by Lyn McNicol
“So are you asking me to definitely come with you, Pogo Paws?” asked Pickle.
“I’m definitely asking you to accompany me on the greatest adventure of our lives,” said Pogo Paws seriously.
“Then, I’m in. I’m ready. Let’s go,” said Pickle breathlessly.
They burst out of the shed to a round of applause from the others.
“About time, you two,” grinned Badger. “Now, let me get the Wim-Wim ready for departure.”
Badger filled the travelling machine with a gallon of haboba juice, and patted it on the side. “Do your best my Wim-Wim for a wowser to wind the weather up on a wet day. You know where you need to go with these two honoured guests.”
Pogo Paws and Pickle climbed the ladder and jumped aboard. They waved their cheerios to the others, and waited for lift-off.
Hovering above and waiting patiently was Nippy Nimbus who was still smiling … sort of.
The Wim-Wim soared into the sky on a fresh breeze, purring and gurgling its joy at its first assignment of a brand new year. Pogo Paws and Pickle looked down and caught a last fond glimpse of their friends. As the Wim-Wim turned towards the duck pond, they saw Badger, Top Dog, Snif, Hamish and Timmy clearing up after the party.
“So how was Pogo Paws able to get back to here?” asked Hamish. “I mean he was there, then he was here, and now he’s going back there!”
“And how is he able to return now with Pickle?” added Top Dog.
“I thought there was a portaloo involved,” said Hamish.
“A portal, Hamish,” giggled Badger. “And you’re right. Last time, it required my most powerful magic, plus a little help from Captain Bravebark.”
“Captain Bravebark from the Ring of Brodgar?” remembered Timmy, “I’ve met him, haven’t I, Badger?”
“That’s right Timmy, a long time ago. What an adventure that was!”
Above them, the Wim-Wim circled once more before shooting off for its destination.
“Goodbye, old oak tree. Goodbye, lane. Goodbye, duck pond,” shouted Pickle.
“Goodbye everyone!” added Pogo Paws. Back in Badger’s garden, lots of Happy New Year p-mails were arriving. Badger sat down, feeling a little flat. It was always the way after a party, when the guests had nearly all gone.
“Cheer up, Badger,” said Top Dog. “Look, there’s a confidential p-mail here just for you.” Badger plodded over to the fence, where he sniffed the p-mail. It was from Pogo Paws.
“I arrived at your party last night empty-handed. So, I feel it right that I make amends. I’ve made a reservation at the Delish Deli round the corner. I’ve booked a booth, so whoever is still around can join you. Please go, enjoy it and have a feast on me.”
“Wow!” shouted Badger to the others, licking his lips. “Is anyone else hungry?”
Top Dog, Snif, Hamish, Timmy and the now totally awake Earl all followed Badger to the Delish Deli, and took their places in their very own VIP booth.
As they ordered their various favourite dishes, Badger raised a tumbler to their absent friends and said: “Should auld acquaintance be forgot.”
“Let’s drink a cup of kindness here,” added the Earl, smiling at them all.
“For Auld Lang Syne,” they all sang together.
They feasted on a buffet of Beefy Brutus Wellies, Pure Fishcake Belly Timber and Savoury Shoot Stew.
For a while no one spoke, until Top Dog said:
“The truth is, without you, Badger, and all your mystical ways, we wouldn’t all be where we are today.”
“Here, here,” added Snif. “I’m sure I’d still be in trouble.” He looked fondly at Timmy, remembering how the little cat had once rescued him from danger.
“You should award yourself one of your own badges,” suggested Timmy, polishing his own shiny Badger Badge.
Badger looked bashful and said: “You did it all by yourselves. I just lent you a helping paw and a bit of magic. Still, it’s going to be quiet around here with everyone gone.”
“We’ll still be here. We’re only up the lane at PLOPP. Pop in anytime, and you must come to the launch of our book,” said Snif and Timmy.
“And there’s always a few slices of toast on the go at ours,” said Hamish and Top Dog.
