The Wrong Suitcase

When the bombs

started to fall these posters were on walls everywhere.

Our parents said it wasn’t safe to stay in London – they said we had to go to the country.

But I didn’t want to be an evacuee.

I wanted to stay home with my mum and dad and sleep in my own

room in my own bed and with

ALLof my toys.

“But things are going to get dangerous”

That’s what my mum said anyway.

I started to cry and cry. I didn’t want to leave – I was so scared. “If it’s dangerous for me, then it must be dangerous for you!”

“Don’t fret, little one. Adults can look after themselves…”

“But I want to stay here and look after you. We can look after each other…”

I cried until tea time…

The next morning we had to pack so quickly and we weren’t allowed to take much.

I had to choose just ONE toy.

So I chose

Bramble!

This is Bramble. He may not look much, but my grandpa made him for me and I think he is the

best toy in the world.

I have had him since I was a baby and

I’m never, ever, ever going to let him out of my sight!

EVER!

We set off for the train station with our tiny suitcase and our smelly gas masks.

There were

loads

of children there.

They took us into a big waiting room with long tables and sticky black chairs. They made us sit down and said it was a party - a giant farewell party. They told us to be happy, but nobody was. We didn’t even eat the biscuits.

“We can hide in a cupboard until the train leaves,” I said to Joe. “Then they’ll have to take us back home!”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Sarah,” Joe said. “What if the train breaks down and can’t leave until tomorrow and we have to stay in that cupboard ALL night. Think how hungry we’ll be!”

“I didn’t think of that.”

Then it was time to get on the train. The platform was so crowded. We were all so scared…

A policeman helped me on…

…my mum waved me goodbye.

…and I cried

…and cried

…and cried …and cried

…and cried

…so did Bramble, so I took him out of my suitcase and gave him a cuddle.

Some children were happy to be going away – like it was one great big adventure. Not me. I would have gladly jumped off the train and ran back to my mum – but Joe said I shouldn’t because she might have gone back home by now and no one would be there to help me and I’d be lost and… so I stayed on the train. We went all the way to a place called Yorkshire.

When we got off everyone was quiet. Even the noisy ones who thought it was all one big adventure.

We were chosen by a lady who had a big smile. “You two come home with me,” she said. “This will be your second home.” I liked her, I dried my eyes…

…but then - Joe started to cry!

Just think – my big brother with tears in his eyes!

“There’s no need for that,” I said. “You hold Bramble...”

So I reached for my suitcase….

…and felt inside for Bramble.

But this wasn’t my suitcase!!

“Where’s my

Bramble?!”

I screamed.

The woman with the big smile gave me a hug. “Who is Bramble?” she asked.

“It’s her toy rabbit,” sobbed Joe.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m sure your mum is taking good care of it in London…”

That made me cry even more. I wanted my Bramble, so I pulled away from the smiley woman (who wasn’t smiling anymore) and ran back into the train station.

What do you think

happens now????

What happens first?

Some what if questions…

What happens next?

What happens next?

What happens next?

What happens in the end?

Dear Mum,

This is what happened on the way to Yorkshire…

This is what I did…

This is what Joe did…

This is how it all ended…

Lots of love

Sarah

What do you think Sarah did?

What do you think Joe did?

How do you think it all ended?

Use the story to get ideas…