Mole: I'll go and see Bear,' says the little black mole
As he pulls himself out of his little mole hole.
'I'll use that nice shortcut that goes through the wood.
I've used it before. Yes, it's terribly good.
But Bear says it's dangerous. I disagree.
I'm sure nothing awful will happen to me.'
So Mole hurries off with his nose to the ground,
Making a scurrying, snuffling sound.
But round the next corner, believe it or not,
Stand three warty witches around a big pot.
Gertrude: 'I think we've got all the ingredients now:
"Toenail of lizard, eyelash of cow,
Whisker of rabbit, feather of hen,"
But where's "tail of mole?" I forgot it again!'
Matilda: 'Honestly, Gertrude! I told you to bring it!
Gertrude: 'I'm sorry, Matilda. We'll just have to wing it.
Moles live in woods, right? So let's look around.'
Witch 3:Â 'Can you hear that scurrying, snuffling sound?'
The mole's running fast on his way to see Bear
When suddenly WHOOSH! He's up in the air!
And hanging up high by his tail upside down
As a warty old witch looks at him with a frown.
Gertrude: 'A mole! Look! I've found one!' she yells in surprise.
They all stare at Mole with their six witchy eyes.
Matilda: 'Wonderful, Gertrude! Now chop off his tail.'
Mole: 'No!' shrieks the mole and he lets out a wail.
'What do you want with my tail, you three?'
Gertrude: 'We're making a potion!' says Gertrude with glee.
She shows him a page in an old potion book.
'It says "tail of mole" in the recipe, look!'
Suddenly Mole has a brilliant idea.
Mole: 'I see,' says the mole. 'Yes, the recipe's clear.
Well, sorry, dear Witches, I've sad news to break:
This isn't my real tail. It's only a fake!'
Gertrude: 'What?' says the witch. 'This is not your real tail?'
Mole: 'My real tail's at home, hanging up on a nail.
Gertrude: 'Hanging up on a nail,' says the witch. 'Tell me why?'
Mole: 'I gave it a wash. Now it's hung out to dry.
So I put on this fake one that's made out of string.
No good for your potion. You'll need the real thing.'
Witches: 'Oh dear,' say the witches. 'Oh, what shall we do?'
Mole: 'Don't worry! I'll go home and get it for you.'
Witches:Â 'Hmm . . .' say the witches. 'Now there's an idea.
You'll go home and get it and bring it back here?'
Mole: 'I will. Put me down and I'll run home and get it.'
Witches: 'Okay,' say the witches, 'but don't you forget it.'
They put down the mole and he's off in a flash
Hurrying back to his home at a dash.
He scurries back home and he dives in his hole.
Mole: 'Phew! That was close!' says the little black mole.
'I got out of that one by being quite clever.
I won't take that shortcut again. No, not ever!'
And back in the woods, still the three witches wait.
Gertrude: Until Gertrude says, 'Well, it's getting quite late.
I don't think that mole's coming back with his tail.
I guess this has been just one more potion-fail!
Let's pack up our things now, it's nearly bedtime.
And why don't we make vegan potion next time?
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This is very much a first draft based extremely loosely on a Korean folktale.
I've added the names of the speakers but I'm not sure it's necessary. In the next draft I'll tweak it so it works without them and then take them out.
Thanks so much for reading ðð
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