LUCHIE'S CHERUBIM TALES

Circles of Love

2008-10-17T07:28:00.001-07:00

To Double:
This is for your birthday. We love you!
From us here in Singapore

The Three Angels Versus the Five Witches

2008-09-13T01:09:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time in a far away village, a mean ugly witch named Tet lived alone. One day she decided to go to town to seek a man to marry and have children with. She disguised herself as a pretty woman. She casted a spell on the first man who approached her and they lived together as husband and wife. After a few months, she bore a son whom she adored so much. Unfortunately, the man found out that she was a real witch and asked her to go back to the mountain. Up in the mountain, the mean witch discovered that she was heavy with a child. She went back to town and threatened to kill the man. The man agreed to live with the witch again with a condition that she should always disguise as a pretty woman and forget her being a witch. She then gave birth to a second son whom she hated so much. True to her wishes, she gave birth to more children, all five girls named Deb, Loi, Tigress and Iya.

Years passed by and the second son named Noel grew up to be an obedient, kind and helpful boy. He was asked to do household chores, obey his older brother and serve his five younger sisters. His younger sisters asked him to do girly jobs like washing the dishes, cleaning the house and even throwing the girls’ urinal. He thought all along that being a servant was just the right thing to do.

Noel attended school in the nearby public school. As his family responsibilities were becoming bigger as he was growing up, he unconsciously seek for attention. That was why when a classmate in high school flirted on him; he did not stop her even though he did not like her. For him being adored was a nice feeling. But the girl whose name was Fanny became daring in announcing to one and all that they were sweethearts. Almost every night she would station herself on the road crossing waiting for the boy.

The mean witch did not like the idea that her second son would soon take a bride. She talked to her daughters about her fear. The daughters decided to study witch tricks from their own mother. So whenever possible they threw tricks on their brother’s girl friend. At the same time, they showed faces of approval on Fanny but behind her back, they ridiculed her. They called her “Kanto girl”, which means a cheap girl on the road crossing.

One day the boy met Xia, the girl of his dreams. They became lovers and got married even though both their families objected to the union. The mean witch and her daughters who became witches also decided to cast a spell on Noel. They declared: “Noel must be a son and a brother and never can be a husband and a father.”

Dark clouds invaded the sky but life went on and on…………

In Heaven, three angels named Kylenne, Darrielle and Karlisse were in their kindergarten classroom. Their teacher Martha was teaching them the rhyme “Monkeys on the Bed.” As they were singing the rhyme, they bowed their heads. They saw the Earth below. They saw the five witches. So, the three angels sang loudly:

One greedy mean witch kicking the son’s wife,
The wife softly cried and almost lost her life,
Father called the Council and the Council said,
Call more witches to kick your son’s wife.

Two greedy witches kicking the son’s wife,
The wife softly cried and almost lost her life,
Father called the Council and the Council said,
Call more witches to kick your son’s wife.

Three greedy witches kicking the son’s wife,
The wife softly cried and almost lost her life,
Father called the Council and the Council said,
Call more witches to kick your son’s wife.

Four greedy witches kicking the son’s wife,
The wife softly cried and almost lost her life,
Father called the Council and the Council said,
Call more witches to kick your son’s wife.

Five greedy witches kicking the son’s wife,
The wife softly cried and almost lost her life,
Father called the Council and the Council said,
Call more witches to kick your son’s wife.

After singing, the three angels went down to Earth. They could not let this thing happen on Earth.

Once the three angels stepped on Earth, heavy rains fell down followed by a loud thunder. The five witches got scared upon seeing the three angels. So they run to the mountain to seek refuge. The angels followed them and sang:

You five greedy witches kicking the son’s wife,
You cannot hurt her; we’ll care for her all her life.
Noel called in Heaven and Heaven said
No more greedy witches like you living a life.

White clouds invaded the sky. Noel and Xia lived together forever with their three pretty daughters and three angels.

Buzzy Bee Liked to Buzz

2005-12-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, a bee named Buzzy Bee lived in a beautiful garden in Insect Land. She used to teach young bees how to make some honey. But she was so strict and arrogant in the way she teaches that most young bees disliked her.

Learning about the young bees' discontentment, the Queen Bee announced that Buzzy Bee would make some honey and look for some flowers elsewhere next Summer.

When Summer came, the Queen Bee said, " It's summer! Time to make some honey. You can now go and make honey. Try to befriend the other insects you'll meet in Insect Land."

So Buzzy Bee took her pollen basket and waved goodbye to the Queen Bee and to all the young bees.

Buzzy Bee found a lovely carnation, and she went up close and said:

"Good morning Jacky Spider! I came here to make honey.

You know what, the flowers over my place are not as beautiful as here.

Besides, all the bees are arrogant and scary!"

"Go away!" said Jacky Spider. "This flower belongs to me. And I don't believe you entirely."

