This is the story about Nimnam
An Elf who could not read or write,
A tiny creature the size of your thumb
Who could only be seen at night.

He had a blue wand that was magic
It was curly with one single prong,
But because Nimnam could not read or write
Its magical powers went wrong.

He aimed the wand at a toadstool

“Turn into a fountain” he said,

But it withered and died at his feet

And the grass that he stood on turned red.

Wherever he pointed the magical wand

No matter how hard he tried,

Because he did not know the magic words,

The objects withered and died.

Poor Nimnam got fed up with magic

He said it made him look a fool,

He laid down his wand and picked up a pen

And then headed off to school.

The children of course could not see him

That was because they weren’t able,

The daylight made Nimnam invisible

So he sat there unseen at the table.

Every day he went to school

Learning as much as he could,

Then after a year he decided to go

Back home to his house in the wood.

His mother was so pleased to see him

No longer her heart filled with sorrow,

“Oh! Where have you been my little Nimnam?”

He said, “Mother! You’ll find out tomorrow”.

Next day he got out his magical wand

“CALABUNKUM! CABERRA! CAROO”!

A beautiful bunch of flowers appeared

“Here Mother! These flowers for you.”

Nimnam was late for his dinner again

His mother was angry and said,

“If you can’t come home in time for your tea

Then you can go straight to your bed”.

“But mother!” said Nimnam, “I don’t have a watch”

There isn’t a clock in the wood,

I really did not know what time it was

That’s why I’m late for my food.

Tomorrow she said, “We’ll go into town”

I’ll buy you a watch wait and see,

Then you can play out as much as you like

But dare you be late for your tea.

The following day they went into town

Calling in at jewellers McHime,

Dear Sir! My son needs a wristwatch

So that he will know the time.

After an hour he found one he liked

It had buttons all over with sounds,

Nimnam was happy but mother was not

Because this one cost ninety-five pounds.

When they got back his mother said

“For your sake you best not be late”’

Nimnam said, “mother just watch me

I’ll be home precisely at eight”

He went to the field to play football

Stayed there two hours or so,

He looked at his watch! Seven fifty five

There was only five minutes to go.

He ran like the wind in no time at all

He got in as his watch struck eight,

Mother! I’m home for my supper

I told you I would not be late.

He shouted in vain his mother was out

His supper was still in the pot,

Oh this is just typical said Nimnam

I’m home on time and mum’s not.

Eventually his mother arrived at the door

She apologised for being late back,

Said Nimnam to mother! “What time is this?”

YOU’RE THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK!

Nimnam has been naughty

That’s why he’s looking gloom,

He’s been told off by Brimlell

So he must stay in his room.

 
Earlier on this morning

He played a nasty trick,

He yelled out “man is coming

Everybody run! Hide! Quick”!

The little elves were petrified

Cause man’s their greatest fear,

Nimnam chuckled to himself

As he watched them disappear.

When everyone was out of sight

He rang the all-clear bell,

“Come out! Come out! Where-ever you are

Man’s gone and all is well.

He lay behind the old oak tree

No one saw him lurking,

He stayed quiet and he waited

Till all the elves were working.

Once more he jumped up screaming

“Everybody! Hide! Quick! Run

Man is coming man is coming

He did enjoy his fun.

But WISE PEOPLE ARE NOT EASILY FOOLED

This time they had their doubts,

They searched around the forest

Till they got near to his shouts.

“Look out! Man is coming

Listen to my plight,

Get into your homes, run quickly

Get yourselves out of sight”.

Nimnam was laughing quite loudly

But this time he was unaware,

The elves were not taking cover

Instead they were all standing there.

Having fun asked Brimlell sternly

Nimnam jumped with fright,

“I’m sorry! Please don’t punish me

By now Nimnam was white.

Brimlell said to Nimnam,

Who was now in a stew,

“DO NOT DO THINGS TO OTHER PEOPLE,

THAT YOU WOULD NOT LIKE DONE TO YOU.

Today in Elvin stopple wood

When Brim ell's clock strikes three,

The elves have only got one hour

To find the Emerald Tree.

This only happens once a year

And from the time they start,

The race is on to find the tree

That bears the Golden Heart.

Their magic wands must stay behind

Because the tree is shy,

If it should see a magic wand

The tree will surely die.

“Can I go mother?” Nimnam asked

“I would really like to try,

To find the heart of the emerald tree

Oh please mother! Please can I.”

