Aaron McCusker - When the Dragons Came CBeebies Bedtime Stories

Hello. My name's Aaron.

I'm just on my way to Poppledown Town.

It's a lovely place.

But I've heard that there are

some rather surprising visitors on their way.

Would you like to come with me, and find out who they are?

Great.

The story is called When The Dragons Came,

by Naomi Kefford and Lynne Moore, with pictures by Benji Davies.

Poppledown Town was the loveliest town.

The neat rows of houses had charming front gardens,

with hedges and lawns that were trimmed every day.

The high street provided whatever was needed.

The river bank was perfect for picnics in May.

Oh, yes - Poppledown Town was the loveliest town,

and everyone who lived there agreed.

Amelia Topping loved shopping.

She skipped down the aisles of Poppledown Market,

selecting her salads, her cheese and cold meats.

She paused at the freezers, and chose all her favourites.

Then filled up her trolley with doughnuts and treats.

Oh, yes. Amelia Topping loved shopping.

Until the dragons came.

Frederick Creeding loved reading.

He hurried each morning to Poppledown Library,

treasuring the hush as he browsed along rows.

He liked choosing stories then reading them quietly,

and the click of the stamp on each book that he chose.

Oh, yes. Frederick Creeding loved reading.

Until the dragons came.

Olivia Turning loved learning.

She sat on the carpet at Poppledown Playgroup,

eager for stories and songs with Miss Twee.

She carefully moulded her plasticine biscuits,

ready to use in her teddy bear's tea.

Oh, yes. Olivia Turning loved learning.

Until the dragons came.

Soon, Olivia Turning hated learning,

Frederick Creeding avoided reading,

and Amelia Topping stopped shopping.

For Poppledown Town just wasn't the same,

since the dragons came.

But Jeremy Stamping loved camping.

He set up his tent on Poppledown Common -

a holiday village of orange and red.

He checked all the guy ropes, the pegs and the zippers,

then sizzled his sausages and pumped up his bed.

Oh, yes. Jeremy Stamping loved camping.

Until the rain came. RAIN PATTERS

It drummed on the canvas, like zebras tap-dancing.

It hammered the flysheets and trickled down poles.

It seeped into sleeping bags, gathered in puddles.

The campers were soggy and hungry and cold.

Until the dragons came.

They spread out their wings and provided a shelter.

They dried up the puddles, cooked sausages to share.

The campers saw kindness, and talked with the dragons.

They realised quite quickly they had not been fair.

They explained to the dragons just how they'd annoyed them,

with clumsy behaviour and the mess that they'd made.

The dragons said "Sorry" - they'd meant to be friendly.

They'd try to be careful and calm if they stayed.

So, Olivia Turning went back to her learning,

Frederick Creeding continued reading,

and Amelia Topping only went shopping on Wednesdays...

when the dragons came.

Who ever would have thought that such a friendly bunch of dragons

could cause such chaos?

In the end, everyone found a way to get along.

It's bedtime for dragons, now.

And it's bedtime for you, as well.

Off you go to get tucked up, warm and cosy,

and I'll see you again soon.

Night-night.