Chapter One

Dan and Daisy get a parcel

Daisy ducktail had spent a lovely day on the duck pond collecting soft feathers and strong twigs for the new nest that she and Dan were building, and catching up on all the gossip with all her other friends, but now it was time to get supper ready, she made her way back across the pond to her nest in the reeds.

Supper was ready just in time as husband Dan arrived home after a day's work building the foundations of the new nest in the reed bed,  Quack Quack said Dan as he told her of all his plans, and the two of them Quacked with excitement as they talked about the new nest, Quack Quack Quack.

The next day the sun was shining and as Daisy and Dan ate their breakfast suddenly the sound of a loud Knock on the door huh! must be the post-duck said Daisy, she was right, there at the door stood Postie, with a huge parcel, you will have to sign for this one Daisy said the post-duck.

Daisy shouted to Dan to help her to bring the parcel into the lounge, and the two of them looked at it in amazement, who on earth has sent us this, Quacked Dan? The parcel was wrapped in shiny brown paper and tied up with a pink string topped with a beautiful bow.

The two of them began to unpack the parcel “it's full of soft down feather quacked Dan and as he slowly took out the feather there nestling in the middle was a beautiful egg Quack Quack Quack said Dan its an egg Daisy it’s a beautiful egg. Quack Quack Quack

Daisy clasped her wings together oh Dan we are going to have a baby… Dan took the egg out carefully and placed it on the soft down which Daisy had made into a bed, they both stood side by side and looked at their egg and smiled, I will sit on it all day said Daisy and then when you come home each  day you can take over from me

And so was to be, day after day Daisy and Dan would take it in turns to sit on the egg to keep it warm and wait for it to hatch

Then one bright sunny day Daisy felt something move beneath her, she stood off the egg and to her delight she could see a tiny yellow beak poking its way out of the egg bit by bit it poked and soon daisy could see a little pair of eyes peering out through the hole, just then Dan arrived home and as he walked into the lounge daisy shouted come quickly Dan quick  Quack Quack

Dan entered the room just in time to see the egg crack open and there sitting in the middle of all the broken pieces of egg sat the prettiest, and the yellowest little baby duckling they had ever seen.
Oh said Daisy with have a baby daughter Dan, and Dan stood up as tall as he could and proudly said, yes and the prettiest one on the duck pond, we shall call her Dolly

The next day Dan took the day so he could be with Daisy and their new baby daughter Dolly, they waddled down to the waters edge and the three of them proudly swam around and around the duck pond to show off their new daughter.

Chapter Two

Dolly takes a dive

One day Dolly Ducktail and her friends were splashing and playing in the duck pond and making all sorts of waves in the water “Quack Quack Quack” they all said as they had a lovely time in the warm water, splashing and chasing each other.

Dolly had learned how to dive under the water to feed on the succulent weeds and plant’s found in the ponds bed, she was showing her new friend David how to do it, “ Quack Quack this is the way David, look at me look at me” as she dived deep down only to pop up again with a beak full of delicious weeds.

David watched in wonder at how clever Dolly was, he just wished he could do the same but each time he tried to dive he bounced back up to the surface without having reached the bottom, “Oh dolly how do you manage to go so deep” he quaked

“It’s easy” said Dolly “you just need to raise up high just before you dive look like this”,  she took a great big dive and disappeared under the water again, this time it seemed ages before she popped up again “here I am” quacked Dolly to David
“ Quack Quack,” said David, “I thought you were never going to come up” he laughed and the two of them swam around and around each other laughing and quacking, till they were quite dizzy.

The next day dolly asked her mother if she might go and play on the pond again with her friends, “of course you” can said Mummy “but make sure you are home in time to wash and get ready for your supper or else your father will be angry, and you know how he likes us all to be together at supper time”
“I promise,” said Dolly

“Off you go then dear, and remember what I said,” said Daisy
Dolly made her way to the pond and there were all her friends having a lovely time, she splashed into the water and joined them “Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack” said Dolly and smiled, oh how she loved to play with her friends.

