The first story - More than meets the eye

Pamela Bentley was a shy and quiet girl. She was sweet and gentle and she almost always blushed. She was twenty years old and everyone liked her and thought she was quite lovely. She was delicate and pretty and all the single men in Pearle town, Weirndosia hoped to be her suitor. Pamela was the most beautiful girl in Pearle town. Pamela was the daughter of rich Mr. Algernon Bentley. Mr Bentley was a strict father. "Pamela should only get married to a rich man." he had said. Pamela still lived with her father but she wasn't allowed to associate with anybody except for the people as wealthy as her father. As a result Pamela had no friends.

One day, Pamela went walking in Bluebell woods, looking for some flowers. She had a basket full of flowers in 15 minutes. She loved beauty. Then she heard a splash somewhere. She ran towards the noise and found herself looking at a brook. It was crystal clear and it looked cool and inviting. Pamela went to the edge and kicked off her shoes. She sat on a flat dry rock and dipped her feet in. The water was so cold and lovely. Pamela had the desire to jump inside.

Then she remembered the splash. She looked around and saw a face peek out from behind a large tree. Pamela felt scared. She quickly got up and put on her shoes as fast as she could. She grabbed her basket of flowers and proceeded to run off. The person behind the tree came out. "Wait!" it shouted. Pamela turned back and gave a gasp. The person was a man. He was wearing a dirty faded shirt and a pair of patched wet shorts. Pamela thought he was a beggar. She turned her back on him and ran off.

The same day, Pamela went to read on the clean and cozy porch of her fathers mansion. Suddenly, she spotted the beggar walking around outside. Her heart thumped and she thought about going inside. Then she realized that the big iron gate was locked and she was safe. She didn't know whether to panic or just sit there. So she decided on the latter. She tried to read some more but her mind kept on straying to the beggar. Pamela forced herself to look at the book. Then she looked up and screamed.

The beggar was at the gate and he was calling to her! Pamela took a deep breath and went to the gate . She didn't go too near because she was scared that he might kill her. The beggar smiled at her and said, "Hello." Pamela's heart was thumping.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"My name is Len."
"Oh. I'm Pamela Bentley."
"I know."
"How old are you you?"
"Twenty years old. You?"
"Twenty-one."
"Oh."
"Hmm."
"Can you please tell me why you came to my house?"
"I noticed you at my brook."
"I'm sorry that I disturbed you. Can you stop talking to me?"
"Why?"
"Father doesn't approve of--" Pamela blushed.
"Beggars?" Len looked at his clothes and laughed. Pamela could only nod. Len chuckled and wiped his dirty forehead. Len seemed nice enough, but what would father say? Len was talking again. "So you like the brook?" Pamela nodded. "What is it called?" she asked.
"The Open Brook." Len said.
Pamela giggled at the strange name. "Did you name it?"
"No. Grandfather did."
"Oh...Um, what were you doing there?"
"Just getting refreshed."
"Oh."
"Okay, I have to go home."
"Well, bye Len."
"Anytime you want to talk to me, just go to The Open Brook. I'll be there." Pamela nodded.
Len smiled and walked off. Pamela found herself liking Len. He was friendly and just a teeny weeny bit cute. But Pamela knew what father would say about him.

Over the next few days, Pamela forgot about Len. Her father was talking about making her get married. Pamela didn't like the thought of getting married to a strange person. Then she remembered Len. She set off to go talk to him.

She went to The Open Brook and sure enough, Len was there. "Hi, Len." she said. Len smiled at her. Pamela sat down on the flat rock and dipped her feet in. "Can I tell you something?" she asked. Len waded over to her and sat on the waters edge. "Shoot away." Pamela giggled. "Um, father wants me to get married. I don't know what to do." Len furrowed his brow. "Hmm. I don't know anything about marriage." he said, looking sorry. Pamela sighed. "Oh." was all she could say.

They talked some more and Pamela started to fall in love with Len. He was so funny and friendly. She wished she could marry him but she knew that father would never permit it. When it was time to leave Pamela got up. "Good bye." she said. Len waved. "Bye," he said, diving into the brook. Pamela sighed and walked away.

At dinner that evening, Mr. Bentley talked to Pamela. "At dinner tomorrow night you shall meet your betrothed." Pamela nodded and ate her food slowly. A tear dropped into her chicken. Mr. Bentley didn't seem to notice. He ate his food happily. Pamela lost her appetite and went to her room. There she sobbed until she fell asleep.

The next day Pamela had to get ready for the dinner. She put on a beautiful rose coloured dress with many frills and lace flounces. She would have looked beautiful if she had smiled.

Before dinner Pamela and her father arrived at the venue. "Your betrothed's residence." Mr. Bentley had told Pamela. They went inside and Mr. Bentley went to the owner of the house, Mr Hadley. Mr. Hadley was a nice friendly man. "Come and meet Lionel, my son." Pamela forced a smile. Mr. Hadley took them to Lionel. When Pamela saw him, she gasped. Lionel was Len! Len looked surprised too. Pamela ran over to him and hugged him. Len hugged her back. Mr. Bentley smiled. Mr. Hadley laughed. "They seem to like each other." the former said happily. "Yes." agreed Mr. Hadley.

The night wore on, but to Len and Pamela, it lasted only for half an hour.
"I thought you were a--" Pamela blushed. Len laughed amiably. "Well, there's more than meets the eye."
"Why were you dressed like that?" Pamela asked.
"I was disguised as a beggar so that no one would catch me going into Bluebell wood."
"Why?"
"Father was going to sell Bluebell wood. He owned it before, you know."
"Oh! But, can't you visit it after? Bluebell is a public area."
"No. The buyer wants to turn it into a housing estate."
"That's terrible! Then The Open Brook would be--" Len nodded.
"I don't know what to do."
"I wish we had a plan to keep it."
"Wait! I have an idea!"
"What?"
"I'll ask my parents to give the wood to US!"
"For a wedding present?"
"Yes! They wouldn't refuse. I'll tell them that you love the woods. You do, right?" Pamela nodded. "Wouldn't it be nice to have our wedding in the woods?" Len asked. Pamela smiled. "It would be just wonderful!" Len smiled. "Don't worry. I'll get Bluebell woods for you." Len said, giving Pamela a kiss on her cheek. Pamela blushed and nodded gratefully.

Pamela was going to get married in Bluebell woods. Len was going to own it and Pamela was thrilled. As she walked down the aisle, everyone looked at her and they all thought the same thing. 'She is the most beautiful bride that I have ever seen.' It was a beautiful wedding. Everyone was glad for the couple.

So, like every typical 'fairytale',

They lived happily ever after.