In a land far from the equator, there lived a 16 year old girl called Ana. Ana lived on the top of a big green hill with her Mama, her Grandma, and her little brother Danny.
Their hill was so big that there was place for Danny and Ana to play and there was space for their little farm and of course, their cottage. The family had all they needed up there. There was a well in their farm, and they had cows, pigs, chickens and a vegetable garden.
There were also blue rickety stairs leading down to the village below. But it was a long way down so nobody really used the stairs. If Mama needed anything she would send Ana down and she would climb all the way.
Mama, Grandma, Ana, and Danny were all content on their hill and they all took care of each other and helped one another. Their lives were always full of happiness and joy.
One day, Mama and Ana decided to make pies while Grandma read to Danny. When Ana put the last pie into the oven, there was a knock on the door. Ana looked at Mama in surprise.
“Now whoever could that be?” Mama said, wiping her hands on her apron. She opened the door and standing there was 18 year old Thomas Whitaker from the village. He looked scared and he was wringing his hands together.
“Why, Thomas. What a pleasant surprise. Ana and I were making pies. Would you like a slice?” Thomas hesitated. “Well, I sure would like a piece.” Mama smiled warmly and Thomas stepped in.
Ana gave Thomas a slice of apple pie. “Be careful, it’s hot.” Thomas smiled at Ana and she blushed. Then she felt some butterflies in her stomach. Mama took off her apron and sat down. “Now, what do we owe the pleasure of meeting you today?” Thomas’ frightened look returned again.
“The mayor has died.”
Ana dropped her plate in surprise. The plate smashed into many pieces and so did her beautiful slice of apple pie. Ana rushed to clean it up. Mama was too shocked to scold Ana. “But how?” she asked Thomas. He sniffed.
“He was s-s-shot!” Ana dropped her broom. It made a loud clatter. “Oops.” she said, and bent to pick it up. Mama looked at Ana sternly. Ana squirmed and picked up the broom.
“Who will replace him?” Mama asked worriedly. Thomas’ lower lip trembled. “His only relative left, his nephew, the nefarious Wallaby Powers.” Grandma walked out from Danny’s bedroom. “Did you just mention Wallaby Powers?” Thomas nodded and sniffed. Grandma made a face.
“That man is ruthless!” Thomas nodded. “All the villagers are disenfranchised. The leadership board said that Wallaby has the right to be mayor because our mayor line is hereditary.” Ana carefully put back the broom and sat down next to Mama. “Is he evil enough to want to kill us all?” Thomas shrugged. Then he said goodbye and left.
Ana burst into tears. She ran into the bedroom that she shared with Danny and threw herself onto her bed. Grandma shook her head and went out to feed the chickens. Mama sighed. She knew life could never be perfect.
“Rise and shine, Ana.” Ana looked up and groaned. Mama shook her lightly and told her to get up. Ana got up sleepily and went to wash her face. Then she woke Danny up and they went to have breakfast with Mama and Grandma.
They ate some toast and some eggs. Then Ana and Danny went to do their chores. The day went by normally. That particular day was no different from all their other days. The weeks went by quickly. Everyone forgot about Wallaby Powers.
Until one day, Thomas came up again with more bad news. “Things are growing worse. The villagers are all living at the expense of Wallaby. Plus Wallaby wants you to clear out. He said that he would like to live here himself!” Ana started to cry. Danny didn’t like what he heard. “NO! We live here and you can’t! Go awaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!!”
Mama laughed and picked Danny up. “He is just confused.” Grandma said, giving Thomas a cup of tea. Ana ran to her room and sobbed. “I wish Wallaby would go away.” she said to herself. Then she had an idea. Ana knew that what she was going to do would save everyone in the village. If only she could have one day off from her chores…
“Mama, can I have on day off please? I’m so tired… Please? I want to go to the village.. Pretty please?” Ana tugged on Mama’s apron. Mama shook her off. “Okay, just don’t disturb anyone okay?” she said absently. Ana nodded. “Keep up the good work!” she encouraged then she ran to get ready.
She put on a big coat and tied up her long hair. Then she filled her bag with some of her belongings and crept down the hill. She hoped Danny didn’t see her. When she had reached the village she walked through normally. The villagers were all sad looking people. They looked tired and worn out.
“Why is everyone so sad?” Ana asked a villager. “Wallaby Powers is rebuilding his mansion. Not only do we have to pay for it, he is forcing all the men to build it. And he is not even paying them! Wallaby is also making people give him their best crops and taking our children for servants. I miss my son Thomas.”
Ana gasped. “Are you Mrs. Whitaker?” The woman nodded sadly and walked away. “Oh no, not Thomas!” Ana raced over to the mansion and peeked in at the window, taking care not to be noticed. Thomas was walking towards, Wallaby, holding a cup of wine. Wallaby sipped it and slapped Thomas. “It’s not cold! Get me one with ice!” Thomas’ faced burned. He walked off meekly.
Ana was indignant with anger. “That odious man!” Ana said, walking off.
Then something caught her attention. Wallaby was talking to a man. “I want you to regenerate the house on the big green hill. Turn it into a… holiday home! Yes, turn it into a holiday home. And do it fast!” Ana scowled.
She went over to a patch of mud and put some into a little bottle. Then with her heart beating, she climbed into the mansion through a window. Covering her face, she ran past Wallaby and threw some mud onto him. Then with a flying jump, she jumped out the window. Wallaby shouted but he didn’t get up.
Ana threw off her coat and her bag and hid it behind some rocks. Then she looked down at the dirty dress she was wearing and messed up her hair. Then she marched into the mansion and went over to Wallaby. “Sir, shall I prepare a bath for you?” Wallaby looked at her suspiciously. “Okay. Make it nice and hot.” Ana curtsied and went to the biggest bedroom in the mansion. The door said,
Wallaby Powers
Ana nodded and went in. The door to the bathroom had a picture of a bathtub and Ana went into it. There was a massive bathtub in there. Ana opened a jar in her bag. In it was the stickiest glue in the world. Ana poured it out. The jar was sticky-glue repellent so the glue slid out nicely. Then Ana read the instructions carefully.
Add water to expand glue. Water proof. Does not dilute. Remove with wool.
Ana put the jar back into her pocket and took a deep breath. She filled the tub with water and sure enough, the glue expanded. Ana touched the glue a little and it stuck to her finger. “Oops.” Ana said. She took some wool out from her pocket and cleaned her finger.
When the tub was filled she went out to call Wallaby. “Your bath is ready Sir.” Wallaby rolled his eyes and went to his room. Ana turned away and ran to the window. There weren’t any guards around. Ana jumped out and retrieved her coat and bag. She put her coat on and slung her bag onto her shoulder.
Then she heard a scream. “Help! I’m stuck! Get me out! I order you to! Aaaauugghhhh!!” Ana went to a man running into the mansion to see what was happening. “He is stuck! He is at our mercy!” Ana said, pretending to be a wide eyed child. The man suddenly had an excited look on his face.
He shouted to everyone. “He is stuck! He is at our mercy!” Everyone listened and soon everyone looked excited. People marched into the mansion feeling new strength. They pushed down the guards and all of Wallaby’s followers. They searched the mansion and soon they came to Wallaby’s bathroom.
The men saw the glue and avoided it. They beheaded Wallaby and the village was saved! Everyone wondered who put in the glue. Ana never told them. In the end everyone forgot it and left the mansion the way it was, with the head and the body, sunk in that big tub of glue for visitors to come and see.
The Village was happy and since the Mayor had no more relations, the villagers elected a mayor and life for everyone was happy again. Then when Ana grew up, she married Thomas and so everyone lived happily ever after.
The End.
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