Escape from the Dungeon
This story was designed by
Abby, John, Callum, Robert, Thomas & Joshua
Once upon a time there was a boy named Jacob, who lived in the area near Crookston Castle. One day, when he was out for a stroll near the castle, he tripped over something shiny on the ground. It turned out to be a shiny jewelled necklace, so he put it in his pocket. He ran straight back to the little house he shared with his mother, who was the Crookston Castle cook, busy at that very moment in the castle kitchen preparing a huge roast goose for the Lord and Lady’s dinner. Jacob put the necklace in a drawer. and was so busy gathering firewood, he forgot all about it.
The very next day, the Lady of Crookston Castle discovered that her necklace was missing and called for her head guard, called a constable. She ordered him to search every house in the area until her necklace was found. When the constable got to Jacob’s house, he marched straight in and quizzed the cook “Do you know where the Lady’s jewelled necklace is?”
Unfortunately, at that very moment, Jacob ran into the room carrying the necklace and shouted “Mum, where can I put this necklace for safekeeping?” The constable grabbed Jacob by the arm and demanded to see the necklace shouting, “Thief, thief, this is the Lady’s necklace!” “No, no, I found this lying on the ground” yelled poor Jacob.
But the constable was sure that Jacob was lying and marched him to the castle. He ordered the guard at the door to raise the metal portcullis gate which protected the castle and let them inside. The constable marched Jacob down the steep steps to the dungeon and locked him in. He shouted back at Jacob as he started to climb the steps ‘The Lord and Lady have important guests and won’t have time to deal you today, but I wouldn’t like to be in your shoes tomorrow.’ Poor little Jacob was locked in the dungeon all by himself in the dark dampness. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a little mouse who spoke to him. The mouse was called Jack and they quickly became good friends.
A few hours after being locked in the dungeon, Jacob saw a shadow coming down the stairs. “Hello Princess Poppy� said the gruff voice of the guard who had followed her down the stairs and Jacob heard a key turning in the lock. Princess Poppy was visiting with her parents.
The Princess walked into the dark cell and spoke to Jacob. “Who are you” she said. “I’m Jacob” he replied. “And I’m Jack” piped up the little mouse in the corner. The Princess looked at poor little Jacob all alone in his cell and felt terribly sorry for him. He explained that he hadn’t stolen the Lady’s necklace, but had found it in the woods! Quick as a flash, Jack ran up the Princess’ arm and whispered in her ear. “I have a plan to get Jacob out of here! Come back when the guard is sleeping and we’ll run off to the forest and hide up a tree.”
Princess Poppy thought that this was an excellent plan, so later that night, when the guard was sleeping, she snuck back to the dungeon and stole the key from his belt. Ever so quietly, she opened the cell and Jacob and Jack snuck out. Luckily, the guard at the castle door was sleeping too, so they could get out without being caught. They ran as fast as they could until they had got to Crookston Forest, when a little Elf popped out of a tree. He looked very friendly and magical and he said “Come with me Up this tree And you will see your destiny�
So they all followed the funny little Elf up the tree and when they got there, he said “I’ll cast a spell And you will tell The Lord you’re truly sorry. And then he’ll let You out of jail And you won’t have to worry.” The Elf took the three back up to the castle and they slowly walked upstairs into the Great Hall. Nobody even stopped them to ask what they were doing with an Elf!
“I’m truly sorry for taking the Lady’s necklace. The truth is, I found it on the ground, but I should have taken it straight back to the Castle, and I’m very sorry that I didn’t” pleaded Jacob Then the Lady spoke, “I forgive you Jacob, I know you took it back to your mother because you are very poor, perhaps I should raise her wages!” The Elf winked at Jacob, Jack and Princess Poppy. And with that, the Lord and Lady decided to throw a huge feast for Jacob, Jacob’s mother, who didn’t even have to cook, Princess Poppy, Jack and the Elf. There was lots of delicious food and drinks and they all had a wonderful time and lived happily ever after.
When Jacob stumbles apon a simple necklace, he has no idea what adventures are in store! Join us on his adventure to find out!