtier than before! trouble. Gon and Koma soon got
used to having a prince as their
Gon apologised for taking her
faithful servant, and lived together
away from her owner, but he
happily for the rest of their lives!
promised that her life in the
palace would be very nice!

He licked her matted fur clean

and led her to his new home.
WrITE IT!
Have you ever wonde
red about
what cats get up to whe
n they are
prowling around at nigh
t? Imagine
an adventure that your
pet or a
neighbourhood cat mig
ht have
and write a story abou
t it!

9
 Favourite Fairy Tales

Leander and
the Red Cap
Adapted from a story by Madame d’Aulnoy

O nce upon a time, in a land you have never heard of,

there lived a prince called Furibon. Some princes
are charming or brave or clever – but Furibon was just
a selfish troublemaker!
The king hired a tutor to teach Furibon. The tutor
had a son of his own, whose name was Leander.
He was clever and kind – and Furibon was
jealous of him!

The prince often pulled pranks and then

blamed Leander – but the boy never
complained. Leander was so polite and well
behaved that visitors from other kingdoms
thought that he was the real prince!

One morning, Furibon declared that

they would go hunting in the woods.
He rode on his fine black stallion,
but he made Leander trot behind
him on a donkey.

As they were going through the

forest, Leander saw a poisonous
snake slither up to Furibon’s horse.
Quick as a flash, he grabbed the There was a hissing sound,
serpent behind the head, stopping and something slithered into
it from attacking the horse and his cell through a crack in the
the king’s son. wall. He realised that it was
the snake he had caught earlier!
The prince was not grateful.
“Do not fear!” hissed the serpent.
“Give me that snake!” he snapped
As Leander watched, it transformed
to Leander. “I want to punish it!”
into a strange woman with green
Leander stood up to the prince. eyes and a dress that shimmered
“I cannot, your Highness!” he said. like snakeskin. She spoke to him.
“The snake has done you no harm.”
“I am the good fairy Gentille, and
He put the creature down, and it I often take the form of a serpent.
slithered away into the bushes. You saved my life today – and in
return, I will grant you a wish!”
Furibon was angry that Leander had
disobeyed him. When they returned Leander sighed. “I wish I could get
to the castle, he had the young man out of this prison!”
thrown into the palace dungeon.
Gentille smiled and took a red cap
That night, Leander stared up at the
out of her bag.
moon through the barred window.

11
“Take this hat. When you put it on, For a year, Leander travelled
you will turn invisible! You will also across the world, helping others
be able to fly and go through walls!” with the magic of his red cap.
However, he finally decided to
Leander put it on and floated into
return to his home kingdom.
the air. He then went through the
dungeon wall as if it was not there!

He used his new powers to fly As he was passing through a

into the woods and gather a bunch forest, he found four soldiers
of wild roses. He then flew back to who had trapped a girl in a coach.
his cell and gave them to Gentille. They were trying to kidnap her!

The fairy blushed. “Why, thank you!” Brave Leander put on his cap
she said. Gentille took one of the and swooped in. He snatched
roses and cast a spell on it. the reins of the soldiers’ horses
and used them to tie the men up!
“Keep this blossom!” she told him.
“Every time you shake it, gold coins “Leave us alone, wicked ghost!”
will fall out!” one of them yelled. “Our lord,
King Furibon, will hear about this!”
After thanking Gentille, Leander
used the cap to leave the castle. That was how Leander discovered
He flew over fields, forests and that the horrible prince who had
towns while the moon glided made his life a misery was now
through the sky above him. the ruler of the kingdom!
Leander carried the girl away to Abigail said that he could,
safety before taking off his red cap. as boys were allowed in her
She was surprised to see a young land if she invited them.
man appear in front of her!
Leander put on his cap, and
Leander bowed politely and asked, they flew together to the Island
‘Who are you, my lady?” of Delights. They landed outside
her magnificent palace, which
She blushed and replied, “My
had walls of marble and windows
name is Abigail, and I am the
of crystal. In the gardens grew
princess of the Island of Delights,
trees with candy floss leaves
where no boys are allowed.
and flowers of marzipan.
Wicked King Furibon decided
that he wanted me for his wife, The royal guards were fierce
even though he doesn’t know me. female warriors called Amazons.
So he sent his soldiers to kidnap They looked stern when they
me – what a fool!” saw Leander, but welcomed him
when they discovered that he
“He certainly is!” said Leander.
had rescued Abigail.
“May I take you to your kingdom?”

13
Leander stayed with the princess on Furibon’s eyes narrowed
the Island of Delights, but they soon when he heard this.
heard worrying news. King Furibon
“I will go – if she gives me a
was angry that Abigail had escaped
million gold coins!” he replied.
– and he was planning to invade! He
had gathered a mighty fleet and an He grinned wickedly, certain that
army of four hundred thousand men. she could never pay him that much!

Abigail was upset. “My Amazons are Leander shook his magical rose.
brave – but they cannot defeat so Gold coins fell from it, and soon
many soldiers!” she said. there was a huge pile of money
in front of the king.
“Do not fear!” said Leander. “I have
a plan to trick this wicked king!” Furibon was greedy, though,
and did not keep his promises.

