Eggs, Pegs and an Elephant

By Barbara Godwin

When the pirates came to Evie’s house, she helped them find a treasure map. The pirate captain left his porcupine, Pieces of Eight, to live with her, and Evie’s dad built her a small house to live in.That was Evie’s story in "Pizzas, Pirates and a Porcupine."

"Eggs, Pegs and an Elephant" is the story of the little elephant who was Pieces of Eight’s special friend. The elephant’s name is Edward, and he goes on a journey back to find his friend.

It’s also the story of Pegs, an enterprising chicken who wants to lay an egg. Pegs accompanies Edward and their adventures take them on a balloon ride,drop them in the middle of a football game, and later there are duckings in the river and a trip on a steam engine. They meet and rescue more friends along the way - until it is Edward's turn to be rescued.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Godwin
• Release date: Jan 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310549069

Book preview

EGGS, PEGS AND AN ELEPHANT

Book 2 in the Pets and Pirates series

Written by Barbara Godwin

Illustrated by Christina Boon

Additional colouring and artwork by Barbara Godwin

Text Copyright © Barbara Godwin

Illustrations Copyright © Christina Boon

The author and illustrator assert their moral rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work.

All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Thank you for respecting the work of this author and artist.

For Hazelle

Who still looks like Evie

With grateful thanks to Christina Boon for her delightful illustrations, to Paul for his detailed proofreading, and to the many writers and readers who gave their time to make numerous helpful and comprehensive suggestions. This is very much a work of collaboration.

WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE

When the pirates came to Evie’s house, she helped them find a treasure map. The pirate captain left his porcupine, Pieces-of-Eight, to live with her, and Evie’s dad built a small house for Pieces-of-Eight to live in.

That was Evie’s story in Pizzas, Pirates and a Porcupine.

This book is about the little elephant who is Pieces-of-Eight’s special friend. The elephant’s name is Edward.

It’s also about an adventurous chicken called Pegs.

Chapter 1 - Goodbye to the Pirates

Edward curled his trunk up and hid in a shadowy corner of the pirate ship. He felt as if a grey cloud was hanging over him.

Laughter floated across the deck. The pirates had dug up a chest of gold coins and hauled it back to the ship. They’d been counting all night.

Edward wasn’t interested in gold coins.

It was Pegs. As usual, she was missing several feathers and looked ragged.

She scuttled across to some nets and scraped at them with her bony feet. She made a hole in the middle, and sat in it.

Even an old bird can lay an egg, she clucked. Laying an egg is a very important thing to do, you know.

Edward tried to put on his interested face, but it wouldn’t come. He gave a tiny grunt.

The pirates were singing sea shanties now. Mogg was keeping time by thumping his wooden leg on the deck. It was Mogg who had adopted Edward when the zoo closed down.

The pirates are happy, said Pegs.

Edward gave another grunt.

Pegs looked at him out of one eye, then turned her head and looked at him out of the other.

But you’re not, are you? she asked.

Edward shook his head miserably.

I worked that out because you look sad, said Pegs. I’ve got a bird brain. A bird brain is the very best special sort of brain to have for working things out. She got out of the hole and wobbled over to him. It’s the little porcupine the Captain called Pieces-of-Eight, isn’t it?

Edward nodded. His unhappiness burst out of him. Pieces-of-Eight is my oldest friend. The Captain adopted her, but he left her with that little girl called Evie who helped him find a treasure map.

Pegs nodded. "I remember. Evie seemed a very nice little girl."

But I miss Pieces-of-Eight. She’s my only proper friend. We were always together at the zoo.

I understand. You were both babies together, clucked Pegs.

All the pirates had pets – parrots, monkeys, chickens, pigeons, cats, spiders, puppies - but Edward was sure no one could replace Pieces-of-Eight in his elephant heart.

Pegs stretched a wing over his foot. It didn’t cover much as he was bigger than her, but it made him feel a little better.

You could go and find her, said Pegs.

Could I? asked Edward, in surprise.

If only we could remember where she is, added Pegs.

"I remember every village we went