“How will we find the treasure?” asked Wusky excitedly, he’d never gone on a treasure hunt before.
“It’s simple laddie,” replied Patch, “All we need do is build us a mighty Pirate ship and go and fetch it and bring it back here!”
“We won’t be doing any plundering will we?” asked Wusky cautiously.
Patch laughed a hearty laugh, “None at all I promise ye that lad.” Patch crossed his heart.
“Okay then what are we waiting for?” exclaimed Wusky, picking up his hammer.

Patch drew up the plans for the building of the ship and like one man, Woody, Wallace, Wusky and Patch began to build. When they had finished they stood back to admire their handy work.
“What should we call her?” asked Wallace.
“As the newest member of our Piratey crew, let Wusky have the honour in naming the ship.” Replied Patch.
“How about …” Wusky thought aloud, “The Sea Mermaid?”
“Aye! That’ll do!” smiled Patch approvingly.

So they all boarded their new Pirate ship, raised their flag and set sail. Woody climbed to the top of the mast and sat in the crow’s nest with his telescope. It was his job to be the look out. Wallace took his mop and began to swab the deck. Patch took his place at the bridge of the ship as ship’s captain.
“Wallace, bring me that map of yours ya sea dog!” yelled Patch.
“Aye Cap’n!” replied Wallace.
“Nothing like being out to sea, hey Wusky?” said Patch, the wind blowing through his beard.

They sailed for a while, while Patch studied the treasure map. He was then interrupted by a shout from Woody.
“Land ho!” he cried.
Wallace took out his binoculars and looked, sure enough, there it was a huge island. The Pirates and Wusky danced with glee.
“We found her lads!” shouted Patch.
As the Sea Mermaid neared the island, Patch gave the orders.
“Trim the sails and lower the anchor!” he barked.
“Aye, aye Cap’n!” said his crew.

They set down the anchor and the ship swayed gently in the tide. Patch looked at the treasure map.
“Yup, it’s this island for sure Mateys!”
So they took their shovels, got off the ship and waded through the water until they reached the beach.
“X would be marking the spot now.” Explained Patch.
Wusky grinned, Woody’s eyes glinted. They could smell the treasure!

“The map says to take twenty paces to the right.” Instructed Patch. The Loopie pirates followed Patches hand movements and took twenty paces in the direction he was pointing.
“Now it says to take fifty paces towards the Coconut Trees.” Wallace counted out the steps until they were right underneath the biggest tree.
“Now she says ta dig boys! X is where me treasure lies!”
The Loopies were so excited, they began digging ferociously. Sand flew in all directions, until … THUD!

“We’ve found her!” shouted Woody in glee as his shovel hit the chest.
“We sure have!” smiled Wallace, who was proud to have found the map in the first place. They dusted the sand off of the chest and opened the rusty lock with one of Woody’s knives. The chest creeked open, the Pirates danced and Wusky howled, the chest was filled to the brim with chocolate dog biscuits!

They shouted and laughed and threw sand into the air. Wusky did a jig, this was his first treasure he had ever found! Well if you don’t count Patch, Woody and Wallace that is! The Pirates excitedly picked up their prize and loaded it onto their ship. They sailed back to Acersville singing and drinking Rum all the way home!

When they got back, other Loopies from Acersville excitedly ran out to meet them. When the Pirates saw all of the Loopies they decided to share their treasure. The Loopies were delighted! They all enjoyed their shared treasure of chocolate dog biscuits with glasses of milk at Wusky’s Beach Cabana Café, listening to the pirates telling their piratey stories.

Surely these were the kindest Pirates that had ever lived!
Thank you Wusky, Woody, Wallace and Patch!

© 2007 Ingrid Holtshausen. All Rights Reserved.

Download “A Piratey Adventure” PDF Document

“I’m counting on you to hang rainbows in the sky each time it rains.” said the Great Loopie, picking up his rucksack and heading for the door.

“I will be gone for a few days and I need someone to do it while I’m away.” He explained.

The Great Loopie was the wisest and oldest of all the Loopies. They didn’t know much about Him except that he loved them very much and that it was His job to look after the seasons, making sure they came on time and to put rainbows in the sky after it had rained.

“You can count on me Mr. Great Loopie sir.” Air put his hand to his head and gave the Great Loopie a salute.

