Chapter 12
The truth about Malcolm
“Well,” said Mr. Keeper, “we gave the tiger something for the pain and made her as comfortable as we could. The next day she gave birth to two cubs of which only one survived. Sadly she passed away after giving birth,” said Mr. Keeper blowing into his handkerchief again.
Tommy sadly asked what had happened to the trainer.
“Ah I was coming to that, Tommy.“ Mr. Keeper answered, as if he was expecting the question.
“The trainer never left here again,” he said to a somewhat amazed Tommy; “you see the trainer… is my most loyal servant… Malcolm, who decided to stay, and has given me excellent service for many years.”
Esmeralda gave a nod of approval with a smile.
“And the tiger cub that survived is the magnificent, Saber, who now lies beside us at the table, having been brought up by my good friend Esmeralda since she was three month old.”
Esmeralda looked very pleased as Mr. Keeper explained what a good job she had done.
He carried on to say that the statue of Saber’s mother, which they saw in the statue room when they first arrived, was to show respect to her for the brave act of saving the lives of the horses on the night of the great fire, whilst putting her own life in mortal danger.
“She now stands with other statues of animals that have done great deeds in their lifetime, and of which you will learn about at another time,” he said.
Esmeralda gave a sigh, thanking Mr. Keeper for all he had done for them today and for the explanation to Tommy regarding Saber’s past. Also, for allowing them to take part in the rescue of the reindeer earlier on in the day, something they will always remember.
“I do hope that it will be alright, Mr. Keeper sir, if I’m allowed the pleasure of visiting you again in the near future, providing it doesn’t interfere with your work schedule?“ Esmeralda asked politely. “And I so enjoyed our conversation and lovely dinner with you as I always have in the past,” she said, bowing her head as she spoke.
“My dear, Esmeralda,” replied Mr. Keeper, “you are always welcome to call on me and don’t make it so long before doing so next time,” he stressed.
“Your friendship over the years has meant so much to me, more than you could know,” he said bowing to her as he continued to shower praise upon her.
Tommy was eager to thank Mr. Keeper as well and waited politely to have his say. When the time came Tommy thanked him for the lovely meal and everything that he had done for them on their visit. He also made a point of asking if Mr. Keeper would be so kind as to thank Malcolm, for all he had done for them as well.
“I liked Malcolm when I first saw him,” explained Tommy. “I like him even more now, from what I have learned from you, Mr. Keeper sir,” Tommy said, remembering what Esmeralda had mentioned about being polite at all times.
“I will most certainly pass on your comments to Malcolm; you can be assured of that.” Mr. Keeper replied, with a huge smile, “and you too, Tommy, will be welcome to visit again with Esmeralda when she so decides,” he continued.
Saber was now pacing up and down again as they were speaking, she was getting restless, as if she knew it was time to leave Mr. Keeper’s home, where she was born long ago. She already knew they would be making their way back out of the time zone and through the forest to Esmeralda’s cottage again. She’d done it many times before.
“Come, let me take you as far as the exit door,” said Mr. Keeper: “It’s the least I can do for good friends.”
Esmeralda picked up her black bag and they all made their way along the beautiful dining room once again, noting the lovely paintings of the four seasons as they walked along. They then came to the door that they had entered through earlier on in the day, and following behind Mr. Keeper they entered the statue room once again.
As they walked through the room admiring the many statues of animals, Tommy couldn’t help but think about what Mr. Keeper had said about ‘Having earned their place in the Statue Room’.
They must have done some wonderful things in the past to be there, he thought to himself. After a short while they came across the statue of Saber’s mother once more. Mr. Keeper paused for a moment and all three gazed up at the magnificent specimen. Saber gave out an enormous roar of acknowledgement as if to say, ‘this was my mother’.
“Come,” said Mr. Keeper, “we shall no doubt be going into more detail regarding the statues on another occasion,” he continued: “and believe me there is quite a lot to be said for the other animals, in fact some remarkable stories.”
Tommy was engrossed with what the Keeper was saying.
They were now at the far end of the statue room, where Mr. Keeper had earlier led them through the big oak door, which they had entered after ringing the bell having first arrived there. They were confronted by the spiraling stair case and oil lamps again which cast shadows and flickered as they passed by.
Tommy glanced back at the door with the sign ‘Ring Once’ on the Bell Pull as he started to climb the steps, recalling their arrival and remembering how he was a little afraid of what to expect on the other side of the door at the time.
Now he was full of confidence as he climbed the stone staircase with Mr. Keeper and Esmeralda taking the lead. Saber as usual well in front as she bounded up the steps with very little effort, keen to reach the outside again.
“Well here we are,” said Mr. Keeper, a little bit out of puff but no more so than Tommy and Esmeralda.
There didn’t appear to be an exit, until Mr. Keeper held his cane high causing the wall to suddenly open to the roar of the waterfall on the other side, and bright sunshine cascaded all around. Esmeralda shook Mr. Keeper’s hand saying again how much they had enjoyed his hospitality. She couldn’t contain a tear in her eyes as she did so, for they were both, truly, good friends.
