Set Fire To The Rain: The kresh

By Mark Bevan

The kresh is a magical mystical place, a safe haven, where parents can leave their children with the carers / teacher, baby sitters if you like. Where the children will have the most wonderful time learning their craft for adulthood, socialising skills and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9781447767862

Book preview

Mygranddadsstory

One bright early morning, spring is almost over a young boy walks alone through the woodlands he is not far from home, he is humming to himself, in world of his own, whipping a thin stick at the cool air, where the trees canapé shelter him from the sun, he is no more than five, with long mousy brown hair, curling his bottom lip, boredom set in, his face neither up or down.

People pass on carts pulled by large shiny horses trotting alongdirt track below the woodland that the boy is standing in, this young boy waves with excitement the people passing don’t see him, he is disappointed, as they look at him at one point, the road is busy today, people leaving and entering the village bellow called aberpennar, he waves at each and every person he sees , but no one acknowledges him, he is about to give in when his friends join him, jock he is from Scotland, Patrickhe is from Ireland, they were followed by the three lion cubs golden in colour all the way from England.

They all start showing off at the traffic passing, dancing ,shouting and pulling faces, no one canseeorhearourthreelittleshowoffs,for noonecouldseethisplaceunlessyouweremagicalandmystical, and pure ofGood heart.

They soon get fed up, they walk off to find more fun, the little boy thatstartedthiscommotionisstilltryingtogetattentionheisamazed toseea young girl waving back to him, his little face lit up, he startsto run to keep up with her, he waves as he runs shouting to hisfriends, they turn and chase after him, it’s impossible to keep up with this boy his speed and agility is extra ordinary as he runs across fallen log to jump at the end still racing through the trees , they catch up to him, he has stopped, he is standing at an invisible wall, it is the rays from the sun that rests around the kresh, it stops children leaving, it also stops evil seeing in.

Hetellshis friends the little girl waved to him, they are not having it, they call him a fibber, as this little boy is known to exaggerate, neverletthetruthgetinthewayofagoodyarn,ina funny childlike

way.

Deciding what to do next, there was lots to do for children, tree climbing, hide and seek, swimming and lots more

Next morning he awoke the little girl he waved to be on his mind he gets dressed to run down to the edge of the woods to see if he can see her again, on his way he shakes the trees to wake the birds up, He looks around, it’s too early, not a soul, he turns his attention to a squirrel dray halfway up a big old conker tree, he hits the base of the tree with an old fallen branch only to wake them, whack as the sound vibrates up the tree, they show they heads, a dimple in his face, as a big smile emerges, a twinkle in his bright blue eyes, his hair leaning backashelooksuphe knows what is coming, the squirrels make their way down to an excited young boy, the squirrels stop, the boy ponders what could be wrong,

A tap on hisshoulder,heturnsaroundquickly,itisher,thelittlegirl hehadbeen waving to, she had a white flowery dress, with daisy chain in her hair, they both were bashful smiling as they introducedthemselves.

He says his name is Harrison, and asks if she was a princess, she says no her name is phoebe, she is very innocent when she said I am just a girl, both still smiling hands behind their backs, kicking the leaves at their feet, he asks her would you like to play prince and princesses, she shakes her head, yes, Phoebe was so happy to play, they little faces lit up, especially as it is her first time to play prince and princesses, although they had just met it was fun,

He goes on to explain, they had to try and take the castle over, a naughtykingsitsonthethrone, she does not know about this it seems a bit much they are only children, he reassures her it is only a play castle, he tells her to follow him, and that he would protect her, she follows him walking fast to keep up to him she wants to know what she needs protecting from, he tells her gargoyles, trolls anddragons.

With that a woman over middle age is walking towards them, she has a broom in hand she is wearing clothes like a cleaner her sleeves rolledup,herhandonhipslooking looking down at Harrison shaking her head, what is she going to do with him, wandering off early, Harrisonraiseshisstick,standsinfrontofphoebehetellsherto stand back it's a dragon. this woman is oneoftheteachershereatthe kresh, hername isNana, phoebelooks upat Nanaa littleintimidated, Nana pushes Harrison s stick down and tells him that he could have someone’seyeout,thentellshimtogotothehuttohavehis

breakfast, then turns to phoebehello little girl, do your parentsknow your here , Phoebe shakes her head no. Nana’s duty is to take herhome,Nanagivesphoebesomefriendlyadviceyoumusttell your parents where you go, or they will worry, she tells her with a smile, so the timid little girl would come out of her shell a bit, Harrison perks up he would have protected her because she is his princess, she smiles they say goodbye to each other.

