The Monster of Castle McToot (cont)

We left the mice at Hamish’s lake.

A monster appeared and made them all shake.

What happened? You ask. Well let’s find out.

We left when the monster gave a hearty shout.

The mice all shrieked and went to run off.

Hamish steadied them with a hearty cough.

‘No need to be frightened, She’ll not harm you.

She’s just as curious of all of you too.

Meet Daisy. She just wants to say hello,’

As the monster bent down really low,

click to see a bigger picture>

And looked at all the mice standing near.

‘I say,’ said Keys. ‘Do I see a tear?’

The mice all looked and Daisy looked sad.

‘I think something might be making her bad,’

Said Bongo as they moved closer to see.

‘She doesn’t look happy. What can it be?’

Hamish stopped playing. ‘Can ye tell us what’s wrong?’

And Daisy swooped down (Her neck was quite long)

She looked at the mice with a tear in her eye.

‘What’s wrong?’ Keys asked,’ Can you tell us why

You’re looking so sad? We’ll try to help.’

And with that Daisy gave out a yelp.

As she opened her mouth they could all see

What was making the monster so unhappy.

Between two teeth was a sliver of wood,

Stuck quite fast. They knew that it should

Be taken out to ease her pain

But to pull that out would be a strain.

They had no rope to tie around

And Daisy’s head high off the ground

Made pulling it out all the tougher.

They didn’t like to see her suffer.

Sachmo looked up. ‘I know,’ he said

‘I can get to it if I’m on her head.’

‘Be careful’ yelled Tina as Sachmo got near.

‘Make sure,’ Monty said, ‘you show her no fear.’

Quiffy and Twangy helped get Sachmo on

To Daisy’s tail. It really was long.

‘Climb up her scales,’ Fiddlina cried

And Sachmo climbed up Daisy’s side.

Bongo watched on. ‘Go slowly Sachmo.

You don’t want to slip back down below.’

Daisy turned round and bent her head.

‘Look out! She’s moving!’ Tupper said.

‘Stand still Sachmo!’ the mice all cried

As Daisy turned, mouth opened wide.

Then she stopped. Just looked and waited

As if the monster anticipated

Exactly what Sachmo was up there for.

‘I say. It really does look sore.’

 Sachmo gripped the twig real tight

And he pulled on it with all his might.

‘That’s it Sachmo. It’s coming out.’

And he pulled real hard and gave a shout

As he tumbled off and in to the lake!

The mice all yelled but with a quick shake

Of her head Daisy dived quickly to get

Poor Sachmo out, he was awfully wet.

‘Sachmo well done!’  ‘You’re a hero!’  ‘Brave lad!’

Daisy bent down looking awfully glad.

She smiled at Sachmo and gave him a lick.

The mice all grinned ‘Come on quick.

Let’s get Sachmo dry before he gets Flu.

We know what that’s like. What a to do.’

Sachmo was proud he’d made Daisy better,

Even if he ended up getting wetter

Than she was and really terribly cold.

The mice all thought he was awfully bold.

Hamish picked up his pipes and played

And the mice all danced by the lake and stayed

With Daisy till the moon shone bright,

Then walked back to the castle in the night.

They knew they’d have to leave next day.

‘Why don’t  you come back for Hogmanay?’

Asked Hamish before they went off to bed.

‘Hogmanay? What’s that?’ Bongo said.

‘It’s how we celebrate our New year.

I’ll be having a really big party here

With dancing and singing – I need a band.

You could all come up and lend a hand.

I’ve hired three singers I met in France.

They can sing as you play and we can all dance.’

‘Oh that does sound like fun,’ they agreed

‘I’m sure we can all come back then indeed’

The mice all yawned and went off to sleep

With lots of happy memories  to keep.

Next day they set off home again.

They’d be back. They knew when.

Hamish joined Daisy. They waved them farewell.

They all had lots of tales to tell.

They watched the bus go through the gate

And Hamish looked at Daisy. Wait!

What was that thing upon her head!

‘Oh Daisy! You didn’t!’ Hamish said.

Daisy you are a naughty thing

And Daisy looked with a sheepish grin.

For on her head, a tartan hat.

Left behind when Sachmo sat.

She wanted to keep a memory

Of Sachmo removing a piece of tree.

Just then back on the Bongo bus

Sachmo created such a fuss.

‘Oh no! Where’s my tartan hat!

My head’s quite cold now without that.’

Instead of his hat he had on his head

The twig that was making daisy’s gum red.

‘Now why am I wearing this?’ He thought.

‘I do remember the twig I’d brought

With me as a little keepsake

Of being a hero by the lake.

But where on earth could my nice hat be?’

And he looked upon his piece of tree.

‘I must have left my hat behind.

I know that Hamish is quite kind.

He’ll let us know if he finds it there.

But now my head’s got nothing to wear.’

‘Oh Sachmo you really are a twit.

It’s a good job Fiddlina knows how to knit.’

Don’t worry I’ll make another one,

You can wear it just as soon as it’s done.’

The bus rolled on, the mice all sat

While Sachmo thought of his tartan hat,

And of how he really saved the day.

And stopped a monster feeling grey.