Tommy was quite sad to be leaving and Mr. Keeper seeing this explained to Tommy that he would be pleased to see him again, and that he will show him many things, some which he would find difficult to understand…….Mr. Keepers conversation was halted by the loud ringing of a bell coming from down below the steps and also from the controller in his gown pocket.
“Must rush off I’m afraid!” Cried Mr. Keeper:
“Sorry about that, but duty calls I’m afraid!” He said in a hurried voice disappearing through the door which quickly closed behind him leaving no trace of where it had been.
“Well…dear me…” Esmeralda said, “you can see that Mr. Keeper can be very busy at times,” she explained to Tommy.
The three of them made their way from behind the waterfall, carefully along the ledge. Saber took the lead followed by Esmeralda who had taken hold of Tommy’s hand.
Making their way out they once again found themselves in ‘The Valley of the Keeper of the Forest’. The Sun shone through the tree tops and the air was filled with a heavy scent of flowers. Wonderful place. Tommy thought.
Saber was now well ahead of them as she bounded between the huge trees, making her way upwards out of the valley, while Esmeralda and Tommy took a bit longer to climb the steep slope resting now and again to get their breath back.
“It’s far easier to get down, Tommy than to go back up,” she laughed as she leaned on Tommy’s shoulder for support.
“Well I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, I have learned so much today,” Tommy replied, “I’m beginning to wonder if my gran will ever believe me, when I tell her of our visit to see ‘The Keeper of the Forest.’
“Oh, she’ll believe you alright,” said Esmeralda, “you can always take her a large strawberry from the forest as proof of our visit,” she explained.
“Wow…oh yea… that’s a great idea, I think I will,” he replied as they pushed on to climb the last few yards out of the valley.
Having left the valley they were now in a clearing again with lots of trees which were laden with fruit, apples, pears, and plums, all of which were massive in size. Saber was now resting stretched out on the lush green grass waiting for them to catch up with her.
“There’s your chance!” Esmeralda said to Tommy, pointing in the direction of a clump of strawberries. “They look nice and ripe for your gran, I’m sure she will enjoy one of them,” she laughed as she spoke.
“Wow! Just look at them.“ Tommy gasped, reaching in his pocket and bringing out a paper bag that had earlier held his sandwiches. Carefully he picked one of the strawberries which filled both his hands putting it into the bag held out by Esmeralda.
“That’s a beauty, I’m sure she’ll be very pleased and surprised when you get back home,” she said.
Tommy agreed and took hold of the bag being careful not to knock it and bruise it as he wanted it to be in good shape when he hands it to his gran.
“I can’t wait to see her reaction,” said Tommy excitedly.
The truth about Malcolm
“Well,” said Mr. Keeper, “we gave the tiger something for the pain and made her as comfortable as we could. The next day she gave birth to two cubs of which only one survived. Sadly she passed away after giving birth,” said Mr. Keeper blowing into his handkerchief again.
Tommy sadly asked what had happened to the trainer.
“Ah I was coming to that, Tommy.“ Mr. Keeper answered, as if he was expecting the question.
“The trainer never left here again,” he said to a somewhat amazed Tommy; “you see the trainer… is my most loyal servant… Malcolm, who decided to stay, and has given me excellent service for many years.”
Esmeralda gave a nod of approval with a smile.
“And the tiger cub that survived is the magnificent, Saber, who now lies beside us at the table, having been brought up by my good friend Esmeralda since she was three month old.”
Esmeralda looked very pleased as Mr. Keeper explained what a good job she had done.
He carried on to say that the statue of Saber’s mother, which they saw in the statue room when they first arrived, was to show respect to her for the brave act of saving the lives of the horses on the night of the great fire, whilst putting her own life in mortal danger.
“She now stands with other statues of animals that have done great deeds in their lifetime, and of which you will learn about at another time,” he said.
Esmeralda gave a sigh, thanking Mr. Keeper for all he had done for them today and for the explanation to Tommy regarding Saber’s past. Also, for allowing them to take part in the rescue of the reindeer earlier on in the day, something they will always remember.
“I do hope that it will be alright, Mr. Keeper sir, if I’m allowed the pleasure of visiting you again in the near future, providing it doesn’t interfere with your work schedule?“ Esmeralda asked politely. “And I so enjoyed our conversation and lovely dinner with you as I always have in the past,” she said, bowing her head as she spoke.
“My dear, Esmeralda,” replied Mr. Keeper, “you are always welcome to call on me and don’t make it so long before doing so next time,” he stressed.
“Your friendship over the years has meant so much to me, more than you could know,” he said bowing to her as he continued to shower praise upon her.
Tommy was eager to thank Mr. Keeper as well and waited politely to have his say. When the time came Tommy thanked him for the lovely meal and everything that he had done for them on their visit. He also made a point of asking if Mr. Keeper would be so kind as to thank Malcolm, for all he had done for them as well.
“I liked Malcolm when I first saw him,” explained Tommy. “I like him even more now, from what I have learned from you, Mr. Keeper sir,” Tommy said, remembering what Esmeralda had mentioned about being polite at all times.
