Lawrence the Lawnmower E-Book

John J. Healy

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 179

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

Lawrence The Lawnmower is a collection of events, that occur in and around the home of the Baderway Family. These events are recorded through the eyes of a small spider called Doris.

Leseprobe

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORIES OF:

EDWARD HARVEY

1969 -- 1997.

DAVID O’TOOLE

1948 – 2004.

EILEEN TERESA ELLIOTT

1931 – 2005.

TED ELLIOTT

1923 – 2007.

HOLLY; AGNES AND JIM.

R.I.P

My name is John Joseph Elliott. I was born in London, but now I live in Essey. I have studied for many years, in Philosophy, English Literature and Linguistics. In my life I have travelled a lot in Europe and the Middle East.

Lawrence The Lawnmower is a collection of events, that occur in and around the home of the Baderway Family. These events are recorded through the eyes of a small spider called Doris.

CONTENTS

SYNOPSIS

BOOK 1

LAWRENCE OF ARCADIA

INTRODUCTION

BOOK 2

LAWRENCE AT THE VICARAGE

INTRODUCTION

BOOK 3

LAWRENCE GOES TO SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION

BOOK 4

RETURN TO ARCADIA

BOOK 5

THE DORIS DIARIES

BOOK 6

A SPINNER’S YARN

BOOK 7

SWANSONG

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LAWRENCE OF ARCADIA - SYNOPSIS

1. THE TROUBLED SHOVEL

Doris the spider comes across a lonely old shovel. This results in a huge row when Lawrence the lawnmower suggests that Old Shovel is ugly and unlikeable.

2. MY KINGDOM FOR A HORSE

Lawrence is love sick, and his friends give him a hard time about his unusual choice of lover. He then learns to laugh at himself, after he discovers that others have similar problems.

3. THE HURRICANE

The tools attempt a great rescue, when Harry the cat is in trouble.

4. WHEN RONNIE MET SALLY

Bad tempered Ronnie the rake wants to turn away a homeless stranger; then gets a taste of his own medicine.

5. FOR PETE’S SAKE

Nobody bothers with Pete the bag of manure, because he smells so bad. However, a change of scenery awakens the tools to the charms of Pete’s wonderful personality.

6. PARTY TIME

It is party time at 23 Arcadia Avenue and the tool’s secret is discovered, however, a lullaby at bedtime brings an end to a wonderful day.

LAWRENCE AT THE VICARAGE - SYNOPSIS

7. A FLY BY NIGHT

Doris is taken by surprise by a night-time visitor, which in turn leaves her with a moral dilemma.

8. THE WEDDING

Baz gets married and creates a new life for himself, with his new bride; leaving his old friends behind.

9. ICARUS DESCENDING

A beautiful butterfly and a quick thinking radio,unite to help Nobby the lighthouse keeper, who is in some distress.

10. WHY?

Doris tries to answer the questions, which Mad-Ears the shears keeps asking, and finds it quite tiring.

11. WITH A YO- HO - HOE

Miss Carol Singers notices an empty seat at the Christmas Party, as the children await the arrival of Santa.

12. OH, FOR THE WINGS OF A DOVE

Lawrence is fearful of the lawnmower race. However, his fears turn to delight when he wins the race for the very first time.

LAWRENCE GOES TO SCHOOL - SYNOPSIS

13. THE LAND OF NOD

Doris is relieved when she finds that scary situations, in and around the playground are just nightmares.

14. LITTLE HERBERT

A schoolboy named Herbert enjoys larking around, in the puddle-laden playground.

15. WHAT A PALAVER

A hectic day enters the lives of everybody that live in and around the school.

16. Of SPIDERS AND MAN

The daily demands of people, from a spider’s point of view.

17. THE PINK FLUFFY SLIPPERS

The Pink Fluffy Slippers are ecstatic, about the prospects of a permanent home.

18. THE BIG MATCH

Herbert becomes a sporting hero at the school, with a little help from a pair of golden football boots, while his friend Des plays second fiddle.

