Brooch Teacup Travels

Here they come! My two intrepid explorers -

Charlotte and Elliot.

I'm their great aunt Lizzie, you see.

And I wonder which one is coming to see me today...

Ah! So, it's Elliot's turn.

Here he comes!

Racing to hear another tale from an epic adventurer.

CLINK, CLINK, CLINK!

And what wonderful adventures they were!

So long ago and so far away...

I collected a few souvenirs along the way.

But my most precious possession of all

is my extraordinary collection of teacups.

You've still got your coat on, Elliot. Come on!

No time to count the clouds. We've got stories to tell!

Now...let's have a lovely cup of tea.

-But first, we need...

-The teacup!

But which one?

That one!

Mmm...

The Bronze Brooch.

What a choice, Elliot.

I do really love that story.

This will be just perfect to drink now.

-So, are you ready?

-Ready!

Then let me tell you the story of Great Aunt Lizzie

And The Adventure Of The Bronze Brooch.

Ahem, ahem!

Oh, yes, of course!

Let me tell you the story of Elliot

And The Adventure Of The Bronze Brooch.

It all began long, long ago

in ancient Britain,

an island of green forests, majestic mountains,

silver rivers and tiny villages...

Elliot had journeyed far across the Highlands and into the glens,

when coming down from the hills

he found a huddle of little round houses by the edge of a wood.

One stood apart from the rest.

And from inside came the sound of clattering and clunking.

Smoke rose from the thick thatch roof, and through the door

Elliot could see two men hard at work among the heat and smoke.

-Phew!

-We've been working up quite a sweat today, boy.

Good thing too. Nell will be here soon to pick up her order of nails.

-Good thing I've got my tippy-tappy Jarrod to help me out.

-Dad!

I'm only pulling your leg, son! I couldn't do it without you.

But you'd be so much better if you just swung the hammer a bit harder.

But I like making jewellery. You've got to be more careful

with jewellery. I could never have made Mum's brooch

swinging the hammer the way you do. You HAVE to be

a bit more tippy-tappy.

-Oh... I think it could use a little more work.

-MORE work?

You've been at this thing all week.

It is a pretty piece, I'll give you that,

but you should stick to making nails. People NEED nails.

Nobody needs brooches. Trust me.

I know, Dad...

And remember - nails don't need to be as pretty as brooches.

-BANG

-Put a bit more oomph

into your hammer swings.

Now, I fancy some fried fish for lunch.

Your mum caught a couple of tasty ones last night.

Jarrod raised his hammer and hit the nail on the head.

And that was when Elliot had one of his brilliant ideas.

Hello.

Hello.

My dad might be right. I don't think I'll ever be able to do

-what he does.

-I don't know anything about being a blacksmith.

But I did notice that you don't hold the hammer the way your dad does.

-What do you mean?

-Your dad doesn't hold his hammer THERE -

he holds it down there. Maybe that's where he gets his "oomph" from.

But I'd be careful with the brooch. You may be stronger than you think.

Jarrod placed the brooch to one side, raised the hammer, and...

BANG

Oh, wow! Why didn't my dad tell me that?

It's really dark and smoky in there. He probably never even noticed.

I could do the tippy-tappy style for jewellery,

and use the oomph for making nails.

Jarrod, your dad says your lunch is nearly ready.

-Mum, this is my friend.

-Oh, hello. Do you want to stay for lunch?

Yes, please!

They forgot all about the brooch, and after the most delicious lunch,

Elliot helped out by collecting dry wood from the hillside.

But as he returned, he realised something was wrong.

-The merchant definitely took the cart?

-Definitely.

-And the nails were IN the cart?

-Definitely.

-Definitely?

-Jarrod!

We've got work to do! Now, get that forge roaring.

Oh, Elliot. The bronze brooch, it's gone!

I put it on the box with the nails, and when we were having lunch

the merchant collected her cart.

-She's taken the brooch.

-That's terrible!

I'll go after her right now and get it back.

Elliot thought getting the brooch back from the merchant,

who left a short while ago, would be as easy as a walk in the park.

But, of course, it was never going to be as easy as that.

-She couldn't have gone far.

-Speedy Nell, the lightning-fast merchant?

-She'll be miles away by now.

-Where?

Well, if I know her, she'll take the mountain pass.