“Thank you for the gold!” he

Disguised as an Amazon, Leander
cackled. “I think I will take it…
flew to the camp of King Furibon’s
and that flower… and invade
army. He presented himself to the
the Island of Delights anyway!”
king and told him that Abigail would
He told his soldiers to grab Leander.
give him money if he went away.
But before they could move, the The people of Furibon’s kingdom
young man put on his red cap and chose Leander as their new ruler,
disappeared. He seized the king and he became famous as a kind
and lifted him up into the air! and just king.

“Where are you taking me?” Princess Abigail invited him to

Furibon yelled, terrified. visit her on the Island of Delights,
and they became great friends.
“You are cruel and greedy!”
Leander replied. “I will take “Maybe not all boys are bad!”
you to a place where you can’t Abigail told him with a smile.
cause any more trouble!” “You are welcome to visit my
island whenever you like!”
He flew far across the sea and
dumped Furibon on a desert island.

“I will leave you with some gold, D r AW I T !

at
my king!” said Leander as he shook k a cool h
ou thin
What do y ad a
the rose and created a towering lo o k lik e? Downlo
would draw it in
from
pile of gold coins on the beach. fra m e to
picture /free.
em a g a zine.com
“Enjoy your money… though you storytim e c orated wit
h
e is d
will have no way of spending it!” The fram to inspire you
!
f h ats
pictures o
Before Furibon could reply,
Leander flew away.

15
 Myths and Legends

The BAT GODDESS

T he beautiful islands of Samoa can be found in the
Pacific Ocean. The Samoans consider themselves
very lucky, for their home is blessed with warm
sunshine, fertile soil, and seas that are full of fish!

This was where Princess Leutogi was born, many hundreds of years ago.
She loved the islands, and spent much of her time exploring their forests
and befriending the animals that lived there.

The Samoan people lived in peace – until the king of Tonga became jealous
of their prosperity and declared war on them. After many battles, both sides
were exhausted and the king of Samoa asked for peace. The king of Tonga
agreed – but only if Leutogi came to live at his court!

Leutogi did not want to leave Samoa, but she also wanted her people to
live in peace. Finally, she agreed to go. Before long, she was aboard a
great double-hulled canoe, sailing towards Tonga.

16
Leutogi enjoyed the voyage! Peering at him, she saw that the little
She saw whales and albatrosses fellow was hurt! She picked him up
and flying fish that leaped out of the and sneaked him into the palace.
water and fluttered through the air. In her room, she cared for the bat
When the princess finally arrived in and fed him fruit.
Tonga, it looked very nice. Perhaps
she would enjoy living there, too?
One evening, the king’s chief wife
But when Leutogi turned up at court, spied on Leutogi, as she was curious
her hopes were dashed. The king about why the girl always took fruit
of Tonga was a bossy man with back to her room. When she saw
many wives, and they all disliked that Leutogi was secretly caring
her because she came from Samoa. for a bat, she was disgusted!

The princess soon felt lonely and “How dare you bring in a creature
homesick. She would often slip like that!” she yelled. “Give him to
away from the palace and go for me – I will get rid of him!”
walks in the forest. It was still and
Leutogi refused.
quiet, and she felt at peace there.
“I won’t let you do anything to him!”
As Leutogi was walking through
she said sharply. The princess took
the woods one day, she found
the little animal to the window, and
a bat lying on the ground.
he fluttered away into the night.
The king’s wife was furious and told He would flutter around to keep her
the king about what had happened. company. Other bats joined him,
He frowned at Leutogi. and Leutogi no longer felt lonely.

“If you care for common animals

like bats, then you are not allowed
The king’s chief wife was still
to live in my palace as a princess!”
suspicious of her, though. She
he said grumpily. “You should stay
followed Leutogi one night and
in a hut by the servants’ quarters…
spied on her as she spent time
and help them with their duties!”
on the beach with the bats.
That was how Leutogi came to live
The king’s chief wife then went
in a tiny leaky hut. She also had to
before the king.
help the servants clean the palace
every day. But at night, she would “The Samoan princess is a witch!”
slip away to the beach. she said. “She makes friends with
bats! Dozens of them!”
There, Leutogi would stare out
towards distant Samoa as the The king was very concerned
moonlight shone on the waves. about having a witch on the
The small bat she had saved island, and called for Leutogi.
came to visit her there.

18
“You have been accused
of witchcraft!” he declared.
“You are not welcome here
anymore. You will be exiled
to an uninhabited island where
you can’t cast spells on anyone!”

The king’s warriors took Leutogi to

a distant island far from anywhere…
and even further from her beloved
Samoa. They left her there, alone.

That night, her bat friends flew over

the waves to visit her. There were
hundreds of the little creatures
flapping through the starry sky!
She had been a good friend
to the bats, and they wanted
to give her a very special gift.

The bats landed on Leutogi,

covering her like a cloak –
but she felt totally calm.

Suddenly, she found herself

transformed into a winged
bat-goddess! She could now
fly, hear more sharply than before,
and even navigate by sound!
The bats sang a high-pitched
song for the princess and said
that she was now their ruler.

Leutogi flew back to Samoa,

followed by her bat friends. As a
goddess, she protects her beloved
islands by night, and is worshipped
for her kindness and wisdom.
19
 Short Stories, Big Dreams

Bedtime for Gulliver

W hen his ship sank in a storm, Lemuel Gulliver was
washed up on the island of Lilliput. All of the people,
animals and things in that country were tiny. The average
Lilliputian stood only six inches tall – so to them, Gulliver
was a giant!