RETURN TO ARCADIA - SYNOPSIS

19. MUD - MUD - GLORIOUS MUD

Lawrence the lawnmower comes to the rescue of a Cairn Terrier, who is in great distress.

20. ALL AT SEA

Doris the spider visits her relatives, the McBug clan. However, she invites Mick the Money Spider to join her, which perhaps was not such a good idea.

21. THE DICE MICE

An unexpected encounter with some mice, turns an uneventful evening into an exiting one.

22. INDUCTION DAZE

Doris decides that education will benefit her life, so she enrols on a University Degree Course.

23. BLANKET OF HOPE

A surprise winter visitor arrives – leaves – then returns – before leaving once again in unexpected circumstances.

24. GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

A careless remark by Lawrence reduces Doris the spider to tears. Doris then decides that fun is the order of the day, and the answer to all of her problems.

THE DORIS DIARIES - SYNOPSIS

25. A SPRING IN WINTER STEPS

Doris the spider narrates a fairy story, on one of those rather boring days when nothing really happens, to the delight of all the tools that live in the shed.

26. HIS LEGS HAVE GONE ALL TREMBLY

Terry the tarantula is very unhappy about playing in the semi-final, for Spider Sporadics Football Club. However, a turn of events, elevate him to hero status, which in turn changes his view of the world.

27. TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

Doris enjoys meeting new friends, but Mick the Money Spider feels somewhat left out.

28. A TISSUE

A cold epidemic hits the towns of Witts-End and Peacehaven, as the Spider Olympics are about to begin. Doris the spider then becomes lost, when competing in the cross-country event. However, a butterfly called Enza comes to the aid of her spider friend.

29. A WING AND A PRAYER

The Lifeboat Crew in Peacehaven, come to the rescue of some people that are trapped within a raging sea on a stormy night.

30. ALL THAT GLITTERS

The appearances of some shiny objects creates anguish for Lawrence the lawnmower, but the arrival of a black cat called Melchiot [ Mel – shi – your] and a robin called Casper solve the mystery. Ronnie the rake and Viv the sieve, are then left with an embarrassing situation.

A SPINNERS YARN - SYNOPSIS

31. THE SPINNER SISTERS

Lawrence’s life is turned upside down by the arrival of Doris’s unruly aunts called the Spinner Sisters, who like to have fun - fun - fun. However, it’s not everybody’s cup of tea.

32. THE LONELY GLOVE

A lonely glove becomes separated from it’s other half. But, despair turns to elation when the two gloves are united once again.

33. BETTY BYDERWAY’S BIRTHDAY BASH

There’s a lot of fun and games to be had at Betty’s seventh birthday party, bringing great delight to all involved, especially the birthday girl herself.

34. LIFE WITH NORRIS

When the tools are lent to Mr Byderway’s friend Norris for a few days – the days become weeks - weeks become months – and this creates great delight among the tools.

35. THE PAINTER AND THE IRIS

The story of the friendship between a painter called Harold and an Iris called Iris that blossoms in the winter months.

36. THE NATURE OF HARMONY

Doris the spider enjoys the many musical sounds that she hears on a sunny summer weekend. From Pavarotti to the choir, tweeting birds and croaking frogs. Croak croak, croak croak, croak croak…

SWANSONG - SYNOPSIS

37. MR BLUE SKY

On the longest day of the year, Doris enjoys herself at the hospital fair; and then finishing off a lovely summer’s day at the house warming party for Gladys the glow worm.

38. JUST A PERFECT DAY

On the biggest day of her life Doris meets a dog called Jim, who makes her day – just so perfect.

39. THE RIVER

Doris decides to have an early night – changes her mind – and then wishes she had stuck to her original plan, although she is happy when she meets some new and interesting animals along the river Seep in Puddleshire.

40. THIS RURAL LIVE

A school day out leads to an almost tragic event, but a magical appearance by a kestrel saves a small spidlet boy from the fast flow of the river.