“Alright” she said,” but take your time

And think before you start,

Remember son! MORE HASTE LESS SPEED!

Will help you find the Heart."

“Attention!" Shouted Brimlell

"May the best elf win?

Three two one go,

Let the race begin.”

The flag went up the elves were off

But Nimnam stood quite still,

He thought about his mother’s words

Then ran to the top of the hill.

Once up there the view was great

As far as he could see,

And there right in the middle

Was the beautiful Emerald Tree.

He ran down quick and into the wood

And straight to the Emerald Tree,

He took from it the golden heart

And yelled “I’ve won YIPPEE”

He took the heart to Brimlell

Who was very pleased indeed,

And said” for someone very small

You most certainly take HEED."

Nimnam was going to a party

But he wasn’t quite sure what to take,

He sat there and thought for a moment,

“I know I shall make a nice cake.”

He went down into the cellar

And brought up a sackful of wheat,

He got from the cupboard his magical wand

And said, “this will be a treat.”

He aimed his wand and called out

"CALLASANTA! CASSENTA! CASSAKE!"

Quick as a flash there before him

Was a truly magnificent cake.

"I think I’d better taste it first"

So he put some on a plate,

He ate a bit and then some more

Until it was too late.

“Oh dear! Oh dear! Said Nimnam

Now look what I’ve done,

I’ve eaten all that lovely cake

And now I’m left with none.”

“I’ll have to think of something else”

He said rubbing his belly,

“That’s it! I’ve got it”, Nimnam said

“I’ll make a bowl of jelly.”

Once more he aimed his trusty wand

"CANADUNTRUM, CANANTA, CATREAM!"

A bowl of jelly then appeared

Covered in nuts and cream.

"I’d better taste a spoonful

To make sure it’s okay,"

He ate a bit and then some more

Till it was all-away.

By this time Nimnam wasn’t well

He cried out to his mummy,

“What is wrong with me he cried?

I have pains in my tummy."

His mother asked, “What have you eaten”

He said, “a cake and jelly,”

"Then that’s the reason you have a pain

YOUR EYES ARE TO BIG FOR YOUR BELLY!"

NIMNAM’S COURAGE

Nimnam was feeding all the young ducks
Down at Delmanagloyd pond,
When suddenly a bully approached him
And snatched away his magic wand.

“Give me that back” shouted Nimnam
But the bully got nasty and rude,
He pushed Nimnam to the ground
Then threw the wand high as he could.

“HA! HA! HA! HA”! Laughed the bully
As the wand fell into the water,
Nimnam was shaking with temper
“You’ll pay for that you big rotter.”

Nimnam stood up clenching his fists
And said, “I am going to thump you”,
But the bully just laughed and ran off
Because that is what most bullies do.

He stood there and thought for a moment
Then cried for a minute or two,
What will his mother say when he gets home
Poor Nimnam was now in a stew.

Worrying about mother and what she will say
He forgot all about the warlock,
He had taken the short cut through Brimlow Monte
Soon he was in for a shock.

The elves had been warned again and again
That the way home is safe but beware,
Never come home through Brimlow Monte
Because the Great Zebran lives there.

Zebran the Warlock would eat him for sure
So Nimnam walked quiet as a mouse,
He came to an opening and there out in front
Was Zebran standing outside his house.

His immediate reaction was to run away
But he saw something next to a stone,
He moved a bit closer to see what it was
It was a wand the same as his own.

He lay on the grass and waited
Knowing he would have to abscond,
But all he could think of at that present time
Was getting his hands on that wand.

As soon as Zebran went into the house
He knew there was no time to fret,
If he was to get this magical wand
This was the best chance he would get.

Grabbing the wand and then running off
Was all over quick as a flash,
His fear had now turned to excitement
As he made his get away dash.

“Now I will sort out that bully”
He said with a smile on his face,
But Nimnam could not find him anywhere
He had vanished without a trace.

Nimnam near died when he arrived home
Zebran was there at the door,
“I’m sorry to you Mr. Zebran” he said
“But I wanted to settle a score.”

He explained to his mother what happened
She was annoyed he acted this way,
There was no need to look for the bully
He was scared that’s why he ran away.

Revenge is not always the answer
As this has been proven tonight,
Nimnam has learned a new lesson
TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT!

But he has also made an impression
With all the courage he has shown,
Zebran has allowed him the use of his wand
To help Nimnam get back his own.

