Perry's Adventure

By Jack Scoltock

An exciting story about Perry, a brave young mouse who sets out to rescue his mother on the day before Christmas Eve.
He travels the sewers, the valley of owls, the street of cats; he meets bats and dogs of all sizes-- and he discovers the BLACK BUILDING.

"O... oh, help us, little mouse!" cried a tiny hare much louder than the others. Please get us out of here! Please... please..." With tears running down his face, Perry studied the catch on the cage. He would need lots of help...

Can Perry rescue the animals in time? Will he save his mother's life?
Read on and you'll find out.

A wonderful, fast-moving animal fable for children to listen to or read for themselves.
Jack Scoltock writes simply and well, and all his animal characters come vividly to life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jack Scoltock
• Release date: Mar 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310351402

Jack Scoltock

Jack Scoltock is one of Irelands best fantasy writers for children of all ages.He was born in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1942. He is married with two grown-up children.Jack has many books on the Amazon, Smashwords and Draft2digital.A scuba diver for over forty years, Jack was one of the divers who found a Spanish Armada wreck in Donegal in 1971. Inspired by a small leather boot found on the wreck, Jack wrote one of his best historical stories about a boy who stows away on an Armada galleon. The Sand Clocker (Spanish Armada Stowaway), is one of Scoltock’s most popular history books.Now retired, Jack Scoltock spends his free time writing.Challenge of the Red Unicorn, Davey's siege (a siege of Derry story), Perry's Adventure, Justine's Secret Challenge, Seek the Enchanted Antlers, Back To Neverland, are among some of the best of Jacks stories.

Book preview

PERRY’S ADVENTURE

Copyright @2015 Jack Scoltock

Published by Jack Scoltock at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including, photography, filming, recording, photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, or shall not by way of trade or otherwise be lent, resold, or otherwise circulated in any All rights reserved. No part of this book may be utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, Jack Scoltock. The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

HOMECOMING

Perry’s sister gasped then screamed as the one-eyed monster came roaring towards them out of the dark tunnel. Her scream was drowned out by the roaring train as it thundered past them along the tracks, its bells clanging and steam puffing from its black chimney almost dragging the two terrified mice along with it.

Cold and frightened, Perry and Angelique stared after the train until it disappeared into the snowy darkness. They could still hear its bells clanging as they now cautiously made their way across the shiny railway tracks. Looking to left and right they scampered along the snow-covered, sloping embankment until they found an old rat-path that led up to the concrete bridge. In a few moments they reached the bridge and were running along the edge of the road at the bottom of the high snow-covered ditches. As they did Perry glanced at his sister.

Angelique, he gasped. We’ve got to go faster. We have to get home tonight.

His nose wrinkled worriedly and his sister nodded. They both had the same strange feeling that something was wrong, that someone back home was in great danger.

****

Many hours later, two tired and hungry mice skirted the town where bright Christmas lights and decorations twinkled in the frosty air. It was the day before Christmas Eve and the snow had stopped.

Soon they reached the old shambling shack where their family lived. Before slithering down the disused coal hatch at the side of the shack, Perry looked around him. His ears stood straight up as he listened. He frowned deeply and a few moments later the two mice were inside the coal bunker. Blinking to get their sharp eyes accustomed to the darkness they headed for a hole no bigger than a golf ball at the back of the bunker. As they approached the hole a black spider scurried away. Pausing Angelique and Perry looked at each other before squeezing inside.

As they came inside they now knew for certain something was wrong. They could see and hear their brothers and sisters crying. They were huddled around a tiny bed in the corner. Lying there in a matchbox size bed, filled with straw was their much-loved Father. He was asleep.

What is it? whispered Perry as he pushed gently through his brothers and sisters to the bed. What’s wrong?

Fath… Father’s not well, sniffed a younger sister, a big tear sliding down her beautiful grey face.

Now all Perry and Angelique’s sisters and brothers gathered around watching as the two older mice studied their Father. Then they both rubbed at their Father’s soft nose with their front paws.

Startled he awoke. Recognising Perry and Angelique he smiled weakly.

Father, whispered Perry. Are you ill? It was then he realised. His Mother wasn’t in the room. Mother, where is she? he asked his little heart pounding with worry.

At the words several of his brothers and sisters began to cry again. Perry’s Father sighed and then moaning slightly he pulled himself upright on his bed. He studied his eldest son for several seconds then said, It’s a long story. There were tears in his eyes now. He glanced at Angelique who was the picture of her Mother before saying, As you both know, the weather this winter has been most severe. While you and Perry were away helping Aunt Aggie, the snow fell. It soon became deeper than I ever remember it. Food was very scarce and your brothers and sisters were always hungry. I went out every day in search of food for them, and your Mother. I had to search everywhere, but there were so many animals out there also searching that what little food there was, was soon gone. I had to search even further away from home. And even then there wasn’t enough food to feed everyone. I didn’t even have enough for myself and so I grew weak and became ill. I was so weak that eventually I could not go out to search.

Perry’s Father sighed again. Your brothers and sisters could not go out. They are far too young. We would have all starved were it not for your brave Mother… Perry’s Father whispered her name again, this time tears ran down his wrinkled worried face. Now Perry and Angelique’s brothers and sisters began to cry.

Stop! shouted Perry, standing as tall as he could. Stop crying and be quiet! I want to hear what has happened.

You…your Mother bravely decided that she had to go out and search for food, continued his tearful Father. Ah Perry, he cried. If you only knew how hard I begged her not to go. But it was no use. She knew, and I knew, that she had to go.

Angelique rubbed at her Father’s wet nose as more tears ran down his face.

When…when she was away I worried all the time until she returned. With a sniff he reached for the corner of the handkerchief that was his blanket and dabbed at his eyes. Your Mother, as you know, is from a very fine family. She never before had to forage for food. She didn’t even know about the traps the humans could think up to catch…

Father, gasped Perry. "You said, didn’t. What do you