“I will most certainly pass on your comments to Malcolm; you can be assured of that.” Mr. Keeper replied, with a huge smile, “and you too, Tommy, will be welcome to visit again with Esmeralda when she so decides,” he continued.
Saber was now pacing up and down again as they were speaking, she was getting restless, as if she knew it was time to leave Mr. Keeper’s home, where she was born long ago. She already knew they would be making their way back out of the time zone and through the forest to Esmeralda’s cottage again. She’d done it many times before.
“Come, let me take you as far as the exit door,” said Mr. Keeper: “It’s the least I can do for good friends.”
Esmeralda picked up her black bag and they all made their way along the beautiful dining room once again, noting the lovely paintings of the four seasons as they walked along. They then came to the door that they had entered through earlier on in the day, and following behind Mr. Keeper they entered the statue room once again.
As they walked through the room admiring the many statues of animals, Tommy couldn’t help but think about what Mr. Keeper had said about ‘Having earned their place in the Statue Room’.
They must have done some wonderful things in the past to be there, he thought to himself. After a short while they came across the statue of Saber’s mother once more. Mr. Keeper paused for a moment and all three gazed up at the magnificent specimen. Saber gave out an enormous roar of acknowledgement as if to say, ‘this was my mother’.
“Come,” said Mr. Keeper, “we shall no doubt be going into more detail regarding the statues on another occasion,” he continued: “and believe me there is quite a lot to be said for the other animals, in fact some remarkable stories.”
Tommy was engrossed with what the Keeper was saying.
They were now at the far end of the statue room, where Mr. Keeper had earlier led them through the big oak door, which they had entered after ringing the bell having first arrived there. They were confronted by the spiraling stair case and oil lamps again which cast shadows and flickered as they passed by.
Tommy glanced back at the door with the sign ‘Ring Once’ on the Bell Pull as he started to climb the steps, recalling their arrival and remembering how he was a little afraid of what to expect on the other side of the door at the time.
Now he was full of confidence as he climbed the stone staircase with Mr. Keeper and Esmeralda taking the lead. Saber as usual well in front as she bounded up the steps with very little effort, keen to reach the outside again.
“Well here we are,” said Mr. Keeper, a little bit out of puff but no more so than Tommy and Esmeralda.
There didn’t appear to be an exit, until Mr. Keeper held his cane high causing the wall to suddenly open to the roar of the waterfall on the other side, and bright sunshine cascaded all around. Esmeralda shook Mr. Keeper’s hand saying again how much they had enjoyed his hospitality. She couldn’t contain a tear in her eyes as she did so, for they were both, truly, good friends.
Tommy was quite sad to be leaving and Mr. Keeper seeing this explained to Tommy that he would be pleased to see him again, and that he will show him many things, some which he would find difficult to understand…….Mr. Keepers conversation was halted by the loud ringing of a bell coming from down below the steps and also from the controller in his gown pocket.
“Must rush off I’m afraid!” Cried Mr. Keeper:
“Sorry about that, but duty calls I’m afraid!” He said in a hurried voice disappearing through the door which quickly closed behind him leaving no trace of where it had been.
“Well…dear me…” Esmeralda said, “you can see that Mr. Keeper can be very busy at times,” she explained to Tommy.
The three of them made their way from behind the waterfall, carefully along the ledge. Saber took the lead followed by Esmeralda who had taken hold of Tommy’s hand.
Making their way out they once again found themselves in ‘The Valley of the Keeper of the Forest’. The Sun shone through the tree tops and the air was filled with a heavy scent of flowers. Wonderful place. Tommy thought.
Saber was now well ahead of them as she bounded between the huge trees, making her way upwards out of the valley, while Esmeralda and Tommy took a bit longer to climb the steep slope resting now and again to get their breath back.
“It’s far easier to get down, Tommy than to go back up,” she laughed as she leaned on Tommy’s shoulder for support.
“Well I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, I have learned so much today,” Tommy replied, “I’m beginning to wonder if my gran will ever believe me, when I tell her of our visit to see ‘The Keeper of the Forest.’
“Oh, she’ll believe you alright,” said Esmeralda, “you can always take her a large strawberry from the forest as proof of our visit,” she explained.
“Wow…oh yea… that’s a great idea, I think I will,” he replied as they pushed on to climb the last few yards out of the valley.
Having left the valley they were now in a clearing again with lots of trees which were laden with fruit, apples, pears, and plums, all of which were massive in size. Saber was now resting stretched out on the lush green grass waiting for them to catch up with her.
“There’s your chance!” Esmeralda said to Tommy, pointing in the direction of a clump of strawberries. “They look nice and ripe for your gran, I’m sure she will enjoy one of them,” she laughed as she spoke.
“Wow! Just look at them.“ Tommy gasped, reaching in his pocket and bringing out a paper bag that had earlier held his sandwiches. Carefully he picked one of the strawberries which filled both his hands putting it into the bag held out by Esmeralda.
“That’s a beauty, I’m sure she’ll be very pleased and surprised when you get back home,” she said.
Tommy agreed and took hold of the bag being careful not to knock it and bruise it as he wanted it to be in good shape when he hands it to his gran.
“I can’t wait to see her reaction,” said Tommy excitedly.