Priscilla continued to purr rhythmically, and the only other sounds were the tinkling ripples of the water in the gentle breeze. It was all so calm and peaceful. Corky looked at Geraldine as she sat there, one hoof tucked through Leo's paw and that soppy grin on her face. He didn't feel relaxed like that. His mind was in a whirl. So many extraordinary things had happened and so many questions unanswered. He'd certainly made some interesting animal friends, but what about people? he wondered.
Leo startled him by saying 'They're animals too. The only difference between us is that you're a human animal with two legs and I'm a beastly one with four'
'But you're not beastly' said Corky. ' Beastly's wot we don't like, like school dinners and rain and feeling cold and getting up in the morning and . . . '.He didn't go on because it was obvious that Leo wouldn't understand what he was talking about. 'Anyway' he said after a pause, 'wot I want to know is - are there any other kids 'ere?'
Oh certainly' said Geraldine, 'we've lots of them but they're not a bit like you. They've got beards and horns'
'Them's goats' (and he nearly added 'stupid') I mean children.
'Of course and they come in different shapes and colours - brown, black, yellow and pink like you'
'Sounds like a packet of liquorice allsorts' he thought. 'And wot about grown-ups?'
'There are four grown-ups whom all children adore. There's Tumble, the clown, and big friendly Amy, everyone's favourite aunt who looks after their needs most AMY-ably! There's Jack, the giant-killer, and Miss Wise, the teacher - such a suitable name.
'Oh dear!' he thought. "That means there's a school here'. He thought of his own school -which he hated, except for Art and History lessons where he could imagine things.
'Now stop being miserable' said Geraldine. 'You'll adore school. Everyone does. I thought you'd like to meet some of the kids as you call them and they're on their way now with Miss Wise. She'll answer your 'why's' and 'how's' and 'when's' and if you're wise, you'll listen. They're coming now, I can see them waving something in their hands. Look! Running across that field'
The quiet was broken by distant shouts of laughter as a small group of children approached led by the teacher - an attractive woman with a lovely smile and sparkling green eyes. 'So you're Corky, the new boy' she said holding out her hand. 'Welcome to THINK LAND. This is Ming, introducing a little girl with a dark shiny fringe, who shyly gave him a bunch of beautiful flowers. 'These are for you. Corky' she said, 'and they'll never fade not unless you want them to'
Before Corky could reply, a black boy with teeth so white and gleaming they reminded him of an advert for toothpaste on the telly, said in a friendly voice 'I'm Bazu and I thought you'd like these.' He opened a carved box and inside were seven pencils. 'These are rainbow colours and they'll never fade either and you can use them for ever and ever! Tiny, a tall thoughtful-looking boy, gave him a map of THINK LAND.
Corky was so overcome, he was speechless. Never before had he ever been given a present from another child. The nearest thing had been a swop - a catapult for a penknife, for example. But now - to be given something for nothing, was an entirely new experience and all he could mutter was 'for ME?'
'Of course, for YOU' said Bazu.
The rest of the children brought their gifts. There was a tortoise-shell comb from Susan, a pretty girl with pigtails tied in ribbons and dimples on her rosy cheeks. 'My Mum wouldn't 'arf be pleased for me to 'ave this'. Corky said. 'She's always on to me about my 'air!' Then there was a pebble from Chubby, a plump little boy who reminded him of his younger brother. He threw his arms round him and hugged him and Corky felt all warm and happy inside. 'This is a special pebble' Chubby said, 'And it helps you to THINK when you hold it in your hands. Here try if. It was smooth and transparent and inside were hundreds and thousands of brightly-coloured tiny balls, like his Mum put on top of the Christmas cake. Gran had a paperweight like that but hers was heavy. When we stared at it he could imagine all sorts of things. 'I'll keep it for ever' he promised.
'Thank you orl ever so much'. Corky managed to blurt out. Leo clapped his paws. 'Well done, old chap' he bellowed.
Miss Wise smiled at Corky. 'Now they've all met you. I'm sure they'd like to show you what they've just done at school. We've been having an Art lesson.'