Buzzy Bee flew over some dandelions. She went up close and said:

"Good morning Betty Butterfly! I came here to make honey.

You know what, the flowers over my place are not as beautiful as here.

Besides, all the bees are arrogant and scary!"

"Go away!" said Betty Butterfly."This flower belongs to me. And I don't believe you entirely."

Buzzy Bee flew over some roses. She went up close and said:

"Good morning Corrie Catterpillar! I came here to make honey.

You know what, the flowers over my place are not as beautiful as here.

Besides, all the bees are arrogant and scary!"

"Go away!" said Corrie Catterpillar. "This flower belongs to me. And I don't believe you entirely."

Buzzy Bee flew over some orchids. She went up close and said:

"Good morning Lucy Ladybird! I came here to make honey.

You know what, the flowers over my place are not as beautiful as here.

Besides, all the bees are arrogant and scary!"

"Oh! Maybe they have problems," said Lucy Ladybird. "Just smile to them and for sure they'll be friendly to you. Come over and play with me while you make some honey."

After a while, Buzzy Bee made enough honey. She shouted as she flew away:

"I'll be going home now Lucy ladybird. Just be sure you reserve these flowers for me next Summer."

On the way home, Buzzy Bee met Felix Flea who was crying out: "I am so ugly nobody wanted to play with me!!!"

Buzzy Bee flew nearer to Felix Flea and whispered:

"You are not that ugly. Just go to Orchid Garden and you'll see Lucy Ladybird.

She is the ugliest insect in the whole Insect Land."

So, Felix Flea flew to Orchid Garden. When he saw Lucy Ladybird, he mentioned what Buzzy Bee told him.

The next Summer, Buzzy Bee flew back to Orchid Garden. Upon seeing Lucy Ladybird, she shouted out very loud:

"Good morning Lucy Ladybird! You are so beautiful today!"

"Oh! Buzzy Bee" answered Lucy Ladybird. "I know what you said to Felix Flea. But I don't mind. I consider you my friend even though you always say bad things about people."

Buzzy Bee felt so ashamed of herself. She promised herself that she would change her ways. And from then on Buzzy Bee never buzzed bad things about the other insects anymore.

I'm Prettier Than You!

2005-10-31T03:04:00.000-08:00

Sorry girls my story is late for your birthday. I am quite busy with my centre's newsletter/magazine. Anyhow, here it is. HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY again!!!
**********************************
*an original story by Luchie

Kyllenne and Darrielle are twins. Their mother, Mommy krizelle, always dress them up with similar clothes that people around mistake one from another. Most of the time, people comment on who is prettier among the two of them.

One day Mommy Krizelle buys a stand mirror which she places inside the twin's bedroom.

"Girls, this mirror is for both of you," Mommy Krizelle says. "As you are two years old now, you must learn how to dress by yourselves. And this mirror will tell you how you look."

"Today, we will attend Balerie's birthday party," Mommy Krizelle announces. "Prepare yourselves and dress up nicely."

The girls open their closet with excitement. They select the clothings they like best and dress themselves up. As they stand side by side infront of the big and tall mirror, they beam with pride.

"I'm prettier than you," says Kyllenne.

"No, I'm prettier than you," says Darrielle. "Look at my pretty pink socks. It got nice pink lace. Your blue socks is fit for a boy."

"No, I'm prettier than you," says Kyllenne. "Do you notice my matching blue blouse? It suits me well."

"No, I'm prettier than you," says Darrielle. "My pink dress has pink buttons that will make people notice me."

"No, I'm prettier than you," says Kyllenne. "Just look at my blue hair clips. It has flower design."

"No, I'm prettier than you," says Darrielle. "My pink hairband matches my pink dress."

"I'm the prettiest," says Kyllenne. "My white hat with blue ribbon makes me stand out."

"I'm the prettiest," says Darrielle. "My white hat with pink flowers makes me a real girl."

After a while, Mommy Krizelle calls out. "Be ready girls. We are going now."

The girls come forward with big smiles on their faces. Seeing them so pretty, Mommy Krizelle cries aloud with joy. "Oh my God! You are both very pretty!"

"We are both pretty," says Kyllenne.

"We are both pretty," says Darrielle.

"With those sweet smiles on your faces, you are the prettiest twin in the whole wide world," Mommy Krizelle says proudly. She hugs the twins with much love. "Always remember that the smile that radiates from ones face is the one that makes a person pretty."

"We are the prettiest twin in the whole wide world!!!," Kyllene and Darrielle shout with glee.

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

2005-10-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

TO KYLLENNE & DARRIELLE:

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO BOTH OF YOU!
(27 October 2005)

ALWAYS REMEMBER WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

FROM SINGAPORE WITH LOVE!

