Jenny And The Emperor’s Gardens- Chapter 11

.Jenny And The Emperor’s Gardens

A novel

By Paul McCann

Chapter 11

The Tea Party   

 

She missed the bus to get home from school and started to walk .It wasn’t really that far to walk so she decided to take the short cut through park and over the stepping stones in stream then past the willows by the lagoon near her home .

It was a perfect day for a walk and she always loved the fresh air and exercise .

In the park she saw some other children playing ball and a lady walking her poodle.

Then she saw a man handing out free roses to people ,.so she went over to get one to bring home . When she got there the old man looked at her and smiled and said hello then he handed her a beautiful rose .

Jenny said , .

“Thank you kind sir . Why are you giving away free roses ?”

He replied ,

“Well I suppose grow freely and no one really owns then so why not anyway the emperor asked me if you have time could you call in to see him on your way home”

“Sure , where is he living now ?”

Jenny asked .

“Follow the trail of white feathers that I have left for you once you cross over the stepping stones at the stream , He has a little home in the woods by the lagoon .

There will be a white dove watching you as you go just to make sure you don’t get lost on the way “

Jenny did as he said . She made her way over the stepping stones at the stream and saw some white feathers on the ground and followed the path where they lay . She also saw the white dove flying around over her head as she went .At the end of the trail of feathers was a small cabin with a welcome sight on the door that opened on her arrival , Inside the cabin the emperor was seated in a rocking chair,

 

“I’m glad you could make little one , I didn’t have much time to send any signs as I have just got the news a little while ago about a tea party that will be happening very soon out in my garden today and I thought you might like to go . “

Said thew emperor and Jenny replied .

“I’d love to go there thank you emperor .”

“That’s just what I thought you  would say . The key is already in the door, so now off you go . ” .The emperor replied .

She opened the door and made her way out to a trail through a glade where she saw  a rabbit chasing a monkey up a tree that frightened an owl who twitted ,

“Who did that what woke me from my sleep ?”

Jenny giggled , the rabbit pounded the ground and the monkey came back down from the tree and said ,

“Don’t look at me , I’m just a monkey who was minding my own business with no where special to go until that crazy runaway rabbit came hopping through nearly knocking me off my feet .”

‘The rabbit replied , “Sorry about that I run off my feet today, little monkey face “ 

The monkey replied ,. 

“Goodness me haven’t you anything better to do today than to run around , screaming and scaring others ?”

The rabbit said ,. 

“Its not my fault , you see , I’m in such a hurry to bring the invitations for Tippy the teddy bear’s birthday tea party and I didn’t mean any harm or scare anyone  “:

The monkey said .

“Well the funny thing is Bunny hop but you were running way too fast and you never even said excuse me as you rushed past and you scared the living daylights out of me”

The rabbit replied ,

“Well I’m sorry about that but that wasn’t my intention but as I said , I have much too  much to do and so very little time to get it all done . “

 

The owl asked,

Tell me what is it that you have to do so busy bunny rabbit . ?”

The rabbit replied ,

“ For a start I have to hand out all the invitations to Tippy’s birthday party today and then I have to get things ready for the tea party and organize some games “

“No one told us about the tea party “

Said the monkey and the owl said , :

,“Hey there , twit who , you little girl , tell me tweet tweet , what are you doing around here today “

          

Jenny replied ,
“I’ve been told by the emperor, I have an invitation to a garden tea party today ?; ,

The Rabbit asked ,

‘Ok tell me , your name and I’ll see if you’re on the list ?”

Jenny replied , “My name is Jenny ?”

The rabbit checking his replied . “Let me have a look and see , (Murmuring , Genie and his magic Jam Jar , the Garden Gypsy , Harry Hamster and there you are Jenny, the wonder child .“

The rabbit handed Jenny her invitation and she said .

“Thank you . I’m excited about the tea party .“

The rabbit said ,

‘Well for everyone’s information , Tippy has wanted to have a tea party for so long now and she’s so happy that’s it actually happening that Tippy gave me the task of bringing all the invitations to all the creatures who live in the garden glades and willow corner to be there and any of the emperors friends . “

The bluebirds overheard what was said and started to chirp,

“ I hope that the bluebirds are invited to the tea party “

The rabbit had a look at the list and said

“Yes you are all invited , I could really use some help as well if you have nothing to do could you please help me to deliver some invitations for Tippy’s Tea Party . I’ve got so much to do in so little time”

The monkey said 

“Oh no problem . Lets seize the moment . I’m ready to deliver any invitations you can give . “:

The rabbit looked a little less stressed and replied .

“Well , thank you , monkeyface , but there’s much more to be done than just delivering invitations”

“Like what ?”

The monkey asked,

The Rabbit replied

So far I have invited half of those who are coming to the tea party but there is nothing for them to eat yet .“  

“Can I help ?’ Jenny asked  and the rabbit replied ,

.“Could you go and ask Tippy to bake a tea cake ?”

