Stories for children and adults by the crazy-mad writer

Wot and Nott: Walking With Statues

Part One - Blood, Rhyme, Steam and Stone

 

Wot and Nott: Walking with Statues

 

Chapter Two

'Hello'

 

Amidst an almighty rush of wind, noise and commotion, Wot, Nott and Kakuri landed with a

bump. The HU BA HOU, thinking the camp was under attack, sounded the alarm. Exiting

their makeshift shelters, everyone wondered why it was sounding.  Whizzing around, wild

and excited, the Orlu were ready for action. Recognising the returned travellers, the HU

BA HOU bellowed its greeting of welcome.

 

“It’s a good job I know it,” said Nott, “otherwise I’d be off in a flash.’ The huge animal, as if

it understood everything he said, cocked its head towards Nott. “And it’s good to see you,

too, old friend,”   he said, laughing at the good of it.

 

After the panic was over, the ever-obliging Orlu produced a wonderful fried breakfast in

honour of the returned heroes.   

 

“Thanks,” said Wot, accepting a mug of fine tea from one of the Orlu.

 

“You’re welcome,” she replied.

 

“Sitting next to Nott, Kiliki enquired, “Well, how did it go?”

 

“Not so good,” he answered quite blandly.

 

“Were you too late to greet the New Year?” she asked.

 

“No. I mean, yes, we greeted the New Year.”

 

“Then why the face?” she asked.

 

“It’s because...”

 

“It’s because of what?”

 

“It’s because he saw Miafra,” said Kakuri, saying it for him.

 

“Miafra? Are you sure?” she asked.

 

“As sure as I am sitting here,” Nott told her.

 

After Kakuri had brought her up to speed with recent development, Kiliki stood up.

Clapping her hands, to get everyone’s attention, she said, “Listen everyone, our

esteemed friends have something to tell you.” A hush descended upon the encampment.

“Nott will tell you about it,” she said, sitting down again.

 

Taken aback, Nott said, “I will?”

 

“Don’t tell us you are still hungry,” someone called out, trying to lighten the mood.

Nobody laughed; nobody else said anything as they waited for Nott to begin speaking.

 

“Go on,” said Kiliki, nudging him in the ribs. “Tell them!”

 

Standing up, Nott said, “When we were inside the hut, the Minna, greeting the New Year

with the fire of welcome, I had a vision…”

 

“A vision?” a man close to him whispered.

 

“Yes, I had a vision. Within the flames of that fire I saw a face, a face that I thought

was gone – forever.”

 

“A face?” an old woman asked, afraid.

 

“Gone forever?” a child gasped, quite in surprise.

 

Studying the many faces, faces glued upon his every word, waiting to hear the terrible

news he had to tell them, Nott’s eyes filled with tears. How could he tell them, though,

how could he tell them that Miafra was still alive?

 

They waited, the people waited for Nott to resume speaking. It was so quite you could

have heard a pin drop. Wiping the tears from his eyes, Nott said, “The face that I saw,

within those sacred flames, was that of MIAFRA!”

 

Voices, chattering voices, questioning voices began speaking, asking if he was sure

it was so. The Orlu were shocked, dumfounded by the news of Miafra. The HU BA HOU

groaned and moaned, bellowing its disapproval of the calamitous news. 

 

Chapter Three

'Goodbye'

 

Want to read more? You can purchase

Wot and Nott: Walking With Statues

Part One - Blood, Rhyme, Steam and Stone

by visiting my online bookshop.

 

I am the crazy-mad writer of children's stories,

songs, nursery rhymes and much, much more!

 

 

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© Gerrard T Wilson 2008