“Very well then, I must be off and remember you can’t forget, it’s very important that a rainbow gets up into the sky after each rain storm. With your wind glider I’m sure it won’t be a problem. You’ll find the recipe in my Big Book.”

“I promise!” smiled Air.

The following day there was a huge storm. The rain clouds got big and puffy, lightning flashed and thunder crashed and rain came pouring down and Air Loopie got to work making his very first rainbow!

He found the Great Loopie’s Big Book and set to work following the rainbow Recipe inside. After some mixing he stuck his finger in the bowl and licked it clean. The mixture was sweet and melted away in his mouth, like Candy Floss, just not as sticky.

“Hey that looks like Air!” called Leechie from below, watching him hang the rainbow in the sky.

“You’re right!” Rufus agreed, ‘I wonder where the Great Loopie is? Usually He hangs a rainbow in the sky after the rain.”

So the two friends headed up the steep mountain path to where the Great Loopie lived to find out why the Great Loopie had left such a big job to Air. They found Air dusting off his Wind Glider.

“Looks mighty fine don’t-cha think?” asked Air as he nodded in the direction of his freshly hung rainbow.

“Must have been hard work doing it all by yourself.” said Leechie.

“Why are you doing it anyway?” asked Rufus.

“The Great Loopie is away and He said it’s very important, I can’t forget! He asked me to do it because I’m an Air Glider.” smiled Air.

The friends smiled as they starred at the rainbow for a while, until it began to melt and then headed down the mountain as the sun began to set.

The next day it rained again. It rained again the following day and the next!

Air mixed rainbows until he knew the recipe by heart.

“Whew!” he rubbed his forehead, this was hard work. By nightfall he had managed to hang the last rainbow.

“At last!” he sighed. “Maybe it won’t rain tomorrow and there will be time for me to have some fun on my Wind Glider!” he smiled as he hopped into bed, imagining the wonderful time he would have in the sky the following day.

“Surely it can’t rain again …” he mumbled as he fell fast asleep.

But sure enough, rain it did! The raindrops splattered on the window panes and drummed at the paving. Air felt exasperated! And then he felt plain angry.

“I’m not the Great Loopie,” he shouted, “and it’s not my job to hang rainbows in the sky!” he shook his fist at the rain and decided that today he just was not going to hang a single rainbow, no matter what the consequence!

So he ate his cereal, took his umbrella and went for a walk in the rain, making sure to splash in every puddle he passed! He drank hot chocolate and ate mounds of pancakes at Crumpet’s bakery. Eventually the rain stopped and the sun came bursting through the clouds.

“Looks like it’s time for you to head up into the sky with one of your rainbows!” smiled Crumpet as she cleared the dirty dishes from Air’s table.

“I will be heading into the sky today, but not with any rainbows this time, thank you very much!” he smiled as he paid for his meal.
“It’s time for me to have some fun for a change!”

Crumpet looked confused.

“But the Great Loopie said…”

“I know what he said, but what’s the worst that could happen?” and with that he headed for the mountain with his Wind Glider under his arm forgetting about the promise he had made to the Great Loopie.

So that day, true to his word Air didn’t hang a single rainbow! By nightfall nothing serious had happened.

“Just as I had expected.” He chuckled to himself, “I wonder what the Great Loopie was so worried about?” but Air fell asleep smiling before he could ponder an answer to his question, his rainbow hanging days were over and all that mattered now was having fun!

The following day Air left his house and was heading for his favourite Air Gliding launching spot on Mount Peakmore but found the Loopies to be in an uproar!

Crumpet was angry with Pancake because she had broken her promise and had eaten all the food in Crumpet’s Bakery again!

Wusky was angry because the pirates, who had promised to come in to the Beach Cabana Cafe early that day to learn how to fold cloth napkins had decided to go off looting and plundering instead. Something they had promised that they’d never do again!

Tubblie was up to his old tricks as usual and had forgotten about his promise to Leechie and Chelsea about being a better Loopie! It was a disaster, the whole town seemed to be falling apart.

Air began to slink away as he had some idea this was partly his fault for not hanging the rainbow yesterday after the rain!

“Air!” boomed a loud voice from among the Loopies.

Air gulped and turned around, it was the Great Loopie, He had returned from his trip.

“Why didn’t you hang a rainbow in the sky yesterday after the rain like you promised?” He asked, looking very disappointed.

“I just didn’t feel like it. I was tired and angry with you for giving me such a big responsibility. And I wanted to have some fun!”
Air replied, looking down at the ground.