GRANDMA LUCHIE
GRANDPA NAP
TITA MARRIELLE
TITA PAULA

Sammy Snail Has A New Friend

2005-08-14T00:24:00.000-07:00

Sammy Snail was a young snail. He got tired of playing games with his snail friends. He wanted to make new friends and play games with other creatures in the garden. So, one day, Sammy Snail decided to look for them.

"I am off!" said Sammy Snail.
"I am going on my way to look for new friends."

Sammy travelled far and away. Though tired, he continued moving until he reached a beautiful garden with so many flowers and plants.

"Yum! Yum! I like it here!" said Sammy Snail.
"For sure I will meet a lot of friends to play with."

So, he slid along the garden path, then around the potting shed. He saw two woodlice and a butterfly overhead.

"Hello Sleepy Woodlice! Do you want to play games with me?" Sammy Snail asked.

"Oh no! Oh no! We are very sleepy. Ask the butterfly then," chorused the Sleepy Woodlice.

" Hello Betty Butterfly! Do you want to play games with me?" Sammy Snail asked.

"Oh no! Oh no! I enjoy flying with my beautiful wings. I don't want to play with you!" Betty Butterfly answered.

Determined to find friends to play games with, Sammy Snail slid accross the flower bed. There he met a bumble bee.

"Hello Buzzy Bee! Do you want to play games with me?" Sammy Snail asked.

"Oh no! Oh no! You are very slimy. I don't want to play with you!" Buzzy Bee shouted.

Determined to find friends to play games with, Sammy Snail crawled farther near the apple tree. He saw two worms playing hide and seek.

"Hello Wonderful Worms! Do you want to play games with me?" Sammy Snail asked.

"Oh no! Oh no! We don't like your ugly shell. We don't want to play with you!" Wonderful Worms answered with big laughs.

Sammy Snail sat on some moss. He was feeling so sad.

"Oh my God! I think I am lost!" Sammy Snail said to himself.
"Why I got no friends and now I am already lost?" he asked himself and sobbed.

Under the leaf, Sammy Snail heard a tiny voice.

"My friend Sammy Snail, just follow your trail," said Corrie Caterpillar.
"It will take you home again."

"Oh Corrie Catterpillar! Can I come back to play games with you?" asked Sammy Snail excitedly.

"Of course! Of course! Come back tomorrow. I accept you as my friend!" said Corrie Caterpillar.

And so Sammy Snail happily followed his trail home.

"Yipee! I have a new friend!" Sammy Snail shouted gleefully knowing that tomorrow will be a new day.

*an original story by Luchie

Can you be my mother?

2005-04-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Twenty years ago high up in the mountain in America, a female condor laid an egg on a bare rock. The male and the female condor took turns in incubating the egg.

Finally after about nine weeks, a baby condor pecked out of its shell. The newly hatched chick was covered with gray-brown feathers.

CHEEP! CHEEP! The baby condor was hungry. It was waiting for its parents to return with something good to eat. During this time, the baby condor depended completely on its parents to feed it with several pieces of meat.

The baby condor waited and waited but no Daddy condor and Mommy condor came back. As she heard shooting, she became more scared for her parents.

The next few hours, a dying Mommy condor came flying low and told the baby condor to take care of herself as there would be no more mommy and Daddy who would take care of her. There were bad people who shot and killed the adult condors.

"GRRRRR!" said the Mother jaguar. The baby condor came nearer and asked: "Can you be my mother?"

"No no no no, I cannot be your mommy! I have dark ringed spots on my sides and back called rosettes. You are covered with grey-brown feathers. Sorry, I cannot be your mother," the jaguar said and then climbed with her cubs in a tree nearby.

"SMOOOCH!" said the mother chimpanzee. The baby condor came nearer and asked: "Can you be my mother?"

"No no no no, I cannot be your mommy. I am covered with brown hair and have long legs to walk and hands to hold things. You are covered with grey-brown feathers. Sorry, I cannot be your mother," the chimpanzee said and called her young ones to swing through the trees to explore snails and butterflies.

SPLASHED! The mother and baby sloth swam in the river nearby. The baby condor came nearer and asked: "Can you be my mother?"

"No no no no, I am the slowest mammal in the world. All I can do with speed is swim. You are covered with grey-brown feathers and for sure you could not swim. Sorry, I cannot be your mother," the sloth said.

"OH MY GOD!" the female mountain police ranger said. The baby condor came nearer and asked: "Can you be my mother?"

"Yes yes yes yes! I can be your mother. You are one of the only 9 California condors left in the world. I will take you into a safe place where you will be protected," said the female mountain police ranger.

The baby condor was very happy for she found a real mother.

NOW, there are already 90 living California condors as protected by the government of the United States of America.

I Love You Just The Way You Are

2005-04-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

In the African grasslands, there was once a mother Cheetah who had four cubs. She loved them all. She groomed them with her long tongue and cleaned the grayish -brown fur on their heads and backs.

