Olly's Circus: DREAMTIME, #1

By Mat Gardener

Early one evening, a young boy called Olly was taken to see a performing circus as a special treat.   For Olly it proved to be a very interesting night, filled with excitement and drama, as the various performers went through their acts.     This story is about the things Olly saw during the circus performance, and about a dream he had later that night as he lay asleep in his bed.

This particular book aims to teach young readers about the plight of the world’s endangered animals and was written in support of zoo parks and conservation projects around the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M R Gardener
• Release date: May 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498957328

Mat Gardener

Mat Gardener is a UK based author with a background in complimentary therapies. He also has a very keen interest in the welfare of young people and environmental/conservation issues.  Both of these interests, prompted him to write three series of books aimed at keeping young people safe from physical and emotional harm. The author is  also seeking to highlight conservation issues and social welfare issues such as bullying,  and low self esteem.  Each book in the series is designed to inspire and give hope to young readers/listeners wherever possible, especially where they face difficulties in life. This story is taken from the DREAMTIME book series.  Other titles from this series are also available.

Book preview

Introduction

One evening, a young boy called Oliver had an amazing series of experiences; it was to be an evening filled with excitement and drama.  This story is about the things he saw that night, and what happened later on, as he lay asleep in his bed.

Olly’s 5th

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When Olly woke up, he was very excited, he’d had hardly had any sleep that night because he was so looking forward to the next day.  Hurriedly he rushed downstairs.

Mummy, Mummy, I’m five today, Olly told his mother proudly.  Besides being very proud, he had another reason for announcing his age however!  He was worried his mother might have forgotten what a special day it was for him.  Being a dentist, Mrs Jackson was a very busy lady, with lots to think about.  Not only did she have her patients to think about, Mrs Jackson also had a busy household to run too.  Fortunately for him, she hadn’t forgotten his birthday at all, as he soon found out. 

‘Good Morning Olly; happy birthday darling,’ she told him with a big smile on her face.  Olly’s older sister Sarah then appeared in the room and wished him a happy birthday too.  For Olly things were looking good; they hadn’t forgotten his birthday after all.

Being very excited, Olly began to wonder what presents he was likely to get.  Mrs Jackson could tell what he was thinking about and told him, ‘you haven’t got time to think about your birthday now darling; hurry and eat your breakfast, then get ready for school, or you’re going to be late.’

But Mummy it’s my birthday; surely I can have a day off to celebrate my birthday can’t I? Olly protested.

‘No I’m afraid not dear,’ she told him firmly.  ‘You must still go to school even though it’s your birthday.’

But what about my presents; where are my presents? Olly asked with a very concerned look on his face. 

‘Oh don’t worry about your presents; there will be plenty of time for them later dear.  If you start to open your presents now, you’ll want to start playing with them and that will make you late for school, won’t it?’

Olly was not at all happy at his mother’s reasoning, but she did have a point, for it was a busy day for the whole family.  If they didn’t get themselves ready for their days’ activities, they would all be in big trouble. It was now quite late and there was no sign of Mr Jackson.  Olly thought this a bit strange, but he was too concerned about his missing presents to think about the significance of this situation.

But surely I can have one present Mummy? Olly pleaded.

‘Well we’ll see,’ Mrs Jackson conceded. ‘It all depends upon how long it takes you to get ready.  If you are ready in time, then just maybe you can have one present, but the rest will have to wait until you have been to school I’m afraid.’

Whilst Olly was very disappointed not to be getting his presents there and then; his mother had at least given him one ray of hope.  Olly then set too getting all his homework together, before brushing his teeth and putting on the rest of his school uniform.

In no time at all Olly was ready for school, and again he tried to get his mother to give him some presents.  Sensing Olly’s frustration, Mrs Jackson knew she couldn’t deny him his presents for much longer.  Much to her relief, Olly’s father suddenly appeared.

Good morning, happy birthday lad, he then told Olly with a cheery smile.

To Olly’s great delight, his father then announced, "Come with me.  I think there is a present for you in the garage. Do you want to come and have a look?"

‘Yes Daddy;’ yes please,’ Olly replied with great excitement and a beaming smile on his face.  At last Olly was to get one of his presents.  He then followed Mr and Mrs Jackson out to their garage.  There at the back of the garage was a long thin package which was almost as big as Olly himself.  ‘What is it, what is it?’ he asked.  Well open it and see, Mrs Jackson then told him wisely.

Olly could wait no longer and he quickly tore the packaging off his one and only present as fast as he could.  Suddenly he realised what it was.  It was the bike he had asked for many times in the past, but which he never managed to get.  Olly then realised there was something very wrong with his present and he started to get very alarmed. 

‘But Daddy, it’s got no handlebars.  It hasn’t got a saddle either Daddy, how can I ride a bike with no handlebars or Saddle?’ Olly questioned. His face then became very sad and Mr Jackson started to feel very guilty. 

Mr Jackson then tried to explain why the bike wasn’t ready, telling Olly "I’m sorry.  I just haven’t had time to put it