The Money That Flew Away
The Money That Flew Away
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Malcolm and Jessie were most excited because Mummy was going to take them to the Fair that afternoon. They had all saved up, and Mummy had a ten-pound note in her purse to take them.
That would pay for their tickets, their tea, some coconut shies and some roundabouts. What fun they would have!
That morning Mummy opened her purse to take out some money to pay the baker _and, oh dear me. What a dreadful thing, the ten-pound note fell out and was blown away by the wind! 'Quick, quick, go after it, children!' cried Mummy. They ran out into the garden, and chased the flying note, which was being blown away fast by the wind. Suddenly Malcolm and Jessie lost sight of it. They hunted here and they hunted there _but it was gone. Wherever could it have flown to?
The children hunted for more than half an hour, but they couldn't find the ten-pound note.
They were very unhappy. Suppose Mummy said they couldn't go to the fair now?
That's just what she did say! 'I'm very sorry, dears,' she said, 'but I really can't afford to take you if we've lost that ten pound. Isn't it a shame?'
Mummy looked so miserable that Malcolm and Jessie flung their arms round her and kissed her.
'Never mind, Mummy!' they cried. 'We won't make a fuss! Perhaps it will turn up some other day and we can buy something nice with it.'
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It was kind of them to be so good about it, wasn't it? Mummy was very pleased.
'Would you like to take a broom each and go to sweep up the dead leaves in the garden?' she said. 'I know you like doing that. You can make a bonfire of them if you like.'
'Yes, we'd love that!' cried Jessie, and off they went with a broom each. They were pleased to think they could help to tidy up the garden for their mother. They swept up the leaves into a big heap, and then ran indoors for some matches.
Jessie lit the dry leaves and they flared up _and just bonfire was burning up merrily, Malcolm gave a loud shout.
'Jessie! There's the ten-pound note, all among the leaves! Quick, give me that stick and I'll try to take it our before it's burnt!'
He just managed to poke it then, shouting in excite-ment the children rushed indoors to their mother.
'Mummy, Mummy, we're found the ten-pound note! It had blown among the dead leaves, and that was why we couldn't find it.
Can we go to the Fair now?'
'Of course!' said Mummy, delighted. 'I am glad! Just think, children, it you hadn't been so
Good and helpful, you would never have found the money. Well, you really do deserve your treat!'