If you're lucky, she might take a rest there.

It was barely past lunchtime,

and everything was in a right old pickle!

He'd helped Jarrod work out how to use a hammer just like his father.

He'd warned Jarrod to move the brooch in case it got damaged.

And he had gathered firewood to help out after lunch.

But by then, the merchant had collected her cart

-and Jarrod's brooch along with it.

-She's taken the brooch.

And he'd thought catching the merchant up

and getting the brooch back would be a doddle.

He couldn't let the brooch just disappear forever, could he?

There was nothing else for it

but to get his scampering boots on, to the pass in the mountains

to where, hopefully, the merchant was taking a rest.

So off went Elliot in his old, battered boots.

He scrambled across the ancient highlands, until...

..when he was almost out of breath...

the path ran out!

ROCKS TUMBLE

There was only one way to get to the other side...

Elliot took a deep breath...

DRAMATIC MUSIC

Safely across, Elliot pressed on, until there,

across a wild and empty hillside, was a narrow mountain pass.

But this was no time to stop and admire the scenery.

Elliot had to get that brooch.

He was in luck.

The merchant was there, sound asleep.

Elliot wondered what was the best way to wake her up

without giving her a shock.

Ooh... Oh, Hello there! I must have nodded off.

I see you like my brooch. Nice, isn't it?

You wouldn't believe how many people have stopped

and asked me where I got it. I have a list of orders as long as my arm!

Oh, dear!

How was Elliot to tell the merchant he'd come to take

back the brooch she was so fond of?

He decided to just come straight out and say it.

There's been a mistake.

Jarrod made that for his mother to give to her today.

Oh. Well, that's a shame.

Oh, fair enough. You can have it back.

But... Now, just a moment...

"Too trusting and speedy Nell", that's what folk say.

How do I know what you told me is true?

-You could be one of those fibbers!

-I am not a fibber.

That's what a fibber would say.

Answer me a question about Jarrod correctly, and I'll believe you.

Mmm... This was tricky. Elliot had only just met Jarrod.

How could he make sure the merchant asked a question he could answer?

What - you mean, his father's nickname for him?

Yes! Good one!

Well? What is it?

-Tippy-tappy Jarrod, of course.

-Yes! That's it!

Oh...

So the brooch was for his mum?

That's nice. It's a pity too.

Elliot took the bronze brooch, and turned it over in his hand.

It was like a big ring, with a pin through the centre.

It was beautiful, and delicate. But he could see it was strong too.

I could have sold that ten times over.

I bet Jarrod could make some more.

-I bet I could sell just as many as he could make.

-Great. I'll tell him.

-Goodbye, friend.

-Bye!

Back came Elliot, in his old, battered boots.

Across the ancient highlands, and down the mountainside.

Until he arrived back in the village outside the blacksmith's workshop.

-I've got it!

-Oh! Wow, Elliot! Thank you!

Why don't you give your mother the brooch now?

You'll probably lose it!

Then we can forget all about bronze brooches.

Actually, the merchant says she could sell as many brooches

-as Jarrod could make. People would pay a lot of money.

-Are you sure?

-She had a list as long as her arm of people that wanted one.

-Goodness!

You'd better get to work making more brooches!

-Brooches. What brooches?

-Mum...I made this, for you!

That's beautiful! Thank you.

Oh - but I may need to copy it. To make more. Lots more.

-Really?

-Yes!

Looks like Tippy-tappy Jarrod is going to be a successful

brooch-maker after all! Ha-ha! Less oomph, more tippy-tappy!

-Let's have dinner to celebrate.

-Yes, let's!

And that was that. The whole kit and caboodle.

Elliot And The Adventure Of The Bronze Brooch.

That was quite a lucky mistake. If it wasn't for the merchant

taking the brooch in the first place,

-then Jarrod wouldn't have got to do his dream job.

-I know!

Funny how things change. We only wear brooches now for decoration.

Back then, you needed them to keep your clothes on!

No buttons or zips to keep the wind out.

-They must have been freezing.

-I'm sure they were!

My goodness, time does fly when you're having fun. Come on!

Your mum'll be here in a minute.

Your coat...

How did that get there?

Home time now, Elliot.

Thanks, Great Aunt Lizzie!

Cheery-bye, Elliot!