Mother Cheetah hunted for their food as the four cubs followed her white tipped tail. At her command, the four cubs stopped while she chased a gazelle. She held the prey and called the cubs to practice the killing bite.

The youngest cub, Zita, was not happy. She wanted to learn more skills so she could hunt better and survive in the grasslands.

"I want to have a trunk like the elephant, so I can toss the gazelle. For sure Mother Cheetah will like me more" Zita told her siblings.

So Zita went to see the Fairy Queen Ricah who lived in an old castle.

"Oh Fairy Queen Ricah please help me, cried Zita. "I want to have a trunk so I can toss a gazelle. For sure Mother Cheetah will like me more."

So Fairy Queen Ricah tapped Zita's head with her magic wand. And in an instant her mouth with sharp teeth disappeared and a long trunk slowly formed on her face.

Zita hurried home to Mother Cheetah. "Look at me Mother Cheetah," Zita said happily. "I am very special. I"m not like the other cheetahs. I now have a trunk."

Mother Cheetah was shocked when she saw Zita. "What have you done to yourself? You are not my baby cheetah anymore. And how can you be the fastest mammal reaching speeds of more than 60 miles per hour if you have your trunk dangling infront? You cannot even practice the killing bite," said Mother Cheetah very sadly.

Feeling lonely, Zita went back to look for Fairy Queen Ricah again. "Please Fairy Queen Ricah," begged Zita, "grant me one more wish."

"I want to be myself again," wished Zita. Once again fairy Queen Ricah tapped her head with her magic wand and Zita was back to herself again.

Zita ran home quickly. "Look Mother Cheetah," she said happily, "I'm your little Zita again."

"Thank goodness!" said Mother Cheetah. "You're my little Zita once more.

Mother Cheetah then gathered her cubs and said: "I love everyone of you. I love you just the way you are!"

P-U-R-R-R-R. And the baby cheetah cubs were ready to nap after drinking their mother's milk.

Zita contentedly drink her mother's milk too and smiled to herself knowing that she was loved.

The Three Pretty Girls

2005-03-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

* based from The Three Billy Goat Gruffs

In a faraway place, three pretty sisters lived in a nice bungalow house with no Mom and Dad. Their Mom and Dad were working in Hong Kong. before they left, they gave the three pretty sisters a promise that they would come back in due time to fetch them for the whole family to be together and live happily in a progressive place away from the maddening world of their relatives.

A mean auntie named Deborrah was assigned to live with them so as to take care of their daily needs. As expected, instead of taking good care of the three lonely girls, she pocketed the money remitted for the girls daily needs for her own personal use. The girls were forced to eat simple foods and wear very simple clothes.

The three girls suffered in silence. They never devulged the pain and hardships they were experiencing from the hands of the mean Deborrah for fear that the whole clan would punish them.

One day, the the youngest girl named Elle looked at the map of hong Kong. She felt very lonely.

"I want to see my Mom and Dad," she said.

The youngest girl ran to her mean auntie Deborrah.

"I am your auntie. What I say is the truth. Your Mom and Dad will not come back. You will not see them anymore."

"But can you just mail the birthday card I made for my Mom?" Elle pleaded.

"Hmmp! Okay you silly girl!" Deborrah the mean auntie answered.

She then threw the card inside the rubbish bin.

The second pretty girl named Emme ran to her mean auntie.

"I want to see my Mom and Dad" she said.

"I am your auntie. What I say is the truth. Your Mom and Dad will not come back. You will not see them anymore."

"But can you just give me the money they sent you so we can buy our own food?" Emme pleaded.

"Hmmp! You listen silly girl." The mean auntie lied that no money was sent to her since the beginning.

The eldest pretty girl named Kaye ran to her mean auntie.

"I want to see my Mom and Dad" she said.

"I am your auntie. What I say is the truth. Your Mom and Dad will not come back. You will not see them anymore."

Then Kaye laughed and laughed and said "We will all fly to Hong Kong tomorrow. Mom and Dad will be arriving tonight just to fetch us. You better get out of our house now."

An hour later, Mom and Dad arrived with a lot og goodies and chocolates. They all embraced each other in happiness.

The next day, they were all inside the Cathay Pacific plane enroute to Hong Kong all happy and beaming.

And they all lived happily together never ever bothered by the mean Deborrah forever.

Olly Otter Was Satisfied After All

2005-02-13T23:29:00.000-08:00

Olly Otter Was Satisfied After All
*written by Luchie as adapted from “The Tortoise That Wanted to Fly”
and inspired by my student “Anne” This story is also for her.

Once upon a time, three otters were born in the spring in an underground nursery of leaves and soft grass. Tommy Otter, Bobby Otter and Olly Otter were tiny and about 4 inches long. They were born blind and had soft fuzzy fur.