The Great Loopie smiled, took Air in His arms, kissed him and forgave him.

“Rainbows symbolize promises.” He explained. “I put the first rainbow in the sky as a promise to Noah and his family and ever since then I’ve been putting rainbows in the sky.”

“Is that why everyone in Acersville forgot about keeping their promises?” asked Air.

The Great Loopie nodded.

“Do you think we can fix it?” Air asked, finding it difficult to look the Great Loopie in the eye.

“Maybe if we had an Air Glider around here somewhere we could, otherwise I’m not so sure it can be done.” replied the Great Loopie.

“Aye Aye Mr. Great Loopie Sir!” saluted Air as he ran off to make his biggest rainbow yet.

And from that day on all the promises in Acersville were saved, as the Great Loopie went back to putting His rainbows in the sky! And as for Air? You will still find him Air Gliding close to the top of Mount Peakmore, back flipping and swirling around rainbows after the rain.

© 2007 Ingrid Holtshausen. All Rights Reserved.

Download “The Rainbow Maker” PDF Document

Crumpet owned the local bakery in Acersville and was looking for some new recipes to use in her shop. But not just any recipes, these had to be winning recipes!
So Crumpet had come up with a plan to have a baking contest. Her posters invited every Loopie to bake their best creation and bring them to Teak-tree Park the following day. The winning recipe would be used in her bakery and the winning Loopie would receive a gold medal!

The next day the Loopies were buzzing with excitement. They were all curious to see who the winner of Crumpet’s competition would be.
“I never thought so many would enter.” whispered Crumpet to a nearby judge, as Loopie upon Loopie walked by, each carrying a delicious looking cake.

“I think the gold medal did the trick!” he laughed.

“Well, whatever it was, I sure am happy about it.”

The Park had been beautifully decorated by Leechie and some Kinder Loopies, who had hung some festive balloons and streamers in some of the nearby trees. They had also set out huge tables for the cakes, decked with colourful tablecloths and festooned with pretty tea napkins and tiny forks.

All the Loopies that had entered Crumpet’s Contest had gone out of their way with their creations. Everything looked so yummy. The Loopies had made round cakes, square cakes, double-decker cakes and three tiered cakes. Chocolate cream cakes, chocolate fruitcakes, caramel-chocolate cakes and honey-treacle-cocoa cakes. There were big cakes and small cakes and even tiny cupcakes. It was an irresistible sight!

“Ladies and gentlemen and Loopies of all ages. Welcome to the first ever baking contest.” announced the spokesman to the Loopies who had settled down to watch the judging.

“Your wonderful entries will be sampled in just a moment. Then the prize will be given for the best tasting item.”

The Loopies cheered.

“Let the tasting begin!” cried Crumpet as she snipped the bright blue ribbon that held back the judges. The judges rushed forward, grabbed their forks and began tucking into the food.

The Loopies watched, wanting desperately to know who would win the gold medal, along with the title of ‘Best Baker in all Acersville’. Who would it be? Would it be Granny with her ever-popular Carrot-nut-chocolate Delight, or would it be Chelsea’s Chocolate- fudge Cake? The tension and excitement mounted as the judges began tasting, they tasted for hours! There was just so much cake. Layers of cake, piles of cake, towers of cake, mountains of cake!

The Loopie’s mouths watered, watching the judges eat was hard work!

Suddenly one of the judges gave a loud long burp. He looked at Crumpet; he really had had enough to eat. He looked as if he was going to explode!

Soon all the judges began to look like they’d had enough cake and candy to last until Christmas! Crumpet had to think quickly, there was still so much food!

“The tasting will now be open to all Loopies!” she announced quickly in a loud voice.

To the judge’s amazement the Loopies rushed forward. Every single one! They began to munch. They ate so fast that bits of cake, icing and chocolate flew in every direction!

The Loopies dodged the flying bits as they worked their way through the food. It looked like a food fight! Loopies had cream in their eyes and chocolate up their noses, but everyone was having such a good time, no one noticed the mess!

Eventually, there was no cake left, just happy Loopies with full tummies smiling contentedly. Every single scrap of food had been eaten.
Devoured. Every last crumb gone!

“Oh no!” cried the judges.

“What shall we do now? There is no cake left and we still don’t know who the winner is. Every cake we tasted was delicious.”

