by Diana Cooper
Mrs. Pogg was sitting like a big black crow at the kitchen table. “Here she is,” she cackled. “The bad girl.”
Mummy shrieked, “Tara, where have you been and what have you done?” She ran towards Tara, as if to shake her.
Daddy held up his hand to stop her. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” he said quietly. “Just listen to Tara’s story.”
He waited until everyone was silent, then Tara—with a little help from Ash-ting—told them what had really happened.
Mrs. Pogg was deeply embarassed and apologetic. She praised Tara for her kindness. She had not even realized her wallet was missing or that Tara had thrown it to her not at her.
The little girl still felt a bit shaky inside but also quite pleased with the praise being showered on her. She held her head up high. That felt better.
Daddy Helps
Mrs. Pogg
“Now, tell me about these kids that ring your door bell and run away,” Dad said gently to the old lady.
“It’s been happening a lot recently,” Mrs. Pogg grumbled. “Sometimes they laugh and shout rude things through the letter box and I get scared.”
Dad’s lips tightened. “I don’t suppose they mean any harm, but I can see it is very upsetting.”
“Yes, and it hurts my hip to get up and go to the door.”
“That must be tough,” he responded. He turned to the children. “Have you kids any idea who is doing it?”
Mel nodded. “It’s the boys who’ve moved into number 12.” Dad just nodded.
Ash-ting whispered to Tara. “Your dad’s going to sort it out. I don’t think it will happen again.”
Tara kissed Ash-ting’s soft furry head.
Then Dad said, “Mrs. Pogg, I don’t think you need to worry about that any more.” And she smiled a big relieved smile, which made her look so much softer.
Mrs. Pogg Likes
Ash-ting
Daddy walked Mrs. Pogg home, and Tara and Ash-ting were allowed to go with them. Of course, when Mrs. Pogg opened her front door she saw her wallet on the floor, where Tara had flung it.
“I’m so sorry,” she repeated, and Tara smiled at her and thought she was quite nice really.
Daddy helped the old lady take off her coat. He put the kettle on for a cup of tea because he said she had had a shock, too. Mrs. Pogg found a packet of chocolate cookies, and Tara was allowed to have two, even though it was nearly her bedtime.
Then the old lady showed them some photographs of her daughter and grandchildren, who lived in Australia. She had not seen them for five years, and Tara thought how sad that was.
She felt a buzz in her forehead. Ash-ting said, “Mrs. Pogg doesn’t have a computer. Suggest she comes to your house to talk to her family on Skype, then she can see them all.”
So Tara mentioned it to Daddy, who thought it was a splendid idea.
“Mrs. Pogg,” he said. “How would you like to come to our house on Sunday? We have a computer and a special free video conference call program called Skype that allows people to see and talk to each other from their computers wherever they are.”
“Oh, I would love that!” Mrs. Pogg exclaimed. “We only talk on the phone, and not as often as I would like, as it costs so much.”
Mrs. Pogg loved cats, and Tara let her stroke Ash-ting, who purred for her. Tara thought she was very sweet after all.
Dad Visits Number 12
Daddy took Tara home, then said he was just popping over to number 12. “If you’re in bed when I get back, I’ll draw you that fairy I promised.”
Daddy was away for half an hour. He didn’t know the family at number 12 because they were new in the street, so he invited them round for a drink on Sunday morning to meet the family and Mrs. Pogg. He said Mrs. Pogg had a bad hip and was very nice but rather lonely.
The new family were delighted to be asked and seemed very friendly. The parents said they were called Margie and Paul. The boys were Blake and Bob.
Dad didn’t mention the bell ringing. He knew that if they got to know the old lady, the two boys would not want to taunt her. Blake and Bob looked at Dad strangely when he mentioned the old lady. They wondered if he knew what they had been doing. He thought they looked a bit sheepish.
Sunday Morning
The following Sunday, Daddy used Skype to talk to Mrs. Pogg’s family in Australia. Her family already used Skype on their computer, and Mrs. Pogg was amazed at how easy the computer program was to use and overjoyed to see the whole family on the screen. Tara showed everyone in Australia her special kitten and waved his paw to them.
Then the family from number 12 came over. It turned out that Blake and Bob were aged 11 and 12, the same age as Mrs. Pogg’s grandsons. “My brother’s in Perth, Australia, too,” exclaimed Margie, their mother.
So they all went to the computer and once again used Skype to talk to Margie’s brother and his family, as well. Margie’s brother said it looked as if they had settled into their new home very well and were making friends already. Blake and Bob talked to their cousins, who were just going to bed after a day on the beach! The children were very envious of them, as it was winter in England and very cold.
Later, when it snowed, they all built a snowman for Mrs. Pogg in her front garden, and she gave them an old hat and scarf to put on him. Then Daddy filmed some video of it, and they showed it to their families in Australia via Skype. The cousins in Australia wanted to play in the snow!
And now Mrs. Pogg buys a packet of chocolate cookies every week when she goes shopping, because Tara, Mel, and Jack and their mum often call in to see her. And so do the boys from number 12.
Discussion points and exercises for adults and children
Tara and her Talking Kitten Meet a Mermaid
Which archangel is in charge of the ocean kingdom and what colour is he? What do you know about archangels?
Why are the sea creatures so angry? Can you think of more reasons than are in the story?
Draw an underwater ocean scene and write on it: WE WANT CLEAN OCEANS.
What did you feel about the helpers eating fish and chips after Tara helped the fish?
Close your eyes and imagine you are going on a magical underwater journey to help the sea creatures. What do you experience and how can you assist them?
How do you feel about the villagers helping Rocky’s family with the threatened flood? Why do you think they all turned out to help?
Tara, Ash-ting and the Wallet
Have you ever been unjustly accused of something? How did it feel? What did you do about it? Talk about speaking up for yourself.
Discuss ways to sort out problems by being friendly.
Life in different parts of the world is different for children. What is good about your country?
Do you know anyone who is lonely? How can you make a difference?
Draw a snowman, and in the picture put your family and friends and neighbours building it together. You can draw stick people if you want to.