Tommy Otter was cuddled with his Mother in the warm den as he nursed her milk. He was happy and satisfied.

Bobby Otter was cuddled with his Mother in the warm den as he nursed her milk. He was happy and satisfied.

Olly Otter was also cuddled with her Mother in the warm den as she nursed her milk. She was unhappy and not satisfied.

When the tree otters turned two months, Mother Otter announced that it was time for their first swimming lesson. So they ventured out of their snug tunnel onto a river bank.

Mother Otter gently nudged Tommy Otter with her nose into the water. SPLASHED! She pushed and pulled Tommy for him to swim. In a few days he learned how to swim and he dived and chased small fishes. He was happy and satisfied with his new skill.

Mother Otter gently nudged Bobby Otter with her nose into the water. SPLASHED! She pushed and pulled Bobby for him to swim. In a few days he learned how to swim and he dived and chased medium –sized fishes. He was happy and satisfied with his new skill.

Mother Otter gently nudged Olly Otter with her nose into the water. SPLASHED! She pushed and pulled Olly for her to swim. In a few days she learned how to swim and she dived and chased big fishes. She was unhappy and not satisfied at all.

WHOOSH! The three otters, after four months, slide down a muddy hill into the river and zoomed along underwater and run back back the hill to slide again. They enjoyed playing tag and all sorts of other games. But as usual, Olly Otter was unhappy and was not satisfied.

ONE DAY Olly Otter noticed a pelican flying overhead. It looked very graceful and flying looked so easy that she decided she would learn how to fly too.

The pelican came to rest on a rock near the river and so Olly saw her opportunity. She said “Oh pretty pelican you fly so well. Please teach me how to fly.”

The pelican was surprised. “What? Teach you how to fly? You have no wings or feathers.”

Again Olly Otter pleaded “Oh please pelican dear. I am sure I can learn”.

Olly Otter pleaded non stop that finally pelican agreed to teach her how to fly.

She asked Olly Otter to climb on her back and she spread her wings and flew high in the sky. She then asked Olly Otter who was on her back to let go off her and flap her legs to fly.

Olly Otter flapped her legs as hard as she could but she fell like a stone towards the ground. Luckily she fell into a bush.

She was bruised and badly shaken.

She then said “I don’t want to fly anymore! I better swim and dive with my brothers. That would be more satisfying.”

Penny Parrot

2005-02-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

Penny Parrot *an original story by Luchie

Penny Parrot was feeling a little low, a little lonely. She had no urge to fly and sing and just stayed on the branch of the tree in her home in the tropical forest.

At chorus practice time with her fellow parrots that are all her cousins, she just dragged herself along. When everyone else sang, “Mummy Daddy I love you”, she squeaked “pa, pa, pa.”

“Stop that!” Everyone shouted. “Why can’t you sing Mummy Daddy like the rest of us?”

“Nobody likes me,” said Penny.

“Everybody hates me.”

When it was snack time everybody else cracked open nuts and seeds using their strong short beaks. Penny couldn’t be bothered. She wasn’t hungry, she couldn’t crack open any nuts around, she didn’t care. She flew over another tree away from her cousins and friends and sang sad songs.

Powerful and sharp claws appeared in the sky up above the tree. It was the Fierce Freddy Falcon.

When penny parrot saw Fierce Freddy Falcon, she flew away fast.

“Nobody likes me,” said Fierce Freddy Falcon. “Everybody hates me.”

Penny flew to the other end of the forest. On a branch of a young tree, she saw Whoophi Woodpecker pecking a hole to find insects to eat.

“Go ahead!” said the woodpecker. “Laugh at me if I can’t find insects here. I don’t care!”

“Everything’s so utterly rotten,” Whoophi added.

“I’ve been feeling a little low too.” said Penny.

“Everything’s seem to be closing on me,” said Whoophi. “I can’t peck holes real big, as if I have no strong sharp beak at all.”

Feeling sadder because of Whoopi’s tales, she decided to be alone and flew to the farthest end of the forest where brightly coloured flowering plants abound. She landed on a short tree nearby.

She stuck her head to a tiny branch of the tree and saw a pupa moving and a tiny voice came from it. “I can scarcely breath I feel as if I’m going to jump out of my skin,”

“I feel a little lonely,” said Penny.

She was looking away from the pupa when she said that. When she looked back there was her empty skin split right down and back and Betty Butterfly was out of it.

She looked altogether different. She waved her colourful wings, flew among the flowers and chirped merrily.

“How did she do that?” said Penny. “I wonder if I can do it.”

“Oh Penny Parrot, there’s no need for you to change your feathers. Your wings are so lovely and colourful.”

With joy hearing Betty Butterfly’s compliment, Penny sang, “Mummy Daddy I love you”.