Nana using her broom picks up the protection wall which is the rays from the sun, Harrison watches as Nana closes him in Nana pointsfor him to go and have his breakfast he walks backwards then turn to show he is going then stops to watch them walk out of sight

Nana is walking Phoebe home through Aberpennar, the little village where Phoebe has just moved in, bidding good day to people they passed, Nana is well known in these parts, a kind woman who would give the time of day to anyone.

Abberpenar

They arrive at the house where phoebe lived Nana knocks on the door with the handle of her broom, waiting a moment, she is about to knock again, the door opens suddenly a pretty lady answers the door, Nana explains that phoebe had wondered up to the woods and there was no harm done, phoebes mums name is Glenda, she tells Nana how difficult it is trying to keep an eye on three children, where they are at that age to explore, Nana understands totally, Nana could see she was struggling, also that they were witches she lets Glenda know her secret is safe with her, it is a bit of asurprisetoGlendaasshehas been trying to keep it quiet, only because ordinary people do not understand,Nanatellshershemustfetchherchildrenuptothekresh tomorrow, Glenda has heard of this place in thecircleofmagic,Nana says her goodbyes, Glenda and her three little daughters wave her goodbye .

The next morning Harrison wakes up before the birds and runs down to see Phoebe, on the way down, this wicked mischievous boy would shake the birds out of the trees, waking the squirrels and tormenting them.

Harrison’s imagination was very wide and he was also kind hearted and joyful, he had the best ideas and always had to be the centre of attention, his smile that keeps you on your toes.

He waits at the wall of the sun’s rays, this was where he last saw Phoebe.He is surrounded by the birds, they are singing so happily and joyfully, squirrels, deers and rabbits keeping thier distance but close enough to keep an eye on him. This is what it is like at the fields and woodland meadow.

The squirrels would drop the nuts to him to play but he did notwant to play. He is waiting on his new friend, he waits patiently and while he waits he feeds the animals.He would tease the animals by placing the food in front of them and then as they were getting closer totakethefoodhewouldtakeitawayjustbefore they grabbed it. Theanimalswouldsurroundhimandpileon him and you could hear him giggling for them to stop and he promised not to do it again, this boy’s stamina is relentless.

Early morning a village alive with trade, a clap of wood as the stalls are being erected tapping of a hammer pegging out the tents, the market all colourful with the fragrant smell of fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers blooming, reaching out for the sun that is sitting on the mountain top, clearing the morning dew. People would Banter that led to laughter, they were good times and why wouldn’t it be,with work and food a plenty.

A lady walks through the marketplace; she wears a flowery dress, a bonnet to match shading her womanly face from the bright sun, a wicker basket on her arm to collect her daily shop with three hungry children to feed it an everyday occurrence.

The three children trailing behind her all dressedinsimilarclothes, Sophie is the eldest at eight, very prim and proper and very bossy indeed,liked to be like her mum.Phoebe was the second child who was six, she also wore a bonnet like her mum, but underneath thatshe had brown curly locks which were full of shine.She was different to Sophie as she is a smiley carefree child who skipped along withmud at her feet, and Jade the last born who is four years old, shehas auburn hair and she is the shy quiet one, who would be seen holding her mums apron whilst walking through the market hiding at every stranger that bid them good day.

An orphan boy caught their eye, his clothes were dirty and ripped andhisbodyseemedtohavesmudgedmudonhisbareskin.He

looked rough waiting for the chance to steal; he was hungry. At the first opportunity that presents itself he would have to take it, as he is weak, he has not eaten for days.

A clumsy shop keeper falls over a peg onto the stall, apples and pears tumble to the ground, everyone laughs,The shopkeeperstands, smiles, takes a bow, red in the face.

This is perfect for the boy he found an opening for him to get food; he was as fast as a whippet.He took a loaf of bread, apple and a pear, and then went off into the forest for safety.Glenda and her three daughters witnessed all this but the daughters could not understand whythecrowdwere waving their fist to the boy, but Glenda explained that the boy took food that he did not pay for that did not belong to him.

She continued to tell them that he does not have a mammy or daddy like they had, so he had no one to take care of him and to love him.

The girls thought it was sad that he had no one and couldn’t understandwhynoonewould give him food.Sophie feels so upset by this and would like to help the boy to get food for him. Phoebe wants to know why her mum did not use the magic to stop the thief.

Mum says We do not use magic in public, the villagers would bescared.

As people are scared of what they do not know or understand, and would be very angry towards Glenda and her family.