Just then David joined the group “hi Dolly” said David; “guess what I have been practising? Watch me”. he took an almighty leap into the air and then dived deep into the water, dolly looked on and waited for him to pop up she waited and waited but no David she looked all around her, he was nowhere to be seen, “Oh” cried Dolly “I wonder if there is anything wrong”?

And she dived down to see if she could see him there on the bottom was David he had caught his leg in the weeds and couldn't break free, Dolly pecked and pecked at the weeds until at last he was free, up to the surface they both went, “Oh dolly thank you thank you so much you saved my life”

“You had better come home with me” Dolly said, at dolly’s house they told her mother all what had happened, “you must be careful” Mummy said, “and make sure you never dive on your own, promise and I won't tell your father”,
“I promise,” said David

Dolly asked if David could stay for tea and the two of them washed and got ready for supper, as they all sat down to eat Dan looked at David and Dolly and said, “Did you two have a nice day today”? Dolly smiled and quacked
“Oh yes daddy” and smiled at her mother.
And that’s why whenever you see little ducks diving they are always with their friends, never alone.

Chapter Three

Dolly bakes a cake

Today is Dan Ducktails birthday and Daisy had decided to bake Dan a birthday cake, “would you like to help me Dolly?”

“Oh yes please mummy,” said Dolly and she jumped up and down in excitement, “quake quake quake quake quack”

She had never baked a cake before; “well first we have to get all the ingredients ready”, said Mummy “now then we will need some margarine and sugar, and flour oh and some mixed fruit, two eggs and a little salt”

“Gosh mummy,” said dolly “so much”,

“Well if we want it to be a nice tasty cake dolly, we will need all those things”.

Dolly scupper around the kitchen fetching all the things Mummy had asked her for,

“I can’t find any flour Mummy” quacked Dolly

“Oh dear,” said Daisy “yes I remember I meant to buy some today and I forgot”,

“I will go and buy some”, quacked Dolly,

“Ok but remember I want flour dolly that’s the white powder”,

“I won’t forget mummy,” she said and off she waddled to the shops.

On the way she met her friend David and she told him all about her, helping make a cake for her daddy, David said that he had some cake in his bag and if she liked she could share it with him, so the two of them sat on the grass munching away

 “Mmm this is lovely cake” quacked Dolly “I hope ours is as nice”, they spent so much time talking and eating cake that Dolly forgot all about the time, when all of a sudden she remembered “Oh David I had better hurry to the shop and get some flour for our cake”

They both raced to the shop, but it was too late it had closed, “oh my goodness me what shall I do”? cried dolly “Mummy will be so angry as she wanted to make the cake for daddy’s tea tonight”.

“I will come home with you Dolly and tell your Mummy it was all my fault”, the two of them started their homeward journey “what is flour anyway,” asked David

“I am not sure” said dolly “but I do know it’s a sort of white powder”, as they continued they passed a builders yard and there in the yard was a bucket which the builder and put some cement in ready to mix up, “look” said David “that looks like flour, and there is so much of it I am sure the man won’t miss a little”, they put some of the cement in a bag and ran off home, “now I have no need to say anything to your mummy” said David “ quake quack” they both laughed.

That evening dolly washed early ready for her Daddy’s birthday tea, the door opened and there stood Dan. “HAPPY Birthday” cried Dolly “quake quack Mummy and I have made a lovely cake for you”

“Have you darling” said Daddy “I will look forward to having a slice of that”, he opened his presents and after tea the cake come out, mummy had decorated it with icing sugar and lots of candles, dolly told him of her trip to the shop and what had happened, Dan looked at Daisy and smiled, “you cut it Daddy” cried Dolly she was so excited as Dan put the knife to the cake 

Suddenly a loud CRACK and the knife broke in two, wow “this is a hard cake” said Daddy, And the three of them quacked and laughed out loud “ quake quack this is the best birthday present I have ever had” said daddy, and laughed some more.

Chapter four

A day at the seaside

It was the first day of the month of July, the middle of summer,  so Dan and Daisy had decided to go for a trip to the seaside, it was a lovely sunny day and Dolly Ducktail  was so excited, she was awake and up before anyone else, she had got together her bucket and spade and just couldn't wait to play on the sand and start making sandcastles, her friend David was coming too, and he was soon knocking on the door, his Mummy had packed some sandwiches and ginger cake for him.

