The Adventures Of Little Sham - Chapter 6 (Part 1)

 

The Adventures Of  Little Sham  

A Novel

by Paul McCann

Chapter  Six

The Dream Merchant Of Nod

Part 1

 

 The birds were singing because the darkness of the night had gone  and the  sunrise stretched out all over the land . The grass ways much greener in those far away places as the new light of shone down ..In tapestries of blue and silver the sky and sea decorated the morning view outside Shams bedroom window as he open his eyes , He sea a little bird sitting on the ledge of his bedroom window . The bird started to tap against the window pane as if to say good morning . Then away it flew as if it had things to do and somewhere to go .Down in the street people were walking past with a whole day of things to share .

Sham went over to his parents bedroom and shouted

“Come time to get up , it’s a new day and the world is waiting . Is time to rise and   shine , time to be what ever we want to be. ‘.

His parents jumped up out of bed ,.

“Now that’s what I call a good morning “

his mother said and his father smiled and said,

“Sham, how good is it to be alive ?”

Mrs Mc Dermott knocked on the door and said ,

“Breakfast is on the table.”

Sham asked

“What’s for breakfast this morning ?”

“Potatoes and cabbage..”

Sham replied ,

“‘What . Spuds again ?”

They all laughed and Mrs McDermott said ,

‘Thought I might surprise you all , but no , it’s the usual McDermott guest house special , sunrise surprise breakfast. Poached eggs , bacon , sausages and a pot of tea”.    .  

‘Thank you Mrs McDermott we’ll be right there .“ Mr Greenacre said .

Shep , the border collie sheep dog walked in like it did every time food was being served and sat down there beside the table  .

‘‘Good morning Sham and happy birthday  “,

Said Shep .

That was the first time Sham had ever heard an animal speak and he realised that something special had happen. He had  been given a gift of talking without speaking in person . It was like he had a radio transmitter inside his head .

‘Hello there Shep , what a beautiful day ?:

Sham patted Shep around his head and without being seen he slipped the dog a bit of bacon from his breakfast plate  .

‘Thank you Sham ‘

Said Shep he was ate the bacon without being noticed . Suddenly a knock came to the front door and Shep jumped to his feet and ran to the door barking loudly .

‘Don’t worry Sham , there’s no problem it’s part of my job as security here to bark when anyone knocks on the door .

 Mrs McDermott went to the door and she said .

“Shep that’s enough , settle down. “

She took Shep into the kitchen and closed the door .

The person at the front door kept knocking and Mrs McDermott said ,

“I’m coming , just a minute .”

When she opened the front door ‘

It was the postman .

“Hello Mrs McDermott, I have a letter for Master Sham Greenacre , care of

Mrs Mc Dermott’s guesthouse in Chapters End .

 She was handed the letter and the postman wished everyone a great day and then Mrs McDermott  took the letter and gave it to Sham .

“Who is it from ?” his mother asked .

“I don’t know” He replied .

When he opened the letter he found a birthday card with some money and on the card was a message that said , Happy birthday son , from Mum and Dad .

You’re the best child in all the world and there is no one as good as you .

We love you and we want to wish you happiness every not just for today

Sham gave his Mum and Dad a big cuddle and said ,

“I completely forgot about my birthday”

A small choir walked into the dining room and started singing Happy birthday as Mrs McDermott came in with a birthday cake with lighted candles on the top . Everyone cheered and Sham said a big thank you to everyone there After the cake was cut and shared around . His Mum and Dad told him that they had a special surprise for his birthday . They had booked a horse and carriage ride to Sennachie Hill a local

Tourist spot where they were going to have a picnic to celebrate his birthday .

When the many with the horse and carriage arrived out front Mrs McDermott brought the picnic basket from the kitchen and handed it to Mrs McDermott . The carriage was decorated with balloons and streamers and Sham was delighted as they all climbed up into the open carriage . The man up front took a look at Sham and said ,.

‘I wish you a happy birthday little Sham , My name is Connor and the horses name is

Bay Boy . “

The he took the reins in his hands and lifted his voice and said ,

“Come on now Bayboy , .lets go “

Bayboy eased off down the street with a slow and easy stride . As they made their way through the town all the people gave them a wave as they passed  .

When they left the town behind , they went along the quiet country road ,

Then the horse said  

‘So Sham, you’ve got the gift then”

‘What gift would that be”

‘You’re the  seventh son of  a seventh son which means you have telepathy , Like myself , so we can talk . “

Sham was surprised and said ,

‘How did you know this ?”

‘We know lots of stuff . Its like a radio. We hear the broadcasts’

Bayboy looked back and winked his eye at Sham .

Sham said ,

“ So all horses have telepathy then.”

Bayboy replied

‘Yeah and lots of other stuff as well. “

Sham was intrigued .

“Other stuff , like what ?

Bayboy looked around and said,

”’We see things like you do.. I’ve been told you  met Pogue O’Loan  ?

Sham answered.

‘Yeah he told me some stuff I still don’t understand but in time I might “

‘No doubt you will Sham when the time is right  ”

Bayboy had a kind warmth in the tone of his voice  . He seemed wise.

“Sham asked,

 ‘How long have horses had the ability to speak like this to humans ?”

Bayboy said ,

‘We have always had this, in fact most animals can ,There was a time when all humankind had telepathy but they misused the gift and so it was taken from them . Humans were once friends with all the creatures on the planet who trusted and respected them but the way human treated each other brought fear and resented between us and now the trust has gone .We remain as servants helping out where we can .”

Sham replied .

