Episode Transcript
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(00:01):
The little wooden shed, amagical story at the very bottom
of the back garden all the waydown the winding stone path
there stood a little woodenshed.
It was old and crooked.
It had been there for as long asHarriet James and Hazel could
remember.
(00:22):
The children had only beeninside it a few times before to
play hide and seek on rainydays.
It was quite unremarkable linedwith dusty shelves.
It had cobwebs in the cornersand stacked flower pots leaning
against the walls.
Each time they turned the rustydoorknob to the right and found
(00:45):
just what they expected to seein the old shed.
But one afternoon on a sunnySaturday, things were a little
different.
It was too warm to be inside thehouse, so the children's mom
sent them out to the back gardenuntil lunch.
Harriet, James and Hazel set offinto the sunny garden,
(01:07):
determined to have an adventure.
They were jumping from step tostep on the windy stone path,
seeing how many steps they couldskip if they stretched out their
legs really far.
When a big white butterflyseemed to join in their game, it
fluttered in front of each childthen the butterfly suddenly
(01:29):
stopped playing and headedstraight for the end of the
garden.
Hazel, the littlest of thechildren started running after
the butterfly reaching her armsup as high as she could.
Harriet and James ran with hereager to start any game they
could think of.
They soon reached the end of thegarden and all three siblings
(01:50):
found themselves standing infront of the old crooked shed.
Harriet reached for the doorthinking they might find some
chalk in the shed for drawing onthe paving stones, but just as
her fingers brushed the rustydoorknob, a voice floated out
from behind the door.
Who goes there?
They all stepped back, staringat the door like it might open
(02:12):
all on its own.
Then the voice came againclearer.
Now who goes there?
Then click a small round.
People opened in the middle ofthe wooden door, and then two
twinkling eyes appeared.
They weren't frightening.
They were curious and calm,sparkling like puddles in the
(02:32):
moonlight.
Ah, Harriet, James and Hazel.
The voice murmured thoughtfully.
The children looked shocked.
Stand back, he said, and I'lltell you how to open the portal.
The doorknob now gleaned goldand shiny instead of rusty like
before.
Turn the knob to the left, notright.
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When morning close with goldenlight.
If you believe and step withcare.
There's magic waiting in theair.
The peephole suddenly closedwith a loud click.
The children stood in silence.
James looked at his sisters,well, should we try it?
Hazel gave a tiny nod.
(03:15):
Harriet looked nervous, butreached for the doorknob,
turning it carefully and slowlyto the left.
At first, nothing happened.
Then the door creaked open justa little.
The doorkeeper appeared in theopening he was a badger with his
striped snout and roundspectacles.
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Perched low on his nose.
He was much smaller than thechildren and was wearing a waist
coat that was buttoned neatly ascan be.
Well, now he said in a warmvoice, took you long enough.
I should introduce myself.
My name's Mr.
Cobbled.
I've minded this door since Iwas a cub, same as my grand
(03:57):
badger did before me.
He said proudly.
And I've been expecting youthree.
Then he smiled.
Eyes twinkling, come in if youplease.
The children stepped inside andfound themselves in a small,
cozy living room.
It looked nothing like the dustyshed.
They knew the floor was nowlayered with mismatched rugs and
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a clock ticked gently from awooden mantle.
Two Squashy armchair sat by thefire, which crackled, even
though it was summer, the wallswere covered in more books than
the children had ever seen.
Curious ornaments were scatteredon tables around the little
room.
Welcome to the waiting room, Mr.
Cobble Twig said every portalhas one.
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Can't go charging it to magicwithout a little sit down first.
The little badger handed each ofthem a tiny mug of hot tea.
The world behind the world.
He said, thoughtfully.
I only keep it curtained to keepthe breeze out.
Hazel giggled.
They si their warm tea quietlyfor a moment.
(05:05):
Enjoying the cozy room togetherthen Mr.
Twig stood up and gave a smallsniff.
Well, then he said, your nextstep lies just behind the
curtain.
Is that the portal James asked?
Mr.
Twig nodded.
Very clever, James.
Yes, that's right.
It doesn't open unless you'remeant to see it, and it doesn't
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always lead to the same placeeither.
It takes you where you're mostneeded.
At the back of the room hung abeautiful purple velvet curtain.
Just a quick visit for todayWill do.
I think the badger reached outand gently pulled aside the
velvet curtain.
All four of them walked throughthe opening to find themselves
in a wonderful forest.
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The trees were tall and willowy.
With trunks as smooth aspolished stone.
Their branches swayed gently,letting flickers of light shine
onto the soft mossy ground.
Waiting beneath the largest treewas a kind looking witch,
wearing a blue cloak and a largepointed hat, a floating teapot
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hovered above her broomstick.
Welcome to Tangle Wim Hollow.
She said, I'm Molly Broom.
Well, you must be Harriet Jamesand Little Hazel.
I've been so looking forward tomeeting you.
Hazel stepped forward.
Are we dreaming?
No dear said Molly.
Smiling kindly, just then therewas a sudden whoosh and a flying
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broomstick shot into view fromabove doing a small loop.
The loop before crash landing infront of the children.
The rider came tumbling down ina pile of her own bags, wand and
a little striped kitten.
It was meant to broom well,Molly's younger sister.
Something's gone sideways.
Molly Mindy announcedbreathlessly All the clocks in
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the hollow are tickingbackwards.
It's complete chaos out there.
Molly looked at her fondly, butfirmly.
Did you fiddle with the hollows?
Enchantment again, only a teenytiny spell.
To make the trees and flowersshimmer a bit more for the bees.
You know, I didn't think anyonewould notice.
Said Mindy sheepishly Mollyturned to the children.
(07:18):
Will you help us?
Harriet nodded.
Of course we will.
Molly gave them each a softbrush.
Carefully find the floatingberries please.
They hold little memories likelaughter and kindness.
They must go back on branchesbefore they drift too far and
vanish.
The children worked togetherhappily.
(07:39):
Harry had found a tree whoseberry's shimmered back.
You go on your tree, shewhispered.
Brushing a berry gently onto itsbranch.
James chased a particularlycheeky berry that kept dodging
his hand.
This one's got giggles in it.
Hazel stood still under a silverleaf tree and closed her eyes.
This one smells like raspberriesBit by bit.
(08:02):
The forest calmed.
The berry settled.
They're gentle light twinklingthrough the branches.
You've done beautifully.
He said, Molly, as theyreturned.
Time will keep flowing in theright direction.
Thanks to you, Mr.
Cobble tweaked.
The badger stood waiting besidethe velvet curtain, which hung
from a large branch in theforest.
Time to head back.
(08:23):
I hear your lunch is ready.
They stepped through the curtainand just like that, they were
back in the waiting room.
Mr.
Cobble Twig gave them a littlenod.
Now you know where to find theportal, but remember, magic
waits until it's needed.
The children waved to the badgeras they walked out the door and
back into their own garden.
(08:45):
Quiet and familiar.
James checked his watch.
We've only been gone a fewminutes.
It's like time stood still.
Then they ran up the garden tofind their mom waving and
smiling at them from thekitchen.
The end.