The Parade That Wouldn't March Straight: story transcript
Page 1
The Parade That Wouldn't March Straight
Page 2
Ember was a small dragon in a pumpkin tunic. This year, he had added a fairy wand made from a spoon and a paper star. Pippa the fairy wore a dragon hood and a long green tail. They practiced their parade steps: step, step, swish!
Page 3
At the first corner, Ember waved his wand. The paper star flew off the spoon and stuck to Pippa's dragon tail. "My tail has a twinkle," said Pippa. "Very fine," said Ember. Then his pumpkin collar slipped over his eyes.
Page 4
Pippa lifted the collar. "There you are!" she said. But as she reached up, her stuffed tail swung around and scooped three fallen leaves into the air. They landed on Ember's head. "A crown!" he said. "A very crunchy one."
Page 5
The parade began behind a drummer with a saucepan. Clang! Ember took two dainty fairy steps. His pumpkin tunic bounced. Pippa took one mighty dragon stomp. Her tail followed a moment later and gently bumped the saucepan. Clang-clang! The drummer grinned and played along.
Page 6
Now everyone tried the new beat. Step, step, bump! Ember spun his spoon wand, and the loose collar covered his eyes again. He walked straight into a heap of leaves. Pippa pulled him out by the spoon. "Was that part of the dance?" she asked.
Page 7
"It is now," said Ember. Pippa piled the leaves in the middle of the road. Ember whispered, "Fairy magic!" and puffed a tiny warm breath. The leaves jumped. Pippa stomped beside them, and her dragon tail sent them swirling over the marching feet.
Page 8
The drummer gave a big clang. Everyone stepped over the leaf pile, spun once, and stomped. But Pippa's tail caught the paper star and dragged it away. Ember chased it with his spoon. Around the drummer they went, faster and faster, until the drummer was spinning too.
Page 9
At last Pippa stopped. The drummer stopped. Ember did not. His pumpkin tunic wobbled him one more turn, right into Pippa's arms. The paper star settled on his leaf collar. "You caught me," he said. "You caught the star," said Pippa. The drummer played a triumphant clang!
Page 10
The parade reached the houses with everybody stepping, spinning, and stomping. Ember kept his starry leaf collar. Pippa's tail wore a few leaves too. At the first door, they held out their treat bags together. "Trick or treat!" they cried. Clang! went the drummer, asking politely for one.