“Is it a happy song or a sad song? “ said Betty Butterfly.

“Sad,” said Penny.

“That’s funny,” said Betty Butterfly. "The sound looks happy.”

Penny went back home to the tropical forest. She noticed that she could fly and sing with ease. She thought of Betty Butterfly and she began to laugh. She was laughing and singing, laughing and singing all the way home.

When she got home her Mother said, “You look as if you’ve been having a good day.”

“Actually, it hasn’t been bad,” said Penny Parrot, “Not bad at all.”

The Three Nestlings

2005-02-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

*original story by Luchie

Once upon a time there was a place called Birds Kingdom. It was a place where all kinds of birds can be found.

Birds are warm-blooded animals with two legs. They are special animals as they are the only animals that have feathers. Some of their feathers are short and fluffy and others are long and strong. Many of them are very colorful.

Birds lay eggs and build nests to keep their eggs and chicks safe and warm. The parents feed the chicks until they are old enough to find their own food.

The elders in the Birds Kingdom advised their nestlings not to go near an eagle as this bird eats birds and animals.

One day, three nestlings went out to seek their own food.

The first nestling was a kingfisher that had brightly colored feathers. She flew to her direction near the river and sat very still on a tree, the bald eagle that saw her flying came nearer.

“Little kingfisher, little kingfisher,
Let me bring you to a great river
Where fishes abound in number.”

“Oh no! No! You got sharp strong beak and claws
You might scratch me and I will be eaten raw.”

“You like fish to eat right?
Come and join me, be bright.”

As she was already hungry, the kingfisher followed the eagle to the great river. She saw a fish and she instantly dived into the water, caught it and ate. Suddenly, the eagle with his sharp beak pecked the kingfisher and ate it alive.

The second nestling was a pelican that had long beak and sagging pouch. He flew and landed clumsily on a riverbank.

The bald eagle that saw him landed in the riverbank came nearer and said:

“Little pelican, little pelican dear,
Let me bring you to a great river
Where fishes abound in number.”

“Oh no! No! You got sharp strong beak and claws
You might scratch me and I will be eaten raw.”

“You like fish to eat right?”
Come and join me, be bright.”

As the pelican was already hungry, she followed the eagle to the great river. She moved quickly in water and fastly caught a fish with her special beak. Suddenly, the eagle with his sharp beak pecked the pelican and ate it alive.

The third nestling was an ostrich that could not fly. She could just run very fast on her strong powerful legs. She walked near the grassland.

The eagle who saw her approaching the grassland flew nearer and said:

“Little ostrich little ostrich dear,
Let me bring you to a great river
Where fishes abound in number.”

“Oh no! No! You got strong beak and claws
You might scratch me and I will be eaten raw.”

“You like to eat fish right?
Come and join me, be bright.”

The ostrich told herself, “This eagle is insulting me. Why he didn’t know I couldn’t fly? I better be bright and wise.”

So the ostrich run very fast to the opposite direction away from the tricky eagle and reached safely her home in the Birds Kingdom.

The bald eagle never sees the ostrich and any of her friends from then on.

Tricky Jacky Spider

2005-01-29T15:45:00.000-08:00

*original story by Luchie

Jacky was a little spider. She lived on the topmost portion of the gumamela plant with a ladybird, leaf beetle, three catterpilars and six grasshoppers. Though Jacky was an arachnid who got eight legs, she was friendly to the insects who only got six legs. jacky was very young and she liked playing tricks on the other insects. The other insects sometimes got cross with Jacky because of her tricks. Jacky's favourite trick was hiding from the other insects and then calling out and making them jump.

On Monday Jacky sneaked down into the top portion of their gumamela home when no-one was looking. She found a good place to hide and she waited for the ladybird. The ladybird was a brightly coloured flying beetle who had black spots which warned birds that it was not good to eat. Soon the ladybird came into the top portion of their gumamela home.Suddenly Jacky called out "Whissh!". The ladybird hopped in surprise.

The ladybird looked here.
The ladybird looked there.
But she couldn't find Jacky anywhere!

Jacky was very pleased that she had trick the ladybird, so on Tuesday she went to the middle portion of their gumamela home when no-one was looking. She found a good place to hide and she waited for the leaf beetle. The leaf beetle was a brightly coloured oval in shape insect. It had short legs and feed on leaves. Soon the leaf beetle came into the middle portion of their gumamela home. Suddenly Jacky called out "Whissh!". The leaf beetle flew up in surprise.

The leaf beetle looked here.
The leaf beetle looked there.
But she couldn't find jacky anywhere!

Jacky was very pleased that she had tricked the leaf beetle, so on Wednesday, she went to the lower portion of their gumamela home when no-one was looking. She found a good place to hide and she waited for the three catterpilars. The catterpilars were baby butterflies. They hatched out of tiny eggs and ate leaves non-stop. Soon the three catterpilars ccame into the lower portion of their gumamela home. Suddenly Jacky called out "Whissh!" The catterpilars wiggled in surprise.