“There is one condition though,” said Zebran
“My magical wand you can borrow,
What you must do is your mother and you
Must come for your dinner tomorrow”

Little Miss Muffet sat in the corner

Keeping the stool warm for Jack,

Little Boy Blue said, give me a clue

What time do you think he’ll be back?

He’s gone to the field for a picnic

He left here with Little Bo Peep,

Give me a kiss said Little Boy Blue

Miss Muffet said, push off you creep.

He ran to the door and gave it a kick

He shouted back thank you for nowt,

Next time I won’t ask, I’ll just do it

Miss Muffet yelled, go on get out.

He went to the field; there was nobody there

He stood thinking, where can they be?

I could try the Baker or Candlestick Maker

I’ve got it! I’ll ask Humpty Dumpty.

He arrived at the palace too late

His running at all been in vain,

All the Kings men were trying their best

To put Humpty together again.

He saw Simple Simon along with the Pie man

So Blue tapped him once on his back,

He turned round to Blue, said what’s up with you

I don’t suppose you have seen Jack?

Well actually I saw him this morning

With Tweedledum and Tweedledee,

Along with a fairy, and Contrary Mary

He stopped and bought a pie from me.

Have you got any spare money asked Blue?

A bun or a pie I would like,

I have not a penny, have you got any?

Said Simon to Blue, on your bike.

He went to the Butcher, Bo Peep was there

Buying burgers for Old Mr Green,

Said Little Boy Blue who was now in a stew

Bo Peep, where on earth have you been?

I’ve been all over Nursery Land looking for Jack

Miss Muffet said he was with you,

Bo Peep answered quickly, I was a bit sickly

I saw a dead cock-a-doodle-do.

At that came Tom the Pipers Son

For Half a pound of Tuppeny rice,

Lucy Locket let out a scream

Over there it’s Three Blind Mice.

Little Boy Blue turned quickly and flew

He rode away on a cockhorse,

Where are you going? Yelled Little Bo Peep

I’m going down to Banbury Cross.

Hey Diddle Diddle he was quick as a fiddle

In no time at all he was gone,

He bumped into Polly, who seemed rather jolly

So he told her, put the kettle on.

Into the house and she made him a brew

He sat glaring into her eyes,
He near made a mess when she dropped her dress
It was only our Jack in disguise.

The sun was shining through the window into my daughters bedroom, what a mess! I sang to myself as I busily tidied up.  I was about to turn the Hoover on when the door bell rang.  I went down stairs and opened the door to find a very strange looking man standing on the doorstep.   He was dressed in a very odd tunic and his long grey beard glistened in the sunlight.   “Can I help you” I said, he looked at me and uttered the words “JOKAR MA AHRESHA,” taken aback by this I said “I beg your pardon,” again he said the words, “JOKAR MA AHRESHA.”   For some unknown reason I felt cold, I began to shake and told him to "go away," quickly I closed the door, I leaned up against it with my back and tried to compose myself.

After a few moments I slowly crept to the side window to see if he had gone away, carefully I pulled back the curtain, he was gone.   I went back to the door and opened it and looked around, he was definitely no-where to be seen, I went to the gate but he had completely disappeared from sight.   This was most odd, but I felt relieved and I didn’t care where he had gone, as long as he had.   It was just as if he had vanished into thin air.   As I made my way back into the house, I kept looking over my shoulder, I shivered and the words “JOKAR MA AHRESHA” kept swimming in my head.   By tea-time I had almost forgotten about the strange little man.   I did not mention it to my family, but as the night drew near, a terrible feeling of insecurity came over me, "who was he?" I asked myself, "what did he want?" perhaps he was selling something.   I tried very hard to put it all out of my mind.

That night I didn’t sleep much, every time I closed my eyes I saw him standing on the doorstep chanting “JOKAR MA AHRESHA.”

The next morning I felt ill.   My husband left for work at his usual time and my daughters, Lisa and Samantha were sitting at the table eating their breakfast.   The radio was on low and Lisa was humming to one of the tunes that was playing.   It was school holidays and the girls had been on a pony trekking holiday.   Samantha was the eldest and she doted on Lisa, they went everywhere together.   “Can Lisa and I go on a picnic today mum?" she asked, I told them "that they could as long as they didn’t go too far away. "  Samantha replied "that they would go to the local stables and picnic on the field where they could see the horses and their friends."

