It's Too Frightening for Me!

by Shirley Hughes

  Hardlock House was soon transformed, with curtains in the windows, pretty papers on the walls and flowering plants everywhere.

  Granny soon settled down happily to her new life, having her meals cooked for her, playing Bingo and watching the boxing on colour TV. She even got used to the other old folk, although she sometimes complained about them.

  And Mary?

  Jim and Arthur had grown so fond of her that she came to live at their house as one of the family, and they all three started school together when term began. Uriah made himself at home, too, without being asked. The food was much better than what he had been used to at Hardlock House.

  Of course, they all visited Granny often, and kept her up to date with their latest news.

  As for the ginger wig, which Uriah had abandoned on a fence down by the railway footpath, it hung there forgotten all winter, blowing about in the wind.

  But when the spring came a couple of sparrows made a nest in it, and settled down to raise a family.

  THIS IS NOT THE END!

  (please turn over)

  Now that you’ve read this story, you might like to try acting it in a group. You can make up your own parts, and add in any good bits you can think of.

  You’ll need at least seven people. The names with stars against them can be left out, or acted by the same people.

  Of course the scene where Mary lowers Uriah out of the window will have to be imagined from the point of view of the boys waiting below.

  CHARACTERS

  Jim

  Arthur

  Mary

  Granny

  Mum

  Captain Grimthorpe

  Uriah, a cat

  Captain Grimthorpe’s red-eyed dog

  People from the Council*

  Old folk*

  Grocery man*

  Costumes aren’t essential, but it would be more fun if you can get hold of:

  A wig

  An apron for Granny

  Some clothes for Mary to try on

  A tray with cups and plates

  A cardboard carton with a lid for Uriah’s

  cat-basket