Written by Christopher Brown

Illustrated by Leonardo da Parrot

Beyond the Pond

Book 2:  A Sunny-Day Jog

Christmas 2024

No audio

Mouse peeped out from his home in the log.

                                   What a wonderful day 

                                        for a sunny-day jog.

He ran down the track with a laugh and a song,

chatting to friends as he scampered along.

It's a lovely day for a run in the sun.

Would you care to join in? 

It will be lots of fun.

But then from the sky came a terrible sound!

A terrible shadow fell over the ground!

Down swooped a hunter to capture a mouse

to carry high up to its tree-top house.

Come out, little mouse. Come join me for tea.

I'll carry you back to my nest in the sky.

Come out, little mouse, there's no need to be shy.

Wombat curled into a trembling ball.

Frog jumped in the pond. They were not brave at all.

Mouse hid in a bush, as quiet as could be.

So off with you now, but if you persist

I might have to scribble your name off the list.

A mouse did you say? Oh, fiddle-de-dee!

I am an elf, as you plainly can see.

Santa has asked me to wander about

to see who gets presents and who misses out. 

Oh no, little elf, there's really no need!

I'm so sorry, elf, so sorry indeed!

The hunter flew off with a squawk and a squeal,

on with its search for a plump mousy meal.

Mouse carried on with his sunny-day jog.

Follow me, Wombat. Follow me, Frog.

On they all ran with a laugh and a song,

waving to friends as they scampered along.

It's a lovely day for a run in the sun.

Would you care to join in? 

It will be lots of fun.

But then from the sky came a terrible sound!

A terrible shadow fell over the ground!

Down swooped the hunter to capture a mouse

to carry high up to its tree-top house.

They hurried and scurried. They jumped all about.

Turtle tucked in all the bits that stuck out.

Mouse hid in a bush, as quiet as could be.

Come out, little mouse. Come join me for tea.

 I'll carry you back to my nest in the sky.

 Come out, little mouse, there's no need to be shy.

A mouse did you say? Oh, fiddle-de-dee!

I am a fairy as you plainly can see.

With a magical wand and beautiful wings,

bush fairies like me can do wonderful things.

If you have a wish, I can make it come true,

                                                                           or maybe for lunch, I'll have

                                                                               tasty bird stew!!

Oh no, little fairy, there's really no need.

I'm so sorry, fairy, so sorry indeed!

The hunter flew off with a squawk and a squeal,

on with its search for a plump mousy meal.

Mouse carried on with his sunny-day jog.

Come, Wombat! Come, Turtle! Come, Lizard! Come Frog!

They ran through the valley and over a ridge,

to a deep, muddy creek and a rickety bridge.

It doesn't look safe, this wonky old log.

We must find a different way over the bog!