He soon made friends with the Emperor of Lilliput and the royal family. They
made sure that their guest was well taken care of! Each day, he was served
a dozen loaves of bread the size of marbles, and many legs of mutton that
were as big as songbird’s wings.

Gulliver repaid the Lilliputians’ kindness by doing jobs for them –

he could plough a field with his comb, lift rocks with ease and
construct stone buildings as if he was playing with toy blocks.

The only problem for Gulliver was getting

a good night’s sleep! He had a quilt sewn
from many Lilliputian blankets, and it
was very cosy. But his bed was made
from lots of tiny beds tied together –
and it was terribly uncomfortable!
Every morning, he woke
up stiff and aching.

After one too many

sleepless nights,
Gulliver had an idea.

20
He sketched a plan on the largest The crowd watched as Gulliver
sheet of paper he could find. The picked it up and began blowing
emperor and empress looked into it through a tiny valve in the
at it, nodded, and began giving side. It started to puff up as he
orders to their subjects. filled it with lungfuls of air.

Weavers began weaving yard after At last, it was full, and he plugged
yard of the finest silk cloth. Tailors the valve with a cork. The object
stitched it together with tiny little looked like a huge rectangular
stitches, so not even air could cake as it sat on the ground!
get through the seams.
Gulliver lay down on it with a sigh
of contentment and pulled the
patchwork quilt up to his chin.
After many days, Gulliver’s invention His new air mattress was much
was ready, and a crowd of hundreds more comfortable than dozens
of tiny people gathered to see it. of little beds joined together.
The thing was about two metres It was like sleeping on a cloud!
long, and it looked like a strange He drifted off to sleep as the
floppy balloon. crowd quietly tiptoed away...
 Worlds of Wonder

Night Bear
Strikes Again!
P enelope wanted to stay up late, but after an hour
of arguing, Mum finally persuaded her to go to bed.
The girl slowly made her way upstairs, changed into
her pyjamas, and crawled under her duvet.

Mum rapped on the door and

looked in.

“Ready for lights-out, darling?”

Penelope nodded. Mum came in

and gave her a peck on the cheek.

“Sleep tight, sweetie! Don’t let the

bed bugs bite!”

Penelope gave her a little smile

and hugged her teddy bear.

“Don’t worry, Mum – I’ll be safe

with Hubert here to protect me!”

Hubert Bearkins had been

Penelope’s favourite toy for
as long as she could remember.
 Hubert sat up and spoke in his
growly little voice.

“That’s the Bear Alarm! Dream

City needs us!”

Hubert Bearkins was a mild-

mannered teddy bear by day.
His fur was threadbare and one But when darkness fell, he became
of his glass eyes had fallen off – Night Bear, defender of Dream
it had been replaced with a button. City – and Penelope became
his sidekick, Night Cub!
Penelope listened as Mum went
back downstairs. The room was Hubert vaulted out of bed in a
dark and still, lit only by the dim single bound and threw open the
lamp on the bedside table. She door of Penelope’s bedside table.
lay quietly, listening to the sound
Normally, it held her spare pyjamas
of her own breathing.
and a warm winter blanket. But not
Suddenly, she realised that the tonight! When Penelope scrambled
light of the lamp was pulsing. out of bed and looked inside, she
It was also projecting a bear-paw saw a glowing tunnel.
symbol onto the ceiling!
Hubert leaped through the door and
into the tunnel. Penelope followed
on her hands and knees.

23
 “ALERT ALERT!” a robotic voice
announced. “Dream City is under
attack by King Klown and his
giant robot bed bug!”

All over the cave, screens switched

on. They showed images of Dream
City – with a huge robot bug
climbing up the skyscrapers!

Night Cub felt a twinge of fear

as she looked at the creepy
insect-like machine.

“Night Bear? Do I have to go on

this mission? I feel a bit nervous…”
She found herself slipping and Her voice shook a bit as she spoke.
sliding down a smooth metal tube.
Night Bear took her hand in his
She whooped with excitement!
paw and smiled.
They tumbled into a huge, dark
“You don’t have to be frightened,
cave. Jagged stalactites hung from
Night Cub – we will face that thing
the ceiling like fangs, and on one
together. Let’s suit up!”
wall was a massive red paw-print
symbol. Scattered around the floor Night Bear put on his costume –
of the cavern were computers a mask and red and blue shorts
and other high-tech equipment. with a paw symbol on them.
This was the Bear’s Lair, the secret
Penelope’s Night Cub outfit included
crime-fighting headquarters of
a jumpsuit, fuzzy gloves and a hood
the mysterious Night Bear!
with furry ears.
It always made her feel braver when and screaming as people tried to
she put on her super-suit! flee from the monstrous machine.

Soon, they were in the Bear Balloon, Night Bear swung out of the balloon
high above Dream City. on a rope. Night Cub took a deep
breath and followed him.
Below, she could see the lights
of downtown. It was a wonderful When they reached the ground,
place! There were parks with the they saw people running in all
most amazing trees and flowers, directions. Night Cub heard a
and a zoo that was home to thump-thump-thump sound as the
astounding creatures from myths huge robot bug lumbered towards
and legends. There were also them. It looked even more scary
cinemas and fun fairs – as well close up! The great bed bug’s
as the most fantastic ice cream electronic eyes focused on
parlour in the entire universe! her, and it charged!

