The House That Ran Away
The idea, spoken aloud
“What if a house got fed up with standing still? It could grow boots and run away, with someone still inside.”
Nell’s house has stood in the same lane for years. Today, it has other plans. Open the book and follow its muddy footprints.
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Itchy feet
Nell’s house had stood in the same lane for a hundred years. It knew every crack in the pavement. It had never seen the sea. “One day,” Nell would say. Then, one morning, two black boots poked out beneath the doorstep.
Not one more day
The cups rattled. The stairs wobbled. The chimney gave a sneeze. “House,” said Nell, “what are you doing?” “Not standing here for one more day.” Nell grabbed her coat. “Then let’s have an adventure. But we’ll be back before dark. Promise?” “Promise,” said the house, and off it went.
The world beyond the lane
They passed a field of sheep and a pond full of ducks. The house splashed in a puddle. Nell laughed so hard she hiccupped. At the edge of the wood, a hedgehog waved. “Where are you going?” “Somewhere new,” said the house. “How lovely,” said Hedgehog. “Mind the river.”
The wrong turning
The bridge was much too narrow. “I’ll find another way,” said the house. It followed the river into the trees. The path grew soft. The sky grew grey. Behind them, the bridge disappeared. “Nell?” whispered the house. “Which way was home?”
Stuck
Rain drummed on the roof. The house pulled at its left boot. The mud pulled back. It pulled harder. Nothing happened. “I promised,” it said in a very small voice. “We’ll find a way,” said Nell. Then something cracked in the dark wood. Something was coming towards the door.
A knock in the rain
Tap. Tap. TAP. Outside stood Hedgehog, two badgers and a dripping little deer. “Our burrow’s flooded,” said Badger. “May we come in?” “But I’m lost,” said the house. “And stuck.” “You’ve still got a roof,” said Nell. The house opened its door as wide as it could. “In you come.”
A different sort of adventure
Nell found blankets. Badger made tea. Hedgehog told a joke that made the little deer snort. All night, rain hurried past the windows. Inside, nobody hurried at all. The house listened to the laughter in its rooms. It had never felt so far from home. Or so full of it.
One, two, heave
By morning, the rain had stopped. Badger fetched a fallen branch. Deer cleared the stones. Nell and Hedgehog counted together. “One. Two. HEAVE.” With a great wet squelch, the boot came free. “Follow us,” said Badger. “We know a way round the river.” This time, the house walked slowly.
Home, with a little difference
Their lane appeared beyond the hill. The house settled beside its old gate. Its boots were muddy. Its windows shone. “I thought home meant staying put,” said Nell. “I thought leaving meant being free,” said the house. Nell patted the door. “Perhaps we can do both.” The house gave a thoughtful creak.
On Sundays
Now, on Sundays, the cups rattle. The stairs wobble. The chimney gives a sneeze. Nell packs sandwiches. The house puts on its boots. Sometimes they visit the ducks. Sometimes they take their friends to see the hills. And wherever they go, when someone knocks, the door opens wide. “In you come.”
An illustrated example of the experience we are developing. Talebrix is still in development; this book was not printed by the device.