Soon all four of them were in the car and ready to go, Dolly and David sat in the back with a very large picnic hamper between them, and off they went, it was so exciting they just couldn't sit still or stop quacking,  quack quack Daisy turned around from the front seat and said “will you two sit still please you are giving Mummy a headache” but we are So excited Mummy said Dolly OK quacked Mummy well just be excited a little quieter please, the two of them looked at each other and giggled.

Soon they arrived at the seaside, Dolly and David rushed down to the water's edge and started to put all the buckets and spades and all the other things they had brought along with them, on the sand, Mummy spread out a very large blanket for them all to sit on, and so the day began.
.
Can we go and paddle please Mummy quacked Dolly? of course you can darling and I think Daddy would like a paddle too that will give me time to get our picnic ready, so the three of them made their way to the water

Dolly was the first to go in and soon all three of them were splashing around and having a lovely time all of a sudden Dan jumped up and down quacking out loud QUACK QUACK cried Dan, what is it? Daddy shouted Dolly

 I don’t know said Daddy I have just got this pain on my big toe, lets get out of the water, they jumped out of the water and sat on the sand Daddy held his foot up, and there on his toe was the biggest crab you have ever seen, hahaha laughed David and Dolly quack quack quack quack Dan shook off the crab and then saw the funny side of it.

Well now I know why they say Pinch punch first of the month said Dolly and she and David ran back to tell Mummy what had happened to Daddy, Daisy laughed, and when Daddy hobbled back to them Daisy said are you OK Dan with a giggle in her voice, huh its not funny he said and smiled, you wouldn't laugh if it had happened to you, and they all quacked and laughed and sat down to began their picnic.

At the end of the day they all packed their things back into the car and drove home, dropping David off on the way,” thank you very much for a lovely day Mr and Mrs Ducktail” said David, and I’ll see you tomorrow Dolly, OK said Dolly.

That evening Dolly turned to her Daddy and said “I didn't mean to laugh when you had your toe pinched Daddy, but it was so funny seeing you jump up and down, and I had such a lovely day, that’s alright Darling said Daddy now you go and get yourself ready for bed.

Chapter five

The Bar-B-Q

Dolly was so excited as today Daddy had told her they were going to have a Bar-B-Q and she wasn’t sure just what it was, but it sounded so very nice, after breakfast Daddy sat Dolly on his knee and explained all about Bar-B-Q’s she loved to be with her Daddy as he would often read her stories and it was always so cuddly with him.

Mummy had promised Dolly that she could help her get it all ready so as soon as all the morning things had been done and dusted Daisy went to the kitchen to make a start to getting the food ready for the afternoons Bar-B-Q and there sitting on the breakfast stool was Dolly she clapped her hands together in excitement when she saw Mummy  quack quack she went as she just loved helping her Mummy make things in the kitchen, what do we do first Mummy what do we do first squawked Dolly?

Well we can start be making some rub for the meat Daddy will cook later Dolly, so out came all the spices and Dolly helped Mummy to mix it all together, when they had finished Mummy showed Dolly how to rub it all over the meat and then to put it away so Daddy could use it later, are we going to have sausages Mummy?

I love sausages, yes we can have some sausages and we will also get some fish ready as well, Ohh this is going to be so yummy mummy and then dolly laughed  quack quack as she realized what she had just said yummy mummy yummy mummy yummy mummy quack she said.

Soon it was time for the Bar-B-Q Daddy called Dolly come out into the garden to show her how he would light the coals, now then Dolly Said Daddy first of all you must NEVER play with matches do you understand? Dolly nodded, OK  said Daddy here we go, he lit the BAR-B-Q, and now we have to wait until the flames go down Dolly so you can help me to bring out all the food and put it all on the table.


Dolly helped fetch all the food that she and Mummy had prepared earlier Dolly laid it all out on the table all nice and neat, do the sausages first Daddy please begged Dolly, No darling It takes the meat longer so I will do the meat and fish first and then lastly the sausages, I understand said Dolly with a little sad look on her face, so onto the fire went the fish and the meat.

