A Story in 26 parts – I
(continued from Joshua’s comment in the “H” part of the story. See how this works?)
…. Indigo coloured warrior. He stood proud and tall, his metal helmet still glinting with the tin and bronze that formed around his head (although it did have one or two earth clods stuck to it). In one hand, he held a broadsword, a might weapon that lesser men would have struggled to hold in two hands, let alone just the one; in the other hand he held a deeply engraved hammer.
“Who dares disturb my sleep?” said the giant.
“She did!” said just about everyone, pointing at the Kalphite Queen and Bernice in equal measure (it’s a well known fact that Kalphite people will use any excuse to save their own souls).
“Bernice? Is that you?” said the warrior, peering down. Bernice stared back – this was just too strange for her.
“Well – are you going to introduce us?” said Albert, realising that his own sword would have little more effect than a pin on this man.
“Of course, of course “ Bernice, shook her head to wake herself up. “This is Arthur”
“Arthur?” laughed Albert “Arthur? Oh come on now, you really must do better than that… who are you? Really, who are you?”
“I AM ARTHUR” said the warrior, squaring back his shoulders and stiffening his grip on his sword. Albert realised that perhaps taunting wasn’t the best thing he could have done. But Arthur quickly looked at Bernice, smiled, and lessened his grip and softened slightly. “I have also be known as THOR, HERACLES and as BEOWULF; but I prefer Arthur… it sounds less pretentious”
“Okay”, said Albert “Then Arthur… what were you doing underground then?”
“Well it’s the pact I made with the greatest of all Magi, Methryn – sorry, Merlin – that once I’d completed a task to somehow protect people, or strengthen them I would sleep deep underground. I would be awoken when the Yew Horn was blown three times”
“I didn’t blow a horn” said Albert. “I didn’t hear a horn either. So has your alarm clock batteries gone duff on you?”
“I summoned you” said Bernice. She explained the problem, the Clover stone, the water – and to the group she explained why she couldn’t just move the water here. Everyone nodded that it had been a good thing – making Arthur annoyed would never have worked out best for anyone.
“My socks would have got wet” said Arthur “and that makes me really grouchy.”
“ENOUGH” cried the Kalphite Queen. “Albert, I demanded the Clover stone and with some fancy powder you handed me a rock. Now hand it over – or prepare to die”
“Oh, come on” said Albert “you’ve got to realise that I won’t hand it over. This is something which in yours hands will bring nothing but trouble. Bernice, let’s go – Arthur, if you like you can come too – we’ve some people to save”
The trio made three steps forward, when WHUMPF! Arthur crashed to the ground. The Kalphite Queen sniggered. “Oh, Arthur I forgot to mention. In your sleep we chained you to the White Dragon – so you can’t leave unless you break the chain or take the Dragon with you. But, of course, if you unearth the White Dragon then this will waken the Red Dragon…. And then it will just get silly. Again. Like last time. But this time – well, you’ll be seen to be one side instead. And as for you too..” she turned on Albert and Bernice “I guess you’ll be staying for tea as well..?”
A local Debate
This was the first evening for the Promise Challenge. The general scope presented to the Scouts was that the local council was considering putting a new, unmanned skate park in a local park. Irrespective of a Scouts actual view on this, they had to adopt a Patrol stance … either for, against, or not really in either camp.
We gave the patrols about 10 minutes to consider what the issues might be – and how the other groups might perceive this. They then had up to 2 minutes to present their case, uninterrupted, then the other patrols could ask them 3 questions (so they would have 6 questions to answer). We then moved to the next patrol and then onto the last.
After a quick game, the patrols then thought about the answers until we finally got them back for their responses – and the leaders gave their “decision” based on the information presented at flag break.
What could have been a difficult evening for young Scouts turned out to be quite good. Within the patrols there were some good discussions about perceptions of young people, the problems that the council might face and how such a project would be seen. Occaisonally the leaders would have to promote the subjects, but this was little more than a small prod.
All said, I was really pleased with the evening and the way it went – although I’m not wholly sure that all the Scouts left believing that the proposal wasn’t real (even though I carefully explained how I drew up the scope of the project!)
A Story in 26 parts – H
“Hang on” whispered Albert, “I’ll throw you a rope”
Bernice was sitting within a vertical shaft, staring up at Albert.
As they had approached the campsite of the Kalphites, the tiredness had caught up with them, and without thinking Bernice had triggered the trap and had fallen down the hidden shaft. Fortunately, Albert and Bernice had established a pattern of one walking in front of the other – so if one got caught with something the other would be able to react.
Albert uncurled the Vine rope from around him and lowered it down. For once, Albert was glad that he wasn’t dealing with one of his other colleagues but an Elf, because he wasn’t really sure how much weight the rope would take.
As Bernice dragged herself over the lip of the shaft, she could hear the rustling of the bushes. They both tensed, hands on swords ready.