But in the distance, she could see Night Bear stepped forward to
a giant metal bed bug clambering protect her and held the machine
over the buildings. It was painted back with his furry arms.
in bright candy colours, because
The bear let out a deep,
King Klown had a sweet tooth!
rumbling growl and said:
There were the sounds of sirens

25
 O U AR E N O MATCH F O R
“Y

SPOT IT!
Tick off these
things when
you find them!
Answer: There are 7 pigeons!
M Y C U T E T ED D Y P O WER!”

How many
pigeons are in
this scene? Write
your answer here!
Night Bear’s growl was so powerful He pointed a strange device
that it made the robot bug rattle. at Night Bear, and the hero
Nuts and bolts shook loose – was hit by a pink rubbery ball.
and the huge thing fell apart! It suddenly inflated, swallowing
up the furry hero!
Night Cub let out a cheer. When she
and Night Bear were together, there Seeing her friend trapped in the
was nothing to fear! ball made Night Cub feel frightened.

But then Night Cub heard a high- “Who will stop me, now that your
pitched giggle. A tall figure in white friend is trapped by my Bubble
makeup danced down the street. Gun?” the villain jeered.
He had a red nose and wore a
She heard Night Bear speak:
ridiculous crown on his head.
“Remember, you have a special
“KING KLOWN!” Night Cub gasped. power too, Night Cub!”

The tall figure giggled. “The very Hearing his voice made her
same! It looks like the bear and feel brave – and angry! How
his annoying cub have broken dare King Klown attack her
my favourite toy!” amazing furry friend?

28
Her eyes began to glow, and they The brave bear began cleaning
shot a beam of white light at King the bubble gum from his fur. Night
Klown. The villain covered his eyes Cub gave him a hug! The sky over
and yelled, “MAKE IT GO AWAY!” Dream City was turning pink – which
meant that dawn wasn’t far off.
“No, YOU go away!” declared Night
Cub. “You and your silly bed bug When Mum came into Penelope’s
do not belong in Dream City. Leave room the next morning, she was
now, and never come back!” puzzled. The bedside table door
was open, and there were sweets
With a shriek, King Klown fled,
all over the floor!
leaving the wreckage of his robot
behind. Night Cub used one of her “Did you have sweet dreams last
fuzzy gloves to pop the bubble gum night, darling?” Mum asked.
and free her friend.
Penelope winked at Hubert,
“Well done, little cub!” growled who was slumped on the duvet.
Night Bear. “You have discovered
“I suppose you could say that!”
the courage within yourself – and
she grinned.
saved Dream City!”

29
 Famous Fables

The Midnight
Cake Thief
L ong ago, when animals could talk, the hare met
a nice lady-hare and decided that he wanted to
marry her. She and her family lived far away in
another valley, but they invited the hare to come
to their house for dinner.
“Come along with me on my journey!” he told his friend, the baboon.
“It will be good to have company, and the hares will certainly give
us a nice meal!”

So the hare and the baboon travelled for many days through forests and
across plains and rivers. As they were walking along, the hare pointed at
a bush beside the path.

30
“This herb can cure a tummy ache!” The baboon rushed out of the
he told the baboon. “If I happen to house and ran to fetch the herb.
get indigestion, you must come here As soon as he had gone, though,
and pick some of it for me!” the hare jumped up and devoured
the baboon’s portion of the feast.
The baboon grinned and said
When the baboon returned with the
that he would.
herb, the dishes were cleared away
After a long and dusty journey, and all the food was eaten!
they arrived at the house of the
“Oh, I’m sorry, my friend!” burped
lady-hare’s family. They were
the hare. “My tummy ache has
welcomed warmly, and were invited
suddenly gone away!”
to take part in a great feast. Huge
platters of steaming food were put “But what happened to all my
on the table for them to enjoy. food?” the baboon asked.

There was plenty of food for both The hare thought quickly. “Oh,
of them, but the hare was greedy our hosts decided that you weren’t
and cunning. Just as the baboon coming back and threw it away!”
was about to start eating, the hare
The hare and the baboon went
clutched at his belly and groaned.
to sleep in the guest hut, but the
“Friend baboon, I have the most baboon could not get to sleep.
dreadful tummy ache! Please He was ravenous, and his belly
get some of that herb for me!” kept growling!

31
The hare nudged him. The hare family was furious! They
chased the baboon out of the house.
“If you are still hungry, we could
go to the kitchen. Our hosts have a The baboon was most upset about
honey cake that they are keeping being tricked by the hare. He went
for a special occasion!” to the jackal, who was one of his
best friends.
The hare and the baboon sneaked
into the kitchen and gobbled up “That hare is such a rascal!” said the
the delicious honey cake together. baboon. “I wish someone would trick
The hare kept a handful of honey him, just like he tricked me!”
and crumbs, though!
The jackal thought that he was very
When the pair returned to the guest clever. He grinned at the baboon and
hut, the baboon went to sleep. The said, “That is a good idea! I will use
rabbit then smeared his friend’s fur his own trick against him!”
with honey and crumbs!

