For Toby, all the way in New Zealand
Mr Gum and the Power Crystals First published 2006 by Egmont UK Limited This edition published 2019 by Egmont UK Limited, The Yellow Building, 1 Nicholas Road London W11 4AN
Text copyright © 2006 Andy Stanton
Illustration copyright © 2006 David Tazzyman
The moral rights of the author and illustrator have been asserted
First e-book edition 2019
ISBN 978 1 4052 9372 3
eISBN 978 1 4052 5930 9
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library
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Contents
3 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
4 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
5 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
6 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
7 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
8 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
9 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
10 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
11 Polly Goes to See Old Granny
12 What Happened at the Windmill
16 Attack of the Roo-de-lallies
18 Polly Goes Back to the Windmill
Some of the crazy old townsfolk from Lamonic Bibber
INTRODUCTION: Why do things Happen?
‘Why do things happen?’ That’s the question on everyone’s lips these days.
‘Why do things happen, Science?’ everyone’s lips ask Science. And luckily, Science usually has the answer. For example, if you ask Science why your little sister is crying, the answer is plain – because you called her ‘Stinky’ and broke all her dolls with a hammer. Or if you ask Science why rain falls from the sky, the answer is simple – because it just does and stuff.
But every so often something happens which is so extraordinary that even Science does not hold the answers. For instance, take the horrifying events of last summer in the little town of Lamonic Bibber. ‘Why did they happen, Science?’ you may ask. But you will get no answer.
For some things are so strange that they cannot be explained away with Science. Or Maths. Or even P.E. But like Old Granny said as she rocked back and forth in her chair by the fireside:
‘The past has a way of repeating itself. The past has a way of repeating itself. The past has a way of repeating itself.’
And perhaps that is all that anyone can say of such things.