Oh I wish. Copy-write P. Audcent 2014
Jenny Crumble was one of those little people who, what ever she saw, she would instantly want one. Whether it was a television program, or in a shop, or even walking down the street with her parents, she would instantly see something she wanted. Eventually her parents got sick and tired of her constant demanding and her father said one day, 'did you ever hear the story of the East wind and the little child whose face was changed forever.'
“Yes” said Jenny “but it was only a story, it was not the least bit true.”
“Well Jenny, Mother and I are very tired of you always wanting something you cannot have. Now if it was your birthday or coming up to Christmas we could understand it, but its your constant wishing that spoils it for us. One day you will wish for the wrong thing and it will happen and it won't be a story.”
Jenny remained quite, and thought about what her farther had said, but in the end she felt he was only trying to frighten her, and she was not going to take a bit of notice.
They were on holiday visiting the lakes and besides the boats and bicycles for hire, and the ponies you could take rides on. She bade her time until they came across a water cycle near a landing raft by the lake.
“Oh I wish I could go on that, please Dad and Mum.”
So her parents agreed and paid the man the fare to cover an hour of cycling on the water. First she had to put on a life saving vest and a plastic bike helmet before she was allowed to get onto the floating bike. Then off she sped with her anxious parents watching closely from the ramp. As she went further out onto the lake she came across a boy who was repairing his water scooter.
“What's wrong with it?” she called.
“I've had water on the spark plug and I've just cleaned it off, alas its the spray from the under belt that caused it, but you seem safe and secure on you water bike.”
“Yes but I'm a bit bored with it you have to keep cycling to make it move, oh I wish it had a motor on it like yours.”
“Well I'm sure mine will go now so how about we change, you can have my rented scooter and I will have your rented bike.”
“Oh what a really excellent idea, can you start it for me please and then we will exchange our machines.”
So the boy quickly started the motor and held the clutch until Jenny jumped aboard
Then he showed her the clutch lever and explained what it did, then in a flash he leapt onto the water bike and pedalled away.
Jenny let go of the clutch and away she sailed, she found how to increase the speed and without another thought raced across the lake until she hit the opposite bank and was immediately thrown off. Luckily the machine had one of those strings attached to the stop switch so she was only dragged a little way up the bank but the bad news was she had been thrown into a patch of brambles. Luckily the boy had watched her and he pedalled across to rescue her.
“I think you had better have your water bike back.” He said as he dragged the water scooter back into the water. But the incident stopped Jenny's constant wishing.