Exhibition: The Stories We Are | Our Stories Our Voices
Village Storytelling Centre | Village Storytelling Festival 2024
Our Stories Our Voices is a project by The Village Storytelling Centre that engages adults from across Glasgow at the storytelling workshops to share, listen and create stories. This project aims to encourage people in finding their own voice and deciding what story and how will be told.
Exhibition The Stories We Are gathers stories and the art work created by the participants from various Village groups that creatively explored the theme of identity. Who are we? Where did we come from? What do we stand for? How do our stories look and sound?
Through the art pieces of wool masks, yarn images on wood, clay objects and photos of characters in the stories, you will experience the journey of each person behind the art. You will read and listen to the stories related to each piece of work. In these recorded stories the participants shared memories or fictional narratives that inspired their art.
This exhibition blends visual art, audio recordings, videos and texts created by adults in Glasgow.
Facilitated and curated by Daiva Ivanauskaitė-Brown & Trinidad Cabezón Droguett
Artists involved: Greer Pester, Lababa Naqvi, Dawn Campbell, Stuart Mitchell, Eilidh Traynor and Andy Gunn
Partner Organisation: Wheatley Care
Voices of Peace
This is a weekly group that is open to migrant, refugee and asylum seeker women from all over Glasgow meeting at the Village Storytelling Centre. The group shares and listens to stories, creates visual art work, storytelling publications and performances. Recently the participants of the group explored identity and language themes through traditional, personal and fictional stories inspired by their children or childhood memories. Each story then was complemented with the images using yarn art on wood technique inspired by Huichol yarn paintings.
Me Over The Moon
by Layla
My mom is talking on the phone…
Me Over the Moon
by Layla
My mom is talking on the phone. She is anxious. She has called several people since we came home from the medical centre. Tomorrow, I must stay home because I caught a cold but my mother needs to go to work, as her manager won’t let her take time off from work, especially when she has a very important meeting. Now my mother hung up the phone.
“Who were you talking to, mom?” I asked.
“I was talking to your Auntie.” She replied.
“Can she come over tomorrow?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, no. Aimee has an exam tomorrow.” She answered.
“What about grandma, can she come?”
“No, she can’t come either, she has a medical appointment at the hospital.
I think you need to stay with Tracy.”
I went to my room, feeling sad. Tracy is our neighbour. I don’t like her. The previous time that I went to her house I got bored, doing nothing from morning to evening, as she worked on her laptop all day long.
My mom opens the door. She says: “Guess what sweetheart?”
“What?” I ask impatiently.
“Your grandma is here tomorrow morning. She cancelled her appointment and you can spend your time tomorrow with her.”
“Hooray.” I jump happily.
I don’t have to go to Tracy’s house tomorrow. I will have the best day ever, as whenever I am with my granny, she really makes my day. Tomorrow, she will definitely bake me the cake that I like.
A Promise
by Fauzia
Sharak Pur was a small town near Lahore…
A Promise
by Fauzia
Sharak Pur was a small town near Lahore in Pakistan. Saima, a 15-year-old girl, lived there with her parents and eight siblings. They were a big family and her father worked very hard to make ends meet. When Saima turned 18 her Parents started to think about getting her married. Such was the tradition in their village that girls should get married when they turn 18. Saima didn’t want to get married, she wanted to study, go to college, study to become a doctor. She pleaded so many times to her parents that she doesn’t want to get married and that they should let her study. But Saima’s mother helplessly explained that this could never happen firstly because they can never afford to pay for her school and college and secondly that they had seven other children to look after too.
A few days later Saima’s mother told her happily that she had just received a proposal for her from abroad. The proposal was from a divorced man who lived in the UK. Saima’s parents were thrilled to hear about this proposal as they thought that this is a dream come true, they were happy that now Saima will have an amazing future as she will be moving to Uk which might also open doors for her younger siblings. She tried to protest but her parents convinced her to get married. Saima gave in as she understood that her parents too were helpless and were trying to do their best for her. She got married and moved to the UK. Tahir, Saima’s husband was 22 years older than her and was a very strict man. He was very controlling and never appreciated Saima. No matter how much she tried to please him he always criticised her. She wasn’t allowed to go out, she didn’t have a phone, no friends, she couldn’t visit the neighbours , nothing at all. Every fortnight Tahir used to take her out just to do grocery shopping. That was the only time Saima got to come out of her house. Months passed and Saima had a beautiful baby girl. She cried when she held her daughter for the first time. She kissed her and promised her in her ear, she whispered “Noor, My Darling I will do everything to give you the best future.”
