Laughing and singing they walked along, past emerald green fields where the dew sparkled like tinsel. Brightly coloured birds were chirping high above them and little streams were gurgling with joy and even the water seemed alive in some strange way. Corky had never felt so carefree and alive.
'We're just coming to Jack's cottage now' they told him.
'Who is 'e, this Jack?' he asked, remembering he was the other grown-up in THINK LAND.
'Quite a character' said Amy. 'He's retired after spending his life fighting giants and monsters. In fact, he's rid THINK LAND of everything evil. That's why he ' s been given a plot of land forever as a reward '.
An old man was leaning over his gate and his eyes lit up when he saw them approaching. Everyone rushed up to him and hugged him. Amy introduced him to Corky.
'Let's see your garden', everyone cried, 'and show Corky your bean stalk'.
'I specialise in beans, among other things I grow' he explained, as he led them round the back.
'I like beans too; baked beans is my favourite tea' said Corky.
'This is my prize specimen' Jack said proudly.
'COR! Look at that!!' Corky cried, for towering above the roof of the cottage was an enormous bean stalk.
GIGANTIC!' giggled Geraldine.
Jack smiled. 'Yes, that's a good word for it. You see. Corky, that's the one I climbed on my last adventure when I killed the Giant Grim!'
'WOT! ' Corky exploded.
The expression of wonder on the boy's face amused the old man. 'Well, I admit it took some doing, especially carrying a sword. Somehow I managed to climb to the top which came level with the rascal's heart. So I took a deep breath and plunged the blade straight in!'
'COR! The wot?'
'I scrambled down the stalk like a flash of lightning, I tell you'.
'He was a SCARLET RUNNER! That's a bean, in case you didn't know' said Geraldine interrupting, amidst laughter.
For once Corky was not amused at her little joke. He was far too absorbed in Jack's exciting story.
'Go on, go on' he cried eagerly.
'Well, there was the mightiest crash ever heard in THINK LAND when he fell to the ground and the earth swallowed him up. But all that happened long, long ago and I'm only interested in the present as we all are here'. And with that, Jack dismissed the story, much to Corky's disappointment.
The old man pointed out his various herbs. 'I've always plenty of THYME' he said. It's strange but it seems to grow faster as I grow older!'
He walked on. 'See that over there? That's Rosemary for remembrance. Very important herb that'.
There were roses everywhere and their scent filled the air like those round Corky's cottage. 'She's PEACE', he went on, 'she's a beauty; best of the bunch!
'Wot's them silvery leaves there?' Corky asked.
'HONESTY, son. It grows very well here like everything does. Seems to like this friendly soil'.
After he had showed them all round, he thanked them for calling and they all said goodbye. He stood waving to them till they were out of sight.
Corky thought about Jack. 'Old people aren't 'arf interesting' he thought. 'Who would 'ave thought 'e'd killed a giant!'
