You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?
A young boy, called Rab, many years ago, lived on a croft, that his family worked; way up in a remote mountainous region of Scotland called the Highlands.
The family did not have much money and if any of the sheep they farmed were ill or died then they would very often have to do without.
Rab worked hard looking after the sheep and in winter,would sleep in the small barn with them to protect them from the cold and the wolves and bears that would eat them given a chance.
One night,while laying out some dried moss to sleep on.Rab noticed something shiny underneath the fresh moss that he had recently gathered from outside.
Earlier on, while taking in the moss and drying it he had mumbled to himself wishing that his family could have a bit of luck,instead of facing hardship all the time.
He dug his hands deeper into the moss and picked up the object.It was a tin lamp.
“Not much value in that he thought,it’s a pretty object.My mum might find it of use or we could sell it to one of our neighbours.I wish it was gold.”
The Lamp changed into gold,but Rab couldn’t tell the difference,to him it was just a dirty old lamp.He laid it to one side and completed his chores which meant feeding and watering the sheep in the barn.
The carrots and turnips that he had for feed,were well passed their best and he felt sorry for the sheep.
“Oh if only I had some decent food,not these rotten carrots and turnips”. Rab said to himself.
It was then he noticed a bag in the corner of the barn,it was full of corn that the sheep loved.Rab was puzzled,but thought his dad must have bought it at the market for winter feed and forgot to tell him.
He supplemented the meagre carrots and turnips with the corn.
After,the sheep were fed and watered Rab settled down for the night on his bed of dried moss and slept soundly.
Unbeknown to Rab,the lamp contained the Laird of The Lamp,who by now had granted three wishes to the boy and could now escape from the lamp in which he had been trapped by a spirit for being an evil and greedy Laird of his people.
The Laird looked down at the boy as he slept and was very grateful to Rab.The Laird had needed to grant three simple wishes to someone who was near the lamp and true of heart and not greedy. Rab had done so and the Laird was free.
From that day, Rab’s family had better luck and they began to make their way in the world.They sold the gold lamp and eventually were able to buy their own land and live on it happily for many generations.
The family knew of the Laird nearby who had returned weary from battle and had settled in the area.
He had been a great help to many people and things had improved since his arrival.He was fair and intelligent and offered good advice with everyday problems
No one knew his real story,not even Rab, only the Laird knew what turned him from being a Bad Laird to a Good one.
Tag Archives: short story
The Dog That Inherited A Palace Chapter 20
©GeraldineBanksMarch2025
Totally unaware of the kidnapping rendezvous and the capture of the kidnapper , Tedi , Tommy and Bruno and his friends continued their journey.
Tedi and Bruno had developed a very close bond. Tedi knew he could rely on Bruno to help him get back home safely with Tommy. Bruno was originally from Spain and was a type of hunting dog called a Podenco. He was mischievous and knew the ways of the world.
As dogs, on their first meeting within seconds they both knew everything about each other, their health , their history and also their honesty. As they travelled together Tedi picked up on the hard times Bruno had been through. There was a sadness about Bruno that was always present.
Bruno was fascinated by the images of the Big House, the Countryside and the Fields, in turn Tedi picked up on Bruno escaping off a boat that was being used by drug dealers to land drugs off the coast. He had made his way to London, and lived rough for about seven years. He had loads of friends and loads of adventures, but he was getting older and wanted to find a “safe” home.
So that’s how Bruno and his mates, accompanied Tedi on their journey back to the Big House.
After crossing under the M4 motorway. They made their way cross country, following Colne Brook while it was still dark and found a road which pointed in the direction that Tedi wanted to travel. Bruno said that roads were “good” as they always led somewhere , usually shelter and food. Bruno showed everyone how to keep out of sight and even found a bit of rope for Tommy to attach himself to Bruno. Tommy would be able to keep up with the dogs and no one would get lost.
Tommy was relieved to reach the road, it was getting light and he was wondering if there would be any shops or garages in Iver to get something to eat. They followed the road, walking on the grass behind a hedgerow so no one could see them and they came across a brightly lit petrol garage that had just opened. Some of the dogs headed for the bins at the back, when no one was looking they rooted around in the darkness, and ran away as soon as the doors opened with people bringing out cages of empty cardboard.
Tommy though knew what he was looking for, and entered the shop unseen and left the shop unseen. He had untied himself from Bruno and Bruno watched as the automatic door slid open and Tommy entered the shop. Everyone was too busy setting up the tills tidying, restocking and cleaning to notice the little waif of a boy who quietly gathered something for breakfast ,some drinks and some bottled water and some fruit and then left.
Bruno was impressed when Tommy came out again without being noticed. To be truthful, having some fresh food was a real treat, so he called to the other dogs, to leave the bins alone and to move on . The little group went back behind the hedgerow and walked a bit further on and then they stopped when they found some shelter under a tree and beside a small bridge crossing. They were all tired and they had the cover of some trees and thick bushes and were able to feast on what Tommy had brought and drink fresh water , they could then have a well deserved sleep. The day was just beginning but for the little group of dogs and Tommy it was time to rest. They all snuggled up together.
Tedi’s head was racing as he lay among the warm bundle. He was dreaming of home and he could almost smell it. He reckoned 60 miles or so. Three days travel if they kept up this pace. He was trying to keep a note of the shops that Tommy had taken items from and planned to settle up with them once they had got back home. For the moment it was necessary , but he didn’t want Tommy to get into trouble or the shops to be out of pocket.
So far they had got on quite well sleeping outside, but it wasn’t what Tedi was used to. They would rest for today and then head out again when it started to get dark.
Dogs don’t think in terms of days, but it was going to be Saturday night when they set off again. Cross and Letitia had been given the go ahead , as the kidnappers were now behind bars, to launch a Publicity Campaign to look out for Tedi and the other dogs as well as the little boy. They had used the CCTV images that the Police had gathered and the plight of the Dogs and the little Boy was all over TV and Radio. They concentrated their efforts on the area where the dogs were travelling through, so everyone was on the lookout for them. Bruno though knew how to keep out of sight , so despite the coverage there were no reports of sightings, which frustrated Cross and Lettie who couldn’t help but wonder where they were.
It was seven o’clock at night when the dogs and the little boy all woke up. The weather had been kind to them, it had been warm with no rain and it was just getting dusky and turning into a pleasant evening. They had all slept soundly and had eaten and drank. Tommy put some bowls of water out for the dogs and they had some snacks and soon it was time to go.
Bruno was up and ready , snuffling at the others to get a move on .In truth Tedi was a bit stiff and did some stretches as he always did. Downward Dog and Upward Dog which was his way of limbering up and getting ready for the long walk. Tommy meanwhile was refreshed and put his little rope leash over Bruno’s head and tied it to his own waist. Bruno seemed to understand the pace that Tommy could go at so they both walked together. Tedi was always at the front.
Tedi sniffed the air for a few minutes after doing his stretches. He let the dogs know his plan and with Bruno’s help they began the penultimate stretch of their journey back to the ” Big House”.
Meanwhile back at the Big House it was all stations go. Lettie was making and taking telephone calls, and putting out Publicity to search for the little dogs and the boy. The villagers now knew the full story and were on the look out for any sign of the dogs and the local Police Forces were notified.
“Surely they would be spotted soon” .Lettie and Cross thought. They were worried but hopeful and now the news was out, it was easier to keep everyone informed. Mr and Mrs Graham now knew what had happened, and just hoped that Tedi was safe, and they said if there was anything that they could do let them know.
” It’s a waiting game now” Cross told Mrs Graham on the phone ” We’re doing all we can.”
Filed under Short Stories
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