After a little while Daddy turned to Dolly and said ok I think we can put the sausages on now Dolly quack quack quack quack quack said Dolly with excitement she went to the table and put all the sausages on a tray to give to Daddy

But then BANG and the sky opened up with the biggest rainstorm she had ever seen, Dolly ran into the house along with the sausages Daddy and Mummy followed , wow said Daddy  that was quite a thunderstorm and to make matters worse we lost all the food

Oh no we haven’t Daddy quack Dolly we still have all the sausages, Dan and Dolly laughed and so Mummy cooked the sausages and they all sat at the table with a delicious plate of Dolly’s sausages.
I like Bar-B-Qs Daddy said Dolly, can we have another soon?  They all laughed quack quack quack quack quack.    

Chapter Six

Bluebells and steam trains

Dolly ducktail and David had decided to collect some bluebells, they knew of a place by the side of the Bluebell line, this was an old steam train railway line and although steam trains had long since gone, this line had been kept open by a crowd of people who loved Steam trains, and Dolly and David loved them too.
They would often sit along the line and watch all the old trains chuff by.

Today David’s grandmother was coming to visit him and he wanted to give to her with a great big bunch of bluebells so the two of them made their way to the line.
Soon they were picking all the lovely bluebells and before long the two of them had a great big armful, Oh Dolly said David, I think Granma will love these.

All of a sudden they heard the Whooo of an approaching train, there’s a train coming ,there’s a train coming quacked David, Quack Quack Quack lets go up onto the bridge and watch it go under he said.

The two of them ran as fast as they could to get to the bridge before the train arrived.
Whooo Whooo went Dolly copying the sound of the train, the train approached the bridge with steam billowing from it chimney, then under the bridge it went the whole bridge was covered in steam hahaha   Quack Quack the two of them went, and as the steam slowly cleared Dolly roared with laughter Oh David you have gone all black hahaha he said so have you.

The steam of the puffing Billy had blackened them, we had better get home and wash said Dolly, so both of them made their way to David’s home and washed all the soot off and made themselves look smart before they met Grandma

Let's give Grandma her bluebells now David quacked, there was granny sitting in her rocking chair, we have a present Grandma said the two of them and gave her the big bunch of Bluebells, Oh said Granma thank you so very much, how lovely, and how unusual,  wherever did you managed to get Black Bluebells? I have never seen anything like it before.

David grinned to Dolly  Quack Quack I think next time we had better watch the trains go by, from the side of the bank ha ha hahaha Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack.

Chapter Seven

The skateboard

Dolly Ducktail and David were having a great time playing on David’s skateboard, he was showing Dolly all sorts of different tricks he could do, watch this Dolly he squawked,  as he balanced on just two wheels

 Quack Quack shouted Dolly with glee do some more David do some more, so David skated up and down showing off to Dolly, they had a lovely time, let me try David said Dolly, OK he said but be careful you don’t fall off

Dolly started off slowly one foot on the board and one skating on the ground David clapped his hands “Well done Dolly, well done. at the end of the day Dolly rushed home to tell Mummy and Daddy all about her skateboarding, well you know Dolly Daddy was very good on the skateboard  when he was younger he will love to hear all about your skateboarding, so you can tell him all about it when he gets home.

That evening during tea Dolly told Daddy all about her adventure on David’s skateboard; well he said you must be careful as you can hurt yourself.

The next day, as it was a Saturday, Daddy told Dolly he would go with her to watch her on the board and maybe give her some of his advice, they got to the park just in time to see David skating along.

 Dolly waved as he stood on one leg and waved back, watch this Dolly said David as he spun his board around and around, then he headed towards an iron bar at the side of the road, right at the last moment he jumped off the board, as it went under the bar then he landed the other side

Oh, Daddy isn't he clever? Yes, he is very good Dolly but that’s nothing Dolly you watch me said Daddy.

He went to David and asked if he could borrow his board, watch this Dolly this is called a Boardslide he skated along the path then he and his board jumped up on to a railing running along side of the path balancing on the board he slid all along the railing, his two arms outstretched to balance himself

But just as he was about to jump off the board he slipped and went Splat! Onto the path, I am sure he must have seen stars as he lay there on his back with David’s skateboard on top of him

Oh I see said Dolly, that’s what you meant by being careful I could get hurt, OK Daddy I promise not to do that one. Quack Quack Quack and Dolly and David rolled about laughing.