The three cattepilars looked here.
The three catterpilars looked there.
But they couldn't find Jacky anywhere!

Jacky was very pleased that she had trick the three catterpilars, so on Thursday she went into the lowest portion of their gumamela home when no-one was looking. She found a good place to hide and she waited for the six grasshoppers. Grasshoppers were flying green insects and could hide easily in the grass. They had strong back legs to jump high into the air and get away from danger. Soon the grasshoppers came along the lowest portion of their gumamela home. Suddenly Jacky called out "Whissh!" The grasshoppers hopped high into the air in surprise.

The six grasshoppers looked here.
The three grasshoppers looked there.
But they couln't find Jacky anywhere!

Jacky was very pleased that she had managed to trick all the insects. So on Friday she crawled back into the topmost portion of their gumamela home to look for all her friends. Jacky looked around but she couldn't see her friends anywhere. Then suddenly the ladybird, the leaf beetle, the three catterpilars and the six grasshoppers all went together, "CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP!!!"

Jacky Spider stood quite still and listened.
Jacky looked here.
Jacky looked there.
But she couldn't find her friends anywhere!

Hilbert Hippo and Eddy Elephant

2005-01-20T16:00:00.000-08:00

*original story

Hilbert Hippo is a happy hippo. He smiles all the times and of course a hippo smile is very big and wide.

Eddy Elephant, however, is very sad today. He has lost his best log, the one he likes to sit on, and juggle, and swing from side to side.

Hilbert goes down to the pond to drink. He wades out into the water and sits while beaming in the cool water.

Then Eddy goes down to the water too. He sits at the edge of the pool and big teardrops roll down his face.

"What is the matter?' asks Hilbert. "I do not take to see anyone looking so very sad."

"I have lost my log" says Eddy.

"There are lots of logs around here" says Hilbert.

"I know, but they are not the same" says Eddy.

"My log has lovely bobbly bits that make it easy to hold and a soft horny spot that is lovely to touch" Eddy sighs deeply.

"Hmmm" says Hilbert. "Actually I think I might be sitting on it. There is something underneath me that is very soft and mossy."

Hilbert stands up and out bobs Eddy Elephant's log.

It float gently across the water to him. Eddy is so thrilled. He squeaks with delight.

"Good. Now you can smile again" says Hilbert.

Eddy Elephant cuddles his log in his trunk with a smile that, if anything, is even wider than Hilbert Hippo's.

A Song For Little Cathy

2005-01-15T16:15:00.000-08:00

*original story

Old Mother cat was singing to her baby:
"Meow, meow, meow.
Sleep my little one
Meow, meow, meow
Close you eyes and sleep."

But Little Cathy didn't want to sleep. her eyes were bright
and shining and she stared all around.

A dog was standing waiting for his master.He heard Mother Cat
singing and he saw Little Cathy's bright eyes.

"Old Mother Cat, he woofed, "Little Cathy will never sleep if you
make that horrible meowing noise. You must sing her a soft soothing song like this:
"Woof, woof, woof, woof..."

"Oh dear," said Old Mother Cat, "how foolish I am." She began to rock Little Cathy to sleep.
"Woof, woof, woof," she sang.
Little Cathy's eyes opened wide in surprise.

A rooster was climbing up the fence anxious for a new day. He heard Mother Cat
singing and he saw Little Cathy's bright eyes.

"Mother Cat, he cock-a-doodle-dooed, "Little Cathy will never sleep if you sing that way.
You must sing her a cheerful song like this:
"Cock-a-doodle-doo,cock-a-doodle-doo,cock-a-doodle-doo"

"Oh dear," said Old Mother Cat, "how foolish I am." She began to rockLittle Cathy to sleep.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo,cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-doo," she sang.
Little Cathy's eyes opened wide in surprise.

A bird was perched on a tree. She heard Mother cat singing and she saw
Little Cathy's bright eyes.

"Mother Cat, "Little Cathy will never sleep if you sing that way. You must sing her a sweet
and gentle lullaby. And the nightingale began to sing.

He sang of the quiet velvet night. And he sang of the twinkling evening star. he sang og the riddle of the tall bamboo tree. And he sang of the ripples of the river below.

The dog, the rooster, and Mother Cat listened, and there was a silver tear in Mother cat's eye.

"That was truly a wonderful song", she said as the bird bowed out and flew away. "I can never sing as wonderful as that." And the silver tear fell on Little Cathy's basket.

"Mother, mother", Little cathy called. Mother cat looked at Little cathy lying wide awake her eyes bright and shining. "Little Cathy," she said "when will you ever sleep?"

Little Cathy looked at her mother, "Sing me my own song. You have the most wonderful voice in all the whole wide world. Sing me my own song."