There was an uproar in the house The next day, the jackal went to talk
when the hare family discovered to the hare.
that their special honey cake had
“Friend hare,” he said, “I have been
been eaten. The lady-hare pointed
invited to stay with my friend the
at the baboon and said, “Look!
hyena. Will you come with me?
He is covered with honey and
I need company, and we should
crumbs! He must have eaten it!”
get a fine dinner as well!”
The greedy hare was always hungry “Who ate all my pancakes last
for a free meal, so he agreed! When night?” he shrieked.
they arrived at the hyena’s house,
The jackal leaped up and pointed
they were fed a nice dinner and
at the hare. “He must have done it!
went to sleep in the guest hut.
Look at the crumbs on his face!”
At midnight, the jackal woke up
“I see no crumbs on his face!”
and nudged the hare.
snapped the hyena. “But you
“I’m still hungry! Let’s go and steal have plenty on YOURS!”
the pancakes the hyena has hidden
The jackal realised that the hare
in his kitchen!”
had only pretended to go to sleep
The hare agreed, and they helped – and had put the crumbs on the
themselves to the tasty treats. jackal while he slept!
The jackal kept some of the crumbs,
The angry hyena chased the
and when the hare was asleep,
unfortunate jackal away. The hare
he scattered them on his face.
thought this was hilarious, of course!

The jackal learned an important

The next morning, the two guests lesson: it isn’t wise to try and beat
were rudely awakened by the someone at their own game!
hyena storming through the door.

33
 Awesome Adventures

The Unexpected
Heroine
T he village in Domrémy, in France, should have been
a wonderful place for a girl to grow up. It had fertile
fields where the villagers grew food, and beautiful green
woods to play in.
Joan was the daughter of a local farmer, and
she helped him care for his cattle. Their family
was not rich, but they usually had enough to eat!

When Joan was born in 1412, France had been at

war for many years. In fact, the conflict would go
on for so long that it would become known as
‘The Hundred Years’ War’...

It was caused by a squabble about who

should rule the country. The king of
England thought that he had the right to the
French throne. The French disagreed – they
wanted to have a French king instead!

Wars between lords and kings were bad

news for the ordinary people of France.
During wartime, the nobles helped
themselves to anything they liked –
including food from local farmers. Joan’s dad
sometimes had his crops taken away, leaving
nothing for his own family.
One afternoon, when Joan was The bandit laughed and lifted his
twelve years old, she heard the sword. “Your children will have to
rumble of horses’ hooves on the learn to go without – and you will
road to the village. Peeking from be in trouble if you try to stop us!”
behind a stone wall, she saw that
While the villagers watched
the riders looked like soldiers –
helplessly, the men broke a gate
but their armour was dirty and
and rounded up all the cows before
rusty, and they didn’t carry a flag.
driving them off down the road.
Joan’s father stepped forward
When they had disappeared, Joan
to greet the visitors.
ran up to her father and hugged him.
“Good day, sirs! Might I ask which
“Papa! Are you all right?”
lord you serve?”
She could feel tears welling up in
The leader of the riders was a big-
the corners of her eyes.
nosed man with an unshaven chin.
He sniggered at Joan’s father and “How can people like that just come
spat on the ground. in and take what we have worked
for?” Joan asked. “It’s not right!”
“We serve nobody, peasant! But we
will be taking your cattle today!” Her father shrugged. He had a sad
look on his face.
“Please don’t, sir!” begged her
father. “Without our cows, there “Sometimes these things happen!”
will be no milk, cheese or butter he replied. All we can do is pray that
for my family! We will go hungry!” things will work out in the end!”

35
But despite the prayers of Joan Her father’s face went white.
and the other people of Domrémy,
“My lord, that is not true in the
the war dragged on and on...
slightest. We want only to be left
alone! Take our food if you want!”

Some five years after the bandits The noble ignored his pleas.
had taken their cattle, Joan was
“We do not want your food! We will
surprised when another group of
punish your village for supporting
soldiers rode into the village. They
the wrong ruler!”
looked much tidier than the men
who had come before, but she still The commander nodded, and
felt scared. Their commander was soldiers with torches ran into the
a hawk-faced man who wore shiny fields outside the village. It was
armour and carried an impressive autumn, and they were full of
red, blue and yellow banner. yellow wheat. The grain would
feed the villagers over the winter.
Joan’s dad approached the knight
while Joan looked on. Joan’s father and siblings wept
as the soldiers set fire to their
“Welcome to our humble village,
precious crops.
my lord!” her father said.
Joan did not cry, however. Instead,
“We are the soldiers of the Duke
she walked to the little walled
of Burgundy!” declared the
vegetable garden behind her
commander. “We have heard that
father’s house.
this village supports our enemies!”
It was a quiet place where she I must go to the Dauphin and inspire
sometimes went to be by herself. him to fight back!”
Joan got down on her knees and
Her father saw that his brave
began to pray with all her heart.
daughter was determined to
She wanted to know how she
do what she believed was right!
could help her family.
He said that she should try to
After the soldiers had left, the get in touch with the Dauphin.
villagers got together and dug
through the ashes in the fields,
looking for unburned wheat. The next day, Joan packed a small
Joan’s father was hard at work bag and travelled with her uncle to
when she came up to him. She the town of Vaucouleurs. She knew
had a determined look on her face. that some of the Dauphin’s soldiers
were staying there.
“Papa, I have been praying, and I
think the angels spoke to me!” she Their commander was most
said. “They told me that we can’t surprised when a young girl
just pray to make things better – we demanded to see him.
must also stand up for ourselves!”
“She says that she has an important
Joan’s eyes flashed as she spoke. message for the Dauphin, and that
“The Dauphin, the heir to the you must arrange for her to go and
throne of France, is in trouble. meet him!” his men said.
The English are attacking Orleans
– and if they take it, they might “I have no time for her nonsense!”
conquer the whole country. he grumbled. “Send her away!”

