CRINKUM-CRANKUM

WE ARE LEARNING TO RETELL A STORY:

Crinkum-Crankum by Margaret Mahy

Once there was a tree that had a fairy godmother. A witch flew by and said ‘Grow crooked.” The poor tree had to grow crooked. A fairy godmother came along to see how the tree was getting on. The tree said “I have to grow crooked.” “Oh dear!” said the fairy godmother. Then she touched the tree and said “Grow sweet.” The tree put out its first flower.

A year later the witch flew by again. The tree was growing crooked but it was covered in sweet flowers and sweet colour. The witch was angry, really angry. The witch told the poor tree to crooked and lazy-crazy! The fairy godmother came past again to see how the tree was getting on. She touched the tree and said “Grow golden.”

A year later the witch came by and she was angry. The poor tree had to grow crooked and lazy-crazy and crinkum-crankum. The fairy godmother came along and the tree said “I like it here but I have to grow crooked and lazy-crazy and crinkum-crankum.” The fairy godmother touched the tree and said “Grow safe.”


A year later the witch flew by again and lots of children were playing in the tree. The witch was so angry that she burst like a black balloon.

Retold by Quanah, Keely and Krystal