Jenny replied

“Sure things where can I find Tippy?”

Tippy lives in the tree house next to Bushie tails cabin in the badgers corner over in there where the lavender’s grow ”

“Follow us , we’ll show you where she lives “

Said the bluebirds who flew from tree to tree with Jenny following after them .

As she arrived at the tree house she knocked on the front door . Tippy teddy bear opened the door and said .

“Hello , can I help you ?”

‘The rabbit who is busy handing out all the invites for your tea party has asked me to ask you to bake a tea cake “

Tippy smiled and said  

“Ok , please come inside .”

“Thank you :

Jenny replied .

 As Jenny went into the tree house Tippy started to pull out all of her pots and pans and then , she stopped and sat down on a chair and said ,

“Oh dear me what ever will I do because I can’t bake a tea cake . I wouldn’t have a clue what to do or where to start . “

The Jenny said ,

“Is there anyone around here would know how to bake a tea cake ?

“Let’s go and see . I’ll ask Bushie Tail Possum is he knows ”

Said Tippy ..

Right away Tippy led the way over to Bushy Tail’s front door and knocked .

“The little possum opened the door and said ,

“Hi there Tippy , thanks for the invitation I’ll be there “

Tippy replied

“That’s great but I’ve got a problem Bushie and need some help .“

“What can I do to help you ?”

said the friendly possum and Tippy said ..

“Can you tell me how to make and bake a tea cake ?

The possum scratched his nose and head and said .

“Well you’ll need lots of nuts and honey and a sprinkle of sweet spice with a slice of caramel from the top of the sugar tree near and mix them all together I think .  Is that any help for you Tippy .“

Tippy looked confused and replied ,

“ Oh no . Is there anybody else who might know how to make a tea cake in a hurry because I’ve got a lot coming to my tea party and nothing for them to eat “

“I’m sure the silver trout in the rainbow pool might have an idea as they’ve always got cake crumbs and bread to eat . Why don’t you go and ask them .”

“Ok, thanks Bushie “ Tippy said \

“Sorry I wasn’t able to help Tippy . Good luck and see you later on ?

Tippy and Jenny rushed over to the pool in the garden where Tippy called out

 ,“ Hello in there . Is there anyone home ?”.

A sleek silver trout swam over to the side of the bank and looked up . Opening up its  mouth the trout said ,

“What’s the problem . No need to shout at a trout .We have sensitive hearing and if you knew how we feel Tippy , you would not dare to come anywhere near here “

:“What ever is wrong with you Mrs Trout ?”

The trout spat out water from its mouth and said ,

‘What’s wrong you ask well  , you should know how sensitive we are and I should be asking you what’s your problem . Are we not good enough for you . How come we didn’t get invited to your tea party then ?“

Tippy laughed and said ,.

“Don’t be silly everyone knows you can’t come on land . My plan was to bring the party to you . The party will be here by rainbow pool today Mrs Trout  .”

M<RS Trout said

“Well then you could still have send an invitation Tippy just so we all knew we were going to be there at the tea party ”

“I am so sorry .I never thought . Please forgive me Mrs Trout , I thought it might have been a surprise for you all .“

“As I said Tippy , we have very sensitive hearing and we hear ev3erything that is said around here .“

‘So then please bring all you family and friends today for my tea party Mrs Trout “

“On one condition “ Said Mrs Trout .

“Sure thing , what’s that ? “  Asked Tippy .

“Can you bring us all the left over cookies and cake after the party ? .“

Tippy replied ,

“Sure no problem , but there is another things , I need to ask ?“

“I’m all ears “ Said Mrs Trout ‘

“Can you tell me or send me to somebody who knows how to bake a tea cake ?”

Mrs Trout replied , “You don’t mean to tell me you can’t cook ?”

Tippy replied with a red face ,

“Well I’ve never though about baking a cake before until now and its almost too late you see because the tea party is going to start soon “

.“Don’t worry Tippy just go and ask the wise old owl who lives at the top of the tall twisted Willow . I’ve heard he has lots of cook books and plenty of knowledge .”

“Oh thank you ever so much Mrs Trout .“

“See you later Tippy “

The trout replied as she disappeared underneath the water in the pond 

Tippy the teddy bear and Jenny rushed through the garden to the twisted willow and climbed up through the twisty branches until she was at the door at the top of the tree and knocking gently on the front door . After no one answer Tippy shouted out a number of times , until finally the owl opened the door .

“Twitt who oh no , its two of you , I already told the rabbit I’d be there at  your tea party and by the way Tippy thank you for inviting me . Now what should I bring ? “

Said the cross eyed white owl standing by the door . Tippy smiled and said ,

“Yes I know and I’m so glad you’re coming dear Owl friend but I’m here to ask you for some help.  I’ve been told you know about baking cakes and thought maybe you have some cook books I could borrow ”.