Chapter eight

Going potty

“Mummy,” said Dolly please may I join the pottery class please please, “and where did all this come from”? Enquired Mummy, “well” said Dolly, David showed me a pot he made at school yesterday and it looked so nice I thought I would like to try, and Mummy I could make something for Daddy as a surprise, don’t you think that would be so nice?.

“Well I don’t see why not” said Mummy, “you can tell your teacher that I give my permission”, “Oh goodie” squawked Dolly “quack quack quack" she said as she jumped up and down clapping her hands, it was the first thing she told David as they met on the way to school the next morning, “well”, said David, “we will have to wait until the next class and that’s not until Wednesday”.

That afternoon after school, Dolly called into the library to see if she could find a book on making pots, she picked one and ran home all excited, “look Mummy” she cried “quack quack  I have found this lovely book from the library”, “oh” said Mummy “there are lots and lots of nice things to make here Dolly”, and Dolly sat on the floor looking through all the pictures of things to make, all of a sudden she turned a page and there was a teacup, “look at this lovely cup Mummy” she said “I could make Daddy a teacup, do you think he would like that”? “Yes,” she said I think he would love a new teacup Darling.

Dolly could hardly wait for Wednesday, and eventually the day arrived, the teacher sat them all by their wheels and showed them how to throw clay onto the wheel, after about six times, Dolly managed to get her clay onto the wheel, the other times her clay had flown off  and covered half the schoolroom in clay, all the other children were laughing and dodging all the bits of  flying  clay from  Dolly’s wheel, “quack quack quack quack quack” they cried as they dodged the flying clay.

But after quite a lot of practise at last Dolly had made her cup, “OK” said the teacher to the class, I will now put all your pottery into the kilns to bake, and remember class, no one uses the kilns only me, as it gets very hot.
“I will watch the pots, and when they are ready I will take them out and put them all on this table to cool down so you can see them in the morning”.

That evening Dolly told her Daddy she had made him a cup and she would bring it home after school tomorrow, “oh what a lovely surprise thank you darling” he said, the next day at school Dolly picked up her cup, the teacher showed her how to paint a little pattern around it, it looked lovely after it had dried, she wrapped it in some soft tissue to take home, and that evening Dolly put the cup on the table ready for Daddy to have his tea, Daddy finished his food and Mummy asked if he would like a cup of tea? “Yes, please,” he said and I will use Dolly’s cup to drink it.

Mummy poured the tea, it really did look lovely, “Dolly I think you have done very well” Daddy said, and he lifted the cup to his lips to drink, as he did the tea started to leak through lots and lots of little holes all over his trousers, “Oh Daddy I’m sorry, it leaks a bit”. “No problem,” said Daddy, this is still the best cup of tea I have ever had, and he kissed her on the forehead, thank you, Dolly for my lovely cup.

Chapter Nine

A day in bed

I won't tell you again shouted Daisy to Dolly get up now or you will be late for school, but not a word came from Dolly, Daisy walked up the stairs to Dolly’s bedroom, what is it Dolly are you not well? Poor Dolly sniffed no Mummy I don’t feel very well at all, well we had better get the doctor to you, she tucked Dolly in and plumped up her pillows, he will make you better darling.

Later that afternoon the doctors arrived, he had a good look at Dolly and felt her pulse Mmm he said now then Dolly I am going to take your temperature, will it hurt asked Dolly? No of course not Dolly the doctor said, all you need to do is to put this little tube under your tongue, the doctor looked at the thermometer, as I thought you are running a temperature you will have to stay in bed until it goes down.

The doctor explained to Daisy what he had told Dolly and that she should take her temperature each day until it goes down, give her lots to drink and keep her warm. The next morning Mummy took Dolly her breakfast up to her, how are you this morning Darling? I feel so much better Mummy said Dolly.

Well I have made your favourite breakfast lovely hot buttered crumpets and warm tea, now you eat this all up Dolly and I will be up a little to take your temperature, thank you Mummy said Dolly and as I am feeling better can David come and visit me please? Well, we will see if your temperature goes down if it does then David can come and visit quack quack quack said Dolly.