They were sensible girls so I agreed. We packed a basket and the girls left holding hands, “see you later mum” they shouted.   I cleared the breakfast dishes up and went upstairs to take a shower.   I felt drained and tired.   Perhaps I would ask the neighbours if the strange old man had knocked on their door, I was determined to make some sense of it all.

As I came downstairs I heard a noise.   I thought the girls had forgotten something.   I walked into the hall and something caught my eye in the lounge, I went in and there he was sitting at the table, the little old man in the tunic.   I panicked “GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” he sat very still, “I’LL CALL THE POLICE” I screamed at him, still he did not move. Then he turned and stared straight into my eyes.   “JOKAR MA AHRESHA” he whispered.   I ran to the telephone and dialled the police, but the telephone disappeared before my very eyes.   I jumped back and said to myself, "now steady on girl, this must be just a dream, it is not really happening." I closed my eyes and turned around, I counted to three and opened my eyes but there he was, sitting at the table this time he had cards laid out all around him. 

In a quiet voice he told me "to come to him," as if in a trance I felt a power drawing me toward him, “I am going to show you the future” I rubbed my eyes but he was still there.   I felt a strange force within me and I sat beside him. “JOKAR MA AHRESHA” he chanted, the room began to move, the furniture and all the ornaments lifted into the air and swayed from side to side, slowly at first then faster and faster, I felt intoxicated, I couldn’t breathe, I wanted to scream for help but the words would not come out.   Then everything disappeared, it was all gone, the house, the living room,  everything .   I could hear birds singing, and a cool breeze on my face.   I was still sitting at the table but we were outside by a lake.   Suddenly I saw my children leaning over trying to pull something out of the water.   I screamed at them "to come back from the edge," “LISA!, SAMANTHA! COME AWAY YOU’LL FALL IN, STOP!” they did not answer, I tried

to get up from the chair but my legs could not move, I started to panic, they were lying too far over, "Oh my God!" I yelled “somebody do something please! somebody help!"

At that moment Lisa fell in Samantha started screaming for help, she was crying uncontrollably, “HELP HELP! MY SISTER IS IN THE WATER AND SHE CAN’T SWIM, PLEASE ANYBODY HELP” she collapsed by the side of the river shouting her sisters name.

I was bound by invisible chains, the old man by now was shaking violently at the table.   With tears running down my face I watched Lisa go under the water for the last time.   I wailed “NO! OH MY GOD NO! PLEASE NOT MY BABY, PLEASE! PLEASE!" I covered my face with my hands.

When I took the away I was back in my living room, I could feel the tears running down my cheeks, I looked around for the old man but he had vanished.   Had I dreamed the whole thing? everything looked the same.   I stood up, it must have been a dream, an awful nightmare.   I put my head down and covered it with my hands, it was then I saw something under the table, ............................. a single card with strange drawings on it.   It all began to make some sort of insane sense.   I grabbed the car keys and ran from the house.

It seemed an eternity to get to the stables, I kept on repeating to myself, “please God, let it be a dream."   At last I arrived, I jumped out of the car and ran into the field, there was no sight of Lisa and Samantha.   One of the stable girls came out and shouted, “if your looking for the girls they are in the  farmers field by the lake” I didn’t answer her, I just ran, there was a gate and a big sign in bold words, DANGER DEEP LAKE! over the top of the writing I noticed some strange graffiti, my God! it said, JOKAR MA AHRESHA”..................

My heart began to beat fast, I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, and then ........... I heard Samantha screaming, "HELP MY SISTER HAS FALLEN INTO THE LAKE AND SHE CAN’T SWIM, PLEASE! ANYBODY, HELP!" I ran to her, pushing her to one side, I jumped in and swam toward Lisa, I couldn’t find her, I began shouting, “LISA, LISA, DEAR GOD HELP ME!"then something brushed against me, it was my baby! I held onto her tight and swam back to the bank and lifted her out.   Samantha was hysterical, “mummy I’m so sorry, is she all right? please mummy help her!"   Lisa opened  her eyes and smiled at me.   “I love you mummy” I held my arm out to Samantha and hugged them both.   “I love you too darling, I love you both very much” Slowly we walked back to the car.   I remembered the signpost with the graffiti on it, I went over to look at the words, but they were gone.   I know that I had seen it.   I stood for a moment looking at the sign, the girls asked me if I was okay, I said I was.   “now let’s get you both home.