The next day when the doctors visited her, she told everything to the doctors about how she has been forced to stay in the house and isn’t allowed to do anything at all. Saima was sent to a Women’s welfare organisation who took her case and fought for her.
Fast forward to 7:30 in the morning, and Saima, now a resilient woman, prepared breakfast for her six-year-old daughter, Noor. “Hurry up, Noor, we don’t want to be late for school,” she remarked smiling. Saima had overcome her past and was pursuing her dreams in college, working towards becoming a doctor. Along her journey, she found love in Hashim, a kind gentleman who proposed to her. Love and happiness had finally found their way back into her life.
As the sun rose on this new chapter, Saima looked at Noor and whispered, “Noor, my darling, I will do everything to give you the best future.” With gratitude for the support she received and a promising future ahead, Saima was ready to embrace the life she had always dreamed of – filled with education, love, and the freedom to shape her own destiny.
The First Baby
by Rabab
The story of any mother for their first baby…
The First Baby
Rabab
The story of any mother for their first baby.
I believe I am very sure the first baby will give a different feeling. The first baby changes all your life. You have a new special person.
The first minute I had my baby my life changed. The most beautiful thing! I hugged my baby in my arms. On the 19th of June 2007 at 7:00pm I had my first baby Hassan. That is my special and my favourite day forever. My best thing in this life!
I was afraid. I didn’t know how I would connect with my baby. How to give him my breast milk, how to change nappies, change clothes, give a bath… I was so afraid, so stressed. I cried.
The big blessing for me was that my mum and sister were beside me and gave me help with everything. They taught me how to bathe the baby, to change and to give milk.
It is not easy to be a mother. I know it is a dream of many women, but not easy… To achieve your goal to become a mother you have to be ready to give up so many things. All your time now will be for your baby.
Cat Prince Harry
by Shanaz
During Corona I was alone at home…
Cat Prince Harry
by Shanaz
During Corona I was alone at home. And my husband had a corona. And the doctor advised: “You both have to stay in different rooms. You both do not talk to each other”. I was very depressed. I opened the window, looking out and crying. My husband was calling me over the phone. My friend was calling me and asking: ”Why are you crying?” “I am alone, there is no husband, no my daughter to talk to me face to face. I am very depressed.” My friend told me: “You have to take the cat. You buy it online.” I do not understand the online system. My friend said: “Ok, I will call the home of the cat, you give the money and take the cat.” I said: “Ok.” One lady came to my house, she brought and left the cat and cat’s food, I left her 250 pounds.
The cat was only 10 months old. He is just like my son. Really. My son once followed me to the toilet and knocked at the door saying: “No you don’t lock the door, only press, no lock.” The same is my baby cat, Prince Harry. My cat’s name is Prince Harry. Really. You look at the cat – Prince Harry. Every habit like the Prince’s. I get up and go to the toilet at night, the cat sits at the door and waits for me. In one or two months I hear “Mum, mum”. No mew, only mum.
And Corona finished. My husband said: “Why are you taking this cat?” My husband didn’t like him. I was crying: “This is just like my baby.” “Ok, don’t worry”.
My Prince Harry does not go outside. He doesn’t go into the kitchen. I told my Prince Harry: “Harry, today my friend is coming to my house. You do not come out of the bedroom ok?” And he did not come out.
My Prince Harry eats the food one time and after that he does not eat. I have to wash the food in the hot water and after that he eats it.
And the cat drinks water out of the mountain shower. Just from a mountain shower.
One of my friends once visited me. She said:” Oh, Shenaz, you have the cat, you have the cat”! She touched the cat. The cat was not amused, it looked like he was saying: “No, do not touch me. You came to my house; I am looking if my mum is safe. No touching”. After a while he saw that the lady was my friend. I said: “Harry go to bed!” Harry went to bed.
The Crow
by Fatima
Once upon a time the day was very hot…
Once upon a time. That day was a very hot and a very shiny day. No rain, no water. On the Earth water started to drain. And the people and animals started searching for water. That day a crow flew for a long time at the top of the sky. Suddenly, the crow saw a pot. The crow flew down and saw a big jar. Crow landed on the top of the jar. Inside the jar the crow saw a little water. The crow wanted to drink that water, but it could not reach the water, the jar was too narrow. The crow thought for a little while. The crow was thinking: “I want to do something.” And the crow started to bring small stones and put them inside the jar. One two three stones, the water began to come up. Afterwards the crow thought: “Oh, this method is good.” Crow came and put another, many many many stones. I think more than ten or twenty stones. The water came up to the mouth of the jar. And the crow could drink that water until its thirst was finished. Then the crow called the friends and family. They drank the water and flew happily.