Dolly finished her crumpets and popped a couple of sugar lumps into her tea; soon Daisy was back, how was your breakfast Dolly? Lovely thank you mummy, Mummy sat on the corner of the bed and said open wide Dolly I need to take your temperature, oh dear she said it is still very high no visit from David today you had better have another day in bed darling.

The next day was the same Mummy brought Dolly’s breakfast and a little later came up to measure her temperature, its still very  high Dolly, another day in bed for you and sorry but I don’t think it’s a very good idea if David comes to see you until your temperature comes down

On the fourth day Mummy came up before Dolly had finished in fact she was just stirring her tea, Dolly what are you using to stir your tea with? Oh this little glass tube Mummy it's just right, oh Dolly you have been using my thermometer to stir your hot tea with, quack quack

No wonder your temperature is always high, she laughed so much she had to hold her tummy, and dolly was stuffing the corner of the pillow into her mouth to stop her from laughing so much, I will take it again after it cools down, she came back in an hour and this time Dolly’s temperature was normal, well I think its safe for David to come now darling, Dolly smiled to herself and thought “I can't wait to tell David how silly I have been.

Chapter Ten

Robin Duck and her Merry man

One day at school Dolly Ducktail and her friend David were reading from a book all about a man called Robin Hood and his band of merry men who lived in the forest, a picture from the book showed he had a bow and arrow and was dressed all in green

Dolly came up with the idea that the two of them should form their own band of merry ducks, your Mummy, David said could make us some green uniform’s as she did dressmaking and I will ask Daddy to make some bows and arrows for us

They were both so excited Dolly showed David some lovely pictures from the book as they planned the adventures and all the exciting things that they would do.

Soon all was ready Dolly’s Mummy had made two lovely uniforms for them both in Sherwood green, and David had some beautiful bows made by his Daddy from the Yew trees that overlooked the pond.

The next day off they went to the woods all dressed in their new green Robin Hood outfit’s, David’s Daddy had made a sleeve to hold the arrows in and a lovely big painted target made of straw to practice on.

I bet I get a bull’s-eye Dolly said David quack quack quack they reached the wood not quite a forest but a nice little wood on the edge of farmer brown’s farm, David and Dolly laid out a blanket on the ground that David’s Mummy had given them and started to put out some picnic food her Dolly’s Daddy had made for them both, gosh said David looked at all that lovely food quack quack quack I will go and get some logs for us to sit on said Dolly, and I will set up the target said David.

Yummy said David licking his lips and taken another bite of sausage, it's good being one of Robin Hoods gang after they had finished eating David said I think it time for some target practice Dolly.
David stood in front of the target and with one arm picked out an arrow, watch this Dolly as he let fly his first arrow Thud it hit the target right on the edge

My turn my turn said Dolly as she loaded her bow, drawing back her bow she let loose an arrow twang went her bow, they both watch as Dolly’s arrow rose high up into the sky  hahaha haha quack quack quack quack well you missed the target altogether Dolly laughed David .

All of a sudden they heard a loud Moo looking through the trees was farmer brown’s prize bull and there stuck on his head was Dolly’s arrow Oh no, they both shouted we had better run  quack quack quack quack they collected all their things and got out of the wood as fast as they could.

Well said David at least you can say you got a bulls-eye dolly, and they both laughed as they made their way home.

Chapter Eleven

The magic lamp

“I won’t tell you again Dolly ducktail,” said Mummy “if you don’t clean up those old toys of yours I will throw them all out,” so Dolly began to sort out her toys, she got a great big cardboard box and began to put them in one by one

There was pogo her doggie on a string and jumping jack a clown that popped up on the spring whenever you opened his box, and of course Teddy Bear “this one is broken Mummy” she said as she held up Suzy, a doll Daddy had bought her last Christmas, poor Suzy had one eye missing and had lost an ear, “well put it in this other box darling and I will leave it out for the bin man in the morning.”

One by one the toys went into what Dolly wanted to keep and those that had had their day, near to the bottom of the pile of toys Dolly came across an old fashion lamp, “what’s this Mummy?”