Crumpet smiled and looked at the Loopies.

“You’re all winners! You all win gold medals!”

So each Loopie got a chance to stand on the first place step of the podium that day to receive their gold medals. What an eventful, exciting, not to mention delicious, day!

And as for Crumpet’s bakery, well let’s just say she won’t be needing any new recipes in a hurry.

© 2007 Ingrid Holtshausen. All Rights Reserved.

Download “The Baking Contest” PDF Document

This time he had given Chelsea a gift. It was a box, wrapped in beautiful pink paper with a pretty bow on the lid. She was so pleased, that she opened it immediately and a giant springy snake jumped out at her!

“Aaaaaah!” She screamed.

Chelsea burst into tears while Tubblie went off laughing.

Chelsea was the friendliest Loopie in all Acersville. She was kind and always thought the best of anyone. Chelsea was one of the few Loopies left in Acersville that would still give Tubblie a chance. Most of the others were already wise to his tricks.

“What’s wrong?” asked Leechie softly. She was out on her morning walk and noticed Chelsea looking rather upset.

“I’m so angry at Tubblie,” She blurted.

“Oh dear, what did he do this time?”

“He gave me a present, with a big snake inside.” Chelsea sobbed.

“I feel so stupid for thinking Tubblie could ever have meant to be kind.”

Leechie took Chelsea’s paw and smiled. “I know who can help us, come with me.”

They went to see Ruff and Rufus and explained all that Tubblie had done.

Rufus grinned, “Leave it to us.”

“What are we going to do Rufus?” asked Ruff puzzled.
“You’ll see!”

The next day Rufus and Ruff invited Tubblie over to their house.

“We have made a present for you Tubblie.” explained Rufus, pointing to a large covered object in the middle of the yard.

“What is it?” cried Tubblie excitedly.

“Go have a look.”

“Oh boy!” Tubblie ran towards the object and lifted the cloth that covered it. “It’s a robot! Quite a strange looking one too!”

“A Bahena.” said Ruff, trying hard not to laugh.

Rufus thumped him in the ribs.

“A Ba-what?” asked Tubblie, looking very interested.

“It’s a mixture between a Baboon and a Hyena. It’s programmed to laugh at jokes and to beat up bad guys.” explained Rufus.

Tubblie smiled slyly.

“Thanks. You guys are the best.”

Tubblie said hurried goodbyes as he rolled his new present away. “I can’t wait to test you out Bahena.” he whispered to the robot, “And I have just the plan!”

Tubblie rolled his Bahena behind some bushes and hid himself behind a tree not far away. He saw Granny on her way down the path carrying her shopping home.

“Watch this Bahena. Here comes your first joke for the day.” giggled the naughty Tubblie.

“Waaaaaaa!” he screamed as he jumped out in front of Granny.

Suddenly and without any warning, the Bahena jumped out from behind the bushes and began to beat Tubblie over the head with a stick.
Granny laughed and laughed. Tubblie looked so funny dancing all over the park with a whatever-you-call-it behind him.

Granny laughed so much that she dropped her shopping and collapsed in a heap on the ground. The tears rolled down her cheeks, she spluttered, coughed and could hardly breathe.

“Thank you Tubblie!” she cried, when she managed to straighten herself and pick up all of her groceries. “That was the best laugh I’ve had in years!”

Tubblie didn’t hear Granny. He was just trying to scramble away from his Bahena.

Eventually the beating stopped. Tubblie rubbed his head. It was aching.

“What was that for Bahena?” he cried, “You were supposed to laugh at my joke, not beat me up. Probably a start-up malfunction or something. Come on, I’ve got another idea.”

So off went Tubblie in search of another victim with the Bahena trailing behind him.

“Ahh!” said Tubblie excitedly. “Here’s someone now.”

It was George. George had been the Postmaster of Acersville since Tubblie was a pup.

George had a lot of deliveries to make and the day wasn’t getting any longer.

Tubblie ran out in front of George and grabbed some letters out of his hands and ran off. But he didn’t get quite the reaction he had wanted. George looked at Tubblie and grinned. “You can be my little helper if you want, you just have to promise to wear a tiny green uniform.”

Tubblie was horrified. He was no elf! Just then, the Bahena laughed. It was first muffled and then it got louder and louder.

“Hey, wait a minute!” said Tubblie, getting quite furious, “You’re supposed to laugh at my jokes!”

