The Jigsaws.

© Seas Productions 2002

Introduction:

Let me introduce you to Periwinkle Den where The Jigsaws, Dream, Asia, Tuckle and Sparkle all live in the magic of Dunnottar Woods
(approx 1 mile from Stonehaven town centre)

Visit the actual story location i.e.: The Shell Hoose, Dunnottar Gardens, The Secret Burn, The Wooden Bridge in Periwinkle Den itself, Gallows Hill, and be taken in by the tranquillity of the magical den.
The stars at night truly set off Periwinkle’s immortal qualities.

Seeing is only part of the dream.

Dedicated to my very special family: Fiona, John, Jane, Fairy, Little Fish and Sean (The Pon Man)

This is one of the many adventures of a strange little clan called the Jigsaws. They live in a very small part of Dunnottar Woods called Periwinkle Den. Maybe you’ve been there.

How would you like to come on an adventure and meet Sparkle, Dream, Asia and Tuckle? The Jigsaws.

The Expedition.

It’s an exciting day in Periwinkle Den. The Jigsaws are getting ready for an expedition.
Tuckle was filling his backpack singing Foldie woe doe, on an expedition we go,packing my rucksack to carry on my back , foldie woe doe.

Are you ready? Asked Asia.

Just about, said Tuckle, pass me the bluebell syrup and that glow-light please.

We’ll be back before dark Tuckle, said Asia. You don’t need to take all that stuff!

It never hurts to be well prepared Asia, you never know what might happen.

Oohh Tuckle!! Groaned Asia as she handed the things over and peeked in the backpack..

You’ll never lift that thing, never mind carry it for miles.

Of course I will, I’ve got muscles, said Tuckle stretching his arms through the straps and trying to balance the weight.

There see.

Asia watched as Tuckle wobbled back and forward before falling ‘smack’ flat on his bum.

Don’t stand there grinning, give me a help up.

Asia tried to hold in her laugh and bent to help Tuckle to his feet.

We’ll have to empty some out and put in into my backpack, said Asia.

Sparkle and Dream were last as usual, it was a tough job getting them out of their fern blankets in the morning.

Good morning, said Dream Are we ready, the world awaits us.

Is Squirrel coming? He can see the world from way up high, asked Sparkle.

We'll pick him up on the way, Tuckle replied, full of excitement.
Right, off we go, everyone out, Asia said.
Foldie woe doe, oh foldie woe doe, it's off on an expedition we go, foldie woe doe. They all sang as they trampled down the path where they met their friend Squirrel.
We're off on an expedition, said Tuckle. Would you like to come with us?
Oh yes, that sounds very exciting. Replied Squirrel as he jumped about the path.
The sun began to shine through the trees as they made their way further along the paths in Dunnottar woods.
Squirrel ran ahead darting back and forward and up and down trees.
Look, cried Tuckle, pointing in front to the biggest fattest tree they had ever seen. Just look at the size of that, it must be the king tree.
Don't be silly Tuckle, laughed Asia. You don't get king trees.
Yes you do, huffed Tuckle. I'm going to take a look.
Dream and Sparkle followed on then stopped suddenly before the tree.
Come on you two, shouted Tuckle.
Dream looked at Sparkle and then to the top of the tree.
Asia, come and see this. Look up there.
Asia turned and walked back towards them peering up at the sky as she went.
That's holding the clouds up.Sparkle said.
What!
That tree is holding the clouds up, look see how it's arms stretch to stop it falling down on us, said Dream.
Oh yes, you're right. I never thought of it before, but that must be it, that's how the clouds don't fall down. You're so clever Dream, come on, let's tell Squirrel and Tuckle.
Asia ran back down the path to tell them.

Tuckle sat under the tree watching some fireflies playing with the grass.
Where's Squirrel? Asked Asia.
He's climbing to the top of the tree, Tuckle replied. He thinks it might tell him something.
The tree's holding up the clouds Tuckle. Look, see right up there at the top, his arms are holding the cloud so it doesn't fall down. Isn't that good, and so nice of him. Sighed Asia.
Tuckle studied the tree for a moment. I never knew that, golly, I thought trees were just there, you know not doing anything, and now, well there just so, so needed.
Oh me gosh, oh me gosh, where's my notebook? I've got to get this down.
Wayhey. Asia, Tuckle, look over there. Come on, come on. Hurry, hurry, hurry, over here, over here. Shouted Squirrel as he scampered down the path.
Everyone started to run after Squirrel to see what was going on.
Asia stopped suddenly and gasped. Wow!
Dream skidded behind her, then Sparkle and Tuckle not looking, banged straight into them.
Ouch, boof, ahh! Tuckle. They cried.
Sorry. Tuckle said. Forgot to stop.
It's a giant's bath. Dream said in amazement.
No, it's not, said Asia. It's a water, eh, a water, ooh. A waterfall, that's it. I seen one in a picture book once. Yes that's what it is, a waterfall.
That's right, said Tuckle, You're perfectly right Asia, that's what it is.
Yeah right Tuckle. Sparkle replied shaking his head.
You knew that of course.
Come on. Lets go surfing, Dream suggested as they all made their way down to the sparkling water.

Picking the best place to picnic they took of their backpacks and began to search around for something to surf on. Tuckle found a piece of bark, while Sparkle, Dream and Asia used leaves that grew beside the water.
Let's have a race. Sparkle shouted. First one to the other side's the winner.
All right. They all cried and got into the water.
Wait a minute, said Squirrel. I'm not ready yet.
Come on then, hurry up. Sighed Dream impatiently.
Squirrel came out from behind the tree wobbling on his chestnuts, but he had something hiding in his hands. Two long reeds dangled down his arms and seemed to move now and again.
What's that? Asia asked.
Ah ah, not telling, wait and see, wait and see, said Squirrel.
Hurry up Squirrel. Sparkle said. I want to show you lot what a fish I am in water.
Oh sure, said Dream. I'm going to beat you.
I don't think so. Tuckle cried. I'm going to beat all of you on my super fast thingy bob.
We'll see, shall we. Asia replied.
Squirrel gently lowered himself into the water and tried to stand upright.
Ready, steady, go! Shouted Tuckle. Then they all began moving through the water quite steadily.
Oh Squirrel. Sparkle laughed, I might have guessed.
Asia looked up and began to giggle. Squirrel's secret weapon was Buz-bee, tied to the reeds and flying as fast as he could to the other side of the water. Squirrel holding on to the other end of the reeds was sailing faster than anyone over the sparkling clear water and was just about at the other side.
This is great. Asia, look at me, I'm getting good. Squirrel said showing off with some acrobatics.
Oh yes, this is the life.
Look out Squirrel! There's a stick in the-------.
Too late, Asia said as they rushed to Squirrel's rescue.
Are you all right? Asked Tuckle, dragging Squirrel onto his thingy-m-bob.
Ugh, ugh. Yes I think so, sure, sure. Panted Squirrel.
That was a close one. Sparkle said as they all watched Squirrel's chestnuts glide over the waterfall.
Oh no. Squirrel sighed, I think I made a twig out of myself again.
That's twit Squirrel. T.W.I.T. and yes you did, but never mind. They all laughed, it was fun.
You guys are real friends, and hero's. Squirrel said then shook himself quickly splashing water on everyone.
Oh Squirrel. They all shouted together then sat down to have their picnic and a good laugh at what had turned out to be a fantastic day and a great expedition.


Charles Thomson
     # Art004