“That’s part of a game you had Dolly” she said “it was called Aladdin and his magic lamp I think all that other parts of the game are lost, you had better put it in the box of toys to be left out.”

“Magic”! Said Dolly “wow no Mummy I want to keep this one,”

“Well it's no good without the other pieces of the game Dolly,” Mummy said 

“But I want to keep it” sobbed Dolly

“OK Dolly you can keep that one,”

Oh goodie goodie” Dolly clapped her hands together “ quack quack quack” she put the lamp on the table beside her bed and finished sorting out the rest of her toys.

She couldn't wait to show David her magic lamp so after breakfast Dolly grabbed the lamp and made her way to David’s house, “look David look,” she said as she jumped up and down “I have a magic lamp”

“Oh,” said David “how does it work Dolly?”

“Well you have to rub the side and make a wish and then a genie will appear so you can make a wish”

“Gosh!” said   David let’s take it to our camp and try it out, so off they went to their secret camp they had made in some bushes near the pond.

Dolly and David sat in the camp and got the lamp out of Dolly’s bag “now then” said David “what shall we wish for? I know let's wish for a big chocolate cake,”

So Dolly rubbed the side of the lamp and closed her eyes and wished for a chocolate cake, but nothing happened “that’s not worked” said David “shall we try something else?”

“Let’s wish for lots and lots of money,” said Dolly, so once again she closed her eyes and rubbed the side of the lamp.

Still nothing happened, “I think it’s broken,” said David

“Yes I think you might be right David,” said Dolly she put the lamp down and they talked about their plans for the day ahead.

Before very long it was time to go home Dolly grabbed the lamp and made her way home, “I hope we have some sausages for tea” she thought to herself, Dolly just loved sausages, teatime came and low and behold it was sausages, “oh Mummy” said Dolly it worked,”

“What worked darling? “

”The magic lamp Mummy I wished for sausages for tea, and it came true,” she told her Mummy all about her and David making wishes and none of them coming true but now one did, “you see Dolly” said Mummy “if you are greedy your wish won’t come true, but if you make small wishes sometimes they will. Quack quack.”

Chapter Twelve

Too many Cooks

Dolly Ducktail had just returned from school, “What on Earth have you been doing Dolly?”Asked Mummy “as she took a look at Dolly in horror, Dolly was covered from head to toe in flour “You have flour all over your clothes Dolly, what happened?”

“We have been having a cookery lesson at school Mummy,” said Dolly “And I have been making cakes with David”

“Making cakes Dolly” said Mummy “I think you have been IN the cake’s Dolly, looking at the state of you, go upstairs at once and have a bath and change into some clean clothes Quack, quack quack”

Dolly went up and got herself all nice and clean and made her way down into the kitchen where her Mummy was, “Can David come over, and can we make some more cakes please Mummy” asked Dolly.

“Well alright Dolly” said Mummy “But I had better be with you this time as I don’t want my kitchen covered in flour like you were today,” Dolly jumped up and down with  excitement”

“Oh goodie goodie Mummy I will go and ring David now and tell him to come over as soon as possible”

David soon arrived, and Dolly with her Mummy started to get all the ingredients ready, “What sort of cake do you want?” asked Mummy,? Chocolate” they both cried “OK then that’s what we shall make, now then you too, first you need to whisk some sugar, eggs and milk together, you get the eggs David and  be very careful not to drop any, you can add the sugar Dolly and I will add the milk”

“How much sugar do I put in Mummy? “Asked Dolly

“Oh about 8 oz. Dolly said mummy with her head in the refrigerator, now Dolly hadn’t done ounces at school yet, so she put in what she thought was 8 ounces, actually it was more like a pound.

“It’s the flour now you two” said Mummy “so I will do this part but you can watch, first I will sift the flour, cocoa and baking powder over the top of the mixture, and fold it in, you can both have a stir if you want” both of them stirred until it was all mixed up.

Now that was easy wasn't it?” Mummy said

“All we have to do now is to put it all into a cake tin, and then into the oven and wait for it to cook”

At last the cake was ready, after it had cooled down Mummy cut a large slice for them, as they took their first bite Dolly screwed up her nose,”Oh it’s very sweet Mummy” And David agreed, “I don’t think we like chocolate cake as much as we thought we did, quack quack quack quack quack. 