41. THIS GREEN AND PLEASANT LAND

More adventures in the countryside along the river Seep.

42. THE HANDS OF TIME

Doris realises that loneliness is not an ideal substitute for a friend.

LAWRENCE OF ARCADIAINTRODUCTION

Hello, my name is Doris. I am a small and very cute spider. I have six lovely long silky legs and soft fur all over my body. Once I had eight legs, but I lost two, whilst being chased around a kitchen floor. I do love being a spider, although it’s somewhat hard shopping for trainers. Lying In the suburbs of a town called Witts-End, is 23 Arcadia Avenue. This is the home of the Byderway Family. There are six family members, including a cat called Harry and a mouse called Mitzy. In the garden there is a huge lawn, with flowers that grow all around the edges, and an apple tree with long branches and juicy fruit. The Byderways are:Bob the father, who works in town, and reads a large newspaper on the train. Beryl the mother, who likes playing bingo; wearing pink fluffy slippers, and standing on chairs, singing “help me-help me, its got fifty legs, and is as big as a camel.” Whenever I’m around.

Fifty legs indeed - I ask you. Their children are Brian and Betty. Brian, who is nine, enjoys going to school, and kicking his ball through the neighbour‘s windows. Betty likes playing with her toys, and is seven years old. However, the real adventures take place in and around the garden.

Inside the shed,

live all the tools,

who like to have fun,

whilst playing the fool.

The tools that live in the shed, are a varying mixture of types: a rake called Ronnie, who fell off the back of a lorry. A broom called Broom and Trudy the trowel, a shovel called Bertram, who’s wrapped up in plastic, and the Hoe Twins, who were very hard to tell apart, until Mr Phillips the gardener accidentally ran over Gung, who is now smaller than his brother called Heave Hoe. Pete is the name of the bag of manure, who stinks out the shed. On a hot day you can notice his humming, when you stand by the apple tree. But, the undisputed king of the garden is Lawrence the lawnmower, well that’s what he thinks. He likes it when it rains, because he can spend more time enjoying his favourite hobby, which is doing nothing.

At this precise moment I am sitting on my windowsill, with my legs dangling over the edge; looking forward to telling you, all about the adventures of Lawrence and myself [Doris the six legged spider] and the many wonderful characters that live, at 23 Arcadia Avenue. So, if you would like to make yourself comfortable, I will begin.

THE TROUBLED SHOVEL

On a not so sunny day, I sat upon a derelict outhouse with my friend called Mick, who is a money spider. As we sat a skein of geese flew overhead; Mick drew my attention to an old shovel which stood up against a drainpipe, all alone and looking very sad.

He had been there in all weathers for months on end.

The last time he worked must have been around Christmas, when I saw him shovelling snow from the footpath in the neighbour’s garden. However, I rather like him, although the Byderway Family keeps falling over him. “Who left that shovel there,’‘ they scream. “Who”?

So one day, I said to Lawrence.

‘‘What’s the trouble with shovel, why don‘t you like him?’‘

‘‘I just don‘t, ‘‘replied Lawrence.

“Why,’‘ I asked again?

‘‘I just don‘t,’‘ he replied in an even harsher tone.

‘‘And neither do the other‘s, and anyway he‘s old and rusty, his handle is broken; he can‘t

Work and the Byderways are getting rid of him.”

‘‘And you and the rest of the tools,” I screamed.

“Anyway, I don‘t have to put up with your rudeness, I come from an educated family; my father went to Eton,’‘ ‘‘Then he was, said Lawrence, then he was.’‘

I felt so insulted by Lawrence [my so-called best friend] that I ran away to spend the whole week with the Webb Family and Mick the Money Spider, at Spider Seaside.

On my return I noticed that Old Shovel was standing at the back of the shed next to Ronnie the rake, and since that day - no more has been said on the matter, and he’s now a very happy old shovel.

