@Sophia1 @Exoplanet @Appleblossom @Flax @Shaz51 @Adge

With much appreciation to all members for the use of content that they have offered, which has been woven into this story with as much accuracy and closeness of context as possible. In like fashion, I offer any of the material in my presentations for use by any other member.

As most would, by now, be aware, for me "It doesn't rain, but it pours." So here is a

"Henry's little book" contribution to the story from me.

…....... “ ….......

“

A story in two posts. Word count total: ~3430

"

The Professor had been sitting at the dining room table and contemplating some of the recent events, discussions and activities. He had completed some work on a favourite project and, not wishing to commence work on a new stage of that project, and then be distracted, had decided to go down to the dining room and await the serving of the evening meal.

“

Recently, he had been very intrigued by the concept of “bee dances”. This was an area in which he had very little knowledge. However, he was always open to new ideas. He was somewhat amused by the connecting thoughts of the ballet teacher, tutor and mentor for the “little girl with no name”, and whose arrival was eagerly anticipated by the little girl, giving dancing lessons to a swarm of bees. How had this idea entered his thoughts? It was possible that the little girl, who had been playing in the garden, had mentioned before bedtime, her idea of bees dancing around the garden. She had imagined Vanessa, the ballet teacher, directing her “little bee” and the others. He idly wondered at the thought that she may have made the connection with the music they enjoyed on the new player, which included the fantastic “Flight of the Bumblebee” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov . Little did they know that the bees really do have a specific type of dance, which helps in directing other bees to where the best pollen flowers and nectar are located. The little girl had already referred to Miss Vanessa, as the “bee-keeping ballerina”.

“

The little girl had a vivid and very active imagination. This could have been a result of her being the only little person in the castle, though she did not seem to mind. She engaged all the older people in her conversations and included them in her imaginary thoughts, where they acted out various parts in the plays and adventures that occupied her everyday contemplations. Vanessa, the new teacher, tutor and companion, would have to be very careful, sensitive to, and respectful of the characters in the little girls thoughts, as they were very real to her. She also included, in her stories, details of the location and importance of the buried treasure, that she said that she had found. At the time of finding the buried treasure, she spoke of finding a magic coin, that had the power, for the right person or people, to change into other beings and creatures. As part of her story, she explained that the magic coin would only work for people who had good feelings and wishes for themselves and others.

“

She was also far more aware of what happenings occurred in the castle than was, almost, any one else, because of her nocturnal wanderings. She had worked out how to avoid detection, once she was supposed to have been asleep. She really couldn't understand how anyone would expect her to go to sleep when there was still light streaming through the window glass. The little girl often climbed the lovely curved staircases, to the top of a turret, and looked out over the dark woodland, imagining herself floating and, light as a feather, moving freely, but gently, through the brisk, fresh, soothing air. It was as though the little girl in the air was watching her, leaning over the edge of the turret, to ensure that she did not slip and fall. The figure in the air, looks back to the turret and sees the little girl in a lovely taffeta dress, that folds and drapes around her. There were other winding staircases and corridors, providing her access to each of the other castle turrets.

“

A passing comment, made by Cook, that may possibly have been a slip of the tongue, meant that the Professor was aware that the strange, green eyed cat, that had recently appeared around the castle, was very partial to fish cakes, they having, somehow, strayed into the cat's direction. The cat had, apparently been named Sooty, evidently, in allusion to its jet black fur colour. It had the most intense green eyes. Sooty is known, by some, to go off on adventures, as cats often do, but always returns, sometimes looking dishevelled, and always very hungry.

“

One time, as the Professor had been turning into another passage-way, he had seen this cat, called Sooty, that stopped in its tracks as soon as it had seen the Professor, who had, in that instant, the rather peculiar feeling that this creature had some inkling of his own thoughts. Such feelings were extremely unfamiliar for the Professor, and as such, he had felt somewhat unsettled and uncomfortable following that 'meeting'. Although he had wanted to put the thought aside, as being absolutely ludicrous, he had been aware that it had not disappeared from his mind, which only gave him additional concern and misgivings about the presence of this enigmatic creature. He had, also, the merest glimpse, in his mind of, what seemed to him, a ridiculous thought; he had imagined the cat wearing a beret and standing before an easel with a paint brush in its paw. Little did he know......

“

Though he was looking forward to dinner, he did not have a desperate feeling of hunger. Knowing that the Professor often preferred to work through the time of the mid-day meal, Cook had prepared a rather delightful platter of freshly picked and cut vegetables and cheese, with a fork, for him. She was so considerate, he thought, as to have dressed the cut vegetables and fruit with a measure of lemon juice and also placed a small jug of olive oil on the side. This allowed the platter to remain appealing through to the mid afternoon, at which time he normally enjoyed a cup of his favourite tea. Today, during a break in his work, he was surprised to find a very old and dusty volume on a desk in the library, the title of which was, “Ancient and New Seafolk and Seafarer's Fables and Legends”. There was a bookmark on a page that spoke of Selkies and a reference to Selkie-folk

After his afternoon tea, and unbeknown to the Professor, Cook would put an appropriately sized 'blanket' over Sooty, in the specially prepared swinging bed, and having already completed the initial preparation of the evening meal, would herself, doze off in the comfortable chair, in one corner of the kitchen.

“

With My Very Best Wishes to All

@HenryX 

To Be Continued.......