‘Not all humans are cruel Bayboy. Many of us live in  peace .“

Bayboy said

That is true Sham and there are some like  yourself who still have the gift , however once trust is gone it rarely returns . The world and those who live it need to get along regardless . That’s the lesson for us all .”

“Whoa,  there Bayboy “

Connor said tugging at the reins .

Up ahead there were some sheep making their way down the road led by a farmer  and his sheepdog . Conor had pulled the horse and carriage over to the side of the little road so the farmer and his sheep could pass . As they were passing all the sheep shared a few words of greeting to Bayboy and Sham  ,

“Isn’t it  glorious day. “ One of the sheep said .

Bayboy replied .,

“It surely is and where are you all off to today ‘

Another one of the sheep said ,

“The farmer had a field with some long grass so we’re going to munch it back a

little bit for him . His tractor hasn’t been working for a few months so we help as

much as we can  .”

Sham said , ‘What would he ever do without you ?’

Another of the sheep said ,

‘He’s a kind man , Needs all the help he can get . He lives alone and has no other company like us , He can’t hear us talk but he often talks in his human voice to us and we understand but we can’t speak in a vocal way to him . Sometimes shares his feelings with us and we feel good to be around him .‘

As the last of the sheep passed the sheepdog said  ,

‘”Good morning Bayboy , how are you travelling  I see you have someone special

with you there today ,:”,.

Bayboy replied ,

‘Things are going ok Lucky  , Sham is the one you’re speaking of . He has the gift, all right and I’m bringing him and his Mum and Dad up to the picnic spot on the hill ‘

The sheepdog said ,

‘Hello Sham , it’s a honour to meet you . How things with you ? “

Sham replied ,

‘Nice to talk to you Lucky , well  todays my birthday and so far its been a great day meeting so many new friends . Hows you day been so far ?

Lucky replied.

‘Happy birthday and all that Sham , Well so far so good today as none of the sheep have lost their way. I have to keep an eye on them  as they like to wander off a lot on their own exploring . Nice to talk to you . “

The farmer was last to pass by and he tipped his hat and said ,

“ Thank you for your patience in sharing the road Conor and good morning to all ?

Connor replied ,

‘It’s a pleasure . Have a good day Mr O’Rourke “

Sham and his Mum and Dad all waved and Mr Greenacre said  ,

‘Good morning Mr O’Rourke and thank you  .

‘ Gee up Bayboy “ Conor said with a soft flick of the reins on his back ,

Baboy made his way up the hill to the picnic spot where Conor steered him over to a fence post under a tree . As everyoine got out of the carriage Conor put a feed bag over Bayboy’s mouth  .

‘I’ll be here with Bayboy . Enjoy your picnic . “

Conor said .

‘You’re welcome to join us Conor ":

Mr Greenacre said .

‘Thanks anyway but I have to keep my eyes on Bayboy just in case he case he would runaway away; He gets spooked sometimes and takes flight . "

‘That’s not true I would never do that’ ’

Bayboy said ,

Sham heard and laughed  .,

The Greenacres all made their way over to the picnic spot where a few tables and chairs sat with a roof over top . From there was a lookout view of the fields and the ocean . They took out the food from the basket and started to eat what Mrs Mc Dermott had made .  After they finished eating Shams parents gave him some gifts for his birthday . Sham was so happy to put on his new wristwatch and try his new telescope .

‘I love my new watch Mum. . Now I can see how time passes .“

“I’m glad you like Sham “

“Thanks for this telescope Dad  . Can I ask you a question ?”

“Of course son “    Sham put the telescope down and said ,

“ Have you ever done a family tree ? " Sham said and his Dad replied ,

 

‘No not me but I believe one of my Aunts sometime had started one but that was a long time ago . Why do you ask ?

I’m curious about my ancestors . Did you have any brothers ?"
Then Shams father replied ,

“:No I was the only boy in a family of 5 children ?”

‘What about you father did he have any brothers ,’

Sham asked and his Dad replied .’

 .““No he was an only child..”

Sham said ,

“Maybe it might be interesting to look at your family tree Dad ?

His father replied ,

‘Yeah I guess so. I’ll have to look into that .”

Sham and his Mum and Dad stayed there for a while talking about life. They wanted so much to tell him about the problem he had with his speech however all the specialists advised them not to bother bringing that up because it might have an adverse effect . Sham wanted to tell his parents all about the magic places he goes to and the gift of telepath he has , but being the seventh son of a seventh son , he had a sense to feel if things were right or not . He decided to keep that part of his life private for the time being .

They had a wonderful day together there and at twilight they climbed back into the horse carriage . All the way back to the guest house Bayboy was talking to Sham about the dreams he has and the places he goes , Sham also shared the same information as well . When they returned to the guest house Mrs McDermott had the house decorated for a birthday party . There was a puppet show with a story arranged by one of the locals and a magician who entertained everyone until it was late in the evening . Sham retired very happily to his bedroom and looked out the window at the moon over the ocean , Once again the sound of the wind came whistling through the town with a soft hush , almost like a lullaby singing within his  mind . The voice in the wind called gently to him ,

“Come away now, to the place where dreams are found , go now “
  

Sham put on his soft shoes and walked down the stairs and out into the street , then making his way to the Storytellers cottage ,  he opened the front door and went inside to the room where the treasure chest away from the trapdoor .

He climbed down the ladder and at the bottom he opened up a door and found he was standing outside a wood cabin . He knocked on the door and it was opened by a tall thin man with a long white straggly beard and on his head and a funny wiggly hat .  

 

 

End Of Part 1

 

Part 2

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/adventures-little-sham-chapter-6...

 

,

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

.