37
But Joan did not give up! She went At long last, she arrived at the
to see him day after day. Finally, Dauphin’s court. The lords and
the commander agreed to send ladies were shocked to see a simple
her to the Dauphin’s court with peasant girl presented to the ruler.
six of his soldiers. But the young prince was impressed
by Joan’s courage and the way in
By then, the whole town was
which she spoke.
inspired by her determination.
They gave her new clothes to wear “Angels have visited me!” she said.
on her journey – a man’s plain shirt “They told me to help you win this
and leggings, made of black and war so that you can bring peace
grey wool. She didn’t want to be to France. Give me an army, and
treated like a defenceless girl, I will lead them to victory!”
so she cut off her long hair.
The courtiers were not sure whether
As Joan travelled through the to believe her – but one person
countryside, she saw that it was in the court thought differently.
ravaged by war. Ruined villages, The Dauphin’s mother-in-law,
scorched fields and marching Yolande, saw that there was
soldiers were everywhere! something special about Joan
and told the prince to trust her.

38
“She has much courage,” Yolande said,
“and her bravery will inspire the people
of France!”

The Dauphin agreed to give Joan an army WHAT

with which to save the city of Orleans.

He also told his smith to make a fine suit

HAPPENED
of armour for her to wear. NEXT....
“If you are going into battle, you will
need protection!” the prince said firmly. J oan of Arc inspired the
French army to defeat the
English at Orleans. She was
When she was ready, Joan stood in front wounded in battle – but this
did not stop her from leading
of her soldiers, armed and armoured.
her soldiers! She and the
Dauphin then went to
“Those who want to bring peace to France,
the city of Rheims. There,
follow me!” she declared in a loud voice. she had a place of honour
The small girl with cropped hair and shiny at the ceremony in which
armour looked invincible. The soldiers the Dauphin was crowned
as King Charles VII of France.
cheered and followed behind her as
she rode out to battle! Joan continued to fight
against the English and
Burgundian armies, but in the
end her luck ran out. She was
captured by the Burgundians,
and then the English paid the
Burgundians to hand her
over to them.
Although she had been
captured, Joan’s story
inspired the French to fight for
their country! Finally, in 1453,
the French forced the English
out of France (except for a
small area called Calais).
Joan has become a powerful
symbol for France, and an
inspiration for anyone who
fights for peace and freedom!

23
 Storyteller’s Corner

The Willow Wren

and the Bear
I t was a fine autumn morning in the forest. The bear
and the wolf were enjoying the sound of the birds
singing in the trees as they strolled along together.
One song was more beautiful than all the rest! The bear stopped and
cocked an ear so that he could hear it better.

“What bird is singing so beautifully?” he asked his friend.

The wolf listened for a moment.

“Oh, that is the willow wren. Because his song is so sweet, he is the king of all
the animals that fly!”

The bear’s eyes widened with wonder.

“Oooh, is that so? I wish I could see the

place where this great king lives!”

The wolf pointed at a patch of brambles.

“The king and queen live there – but

they are out finding food for their young!”

The bear couldn’t resist going over to

look at the nest.

“I must see the palace of the king

and queen of the skies,” he thought
to himself. “It must be wonderful!”
40
But when the bear peered into Hearing this made the willow wren
the willow wren’s home, he was mad. He flew to the entrance of
disappointed. It was a humble nest the bear’s cave and chirped loudly.
woven from grass and twigs – and
“HEY THERE! COME OUT, NOW!”
inside were several downy chicks.
The bear was sleeping, and the
“HEY! DON’T STICK YOUR NOSE INTO
willow wren’s chirping woke him up!
OUR NEST!” they chirped loudly.
‘What do you want?” he grumbled.
“I was hoping to see a grand
palace,” the bear grumbled, “You called my nest messy and
“but instead I found a messy then insulted my little chicks!
nest filled with scruffy urchins!” I demand that you apologise!”

“WHAT DID YOU CALL US?” the chicks The bear had had enough of birds
complained. “WAIT TILL WE TELL that day, so he told the willow wren
OUR FATHER WHAT YOU SAID!” to leave him alone.

The bear ignored them and The king of the birds was furious.
lumbered back to his lair.
“YOU HAVE INSULTED MY FAMILY!”
When the king of the birds returned he shrieked. “THIS MEANS WAR!”
to his nest with a nice juicy insect,
That was how the great battle
his chicks told him about their
between the beasts of the
unwelcome visitor.
land and the creatures
“That bear said our nest was messy of the sky began.
– and he called us scruffy urchins!”

