Magic of the Mill on the Marsh Grandpa In My Pocket

Not the shrinking cap, Grandpa!

Catch me if you can.

Come down, Grandpa.

HELICOPTER BUZZES

Ha-ha!

Grandpa!

'It was an exciting day at the Mill on the Marsh,

'because a special guest was staying.

'She was a famous writer who wrote children's stories,

'and her name was Natty Scribbler.'

You are so lucky to be staying here all summer.

It is the most beautiful place.

Yes, it is, Wulfy, and you are a lucky boy, too, aren't you?

-I've got a plane.

-Oh. It's wonderful.

-Does it fly?

-Sometimes.

Will you tell us a story, Natty?

When I've thought of one I will.

You see, I want to start on a new story and I'm hoping

something in this wonderful mill will give me a bright idea.

It's so lovely and it feels almost...

-magical.

-It is the perfect place.

'Yes, Natty Scribbler was here to discover...'

The first thing I need is peace and quiet.

TROMBONE PLAYS

Goodness. What can that be?

I don't know. We'll find out. Come on, Elsie.

'So, off we went to find out about the noise.

'In the kitchen, Grandpa and Uncle CJ had heard the noise too.'

Oh, no, not today. It's Loretta.

Sounds like a goose trying to lay an egg.

Berk, berk, berk, berk! Berk, berk!

Berk!

'Then the noise started again.'

It's started again. What is it?

It's Loretta. She's learning to play the trombone.

But Natty needs it to be quiet to think up a story.

Coo-ee! It's only me.

It's coming on, eh?

Sshhh!

-Why?

-Natty Scribbler's upstairs, trying to think of a story.

Why didn't somebody say? I've got loads of ideas, I have.

Loretta, she wants ideas from Josh and Elsie.

Don't be silly, Grandpa. They won't have any ideas. They're children.

-'And off she went.'

-Oh!

I do love your work, and I hear you're after an idea.

Well, I'm full of ideas, me. I'm very creative. In many ways.

-You may have heard me playing the trombone earlier.

-I did.

So, what about a story about a mermaid? Or a giant.

Or a baboon with a big blue bottom!

I'm not sure that is quite my style.

I know what you need. I've got just the thing. I'll be right back.

Don't you bother her, you two. I know what you're like.

'And off she went.'

Sorry, that's our great aunt Loretta.

-She's very... What's the word?

-Bonkers.

Interesting!

I think I might go to my room for a little while.

Sometimes if I lie down, I get a bright idea for a story.

She just wants to get away from you know who.

Well, we need to stop you know who. Come on!

'You know who was giving Natty green gloop.'

Drink up. I'm here to help.

-Loretta. I think Miss Scribbler wants to be left alone.

-Nonsense.

-We're having a nice little chat, aren't we?

-Actually.

I'm not sure the mill is the right place for me

-to have a bright idea after all.

-Rubbish. It's the perfect place.

-Loretta, I really do think...

-I know.

I'll tell you one of my stories, that'll get you going.

Now, let me see. Once upon a time there was a potato.

Eh! Eh, out.

All the other vegetables used to call him Muddy Spud.

It's hopeless. Natty Scribbler says

she doesn't think the mill is the right place for an idea.

-Loretta's started telling a story about a potato.

-Oh, not Muddy Spud!

I'll see what I can do. You two come with me.

'Grandpa had a plan. So we followed him upstairs.'

You've got to get Loretta out of her room.

-Give me the thumbs up when Natty's alone.

-What are you going to do?

-What do you think I'm going to do?

-Not the shrinking cap, Grandpa!

-Catch me if you can.

-'Well, you know what happens when Grandpa shrinks.

'He can make all kinds of things work.

'He can drive the toy car,

'he can chuff around in the Sunnysands train

'and he can even make Mrs Ostrich fly, which is

'odd because ostriches can't fly, actually.

'Today, he jumped into my cousin Jason's plane.

'And before we knew it, he flew right out of the window.