Matthew and Mum
by Ophelia
It’s a story about a boy called Matthew…
Matthew and Mum
by Ophelia
It’s a story about a boy called Matthew. He is 6 years old and is fond of his mummy. Dad is often busy and he doesn’t have time to take Matthew to the park, so Matthew spends most of his time with mum.
Whenever dad comes close to mum, Matthew says: “It’s my girlfriend, don’t come close”. We laughed so much about this.
We laughed even more when Matthew decided it was time to take mum on a date. He even told his friends: “I am taking my mum for a date”.
One day the mum agreed: “Ok let’s go on a date” and Matthew’s sister came with them. The date was dinner. Matthew made all the important grown up decisions like ordering the food from the menu and initiating all the chat.
When they finished the date and went home it was time for them to take a photograph. Dad tried to be beside mum. Mum pretended to give dad a peck on a cheek, Matthew fell on the floor, pretending to have fainted. “Hurry up” joked dad. Matthew said, “you have to give me a peck too, so I don’t have to faint again.”
Even now, when the family and neighbours meet mum and Matthew they ask: “Hello, how are you? And how is your wee admirer? Where is date night gonna be tonight?”
This Woman´s Voice
This is a group open to women that gathers every week at Pollokshaws Community HUB. During months, the participants listened and shared stories, created masks with wool technique and recorded stories related to their masks. These masks represent their identity from different perspectives: fun memories about holidays and childhood, hobbies they like to do, professions they used to work, and also difficult moments of their lives.
The masks were a creative process in which the participants decided what stories to share as key elements of their identity.
The Puddle
by Hollis
My mask is in some way relative to my life…
The Puddle
by Hollis
My mask is in some way relative to my life in as much as there was a very black time in my life. However, that thankfully didn’t last hence all the lovely colours and hearts to show that my life has turned over to make me the happy person I am now. The thing is I had to rely on one of my friends to make and help me with the mask because it’s not something that I’m very good at. I really am better at sticking to writing and giving people a laugh now and again. Hence the reason that I make sure you realise that I am a writer I’ll leave you with this lovely one now:
A puddle, it’s born from nurturing water. A vital substance for survival of our bodies to enable the food that we eat to grow and other necessities during its short life. It’s something that can metamorphose into many not so welcome but strangely beautiful things. When it’s still it becomes a mirror reflecting different angles, upside down of trees and buildings and you looking into it at a most unflattering angle. When it rains it welcomes it like a growing baby needing substance to survive. When a child jumps in it with bright coloured wellies then it’s a wonderful favourite toy that when broken magically mends itself to be played with over and over again. But at night when the yellow glowing street lights are lit it’s true beauty is revealed when a car drives through it and throws up droplets disturbed from slumber, like diamonds falling from the sky leaving ripples to slowly settle down to sleep once more. Then the sun arrives to warm it until the puddle disappears, only to return with the rain to form into many different shapes and depths to become again everything it can be.
The World of Art
by Katrina
I like my mask and I like the colours…
The World of Art
by Katrina
I like my mask and I like the colours. Because I like bright colours and I like the sequins and I like to put plenty of colour in.
I do painting and that at my home and I also go to a class in the burgh halls at Pollokshaws and I like it. It keeps you satisfied, you know. It’s nice and relaxing if you get a bit tensed up. I do landscape and I also did one or two animals, and I’ve done people.I do pastel painting. Some I did animals, some I did like people. I like watercolour. Watercolour is my favourite. I do a wee bit of acrylic but mostly watercolour and also pastels. I like to do pastel paper.
I just taught myself you know. Sometimes the class helps if you’re stuck. But we don’t have a teacher but I like to do it on my own really. As my husband put it, he said “I think you could go to a wee class and get a bit of help” so I did. That must have been about… At 44 I started and I’m 74 now.
I enjoy it, you know. It’s always a nice feeling about it to do something.
Jamaican Experience
by Helen
Hi there, I’m Helen and I come to the hub…
Jamaican Experience
by Helen
Hi there, I’m Helen and I come to the hub in Shawbridge street. And I decided to make a mask and I put on my mask a waterfall and it’s called the Dunn’s river falls. I remember years ago my husband and I went on a cruise for our silver wedding and we went to Jamaica and believe it or not I climbed Dunn’s river falls which was very, very difficult at my age, I had to be helped up the falls which was quite steep. When I got to the top the tradition was that they threw you into the pond. And the laugh was that there was a man next to me and I think he was Italian and actually I was on my own, but they thought that him and I were together and they told us to hold hands. And the tradition was that they threw you into a pond at the top of the falls, and everybody started laughing. It was quite funny for them but not for me because I wasn’t expecting it but I’ll never forget the experience I had climbing the Dunn’s river falls. It was a one off experience and it was absolutely wonderful and it really did make my holiday.