“Who are you that dares to enter my kingdom?” cried the Kalphite Queen.
“I am Albert, vision questor” he replied, drawing himself up to full ankle height to the Queen, who emerged through the bushes with about 30 soldiers following. “oh – and this is Bernice… a very good friend of mine”.
Bernice went to say something, but Albert quickly hushed her.
“And what do you want with my kingdom?” sounded the Queen.
“Hmm. I need your help” replied Albert
“Why should we help you?”
Albert explained the Spartanites, the Aquanauts and the flooded Elfin kingdom. He pointed out the sheer cliff walls that surround the Kalphite kingdom, the areas where the blockages would be filled up, the places where they would lose control… and the flying Spartanite. A cruel smile spread across the Kalphite Queen.
“Oh yes, the flying Spartanite. Particularly impressed with that bit of work. The Aquanauts and Spartanites approached us before they flooded the kingdom…. but we, err, persuaded them not to progress their watery domination. So instead, we agreed to help them. We had heard that the Elfin Kingdom was looking to expand onto our areas (Bernice started to twitch, so Albert stamped on her feet) and we just couldn’t let that happen.
“So you let the Elf king and queen drown? After all their help to you?” enquired Albert.
“Well, that was business” said the Kalphite Queen. “My crops have been dry for the last few years, and the Aquanauts showed how I could properly irrigate my crops. We have never eaten so well”
“But at the expense of my friends” exclaimed Albert.
Albert stood up. He could stand this no longer. He had hoped that this tribe would have helped him – but instead, he had discovered that they had been turned. He started to pick up his equipment, when a small snuffling sound made him turn. They had Bernice! One of the Kalphites held his dagger at her throat, and with his other arm trapped Bernice completely.
“You idiot” said the Kalphite Queen “You, Albert had hoped to come into my grounds, with an Elfin Princess, to gain dry grounds for the Elfin people. The spartanites were right – you can’t be trusted. Well now, we have your travelling companion, so you seem to be under our control now. I believe that you have something which we need…. a Clover Stone, perhaps?” and thin, spindly fingers with long fingernails uncurled towards Albert. Bernice shook her head, but winked at Albert.
Albert slowly reached into his bag
“If I give you this thing that I have my hands on, you’ll let her go?”
“Yes”
“And you’ll release her at the same time?”
“Of course”
“Well, what do you need the stone for?”
“That’s for us to know. Hand it over”
“On three” said Albert “One.. two.. three!”
And as the Kalphite threw Bernice at Albert, Albert threw a sparkly powder towards the Kalphites. The powder quickly flashed and smoked the clearing
“down… and out that way” hushed Albert at Bernice – and they crawled out of the clearing. As they cleared the kingdom they could still hear the cries, the wails (and the choking).
“We need to flood the Kalphite plains with the water from the Elfin Kingdom” said Albert.
“I agree” replied Bernice “but why did they think we’d expand into their kingdom? Why didn’t you tell her the truth?”
“Because it was the truth – the Elf king and I had talked about it as an idea… but that was it. Obviously we had a spy in the camp… but none of that matters now – we need to get on and drain our lands again”
Lessons Learned
This evening we started to embark on probably one of the hardest programme ideas we’ve had for our troop – that of reviewing events and activities.
Using the Winter camp as our activity to review, we started by just getting the Scouts to answer the question “how was it?” – and we got the responses “Brilliant” “Excellent”. We then introduced SWOT analysis (Strengths – what was good, Weaknesses – what was not so good, Opportunities – what could we do better, Threats – what could cause problems) and set them talking for about 10-15 minutes. At the end we gathered the list up. From a Leaders perspective it was good as we had separately identified many of the points they raised – and it’s certainly food for thought going forward.
We then asked them (using their lessons learned) to tell us how to “sell” the camp to a new person…. at the end we put it to a couple of new people… and they’re not too keen on coming with us next year!! Oh dear!!
The final part of the evening was to re-inforce PATROL. We set them a challenge – to get a set of playing cards across a “no go” area; but rather than just getting them started, we said that we wanted them to think of as many possible ways as they could (P-Problem, A-Assess). We then told them to allocate jobs and start the activity (T-Tasks, R-Responsibility, O-Off you Go)
At the end of the activity, we quickly reviewed the activity, using SWOT again. Generally the Scouts felt that they could have used PATROL better – and that planning is quite important. So I think we’re slowly getting the message across – and I think the Scouts are learning this.
Nandesh’s poem
This is the second collaborative piece on this blog – and it’s from Nandesh who now joins Joshua as the second successful person to complete their Writers Badge.
Is this the right way?
Marching in the blistering cold,
are soldiers brave and bold,
Take to their task without being told
Is this the right way?
