A LITTLE IMAGINATION GOES A LONG WAY
Tiny situations. Quite strong opinions.
Meet the personalities behind the pieces.
MEET MABEL
Mabel takes the beginning of spring extremely seriously. She has a date circled in her diary, a bow selected and a tulip ready well before anyone has asked. The weather has raised a few objections. Mabel has chosen not to acknowledge them. On Tuesday she announced that the garden was open for spring, despite the fact that it was raining and the garden was a windowsill.
Read Mabel’s story
MEET BEAN
Bean runs a very small office. Its entire inventory is one bamboo stalk, which he has classified as both furniture and lunch. This has caused a considerable amount of paperwork. Every morning he reviews the stalk from several angles, takes a short break and approves it for another day. Visitors are welcome, provided they do not move anything or ask what the office actually does.
Read Bean’s story
MEET OLIVE
Olive believes there are two sorts of weather: hat weather, and weather that could become hat weather without warning. She dresses accordingly. Before a short walk she checks the window, the forecast and whether anyone else is wearing a hat. The last check rarely changes her decision. It is mostly an opportunity to look concerned.
Read Olive’s story
MEET PICKLE
Pickle has brought a carrot to the picnic. A fairly substantial carrot, considering the size of Pickle. He would like everyone to know that it is not for sharing. When asked why he is sitting in it, he explains that good seating is difficult to find and that this arrangement is simply efficient. Someone offers him a sandwich. He accepts, but makes no move to leave.
Read Pickle’s story
MEET PIP
Pip has dressed for an important occasion. Nobody is quite sure which occasion, but the red bow tie suggests that refreshments may be involved. He has appointed himself to the welcoming committee, despite there being no committee and, so far, no guests. Every arrival receives a very enthusiastic greeting. This includes the post, a shopping bag and someone who only came back for their keys.
Read Pip’s story
MEET NOEL
Noel is perfectly relaxed about Christmas. He says this while sorting ribbon into seven categories and asking whether anyone has seen the good scissors. He has a system for wrapping presents. Unfortunately, the system requires more table than is available, so breakfast has been temporarily moved to a chair. Nobody has been told when it might return.
Read Noel’s story
MEET BERTIE
Bertie is in charge of decorations. There was no vote. He arrived wearing a very tall hat and everyone seems to have accepted it. He takes his responsibilities seriously, particularly the spacing between baubles. On Monday he moved one three centimetres to the left. On Tuesday he moved it back, following what he described as further consideration.
Read Bertie’s story
MEET DOUGLAS
Douglas has chosen a star, a bow and the best spot in the room. He considers Christmas officially open. Someone suggests waiting until December. Douglas adjusts his bow. The matter is closed.
Read Douglas’s story
MEET HOLLY
Holly has found a good spot and is waiting patiently. Her idea of patience includes checking for presents every few minutes. Red on one side, green on the other. The wish list stays the same.
Read Holly’s story
MEET ARTHUR
Arthur always leaves the house exactly on time. He checks his jacket, straightens his collar and sets off at a perfectly sensible pace. The difficulty is everything between the house and wherever he is going. There is a leaf worth turning over. A gate he has not noticed before. A pigeon that appears to be waiting for something. It would be rude not to investigate.
Read Arthur’s story
MEET SYLVIE
Sylvie has three dresses and one invitation. She has read it twice, but it still fails to mention which colour the biscuits will be. The tea is at four. Sylvie is ready at three, then changes twice. She calls this being organised.
Read Sylvie’s story
MEET CLEMMY
Clemmy has put on her best yellow outfit for a perfectly ordinary afternoon. The little crown was her own addition. She has declared the sofa a palace and requested tea. Nobody objects until she introduces visiting hours.
Read Clemmy’s story
MEET BAO
Bao never arrives quietly. There is a red outfit, a little gold treasure and an announcement that good things are on their way. He has prepared a very grand entrance. The exit can wait until someone has brought out the snacks.
Read Bao’s story
MEET POPPY
Poppy found a strawberry-sized hiding place and moved straight in. From the back, the disguise is rather convincing. From the front, two ears give the game away. Poppy maintains that ordinary strawberries have simply not tried hard enough.
Read Poppy’s story
MEET OTIS
Otis has found the softest spot in the house. He considers this an achievement worth sitting with for a while. Someone suggests a walk. Otis suggests a slightly better cushion. Negotiations are ongoing.
Read Otis’s story
MEET PEARL
Pearl arrives for tea wearing her prettiest pink bib. She waits politely, paws together, looking entirely trustworthy. The ribbon from the cake box has disappeared. Pearl has no comment, but her afternoon is suddenly rather full.
Read Pearl’s story
MEET SUNNY
Sunny has planned a picnic. The forecast says rain, but Sunny points out that the sitting room has excellent weather. A blanket is spread, the biscuits are counted and everyone is invited. He is particularly pleased about the lack of ants.
Read Sunny’s story
MEET HUGO
Hugo puts his green bib on well before lunchtime. Good preparation, he explains, should never be rushed. He has taken a seat beside the snacks. The meeting can begin whenever everyone else is ready.
Read Hugo’s story
MEET BISCUIT
Biscuit has volunteered to arrange the biscuit plate. He is taking the responsibility very seriously. There were six when he started. There are five now. He recommends another count, preferably in private.
Read Biscuit’s story
MEET MIMI
Mimi has a playlist for every occasion, including the very short journey from the sofa to the kitchen. Today the kettle has become a backing singer. Mimi thinks it needs practice, but admires the enthusiasm.
Read Mimi’s story
MEET PUDDLE
Puddle hears rain and immediately considers the day improved. There are important splashes to investigate. He returns with wet feet and an excellent report. The largest puddle, he says, deserves a second visit.
Read Puddle’s story
MEET CHESTER
Chester has put on his scarf and packed a little snack. The destination is still being discussed. The sofa is looking promising. It has excellent cushions and very little wind.
Read Chester’s story
MEET PERCY
Percy has dressed for a day out. The hat is ready, the bells are polished and the fish has been informed. Someone suggests travelling light. Percy agrees and leaves the map behind.
Read Percy’s story
MEET TOBY
Toby has borrowed a bunny hat and would like everyone to take the disguise seriously. The ears, he points out, are excellent. He has practised a small hop. The landing sounded suspiciously like a tiger.
Read Toby’s story
MEET ROSIE
Rosie has found the biggest strawberry in the basket. Carrying it requires both paws and a little determination. She was going to share. First, she needs a quiet moment to admire her choice.
Read Rosie’s storyThese little stories belong to the characters. Their adventures are imaginary; the handmade pieces are real.