Glenda asked the girls to promise right there and then, that they would never ever use magic in public, so she kneels down and looks them in their eyes. She made them Promise,theyallagreedthatthey wouldneverusemagicinpublic,Shewashappythegirls understood. They left the village following a horse trail then up the grassyhilltothe top. They walk through woodland; Phoebe knows the way, leading the way through the trees, the sun like arrowsshining through the top leaves hitting the floor.Where the leaves litter the floor that is rustling as they walk, wildlife disappearing into the distance startled by the sound of potential predators

They arrive back at the kresh, Harrison is the first to see them coming, and he cannot run to greet them as the sun makes a magical perimeter wall to keep the children inside until their parents cometo collect them.

Phoebe runs to greet Harrison both happy, Harrison shows off to Phoebeashewantstoshowhereverythingheknows.Allthe

children at the Kresh were magical and mystical.They would stay in the Kresh until the parent’s quest was complete.This was a good place to be as all the children there are from magical backgrounds. Their parents once dropped them off would fly away on their broom stick, or wings or vanish off to go and see to their business and would be happy that their children were safe.

When everyone passes through the sun rays, whatever age, changes to a five years old and this is the best age as being five again will be great fun and playful times, there is no bullying tolerated here.

The parents who escorted their children up to the Kresh will not change into infants as they were parents themselvesthis magical Kresh knows.It knows all that is good.Through the sun’s rays the children walked into the Kresh, it is a wonderful place with rich green fields and woodland all around the perimeter.It’s a safe haven for children, magicalthe perimeter of the sun rays would keep the children from leaving.Onlookers can see the Kresh from outside, if only their heart is good, with no evil intentions for the evilwrongdoers have no place here.

Thecarersaremagicalwitchesthattakecareofthechildrenlikethey are their own.Ten huts were spotted around the 50 acre Kresh and there were two carers to each hut.

The idea that everyone should be five years old is that all the children were treated fairly and of similar size depending on what creature was there.The Kresh did not tolerate bullies!!

Now the three little witches were allocated to the same hut as Harrison, due to his persistence, he nagged and nagged, so Nana and Bopa gave into his nagging, it meant so much to him, he wanted phoebe on his team, It’s not his team but he is so competitive, or as I like to say a little show off, staying at the hut was the three lion cubs, Harrison, jock, Patrick and now the three little witches.

The blonde cubs were there until the queen sends for them, they have taken to the sisters straight away, they surround the sisters for attention and praise, the sisters adored them, patting, andsmoothingthem.

One boy Patrick from Ireland, a leprechaun always in green, a fondness for bright shiny things like coins, his hair brown, long to the shoulder, his eyes are green to match his outfit, he is not your typical leprechaun he is a lot taller than his mammy and daddy at the age of five, Nana an Bopa agreed to look after him till he is old enough to leave, they knew he would be safe.

This other boy jock from Scotland, his parentsare members of the cloth, and worked all around the world on a crusade. He is always blue, dark hair, brown eyes,heavy built, strong, clumsy and funny aswell.

This next boy is Harrison blonde to mousy brown colour hair to shoulder,withthebrightestblueeyes,amediumsize five year old full of cheek with a wicked grin, his father is a dragon leader and commander of a dragon army protectors of the earth, and once his father defeats evil he will come and fetch him.

Now to take good care of these children is Nana an Bopa, the clothes they wear are both practical and necessary, for they are looking after children and we all knows what that entails, dress down to their knee they sleeves down to the elbow, to wade through the pond to wash clothes and to do the dishes cleaning all day to keep the childrenclean an healthy,volunteerstothecause,theyaskfornopaymentjust to be involved, they say to hear children laughing is payment enough.

Nana, a proud witch head held high, a pleasant face, inviting and friendly, but stern enough so the children knew when to behave.

Bopa, a funny witch that always entertained the children, teaching cooking, she mostly chases and tickles which leaves her open for teasing. There is no other job in the world for her; the hardest partof their job is giving the children back.

Breakfast first before play time as it is the energy a child would need for this big kresh, they sit around the table, eggs beans breadbreakfast is served, they all thank Bopa, they eat and smile talk playfully, cubs looking at the table licking they lips, as they had just eaten theirs all up, they would always look for food.

The little witches are more ladylike at the table, the boy’s well they are boys after all, the boys would watch to see if the other had more food than their selves, then moan and snatch tease, Nana correcting them on their manners, jock always wanting more, Sophie watched in disgust, as the bean and egg juice runs down the boys chins, Patrick finished then Harrison the reason for their speedy eating is to play outside,Nanaacknowledgestheyhavefinished,theystillhadto wait for the others to finish, Patrick burps, him and Harrison laugh then Harrison burps and then phoebe