Mr Gum and the Goblins Read Free Page A

‘And I must go armed only with pure thoughts, an honest tongue and a brave heart. Plus a sword in case all that stuff doesn’t work. And so, friends, I depart at noon. But I will need to pick one other brave traveller to accompany me on my quest.’
    â€˜Oh, pick me, pick me, please!!’ cried Polly.
    â€˜Sorry,’ said Friday, shaking his head in a little gesture he’d invented to mean ‘no’.
    (Everyone in Lamonic Bibber used his ingenious system – why not try it yourself?)

    â€˜I have decided to take Yellowbeard instead,’ said Friday. And he pointed to a thickset dwarf with a bushy black beard who sat by his side, dressed in chain mail and carrying a battleaxe. Until that moment Polly hadn’t noticed him there.
    â€˜Yellowbeard?’ protested Polly. ‘But Friday, we’re a team, you an’ me! Together we’re the very best at adventures an’ suchlike!’
    â€˜Sorry,’ said Friday. ‘But Yellowbeard the dwarf it is. And he’s my new best friend, by the way.’
    Well, just then Alan Taylor gave a little giggle and suddenly Polly realised what was going on.
    Hold on,
she thought.
This looks like one of Friday’s ’mazin’ jokes!
    She took a closer look and saw that Yellowbeard was just made out of cardboard. Friday had been up most of the night cutting him out and colouring him in with felt tips.
    â€˜Oh, Frides!’ laughed Polly, pushing Yellowbeard over into the snow. ‘You an’your ’mazin’ jokes!’
    â€˜THE TRUTH IS A LEMON MERINGUE!’ laughed Friday affectionately. ‘Of course you’re coming with me, Polly!’
    â€˜And I will stay and look after Mrs Lovely,’ proclaimed Alan Taylor. ‘I will teach her about the natural world with my collection of wildlife documentaries. I’ve got a brilliant one about leopards. They are fascinating creatures, and the spots on their fur are known as “spots”.’
    â€˜It is well said, sir,’ remarked Friday, taking out his tuba. ‘Now let us all sing a song to bring this great meeting at the Stone Table to an end. I love songs.’
    â€˜Sorry,’ said Alan Taylor, looking at his tinychocolate wristwatch. ‘No time for singing – we’ve got to get you two ready.’

    And the meeting was done.

    The rest of the morning was spent preparing for the quest. Alan Taylor scampered off to buy pies, for he knew the most about baked goods, being one himself. Polly ran to buy thick cloaks, because it would be bitter cold up on Goblin Mountain. And Friday played a computer game down the arcade and got a really high score.
    Eventually noon came round, as noon always does. Good old noon, it never lets you down. And it was time for the quest to begin.
    â€˜Farewell, good travellers,’ said Alan Taylor, as Polly hugged him goodbye.
    â€˜Farewell, my crumbly friend,’ said Friday, stooping to tickle the little fellow under the chin. And, having said their goodbyes, the courageous pair turned on their heels and started off down the long and winding road that would take them to Goblin Mountain.

    It had started to snow once more, soft white flakes that fell from the sky like angels’ tears. Soon the travellers were just dots in the distance and eventually Alan Taylor could not make them out at all.
    â€™Tis a brave and lonely day,
he thought as he stood there, shivering in the icy wind.
Will I ever see those two again?
    Then he ate his chocolate wristwatch. It sort of spoilt the moment but he’d missed breakfast.

Chapter 6
The Great Gifts
    I t was coming on dark by the time Polly and Friday reached the foot of Goblin Mountain. The craggy rock loomed over them forbiddingly in the dismal gloom, all twisted like one of those crazy curly twirly funtime drinking straws you sometimes get. They’re hilarious! an old witch’s finger.
    â€˜Polly,’ said Friday, ruffling