keeping an eye on the stormy seas One night gazing out across the waves he saw a faint speck on the hori zon Turning his telescope toward it he saw the tiny shape slowly growing bigger and bigger It it can’t be he gasped I never thought I’d see it with my own eyes He watched as a rowing boat drew closer It was pale green its battered wooden boards covered in seaweed and barnacles It moved quickly and silently through the waves heading straight toward land This seemed strange to old Rickets as there was absolutely no-one rowing it Well I’ll be gasped the old lighthouse keeper It it’s his boat I’d know it anywhere They say one day it will come for you and when it does you’re doomed But then to his delight the mysterious boat sailed right past the lighthouse Phew he cried with relief 6
Dancing a jig of de light the keeper slipped and fell down two hun dred stairs But he didn’t mind after all the boat had passed him by It headed around the rocks and sailed off toward a little sandy cove hidden among the cliffs of Piggy Island I feel sorry for whoever’s over there he groaned as he rubbed his bruised backside When the boat comes for you you’re doomed doomed DOOMED
Do you want to see me make the biggest sandcastle in the world asked Chuck It was the next day just before dinner time and he was talking to Stella as the two birds lay on the beach in the evening sun Not much teased Stella who knew Chuck loved a chance to show off It had been a bright summer’s day and after a long shift of guarding the nest they both fancied chilling out by the sea Oh I get it you want to see me dig the biggest hole in the world And then jump in it suggested Stella Chuck frowned He had been trying to impress Stella ever since they got to the beach but nothing 8
seemed to work If only we had a boat here he said Then I could show off my seamanship Captain Chuck my friends call me Well it’s your lucky day said Stella sitting up Ship ahoy Chuck turned Skimming across the waves towards them was a little boat It was pale green old and weathered as if it had seen many storms An abandoned boat said Stella jumping up It must have drifted from somewhere Let’s get on board Ha ha chuckled Chuck loudly Good old Stella always full of jokes I’m not joking said Stella Come on Captain Chuck With a groan Chuck followed her as she went to stop the drifting boat But it might belong to someone Chuck said Then we can take it back to them said Stella Chuck just managed to jump in without tipping it up There was a paddle in the bottom so he picked it up in his beak and began to row Stella lay back and shut her eyes You’re doing a great job Chuck she said Chuck was puzzled He had been trying to paddle the other way He liked to stay near the beach The boat was still heading far out onto the waves Err Stella 9