So Old Mother Cat sang:
"Meow, meow, meow
Sleep my little one
Meow, meow, meow
Close your eyes and sleep."

And Little Cathy closed her eyes and slept.

Corrie, the Conspiratorial caterpillar

2005-01-14T23:26:00.000-08:00

*adapted from The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Corrie, a young caterpillar, gained attention from her fellow catterpillars when she learnt how to make designs on every leaf she eats. She can make designs, like flower, star, heart and so on, by just nibbling the leaves. When she started showing off the leaves she nibbled with designs she made, the caterpillars adored her.

One day in the light of the moon, a new caterpillar was hatched in the nearby garden. This caterpillar named Laci, later learnt how to nibble leaves and make designs better than Corrie. Soon, she gained friends who happened to be Corrie's old friends.

Filled with envy, Corrie formulated a scheme. She decided to conspire with her ant friends.

On Monday, Corrie the conspiratorial caterpillar asked her ant friends to place sweets on Laci's garden to attract the red ants.

On Tuesday, the red ants smelled the sweets and went to Laci's garden.

On Wednesday, the caterpillars heard Laci shouting to the red ants to get out. They then crawled to Corrie's garden.

On Thursday, the red ants managed to make the other caterpillars fell ill by biting them.

On Friday, Corrie declared that Laci was the root cause of the red ants' migration to their garden.

On Saturday,Corrie spent her time designing a scheme how to attack Laci. While she was kept busy by her scheming, the rest of the caterpillars including Laci started to make a cocoon for their hibernation.

The next Sunday, the caterpillars nibbled their cocoons and became beautiful butterflies, Laci the fairest of them all.On the other hand, Corrie forgot to build a cocoon and she died a caterpillar, never ever fulfilled her dream of becoming a butterfly.

A Singapore Christmas Story

2005-01-14T22:19:00.000-08:00

*adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl

Once upon a time.... a little Chinese girl tried to make a living by selling light up Christmas items in Orchard Road in Singapore.It was Christmas Eve and the streets were full of people from all walks of life. From brightly lit malls came the tinkle of laughter and the sound of singing. People were preparing for their own celebrations.

But the poor little streetseller sat sadly beside the fountain. Her blue jeans and baby t'shirt did not make her noticeable in the crowd. She had'nt sold any items all day and she was frightened to go home, for her father would certainly be angry. If only she could sell even one item.

She approached a young man, but he only said:"buon Natale".After hesitating for a long time, she approached the girl of her age, and the girl just nodded and said:"joyeux Noel" while handing out a crisp five dollar bill. She was filled with joy for at last she was able to sell . But her father made it clear to her that she needs to sell all 20 pieces.

She approached the group of people coming her way. She showed them the items but only one person bought an item, though all of them greeted her with "feliz Navidad."Then came a group of Japanese people and she approached them instantly with her Christmas light up items. They nodded happily, paid for 10 pieces and greeted her with "meri kurisumasu".

The little girl still had 10 items to sell and she was so hungry. She got no money to buy any food as her father expected her to give back $100 in all.She decided to walk farther to HMV so she can dispose the remaining 8 items, when she saw a Filipino family walking towards her. She hesitantly showed them her products. The young mother gladly showed her twin daughters the light up items and the twins gigled merrily. They bought all the remaining items and then greeted her with "MALIGAYANG PASKO!" The Chinese girl was so amazed of the sound that she asked what it meant in English.

When she learnt that it meant MERRY CHRISTMAS, she tried to say it that it sounded so cute. The family then invited the girl to eat Noche Buena in their Woodlands home. Upon seeing all the Christmas decors and the food on the table, the little girl was so filled with amazement and joy . She could not believe that Christmas celebration in other homes were a table full of food.

She then enjoyed with them in eating the sumptuous food.When it was time for her to go home,the little girl told them that she sold to other people and they also greeted her in their languages. But with them, Filipinos, they not only bought her items, they even invited her to eat, and that she will never forget all her life.

She then said thank you and repeated MALIGAYANG PASKO.

As it is Christmas time again, it is just an ordinary sight to see a Chinese lady in her own shop speaking in Tagalog saying MALIGAYANG PASKO to everybody.

LUCHIE'S CHERUBIM TALES

Circles of Love

The Three Angels Versus the Five Witches

Buzzy Bee Liked to Buzz

I'm Prettier Than You!

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Sammy Snail Has A New Friend

Can you be my mother?

I Love You Just The Way You Are

The Three Pretty Girls

Olly Otter Was Satisfied After All

More stories coming up...

Penny Parrot

The Three Nestlings

Tricky Jacky Spider

Hilbert Hippo and Eddy Elephant

A Song For Little Cathy

Corrie, the Conspiratorial caterpillar

A Singapore Christmas Story