Chapter Thirteen

Journey to the Moon

It was the night of the full moon, Dolly and David had both been reading Jules Verne’s book “From the Earth to the Moon” and were both full of all the wonderment of space travel.

”Let’s build a rocket and go to the moon” cried Dolly, David thought for a moment and said “Yes and let’s go tonight, as it’s a full Moon and it will be easier to land, as it is so much bigger, Quack quack.”

So the two of them started to get together bits and pieces for their rocket, Dolly found that if she took off the top of the tall bin in the kitchen, it would be just the right size for them to fit into.

They played around for hours David had made himself the Captain, and Dolly was to be the pilot, they got together some biscuits for the journey and Dolly had found some cold Sausages in the refrigerator, she loved sausages,” Oh” said David “And don’t forget to take some fizzy drink with us Dolly as we might get thirsty on the journey”

Soon all was ready for “Take-off” David started the countdown “Ten..Nine..Eight..” he   shouted but had stop  to ask Dolly  “what came after Eight?”

“Seven” laughed Dolly, as the countdown started again.

Just then Daddy arrived home, “Hello you two.” he said “And what up you up to now?”

“Oh Daddy we are going to the Moon” cried Dolly, “but only pretending Daddy only pretend”

“Oh I see “said Daddy “Well, how would you two really like to go to the Moon?”  Dolly and David jumped up and down with delight as they both knew Daddy could fix just about anything, “Quack quack quack quack quack”

“You had better wrap up nice and warm then, because we have to go down to the pond first” The both put on some warm clothes and followed Daddy down to the water’s edge, there reflected in the still water’s was the full moon.

“Wow said David “let’s go Dolly” so the both of then swam out to the middle of the pond where the moon's reflection shone, and the two of them dived and bathed in the light of the silvery moon.

Chapter Fourteen

The Pirates

“Look at this Dolly” said David “It’s a new book I got from the library, and it amazing, it’s all about pirates and treasure and stuff, and it’s got lots and lots of pictures”

“Wow,” said Dolly “What is it called David?” 

“Treasure Island Dolly” he said, they both sat together on the settee and read page after page after page of the exciting book, “I know, “said Dolly “let’s play pirates David”

So the two of them got some old clothes and David fetched a black patch his Granddaddy wore because of his bad eye and put the end of a wire coat hanger up his sleeve

“You can be my captive Dolly, and I will take you to sea with me, to find the buried treasure.”

“You look just like Captain Hook, David,” said Dolly "quack quack . “

.

 They made a boat on the carpet, and used ores made from two broomsticks, David had a toy sword he had given him at Christmas, Dolly got a tea towel from the kitchen, “We can use this as the Jolly Roger” said Dolly “and we can call our ship the black duck”

 “Oh that’s good Dolly,” said David “and cried out loud Ho ho ho and now Dolly I am going to make you walk the plank.”

Oh please don’t make me walk the plank Captain” laughed Dolly,

“Well, you will have to tell me where the treasure is then “growled David.

 “Oh you are very good at being a pirate David” said Dolly with an admiring look in her eye, “But I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone about the treasure map, but I will tell you if you let me have a share of the treasure”

“David stroked his chin and said “Well we will have to see how much treasure there is first Dolly” She agreed and the two of them started to row “Heave Ho me hearties!” cried out David, just then his broom hit a vase on the table and knocked it off, landing right in the middle of their ship, there was water everywhere.

“Oh no “cried Dolly “Mummy will be very angry” just then hearing the crash Mummy came in “Dolly Ducktail what have you done now?”

“Were sorry Mummy “sobbed Dolly “But we broke your best vase, and there is water all over the floor.”

“Well we had better clean it all up before you father gets in Dolly, as it was a present from him.”

They cleaned up all the mess just in time before Dolly’s Daddy came home.

“Hello my sweet” he said to Dolly “and what have you two been up to today?”

“We played pirates Daddy.” said dolly.

“Well where’s the ship Dolly?” said Daddy

“It sank Daddy,” and Dolly and David rolled about the floor giggling.

“Quack quack quack . “