'Grandpa landed in the big nut tree in the meadow.

'He had to get Loretta away from Natty, and I had an idea.

'I ran to Natty's room and Josh went to let Grandpa in on my plan.'

Stay there until I give you the sign, Grandpa.

So Muddy Spud said to the radishes... What is it, Elsie?

I know how you can help. Something that only you can do.

You can make Natty a sardine and strawberry tart.

Oh, yes.

You're right, that is something that only I can do.

Thank you, Elsie.

I don't think I'm going to have a bright idea here after all.

I do feel peculiar after the gloop.

Maybe a little rest will help.

-And some fresh air.

-Oh!

'So, I opened the window and went to tell Josh that it was all clear.'

-All clear.

-Right.

'Then I gave Grandpa the sign, and he took off

'and flew in through Natty's window.

'She couldn't believe her eyes.

'Then he landed on the dressing table.'

Oh, my goodness. A little man.

-At your service, ma'am.

-What are you doing here?

I heard you were hoping for a bright idea for a story

so I thought I'd just pop in and see if I could help.

-But this is magic.

-Oh, yes.

The Mill on the Marsh is a magical place, you know.

I thought so the minute I walked in, but I just haven't had an idea.

-Well, I think you have now.

-I think so, too.

# You never know where an idea may be

# Sometimes it's right before your eyes

# It might be hiding and you just can't find it

# Then it takes you by surprise. #

So true.

# You never know when the next story will strike

# You might wait forever and a day

# Then you get that feeling, that magical feeling

# That a story's on its way

# Bright ideas, bright ideas,

# I've been having them for years and years

# And this time I've waited as long as I can

# And at last it's here, the best idea

# I'll give a cheer

# The best idea has come from a little magic man. #

Pleased to be of service, ma'am.

'And Grandpa ran, got back into the plane, and off he flew.

'We were all ready to hear Natty's new story.'

Oh, I'm so excited. I can't wait.

And here's a nice slice of sardine and strawberry tart for afters.

'We didn't know where Grandpa was, but suddenly,

'we saw the plane landing.'

I'd better wake Grandpa up. He's sure to want to listen.

No, Uncle, there isn't time. We can tell Grandpa the story.

-Ready?

-'And Natty began.'

Once upon a time, there were two children called...

Elsie and Josh

and a little dog called Wulfy,

and they're living in a wonderful windmill.

A writer came to stay.

She wanted an idea for a new story, but try as she might,

she just couldn't think of one.

A kind old lady at the mill gave her some green gloop to help.

Oh, That's me! I'm in it, ha-ha!

Then she decided to have a rest.

Just then, the children sent their magic plane through her window

and, to her great surprise,

out stepped a little man.

A little, magic man.

And they sang a song together all about bright ideas.

# Bright ideas, bright ideas

# I've been having them for years and years

# And this time I've waited as long as I can

# And at last it's here, the best idea

# The best idea has come from a little magic man. #

And, well, what do you know?

Now the writer has a brand-new story

and she will call it

The Magic Of The Mill On The Marsh.

APPLAUSE

-Good story. Well done.

-Oh, thank you.

I have had a lot of practice at writing stories.

Ooh, that reminds me.

'And off went Great Aunt Loretta.'

And now I've got my new story, I think I'll take a walk outside.

I'll show you round, Natty. You'll love it.

Come and see the meadow,

it's wonderful this time of year.

'Grandpa quickly jumped off the toy box.'

Come on, Grandpa, quick!

We did it! We gave Natty Scribbler a brand-new idea for a story.

-And we're in the story!

-That's because we all helped.

ALL: Teamwork!

'Then, the trombone started up again.'

Oh, look who's here. Had a nice little lie-down, have we?

Helped Natty with her story, I did.

Oh, well, I'm glad she's had a bright idea.

# Bright ideas, bright ideas

# I've been having them for years and... #

Hang on! How do you know that song?

Oh, it's an old favourite, Loretta.

ALL: Teamwork!