MY KINGDOM FOR A HORSE

After a morning of strolling around the Flea Markets of Witts-End, I decided that my sill was the best place to be. As I began my daily task of counting my legs, I suddenly realised that I had not seen Lawrence for sometime. This surprised me somewhat as it had been raining quite heavily for days, and we all know that he refuses to work in the rain, complaining as he does that wet grass clogs up his blades. An inquisitive Ronnie the rake disturbed my leg counting routine.

“Why is Lawrence so quite and distance, he asked, he has hardly said a word all week, and when he does, he’s very rude.”

“He sits around the apple tree in all weathers; just sits there!’‘

‘‘Don’t get angry with him,’‘ said I.

‘‘I‘m not, he replied looking somewhat surprised, I just worry about him.’‘

All of a sudden the sky turned grey; the rain crashed down, and my web, which I had prepared earlier awaited me. I had the most wonderful dream about Spider Seaside, and was very much looking forward to my next holiday there. When I had awoken, and returned to the land of the living, I noticed that one of my legs was still asleep, although I did not know which one it was. The shed was now full of laughter, for some reason, which was unbeknown to me. Slowly the sound of beautiful guitar music became louder and louder. After a few moments all the tools started to dance in a slow and peaceful way. The Hoe Twins were moving from side to side like oak trees in a high wind. Will the barrow was doing kangaroo hops on the spot, while Ronnie the rake was shuffling his prongs. From the outside of the shed we could hear the angelic voices of the roses singing harmonies, as real contentment now filled the shed. I concentrated my thoughts on the rain that was now belting down upon the shed roof.

with the music departing,

the roses cannot sing,

so the tools cease from dancing;

the rain so relenting.

I opened my eyes to feel a sense of peace cover me all over. Suddenly the shed door flew open, and in rolled Lawrence. He slowly made his way to the back of the shed, looking sad and soaked to the tin. We all looked at him, whilst we talked in unison trying to console him.

‘‘Whatever is the matter“asked Trudy the trowel lowly?

“I‘m in love,’‘ he said.

‘‘Love!’‘ screeched a bemused old shovel.

“Don’t cry, said Trudy, you will become rusty like Old Shovel.”

Lawrence stopped crying as he began to tell his friends that he had falling in love, with the rocking horse that lives in the house; behind the patio doors of the living room.

When the tools heard this

Oh how they laughed,

They laughed and they laughed

until they fell on the floor;

reducing poor Lawrence to tears once more.

Trudy was very angry, and she yelled, “I hope you are all pleased with yourselves.”

The atmosphere changed instantly, as Ronnie, Trudy; the Hoe Twins and Broom broom moved towards Lawrence, to comfort and support him.

‘‘Why are you crying,’‘ they asked him in unison.

‘‘Because I feel silly,’‘ he replied.

‘‘Silly why,’‘ they asked, once again in unison.

‘‘Because I did not know – I did not know - that the rocking horse does not come alive like us,’‘ choked Lawrence with a sniff.

‘‘You don‘t have to feel silly, we all do it sometimes,” suggested Trudy the trowel.

‘‘What everybody,’‘ Lawrence replied.

‘‘Yes everybody, once I fell in love with a rubber glove, so how silly do you think I felt,’‘

‘‘Oh you are funny,’‘ said the other tools, once more in unison.

Everybody fell about laughing, as Lawrence began to cheer up, with a big cheery grin on his bonnet. He flashed his lamps a few times, as he always does when he feels good. After this Lawrence spent less time in the garden hanging around the apple tree. There were no more tears. Instead he would stroll around the garden with a big happy grin.

THE HURRICANE

This was one of the worst nights that I had ever known. I was sitting on the windowsill counting my legs, when I was almost crushed after I had falling, head first to the ground. Lawrence the lawnmower was awoken by my noisy dilemma, and the tools were scattered all over the shed. The door of the shed swung back and forth; its hinges creaked in the darkness, as Trudy the trowel sunk in fear under the pile of tools, which were totally confused by this extreme happening.

