TALES OF MANNIKIN AND BUBBIKIN by Joan Corser-Gay


(For 3 to 8 year olds)
SNEAK PEEK
Chapter One PIXIE PETE AND HIS FRIENDS


Once upon a time there were two little boys, called Mannikin and Bubbikin. Mannikin and Bubbikin were very mischievous little imps but Mannikin was the worst, because he was always doing things his Mother had told him not to do. Mother loved them both, but oh, that little Mannikin.

What a rascal he was!

One day, the sun shone hot in the blue blue sky, and the bees were humming lazily among the hollyhocks. Everything smelled like summer roses and freshly cut grass. Mannikin and Bubbikin wandered into the garden, leaving the kitchen noises behind.

"Go and play," their Mother called after them.

But Mannikin looked at his bike and his wheelbarrow and felt bored. It was too hot to play.
The trees looked cool though and so did the grass underneath them, green and lush. He took his younger brother Bubbikin by the hand and led him across the sun-scorched grass towards the shade.

As they neared the big tree with its stout trunk and green mantle of leaves, Mannikin ran on ahead, leaving poor Bubbikin to totter after him.
They sat down beside the tree trunk with their backs resting against it. It was peaceful and cool.

They looked up at the green leaves dancing overhead, and the blue sky, and then at the brown roots of the tree. And then Bubbikin saw a red toadstool. He thrust out his hand and was about to pick it, when a shrill voice called out.

"Don't you dare!

Mannikin and Bubbikin sat still, their little mouths open in surprise, for standing in front of the red toadstool was a green and brown pixie.