“Thanks, but I think my work here is done. Maybe it’s time for me to go travelling too,” said Badger.
When they had finished eating, they said their goodbyes and thanked Badger for a brilliant party. All agreed that Pogo Paws’ treat was a truly excellent New Year’s Day dinner.
As Hamish, Top Dog, Snif, Timmy and the Earl left the Deli to head homewards, Badger sat back and patted his neckerchief. He looked out at the low winter sun.
“What a badgical-magical job well done. I wonder where this year will take us ’Chief.”
He left the Deli and trundled back to his garden. As he did, he heard the familiar clanking and clunking of his trusty Wim-Wim. He looked up and saw it gliding towards him.
Its passengers had gone, and just behind it was the most amazing double rainbow.
“Epic!” smiled Badger, walking over to the sundial, ready to greet the Wim-Wim.
It landed softly beside him. Its ladder folded down and its golden key shone. Badger climbed the steps and took a seat. Inside was a shimmering envelope, in fine silver organza. He held it in his paws and pondered.
He opened it carefully, and discovered a silver invitation card from Captain Bravebark. It read:
For today it seems, your work here is done.
Now, it’s time to have more fun.
Let the Wim-Wim guide you to pastures new,
Where thrilling adventures await you.
Badger smiled. He leaned over and turned the golden key. The Wim-Wim rose upwards, and they took off in the midday sky.
In the distance, he spied a V-shaped formation of sixteen flying fezzes. Otto had kept his word about a fly-past, he thought, glad that the fez was now free of the plant pot and able to fly forever more.
As he sat back down to enjoy the flight, he thought, So this year isn’t actually going to be so quiet.
This was his mission after all … and he chose to accept it.
A round of “up-paws” for Badger the Mystical Mutt
“A fun, fast-paced romp of a read for younger readers … terrific stuff!”
Cathy Cassidy
“Pitch-perfect subtlety and wit.”
Shari Low
“Badger the Mystical Mutt has quickly become a firm favourite with children beginning to read on their own.”
Off the Page, Stirling Book Festival
“Badger does help bring a smile to your face with his unusual approach to magic making.”
Missing Sleep
“There are some underlying morality themes that should allow vigorous class discussions.”
Stephen King, The School Librarian Magazine
“Once again McNicol & Jackson have come up with a brilliant story where Badger and his mystical powers are called upon to help out his friends.”
BFK Books
“Kids’ book takes world by storm.”
The Scottish Sun
“Cue another dog-tastic tale of friendship, adversity and wonky magic.”
The Daily Record
“A moving and joyful story which warmed the heart of this cynical old journalist.”
That’s Books
“First-time winner.”
The Evening Times
“A toast-loving, magical hound, who has been winning fans in book shops, libraries and schools across Scotland.”
The List
“A charming and very funny children’s story.”
Diana Cooper
“McNicol & Jackson have created a charming new book character; a toast-crunching hound named Badger.”
Aye Write, Glasgow’s Book Festival
“A truly magical story which has all the hallmarks of a future children’s classic!”
Ursula James
“Badger t
he Mystical Mutt is the coolest doggie around and in his brilliant stories he helps young kids understand their world and believe in themselves and their ambitions.”
Vegetarian Living Magazine
THE LUNICORN PRESS
Glasgow
Text © Lyn McNicol and Laura Cameron Jackson 2014
Illustrations © Laura Cameron Jackson 2014
All rights reserved
The moral right of Lyn McNicol and Laura Cameron Jackson to be identified as author and illustrator of this work has been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of The Lunicorn Press.
First published 2014 by The Lunicorn Press
Reprinted 2015
2
Printed by Martins the Printers, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Designed and typeset by Heather MacPherson at Raspberry Creative Type
Set in 14.25 pt Gentium Book
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-0-9569640-6-9
eISBN: 978-0-9929264-2-7
www.badgerthemysticalmutt.com
www.facebook.com/badgermutt
www.twitter.com/badgermutt
