Feather Fred

By Alastair Simpson

Fred is a small boy who lives with his mum and dad and big brother, Jim. After a farm visit with his school, Fred develops an itch. To his horror, peculiar and dramatic changes then begin to occur to his body and the dreadful thought that he may be turning into a chicken starts to become real. 

When Jim starts teasing him and convincing him that he really is turning into a chicken, Fred becomes even more troubled. These troubles are greatly increased when his mother summons the doctor to examine him. Fred, however, is a determined and resourceful little boy who endeavours to stay one step ahead. 

But will his problems disappear, or will his worst fears be realised?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Sep 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398499010

Alastair Simpson

Alastair Simpson was brought up in a mining community in County Durham in the 1950s before going on to train as a teacher specialising in French and History. He was a primary school teacher for over 37 years and started writing after retirement. A lover of outdoor activities, he lives with his wife of over 45 years and has one son.

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Feather Fred

Alastair Simpson

Austin Macauley Publishers

Feather Fred

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Acknowledgement

About the Author

Alastair Simpson was brought up in a mining community in County Durham in the 1950s before going on to train as a teacher specialising in French and History. He was a primary school teacher for over 37 years and started writing after retirement.

A lover of outdoor activities, he lives with his wife of over 45 years and has one son.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all my family, past and present, in particular to my son, Jonathan, of whom my wife, Elaine, and I are so very, very proud.

Copyright Information ©

Alastair Simpson 2023

The right of Alastair Simpson to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398498983 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398498990 (Hardback)

ISBN 9781398499010 (ePub e-book)

ISBN 9781398499003 (Audiobook)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

To my wife who has supported me throughout and to my son, Jonathan, who, as the first proof reader, made intelligent and constructive suggestions. He also kept me right with the technical requirements of my laptop. I am so proud of them both.

Thank you also to Tom’s nieces who were my first young audience and accomplished proof readers.

Finally, thank you to Austin Macauley for having put their faith in me.

‘Fred. Time to get up, pet. School morning,’ called his mum from the bottom of the stairs.

‘Coming, Mum,’ Fred answered.

Fred appeared at the top of the stairs, hair tousled, stifling a yawn.

‘Cornflakes as usual, pet?’

‘Please, Mum,’ Fred replied.

Fred sat at the kitchen table, wearing his school uniform, waiting for his breakfast. His mum duly arrived, carrying his bowl of cornflakes.

‘Thanks, Mum.’

Fred started to scratch. He had been scratching from the moment he woke up.

‘Are you all right, Fred? What’s the matter?’

‘I feel a bit itchy.’

‘Where? Where do you feel itchy?’

‘On my neck and my arms. Oh, and my tummy.’

‘Let me have a look.’

Fred rolled up his shirt and his shirt sleeves.

‘You’ve got spots, Fred. I think you’ve got chicken pox.’

‘Chicken fox?’

‘Pox. Chicken pox.’

Fred’s older brother entered the kitchen at that point and immediately took in the scene. ‘He’s turning into a chicken,’ said Jim, and he began clucking like a chicken and strutting about like one. ‘I told you, didn’t I? If you hang around at farms and with chickens, you eventually turn into one. Now it’s happening. Cluck, cluck, cluck.’

‘That’ll do, Jim. Now get on with your breakfast or you’ll be late for school.’

Jim sat down and began eating his breakfast, but he had succeeded in introducing an idea that began to make Fred feel uncomfortable.

Fred had been on a school visit to a farm the Friday before. Fred had seen sheep, goats, pigs and chickens. Fred had even held a chicken and felt its warmth against his skin. Now his brother said he was turning into one.

‘What’s happening, Mum? I’m not turning into a chicken, am I?’

‘’Course not. It’s just a few spots, that’s all. But it could be chicken pox as I said.’

‘What is chicken fox, Mum? I don’t want to turn into a chicken or a fox.’

‘Don’t worry, Fred. It’ll be all right. I’ll call the doctor. If it is chicken pox, you’ll have to stay off school.’

‘Cluck, cluck, cluck,’ began Jim again, getting up from the table and pushing his chair back. ‘Chick, chicken.’ Again, he began strutting like a chicken, scratching the floor with his feet, the way chickens do, and making jerky head movements.

‘Stop that nonsense, Jim.’ To Fred, she said, ‘Take no notice of your big brother. He’s just playing the mean teen.’

Jim began again, ‘Cluck, cluck. Fred’s turning into a chicken. I wouldn’t be surprised if he started laying eggs. In fact, I’m going to