He got so angry that he pulled the Bahena’s head off and to his surprise…

“Leechie! Chelsea! You were the Bahena?!”

“Yes.” They giggled, “You’re so funny Tubblie, especially when you’re angry.”

“I don’t like it when Loopies laugh at me, or beat me with sticks or make a fool out of me!” shouted Tubblie.

“Now you know how we feel most of the time Tubblie.” said Chelsea.

Tubblie looked down at the ground, “Do I really make you feel that way?” he asked sheepishly.

“Yes you do.”

“Then I will change.”

And from that day on, Tubblie really did change. He is now the nicest Loopie in Acersville, thanks to Rufus and Ruff’s Bahena!

© 2007 Ingrid Holtshausen. All Rights Reserved.

Download “A Present for Tubblie” PDF

Pancake yawned and sat up in bed, turned on her lamp and squinted at her clock, it was midnight.

Grummmm, grummm, grrrrummmble.

Pancake rolled down the stairs and went to her fridge, she opened it but it was empty! Then Pancake remembered that she had already eaten everything in the fridge for supper. Grrrrrrrrummmmmble, grrrrummmble. Oh dear what was Pancake to do? Without a cookie or sandwich in sight, Pancake had no other choice but to get her coat and shoes and leave the house.

She walked all the way down the street to Acer Square. It was very quiet, every Loopie in Acersville was asleep. She scanned the Square; The Hardware shop, no nothing there would taste good. The hairdresser? She winced remembering the time she had eaten soap, and it wasn’t a good memory! Then, with delight she spotted Crumpet’s Bakery!

Pancake was Crumpet’s cousin and Pancake was certain that Crumpet wouldn’t mind if she ate something from the Bakery – just a teeny-weeny snack, just to end the grumbles in her tummy!

Pancake crept up to the door, she felt guilty for not asking, but it was so late, she couldn’t possibly ask permission now? She turned the door knob, it was open! Pancake tiptoed inside.

The Bakery contained the most amazing and delicious pastries, doughnuts and cakes! Her mouth watered and as quick as a flash she began putting her grumbles to bed! She ate and ate and couldn’t stop, she ate so much she became quite paralyzed. In fact she ate so much that she didn’t even notice the police-men outside! They were shinning their torches into the Bakery windows to investigate the break-in!

Just then she heard sirens and a loud voice saying, “Come out with your hands up!”
Pancake froze. She was so frightened. Were they talking to her? She got up slowly and shook the sprinkles from her skirt and wiped the icing from around her mouth. As she got outside, Police-men surrounded her from every angle, hand-cuffed her, bundled her into their car and sped off to the police station with sirens blaring.

The following day, the Loopies held a trial for Pancake. Every Loopie in Acersville was there, including Crumpet who stood in the court room looking very upset.Pancake was wearing a big orange overall and was led out by two policemen. She was cuffed with heavy chains, and looked like a dangerous criminal. Crumpet gasped when she saw that her cousin was the perpetrator of this crime against her Bakery! Pancake stared at the floor, she felt quite horrible!

The judge looked at Crumpet, “What are the charges against this criminal?” he barked.
“I don’t wish to press charges anymore your Honour.” said Crumpet softly.
Pancake was relieved. The judge glared at her and said, “Then you are free to go.”
“Thank you Crumpet.” She breathed, as the Police removed her chains.
“But!” barked the judge. Pancake jumped at his gruff voice. “There is one thing I am sentencing you to, and that is a few weeks of Community Service!” He banged his hammer and the court was adjourned.

Pancake looked at her cousin. “I’m sorry Crumpet, I was just … hungry.” She admitted, her tummy beginning to grumble yet again.
Crumpet smiled, the judge had given her a good idea!
“How do you feel about waffles and lemonade, Pancake?” asked Crumpet.

Pancake’s mouth watered! “You don’t even have to ask!” she squealed delightedly, thinking of the beautiful breakfast her cousin would be making her!
“Perfect!” said Crumpet. “Then you can get started right away!”
Pancake looked confused, Crumpet only giggled.

So the next two weeks Pancake spent her days squeezing lemonade and making waffles out-side of The Acorn Academy School and selling them to hungry Loopies. Poor Pancake! I hope she’s learnt her lesson!

© 2006 Ingrid Holtshausen. All Rights Reserved.

Download “The Midnight Feast” as a PDF Document