“Very well said,” said Coral to her sister.
The Pap-a-naggy stared at his sleeping infant. When he looked up, his eyes flashed red with anger.
“One thing is there hate I,” said the Pap-a-naggy, “and that be salty sea dogs smelly shanty pirates.”
He shouted to the mouth of the harbor where the Mam-a-naggy was still clutching the Kettle Black in her huge talons.
“Bring out the pirates,” Myrtle said to Mr. Tiger, “so that the Pap-a-naggy can see them.”
The Gongalong acrobats, being many and strong, carried the parcel of netted pirates down to the quay.
“Oh, my trembling timbers,” said Captain Calico Kettle, peering out of his cracked-egg costume at the Pap-a-naggy. “We are properly fried, me hearties.”
The Pap-a-naggy gave the Nog-a-naggy back to Septimus to hold while he dealt with the pirates. He picked up the net and, carefully, so as not to damage any boats in the harbor, waded, then swam, out to the Mam-a-naggy, dragging the net behind him while the pirates squealed and said bad words in Tangerine. He dropped the netful of pirates onto the Kettle Black and gently picked up first Betsy, then Floss Grimm in his talons and returned to the harbor, where Myrtle and Coral were waiting for their children.
As everyone on the quayside watched, the Mam-a-naggy puffed up her cheeks and blew so hard on the sails of the Kettle Black that the ship skimmed like a pebble back to the map of the world. The cheers from the islanders woke the little Nog-a-naggy, and seeing his mother, he squeaked and wriggled free from Septimus. Flapping his wings, he took to the water—and immediately sank. His father fished him up and they both joined the Mam-a-naggy.
Accompanied by many shouts and much throwing of hats and choruses of “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” the family returned to their sea apple orchard seventy leagues below the waves. It was only when they had gone that the mayor realized that three crates of golden apples had been left on the quay. One golden apple for each islander who lived off the map of the world.
33
We, the letters of the alphabet, noticed something and you most probably did, too. And that something is Septimus Plank. He didn’t leave with the pirates, and any hope he might have had of being returned to the map of the world was gone. Yet we have to say, if he was upset about it, he never showed it, not one bit. He went straight back to the café and into the kitchen.
That day was unlike any other day.
It was a grand celebration kind of day, the kind that when you’re feeling blue, you dream of. All its hours were brimming with entertainment. Princess Albee was rather sad that Septimus wasn’t with her to enjoy it.
Mr. Tiger saw she was glum and said, “Smile, my dear princess, because tonight there will be a surprise waiting.”
You may also want to know what happened to Floss Grimm when he was reunited with his mum. Now here’s a funny thing. Coral was cross with him for being so naughty, but somehow all that crossness changed to relief, and relief turned into joy at having him safe. He told her that he was very, very sorry and promised he would never swim away again. Myrtle added that Floss had shown great courage in saving the hens, and Betsy said he’d been helpful in teaching her how to swim underwater.
That evening there was a banquet. Oh, you should have seen it. But wait—for of course you can.
All the tables were laid out by the harbor, where the Gongalongs had strung paper lanterns on wires that reached the stars. The moon peered down to see what was going on, for it was fond of a circus. Coral and the Siren Singers gave a concert, and as the stars shone, the Gongalongs performed their acrobatics before joining the islanders for the banquet.
Mum sat next to Dad with her tail in a bucket. Dad sat next to Betsy, who sat next to Mr. Tiger. Mr. Tiger sat next to Princess Albee. Princess Albee sat next to Septimus, and both looked very happy. Princess Albee wore another tiara and Betsy wore her golden seahorse, which gleamed on the chain around her neck.
At the end of the meal, Septimus went into the café and brought out an ice-cream cake that he had made especially for Princess Albee. Iced on the top was a heart.
Princess Albee blushed.
“I created it for you, with all my love,” said Septimus.
Princess Albee ate a spoonful of the ice-cream cake.
“It tastes of happy-ever-afters,” she said, looking at Septimus.
“Crumble cakes,” said Betsy. “Are you two going to get married? Can I be a bridesmaid? Oh, I really like the idea of a royal wedding.”
Princess Albee smiled and took Septimus’s hand. “So do I,” she said. Before the princess could say another word, Mr. Tiger stood up to give a speech.
“Ladies and gentlemen, brave hearts all, we can sleep easy in our beds this night knowing the island is safe.” The islanders applauded. “Furthermore, it has been decided by the mayor and Princess Albee that something must be done to help Myrtle and Alfonso Glory have a more mer-friendly house.”
“Hear, hear, and about time, too,” cried the islanders.
“Tomorrow, work will begin on the house and café. Waterslides, water lifts, waterbeds, and everything else the modern mermaid might need will be installed. I raise my glass to . . .”
“To another adventure together?” Betsy whispered.
“To another adventure together,” said Mr. Tiger. He took out his pocket watch and studied it. “Well, frazzle my whiskers, it looks as if something exciting is coming this way.”
“Are you sure?” asked Betsy.
“Sure,” said Mr. Tiger. “A hundred Gongalongs sure.”
“How do you know?” said Betsy.
“Because, Betsy K. Glory, tigers have their secrets and their whiskers, their tails and their tales.”
MR. TIGER, BETSY, and the BLUE MOON
Read the first book in Sally Gardner’s enchanting new series, illustrated by Nick Maland.
When Betsy K. Glory, the daughter of a mermaid and an ice-cream maker, meets the mysterious Mr. Tiger, they have a giant challenge . . . a moon to turn blue, berries to collect, and wishable-delicious ice cream to create. The sort that makes wishes come true.
Author’s Note
My great hope is that all the books in the series will be accompanied by a big brass band, and I feel confident in saying that big brass band will keep on booming. I have thoroughly loved writing this book and it is a joy to return to these characters. Once again it is being published in blue and in Dyslexie font.
* * *
I would like to thank Fiona Kennedy, Jessie Price, and Clémence Jacquinet at Zephyr; my assistant, Amelia Barratt, for her unbelievable patience and good humor; the effervescent Jacky Bateman; Freya Corry for her wisdom; and Nick Maland for his fabulous illustrations. This book would not be the same without his vision.
* * *
Lastly I’d like to say: Imagination is a unicorn of the mind. You need to feed it and care for it every day to make it become a thing of wonder. Imagination is the greatest gift any child is born with and I believe we need to nurture it, not crush it with examinations. The only way to make it grow is through story, through play, through believing the impossible to be real and making it so.
Sally Gardner
Sussex, May 2019
About the Author and Illustrator
Sally Gardner is the Printz Honor author of Maggot Moon, as well as a Costa and Carnegie-winning author. Her books have been sold in many languages throughout the world.
Nick Maland is an award-winning artist, who has illustrated numerous picture books.
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Mr. Tiger, Betsy, and the Sea Dragon Page 6
