Pig Rattle Teacup Travels

Here they come, my two intrepid explorers,

Charlotte and Lokesh.

I'm their Great Aunt Lizzie, you see,

and I wonder which one is coming to see me today?

Off you go.

Ah, so it's Charlotte.

-Hello, Charlotte.

-Hello, Great Aunt Lizzie.

Once upon a time I travelled the world,

discovering treasures from long ago and far away

and no end of stories to remind me.

But my most precious possession of all

is my extraordinary collection of teacups.

Here we are.

No time to count the clouds.

Let's have a nice cup of tea and a story.

But first, we need the teacup.

But which one?

That one.

Ah.

The baby's rattle. What a sweet choice, Charlotte.

A baby's rattle? I thought it was just a pig.

Well, you know what they say, you can never judge a pig

by its teacup! CHARLOTTE GIGGLES

This little pig is also a baby's rattle and a lucky one to boot.

He has quite a tale to tell.

So shall I tell you the story

of Charlotte and the adventure of the pig-shaped rattle?

Yes, please.

The story began long, long ago in ancient Greece

where sleepy little villages hid between mighty mountain ranges.

The hills were wrapped in bright green pine trees

and the air was sweet with the smell of olives.

Far from the sea, the air was still

and the summer sun burned like a fireball in the sky.

Charlotte followed a path down among the trees,

looking for a spot of shade to rest.

And out of nowhere two wealthy travellers,

or Aristoi to the ancient Greeks, came into view.

What were this grand pair doing so far from the city?

-BIRD CAWS

-Ugh! Oh!

Oh, Manos, it's just a bird.

There really is nothing to be afraid of.

I'm not afraid, just cautious.

Anything can happen so far outside the city walls.

Nothing is going to happen,

-especially if we keep stopping every few yards.

-Ah!

Oh, do get up.

I can't, Ariadne.

I'm burning up.

Feel my head.

It is not natural carrying all these things in this heat.

Your servant does it all the time.

That's right, he does. Well, perhaps we should send for him.

-I'm sure he's feeling much better now.

-No, we're almost there.

Hayley's place is just around the corner.

-I don't know why they didn't come visit us.

-Shame on you, Manos.

You would have your daughter travel so far after giving birth?

Oh, they say that children should be well travelled, right?

This is our first grandchild.

You can complain all you like, I'm not waiting any longer.

Ariadne, look at me. I'm melting.

Do you really want to be married to a puddle?

Luckily Charlotte had an idea.

Excuse me, I hope you don't mind,

-but I notice you were having trouble with the heat.

-Trouble?

I'm being roasted like a festival pig.

HE SIGHS

My hat protects my head from the sun.

Maybe if you covered your head, it would keep you cool.

Do you think that would work?

Hmm.

Thank you, and please do forgive my husband,

he's not used to travelling or carrying things for himself.

-Much better.

-THEY GIGGLE

Now, come on. We will be there in a couple of minutes.

Thanks again.

Bye.

But as they left,

Charlotte saw something on the ground.

It looked like a cheerful, little, orange pig.

Was it for the baby?

But when she looked up, they were gone.

Wait!

Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

-I wanted it to be a surprise.

-It is.

It's the most wonderful surprise.

Please come inside. I have a surprise of my own for you.

Would you look out the baby's gift and bring it in, please?

Are you looking for this?

Ah, the baby's rattle.

Thank you. I thought I'd left this in the city.

I think you unpacked it when you were making your hat.

That's the second time you've rescued me today.

I think you're luckier than this little pig.

-I didn't know pigs were lucky.

-Very.

Look, what good fortune he's brought you.

Thank you, but I have everything I need in my backpack.

Oh, well, keep this until you don't.

My sincerest thanks.

Manos, you won't believe it! Hayley has twins.

-A baby boy and a baby girl.

-Double trouble!

In one day, we have gained a grandson and a granddaughter.

What did I tell you? Good luck all round.

-Oh, no, the gift.

-What about it?

We only have one.

-Perhaps you could bring another one next time?

-Next time?

-No.

The pig brings the baby good luck and good harvest.

We can't give it to one and not the other, it wouldn't be fair.

We won't find one around here and if we go back to the city,

we'll miss out on our whole day with the new babies.

All that time away from our daughter.

-I just want everything to be perfect.

-What a puzzle.

Could two babies share the one rattle?

If ever there was a problem that needed solving it was this.

That's the best one yet, Charlotte, if I may say so.

Thanks, Great Aunt Lizzie.

Do you think if Charlotte went in the city

she'd be able to find a pig rattle exactly the same?

Well, who can say?

But it would be a very long journey on a hot day.

-Rattles stop babies crying...

-Sometimes.

..so they could manage with one rattle

and hope the babies didn't cry at the same time.

That sounds like a risky business. If they had to share the rattle,

they might have to share the good luck, too.

I don't think babies know how to share straightaway.

-You have a point there.

-So that's that then.

I think you're right. If the rattles were exactly the same,

Charlotte couldn't have one baby treated more special, could she?

So off went Charlotte in her hat, bag, and boots...

..marching through the olive groves...

..and up the dusty mountains.

When she was almost out of breath the path ran out.

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

Charlotte took a deep breath.

At last, it appeared,

the most magnificent white marble city

shining on the horizon.

But Charlotte had no time to stop and stare.

She had to find that rattle.

A sign caught Charlotte's eye.

The lettering was all Greek,

but there was no mistaking the crafty smile of the lucky pig.

This had to be the toy shop.

What do you think?

Isn't she the most beautiful woman in all of Greece?

-Possibly, but I need a pig.

-Hm, suit yourself.

-A pig-shaped rattle to be exact.

-Ah!

So it is good luck and a long harvest you're in the market for?

How about this little fella?

HE SNORTS

Yes, that's it. Perfect.

I never thought I'd find one exactly the same.

He is a special little piggy.

What would you like to offer in trade for him?

Oh, dear. Charlotte hadn't thought of that.

Um, I don't have anything.

Ah. Well, you know what we say in this city -

no pennies, no pig.

But then she remembered.

Hold on.

What about the coin that Manos had given her?

That will do very nicely.

I hope your pig brings the infant as much luck as he brought me.

Me too. I'd better get back there. Thank you. Bye.

Back came Charlotte in her hat, bag and boots,

down the dusty mountains

and through the olive groves.

BABY CRIES

Manos and Ariadne were exactly where Charlotte had left them

outside Hayley's hut,

only now each was holding a rather precious little bundle.

And then there were two.

Oh, look, Alexis.

The kindest explorer in the whole world has brought you a gift

-all the way from the city.

-Oh, what's that?

Is that your little piggy?

Oh, you brought them rattles. They're perfect. How thoughtful.

Well, actually we only brought one,

but our new friend very kindly went back to the city to fetch another.

In this weather? You must be exhausted!

Please say you'll join us for supper.

If you're sure you'll have enough.

These days I've learned to prepare for more people than expected!

May I?

And that was that, the whole kit and caboodle.

The story of Charlotte and the pig-shaped baby's rattle.

And finally both babies got a special surprise.

Not as much of a surprise as the grandparents.

I think even with twins, each child is one of a kind.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Do you think Manos had a good day in the end?

Yes, I'm sure he thought the journey was well worth it.

Goodness me, is that the time?

All this chatter, the day almost snuck away from us.

How did that get there?

Home time, Charlotte.

-Thanks, Great Aunt Lizzie.

-Cheerie-bye, Charlotte. ALL:

-Bye.