The wind did howl,

as the rain came down,

the crash and bang,

of the thunder’s roar.

We realised then that are lives would never be the same again. What we were being subjected to was a once in a lifetime experience. “This was a hurricane. “ The mess in side the shed was so bad - it was impossible to tell, who was what, and what was who. As the din grew louder, I could hear a pitiful sad cry from the area behind the apple tree. I managed to wriggle from the mess to find Harry the cat, who was stuck under some branches which had fallen from the apple tree, pinning his back legs to the ground. He was in terrible pain; I knew that I must help him, although I too was in great discomfort.

‘‘Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence, screamed I, you have to save Harry the cat, for I‘m too weak and small to lift him up by myself.”

‘‘I can‘t,’‘ he said.

‘‘Just do it, said I, Harry needs your help.’‘

Sometimes Lawrence really annoys me. Because he thinks he’s so bold, when sometimes he‘s so weak. Fortunately the tools slowly came back to life, grouped together; deciding unanimously to save the life of the family pet. We were now all in great distress, and did not care whether the lawnmower helped us or not.

‘‘We must help Harry, said Trudy, some of us care about him,’‘ as she glared at Lawrence.

We assembled as a group gathered around the tree, whilst attempting to free the beleaguered cat. The Hoe Twins called Gung and Heave began to dig carefully below Harry’s legs, as the now very ashamed lawnmower appeared slowly from the shed.

‘‘Better late than never,’‘ yelled Trudy, just to increase his embarrassment.

‘‘Liven up Lawrence, turn on your lamps and give us some light,’‘ we screamed in unison.

Lawrence turned on his lamps so we could get a good picture of what we were doing.

‘‘Let us try and raise the branches off Harry’s legs,’‘ suggested Broom broom.

Ronnie the rake moved slowly towards the frightened cat, jamming his prongs under the

branches; relieving the weight. Gung and his brother Heave Hoe, did exactly the same from the opposite side, after they had already scraped earth from under Harry’s legs, hoping it might enabling him to crawl out and away to safety. The force of hurricane was increasing by the minute, as debris flew around the garden, and more tiles fell from the roof. There was little or no sound coming from the Byderway’s house, making it obvious to us that we were completely on are own. The tools were doing their best, however they were almost exhausted and failing in their objective. All of a sudden like an answer to our prayers, we heard in a composed voice.

‘‘Can I help you?’‘

No one could believe it, it was Old Shovel standing beside, the now even more embarrassed Lawrence the lawnmower. He immediately dug deeply under the now conscious Harry, allowing him to painfully crawl free from his torture. In the morning Beryl Byderway found Harry in the shed, while examining the damage in the garden, and took him to the vet, who gave him a clean bill of health. Harry the cat’s leg was put in a plaster as a precaution, along with some TLC from his family, and the support from all the tools in the shed. After the hurricane the Byderway’s employed a gardener, who came once a week to restore the garden to its former glory, which could not have been achieved without the help of Old Shovel.

WHEN RONNIE MET SALLY

This is the story of a little hand-fork called Sally, who found herself inside our shed on a very cold snowy day.

‘‘My name is Sally, she said, and I have been lying in the snow for weeks, I’m very, very tired and I have not seen a worm for days.’‘

She looked very closely at all of us, moved closer to Trudy the trowel, and spoke in a tweeful way.

‘‘Can I come and live with you here, for I have no home of my own, and it’s so very, very, cold outside.’‘

“Of course you can, said I, you can sleep in that old shoe box in the corner.”

‘‘No, said Ronnie,’‘ no!

‘‘Yes, said Lawrence,’‘ yes!

‘‘No, no, no,’‘ screamed the angry rake – no!

The Hoe Twins; Trudie, Pete, Lawrence, and myself all agreed that she should stay, however, Old Shovel said nothing.

The angry Ronnie was not moved by this at all, as an even angrier Broom broom, swept forward and stood right in front - of the out numbered rake.