Mothers not sleeping in fear,
Of what is happening out here,
Tears also are very near,
Is this the right way?
Men dying both near and afar,
All lying there with a scar,
The sight of them is just too bizarre,
Is this the right way?
Trenches full of cold and dead,
Some shot straight through the head,
The mud acting like a baby s bed,
Is this the right way?
Bullets are racing,
Soldiers bracing,
And death is embracing
Is this the right way?
Is this the right way,
Taking lives of the innocent,
Stop this madness and ask youself,
IS THIS THE RIGHT WAY?
By Nandesh Patel
A Story in 26 parts – G
“Getting closer” thought Albert “but the night’s drawing in.”
Albert and Bernice hadn’t spoken to each other in the three day trek. Neither was really sure that they could trust the other – when they slept it was fitfully, with one hand on their swords. During the second night, a badger walked between the two of them… if the nocturnal creature hadn’t yelped as loudly as it did when the two foes woke, blades glinting in the moonlight, then this story would have ended now.
But through the silence Albert couldn’t help but think back to happier times, when Bernice had looked after him… when he was bigger. He rolled over slowly so he could fully face Bernice. With both hands well away from his weaponry he slowly asked “Bernice – what happened? Why are we now apparently enemies?”
“You men are so stupid sometimes” she replied, slowly sitting up. “It really isn’t that complicated. I saw you and my sister – I saw how close and happy you were…. I saw her when you left the last time. You gave her your Clover Stone to protect her – and she so badly wanted someone to look after you that she sent me to protect you. So that’s what I did. Your camp – your friends – were already plotting how they would split your wealth and how they would deal with you should you have ever returned. I could not, would not, let them succeed.”
“But now I have a dilemma. My instructions from my sister were to protect you – but your instructions will kill my sister. So now I have to decide what to do. Do I stop you – and continue my sister’s misery or do I let you continue and effectively help kill her. I just don’t know what to do”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” asked Albert, his eyes, like Bernice’s filling with tears that glinted the moonlight like diamonds. “We could have found another way… there had to be another way”
Bernice’s tears ran freely. “There was no other way. Ever since I started charting the Rune Stones and Ogham staves I could see that this was the future. You shone through like a beacon of hope, your wisdom was gifted by the stars and the planets and you were wise like the Oak trees. My sister could see this also. Our job was to ensure that the Elfin people were happy – and we knew that you would be our saviour”
Albert stood up, walked round the embers of the dying fire and sat by Bernice. He carefully drew his cape over her shoulders and she rested her head and slept until morning.
“Now” thought Albert “now I now what we must do. Barriers have been mended, my friendship has been made whole again”
As the first ray of light broke over the trees, Albert and Bernice got up and walked towards the rock face, at the edge where the two mountains met. Albert surveyed the rocks and could see that someone had dammed up the gap.
“That will be the Aquanauts” said Bernice.
“And that’s what we need to destroy” said Albert.
And with that, the slowly started to climb down the rocks…..
Gilwell Winter camp – Sunday 13 January – and awards
Sunday morning we go up quite quickly – and the Scouts were much more perky (I think most had decided to turn in early). We got the trailer packed with kit and the tent inners – and whilst the Scouts enjoyed the activities in the morning we finished packing the tents.
After lunch, Ivor went to get the trailer brought to the main car park – and I went to get the van. Unfortunately, there were a number of vehicles that had come onto the site and had just blocked the main routes – which meant the shuttle bus took ages to arrive and everyone had to queue again for what seemed like an hour to drive round to the trailers. However, once hitched up we headed back to the church to unload the boys and their kit.
What surprises me was at the end of the camp, by the wardens hut was about 20 pairs of very muddy wellies… one can only wonder what was being by the owners of the boots….
Camp Awards
From this summer camp, we have now introduced a new award… the Two Left Wellies Award. This is to be awarded to anyone (and it can be more than one recipient) during a camp who manages to do something that was felt to be memorable.
The first recipient for this award (by the leaders) goes to Anand – Sunday morning he got out of his tent and one of the leaders says “your boots are on the wrong feet”. Rather than checking, he disappeared off to his tent and swapped them over! A few minutes later he came back (with the boots on the right feet still) – and it was clear that he had been thinking “why don’t my boots fit – but the leaders said that they were wrong – but my boots are round the right way…”
Final Thoughts
On watching the mud slide, David:
“Why can’t we just deal with normal kids, sat in one place with their Playstations? Why do they have to try and do what we used to when we were youngers?”
On Watching the Scouts walking back, covered in mud, Ivor:
“Do you think the parents will notice?”
On the events on Sunday, Lewis
“I have no intention in getting muddy today.”
The invention of the Nonivor: A person who does not eat anything (‘cos they don’t like it..)