“Sure I’d be delighted to help , please come in and I’ll have a look for a cook book”

.Said the owl who went over to a tall bookcase. .

“ Cook books . I have quite a few there mmm let me see . Patta cakes . pitta Cakes here we are , party cakes – this one should do Tippy . “

The owl handed over the book to the Tippy Teddy who said a quick thanks and scurried away out the door and back to her cottage . She was only half way home when she stopped and started to run back to the Owls house .

“What’s wrong Tippy “

Jenny asked .

Tippy was mumbling . “Silly me , I should have known. “

“Known what ?” Jenny asked     

Tippy Teddy knocked on the Owls front door was shouting out ..

“Hello, are you there Mr Owl . Hello help me.  “

The owl open the door and asked Tippy and Jenny to come inside .

“What ever is the problem Tippy ?” Said the White feathered old Owl

Tippy was red faced and a little nervous , trying to remain calm .

 “I can’t read .“

Jenny giggled and the wise old owl just looked at Tippy with a smile and said ,

“Ok look come in and sit down and let me read the instructions for you .“

“That’s very kind of you my old owl friend , but there’s another thing as well “

Said Tippy and the owl replied

’“ Don’t stress .So tell me what else is it “

The owl said with an understanding tone of voice .   

“I can’t cook or bake either .“ Tippy replied .

“Twit who.Tut tut Twit you , don’t worry Tippy . It’s all right .Don’t be embarrassed about that . I’ll try to help come on and let’s get started before your guests are ready to arrive.“

Tippy , Jenny and the owl began to work together in the owls kitchen  .

Reading the instructions was simple . Jenny fetched some of the things the owl asked for in the pantry and Tippy was assisting the owl with mixing things together and very soon the smell of a freshly baked tea cake drifted through the tree house and out the window and all through Willow Corner and the rest of the garden there .

The cake was cooling in no time at all and Tippy and Jenny brought it back to the rainbow pond where almost everyone had already arrived for the tea party .

Every creature had brought their own cup and saucer and some had brought a gift for Tippy and the party began with a song followed by a cheer and an arm to arm linking as they danced around the pond , The silver trout were leaping out and Blue Birds arrived with  blue bells in their beaks letting them fall down to the ground where they lay like a carpet spread out for everyone to walk upon Other creature brought nuts and berries for Tippy while some brought wild flowers that were placed in various spots on tree stumps and tree branches and on the roof of Tippy Teddy’s little house . Foxes with hand times clocks kept the time of the fastest runners and cool headed judges picked the winner of the home cooked fudges . Then there were  games of chance played by the soldier ants and lucky dips for everyone and fun was had all around the garden . Best of all Tippy’s tea cake was shared among all who had come . Green frogs jumped from lily pad to logs around the rainbow pool .Feeding the silver trout some crumbs from Tippy’s tea cake while the fairy folk gave out fairy cakes and fairy bread as a gift for everyone to enjoy . There were games and prizes with wise owls asking riddles and little lucky leprechaun’s playing fiddles and harps , until the party was over and done  . After the party Tippy thanked everyone for coming with a very special mention for Jenny who had come for a visit . A special thank you was said for Mr Owl who had made it a success and Tippy brought a plate of leftovers down for the fish in the lagoon .

Mr Owl made a speech and the eager beaver tried to teach a lesson about building homes on water as the creatures of the garden spoke of how beautiful it was have a get together in the bright sunlight around Willow Corner where tea parties had never been seen before and Tippy made an announcement to everyone that her Tea Party would become a regular event from that day on . Jenny said her goodbye t6o everyone and made her way back to the emperors cabin door .When she arrived there at the cabin door,  the statues of two lions came alive .

One of the lions walked over to Jenny and said ,  .

“Have you been to a tea party today  ?”
“Yes I was  “ Jenny answered .

The lions fired more questions at her ..

“Did you see a trout shout out from a pond ?”

“Yes “ 

“And see foxes with clocks time a race ?” “Yes .“

“And see little people play fiddles ..“ “Yes”

“Did you hear riddles from the wise owls ?:  “Yes .“

“Then child of wonder , you may enter through the cabin door to see the emperor “.

Said the lions .

The cabin door opened up and Jenny walked inside where the emperor was sitting in a rocking chair in the corner of the cabin  . 

"Did you enjoy the tea party in my garden ?”
He asked .

“It was fantastic . “
She said .

“ Well then you must come back again another day soon . I will send you some signs  so you will know so keep your eyes open for that .”

“Thank you for inviting me today Emperor ?

 The emperor handed Jenny some gifts to take with her . A talking cooking book with pictures , a teddy bear and some tea cake .
Jenny walked out of the cabin and made her way back home  

  End of Chapter 11

 

Jenny And The Emperor’s Gardens

Link to Chapter 12

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/jenny-and-emperor%E2%80%99s-gard...

 

By Paul McCann