41
On one side were the bear and the The willow wren knew that he would
wolf and the fox and the deer and have to be clever to defeat his foes.
all the other four-legged animals. He sent his smallest subject, the
Facing them were birds of all kinds, gnat, to spy on the animals.
as well as the winged insects.
“Let me know what they are
The animals of the land were planning!” he said. “If we can find
sure that they could win. out, then we can outsmart them!”

“We are so much bigger and The tiny gnat buzzed his way over
fiercer than those fliers!” they to a hidden dell in the forest where
boasted. “It is only a matter the animal army had gathered.
of time until we triumph!”
The animals elected the fox to be
their general. This made sense,
because he was very cunning.

The fox came up with a plan to

defeat the birds.

“We should attack the creatures

of the air tomorrow!” he declared.
“Watch my furry tail to find out what
to do! If it is up, then things are going
well and you should keep attacking.
But if I put it down, things are going
badly and you must flee!”

42
All the animals growled and The other animals turned to see
neighed and bleated that this what was happening – and they
was a good plan. However, the saw that the fox’s tail was down.
gnat flew away and told the willow
“What has happened?” they said to
wren all about the fox’s strategy!
each other. “That is the signal that
we must flee!”

The next day, the animals and The animals of the land all ran,
the birds gathered for a great battle while the birds and the insects
in a forest clearing. The bear and pecked and stung them. Against
the wolf and the fox and the badger all odds, the creatures of the sky
and the squirrel and the ox and the had triumphed!
deer were all eager to fight.
But the willow wren was generous
When the fox lifted his furry tail, in victory. He said he would make
the land animals charged forward, peace – if the bear would apologise
bellowing and stomping their to his chicks.
hooves and paws on the ground.
The big beast kneeled in front
The creatures of the air swirled
of their nest and humbly said,
above them, pecking and dodging.
“I apologise for calling you
The wasp did not attack, though. scruffy – please forgive me!”
He sneaked behind the fox and
The chicks accepted his apology
hid in his fur. When the battle was
– but told him that he should mind
raging fiercely, he lifted his stinger
his manners in future!
– and poked the fox in the bottom!

The fox yipped in pain, and his tail

went between his legs.
 Storytime
Pl aybox
Make your favourite toy into a superhero, create a bat box for
Halloween treats and play a game where birds battle a bear!

RED CAPS
1 AND ROSES
How many magical caps and
flowers are hidden in this picture?
Can you count them all?

2 THE CAKE?
WHO ATE
Find out who stole the tasty treat
by following the crumbs across
the Playbox pages! Write the
name of the thief here!
 Joan wants to stop the war! See if you can

3 CONQUER!
DIVIDE AND help her by using two straight lines to divide
the box below into three separate areas.
One should have all the blue French soldiers
in it, one has to have the red English ones, and
one should have all the yellow Burgundians.

3
HOW MANY
4 BLANKETS?
Can you work out how many
tiny blankets were used to
make Gulliver’s quilt? (Each
pattern is a different blanket!)
Write your answer here:

w
TIP: To work out ho re in
ere a
many squares th
st multiply
a grid pattern, ju
quares going
the number of s g down!
h e n u m b e r g o in
across by t
 U R - T I V E
F
5 F E L I N E S
How many new words can you
create by replacing one letter
in the word CAT with one
from this bubble?

+ S H
Write them on
the notepad!

R
PE O
ASK A
6 MAKE A BATTY TREAT BOX!
Getting treats at Halloween is fun – but they taste
even better if they come in a bat-shaped box!
GROW
N-UP
!
• You will need an empty toilet roll, black paint,
a paint brush, the bat-wing templates downloaded
and printed out from storytimemagazine.com/free,
a pencil, scissors, black paper, white paper, a glue
stick and some googly eyes.
• First, paint the outside of the toilet roll black and
wait till it is dry.
• Carefully flatten the toilet roll, creating a sharp fold on both sides.
• At the top of the toilet roll, fold the front and back edges inwards to create
two overlapping flaps. Repeat at the bottom to create two more flaps.
• Cut out the bat-wing templates you printed. Trace around them on
the black paper using a pencil and then cut the wing shapes out!
• Put glue on the end of each wing and stick them onto the back
of the toilet roll. Stick the googly eyes onto the front of the roll.
• Cut out two little triangles of white paper. Stick them underneath the
eyes to give your bat fangs!
• Unfold the folded-in flaps at one end of your bat and fill it with sweets!

You can also tape some string to the back of your

TIP!
bat box and hang it up as a Halloween decoration!
ANSWERS: 1. Red Caps and Roses – there are 10 caps and 12 roses.
2. Who Ate the Cake? – the Hare. 3. Divide and Conquer! – see
right. 4. How Many Blankets? – 20. 5. Fur-tive Felines – possible
words include HAT, CAR, OAT, EAT, PAT, SAT, COT and CAP.
in thi
s fram
powe e a n d fill
rs wo
u l d in t h e
What
co t hey h i r spee
av e ? D c
into a stume wou raw y h bubble!
su p e ld t h e ou r s
Ima r h ero y wea u p
g i n e if you when you w r, and wha
er-toy
rf a v o e r e a t
u rite to s leep!
y t r a n sform
DRAW ed
H I! M Y N A M E
Y
IS :
OUR S
7 UPER-TOY!
 illow
Can the w
h is flying

R
n a n d

V
e

A S
w r

BE
efeat the
subjects d
battle of
bear in this
ut this fun
wits? Try o

BIR D S ! game with

or family m
a friend
ember!