Gilwell Winter camp – Saturday 12 January
Very bleary, red-eyed Scouts got up from their tents at 07:30. We walked over to the canteen for breakfast. After issuing the wristbands (and being told about last night) the Scouts disappeared off to have a go at all the activities that had been laid on for them… quad bikes, climbing, Zorbing (rolling down a slope in a giant inflatable ball), high ropes, very high swing, dodgems, waltzers, Segway two wheeled vehicles (and I’ve never seen the off road versions before!), laser clay shooting, archery, simulator. Many of them also took part in the very unofficial (but popular) mud slide out the back of the site. The ground was already of very slushy proportions – and nothing was going to stay white – or clean – for long.
As leaders, we found somewhere warm and dry (and that sold coffee) and planned our summer camp and term programmes! We met for lunch to get the feedback on the day – and it would seem that the pace and the freedom (plus the lack of sleep) was starting to take its toll on the younger Scouts. However, they bravely set off again in the afternoon to continue their enjoyment.
After tea, a couple of the Scouts went to bed very early – the pace was clearly too much for them. As we made sure one was properly bedded down, we asked if he wanted another sleeping mat to further insulate him… which was when we found that he hadn’t unpacked one for last night (so in addition to Scouts talking all night, he would have had the cold ground further taking heat away from him)
Gilwell Winter camp – Friday 11 January
We met at the church, loaded up and left. The weather had looked bad, so we gave the parents all the boys shoes – making sure that they would only have their boots this weekend. As this was now our fourth camp, we had intended to drive to the back of Gilwell – straight to the overflow car park.. but it was shut! So we had to drive round to the entrance, which meant a very long crawl up Daws Hill to the entrance. Once we got there, we decided to get the tractors to take our trailer up to our site (Ash and Ivor having already put the tents up Thursday night). This meant that the Scouts didn’t have to walk their kit onto site. The van was dropped off at the overflow car park (down by the golf course, and nowhere near the site!)The rain was not very heavy, but it was quite persistent, and the cold could be felt. We left the boys to go to the Disco, whilst we went to register – what we hadn’t realised was that they had needed their wristbands to get into the disco… and we hadn’t issued them. The night was a cold one…. so the Scouts didn’t sleep much. I know this as they also decided that no one else would sleep much either….
A Story in 26 parts – F
For hours Albert paced the dungeon. His head swam with questions, ideas, words, goldfish… goldfish? “Actually I am a little peckish” thought Albert. “Well don’t eat me” said the goldfish as it swam out of Albert’s ear. “I’ll get you a sandwich”. “Tuna would be nice” smiled Albert – and the goldfish shot him a very dark look. Well, it was a dark look for a goldfish. “whatever you have then” said Albert.
There was a quiet tap at the dungeon door. A Spartanite stood there, very slender – almost womanly. “Hello Albert” said the Elf Queen, “he caught up with you then. He said he would – he’s a very determined man”. The Elf Queen then proceeded to explain how the Spartanites had worked with the Aquanauts – and had taken over the Elf Kindom. What they hadn’t realised was the extent of the takeover – and that the Elves had been converted to Spartanites – not just able to breath underwater, but to take on the physical appearance.
Albert told her what the Elf King had said – and about his parents.
“I must help you” she said. “I have a key to the dungeon, so you can escape. You will need to drain the kingdom of water. If you do it quickly enough, then you will rid this kingdom of my evil husband”. “What about you” asked Albert “and what about the others?” “Albert, be serious. If you try to save any of us, the King will escape as well – and your destiny, to be the ruler of this kingdom, will surely fail”. “But I don’t want to kill anyone” pleaded Albert “not again. I’ve only just started to live again – and I really don’t want to return to that dark place”.
The queen smiled, reached into a small bag – and produced a small, egg shaped object. Albert recognised it immediately – the Clover Stone! This was a very protective gift that Albert had been given by the Magic Smiths in the Fairy Kingdom – a stone that would bestow hope, protection and strength to anyone that had carried it. When Albert had decided to burn the kingdom and knew that he had to leave – he had passed this stone to the Queen to protect her. “Albert, you gave me this and it has kept me safe. Now you must carry it”.
Albert ran from the dungeon. Unlike any other kingdom, being a water borne one, all he needed to do was wait for the bubble spring to burst – and the door at the top of the dungeon opened, and Albert swam out. He looked to the shore and couldn’t see anyone (they’d obviously thought Albert had drowned) so with strong powerful strokes he quickly reached the side.
It wasn’t cold, so he started to immediately walk towards the far hills, where he could see a dip in the valley. He would get there and look to see how he could drain the kingdom of its water.
“This really isn’t the story I thought I’d be living now” thought Albert, thinking back to his doll’s house “and with my sword, the Clover Stone and goodness only knows what other nickknacks I’ll pick up, I’m going to need a bigger bag!” And with a resigned “hmmph” he swung his bag over his shoulder and squelched off towards the hills….