H o w t o P l a y
rd on
You’ll need two players, the game boa
and one
the right and a set of 17 bird counters
counters
bear counter. You can download the
print
from storytimemagazine.com/free –
them and cut them out!
the other
One player controls the 17 birds and
gets
controls the bear. The youngest player
to choose which one to play as!
bird counters
Place the counters on the board! The
d with white
should be put on the 17 squares marke
ce their
triangles. The bear player can then pla
counter on any empty square.
move
The bird player moves first! They can
ays or
a counter one square forward, sidew
diagonally forward, but cannot move
backward
Once you h
or diagonally backward. ave
played a g
The bear can move one square in any
direction,
an empty
ame
or he can jump over a bird if there is as the bird
square on the other side for him to lan
d on. If the
and removes
s,
bear jumps over a bird, he captures it why not sw
it from the board. Players take turns
moving.
ap
s id e s a n d h
The bear wins by capturing all the bird
s or
ce. The ave a
reaching the ‘THE BEAR ESCAPES!’ spa go as the
birds win by trapping the bear so he
cannot move!
bear
(or vice ve
rsa?)
 Birds can
only move
in these
directions!

THE BEAR ESCAPES!

 STORY MAGIC
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LET’S TALk ABOUT... Making Mistakes

MAKE A MISTAKE AND TRY AGAIN! TrY THIS!
We all get things wrong sometimes. Making If you feel bad when you make a mistake,
mistakes is part of life, and it happens to all don’t take it to heart. You are still an
of us – even grown-ups! In fact, mistakes can storytwho
amazing person imem can accomplish great
agazine.co
be good, because we can learn from them! things! Learn to forgive yourself, m/wmove
then in
We can learn from our mistakes by thinking forward and try again. If someone you love
about what went wrong and trying to come made a mistake, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t
up with a solution. The secret is to not give want them to feel bad about it, so treat
up, but try again instead! yourself with the same kindness.

THINk DEEPEr: Imagine flipping over your mistake, just like a pancake – can you take
something positive from your experience? Have you learned something new? Download
our ‘The Pancake of Mistakes’ worksheet here storytimemagazine.com/free to practice!
Jessica Bowers is our expert consultant for the My Mind Matters! section. She is a wellbeing writer,
counsellor and psychotherapist. Visit her website for more information: www.jessicabowers.co.uk
 READING COMPREHENSION WRITING SUPPORTS THE ENGLISH NATIONAL CURRICULUM

ACTION! ADVENTURE! FURRY ANIMALS!

Storytime
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Storytime
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forest, er up to Dauphin’s court. The lords and
slith to see him day after day. Finally,
snake
the commander agreed to send ladies were shocked to see a simple
of France!”
WHAT THE QUEST FOR
her to the Dauphin’s court with peasant girl presented to the ruler. The Dauphin agreed to give Joan an army
Meet a mighty HOME
six of his soldiers. But the young prince was impressed
by Joan’s courage and the way in
with which to save the city of Orleans.
HAPPENED hamster!
By then, the whole town was
inspired by her determination.
which she spoke. He also told his smith to make a fine suit
of armour for her to wear.
NEXT....
They gave her new clothes to wear “Angels have visited me!” she said.
on her journey – a man’s plain shirt “They told me to help you win this “If you are going into battle, you will J oan of Arc inspireu the
French army to uefeat the
English at Orleans. She was
and leggings, made of black and war so that you can bring peace need protection!” the prince said firmly.
wounueu in battle – but this
grey wool. She didn’t want to be to France. Give me an army, and
I will lead them to victory!” When she was ready, Joan stood in front uiu not stop her from leauing
treated like a defenceless girl, of her soldiers, armed and armoured.
her soluiers! She anu the
so she cut off her long hair. Dauphin then went to
The courtiers were not sure whether the city of Rheims. There,
to believe her – but one person “Those who want to bring peace to France,
As Joan travelled through the she hau a place of honour
in the court thought differently. follow me!” she declared in a loud voice. at the ceremony in which
countryside, she saw that it was The small girl with cropped hair and shiny the Dauphin was crowneu
ravaged by war. Ruined villages, The Dauphin’s mother-in-law,
Yolande, saw that there was armour looked invincible. The soldiers as King Charles VII of France.
scorched fields and marching cheered and followed behind her as Joan continueu to fight
soldiers were everywhere! something special about Joan
she rode out to battle! against the English anu
and told the prince to trust her. Burgunuian armies, but in the
enu her luck ran out. She was
captureu by the Burgunuians,
anu then the English paiu the
Burgunuians to hanu her
over to them.
Although she hau been
captureu, Joan’s story
inspireu the French to fight for
their country! Finally, in 1453,
the French forceu the English THE LION
proves it's WITH RED EY
out of France (except for a
small area calleu Calais).
Joan has become a powerful
good to ES
symbol for France, anu an
be diffe
inspiration for anyone who
fights for peace anu freeuom! rent!
23

THE ELFIN K
38

99 A Boy with
IN NIGHT
a Long Nam
Out the Wor
ld AND SA NOV
e, Stephen
VOURY DR
Works

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