Thank You for the Music
by Flora
Line dancing, that was my hobby…
Thank You for the Music
by Flora
Line dancing, that was my hobby. I practised that, I went to that for years. Line dancing, sequence dancing, ballroom dancing. So I like dancing. We were in here. I was in the hub. I’ve been to the bowling green. I’ve been down to Millport for the Country and Western festival so I’ve been in the bowling green up at Queens Park. And I’ve still got all my friends here, they come to line dancing with me so I’ve kept up with all them. If I go anywhere with dancing or music some of my friends all get up and do line dancing.
I’ve always liked it, you know, because my granddaughter’s got a disability but they like dancing. And I always pick somebody that’s in her school or her wee club and get them up to dance and that makes them feel they’re welcome. You know, that’s what I do. I mean Mamma Mia was on the television on Sunday and that’s what I was singing and dancing with my granddaughter and she thinks it’s funny. She’s twenty. I’ve got a great granddaughter. I keep them all busy, it’s just in me. You know, I think I had children, well, they’re in their 50’s now so I like to keep in contact with my family, my grandchildren and all that you know. I’m just that way inclined.
Imagination
by Moira
In this mask, I have made a rough outline…
Imagination
by Moira
In this mask, I have made a rough outline of a flower posy and this shows my love of flowers and arranging them. I went to night school to learn about this when I retired, and have since enjoyed doing this for many years. Special times of the years lend themselves to trying out new ideas and old ones. Much loved decorations are used time and time again. It´s a much loved hobby of mine.
I also have very happy memories of my wee dog “Ushi”, you can see him on the mask as well but you might have to use your imagination. I have memories of going to the parks and collecting greenery to do the arrangements for Christmas, Easter, birthdays, etc. Sadly, Ushi is no longer with me, but I will always think of him being with me in the park at those times.
Happy Days
by Mary
This is a mask about me going to Turkey…
Happy Days
by Mary
This is a mask about me going to Turkey. I first went to Turkey when we were celebrating our silver wedding anniversary and we’re 48 years now married so we’ve been going for years to Turkey. For 21 years we’ve been going to the same hotel. You’d never meet nicer people than the Turks, I think they’re absolutely lovely, can’t do enough for you and the place is like paradise. It’s our paradise, it really is beautiful, the sun’s always blazing hot as you know in these places cos I like the sun. Most of the people, and this is the God’s honest truth, most of the people will all go back to the same place and stay in the hotel. But at night time we all meet up in a place called Byras. There’s 16 of us altogether that go every year to Turkey and we all just meet up at night time once we’ve had our dinner, you know blah, blah, blah and we are done, that’s where we sit and relax at night time.
One year when I was in Turkey I ended up in hospital. It was a stomach bug and they kept me in overnight and you don’t know what’s happening, the language barrier, alone… But do you know, they were fantastic. I wouldnae like to repeat it, but they were brilliant. Every time there was a doctor who came to talk to me there was a translator there. They were just dead nice and the owners of the hotel, they took me in their car. Elim took me in her car up to the hospital and they phoned every day. Every day they phoned for a gab, for a blether, and you’d have thought I was a celebrity when I came back just the fuss that they make.
And every year I’m always there for my birthday, every year we always get a lovely birthday cake, fireworks on the wee front bit. They set the fireworks off and sing happy birthday. It’s just a wee ritual. And when we couldn’t go with the pandemic, Byras, they phoned me, the wee place we go at night time, and they done that thing… I don’t know how they do it but I was talking to 4 of them. Four of the couples that go on holiday every year so it was a four way conversation kind of thing. And they were also singing happy birthday. That really cheered me up, made me cry but cheered me up as well.
A Walk in the Hills
by Irene
It was Julie’s final hill, this one…
A Walk in the Hills
by Irene
It was Julie’s final hill, this one and she would have bagged all the 282 Scottish munros. Her walking group had organised a weekend on the Isle of Mull and invited family and friends to come along to join Julie on the climb of Ben More. The highest peak and the only munro on the island.
It was with great excitement and more than a little apprehension on my part that we set off early in the morning. Some of the older family members stayed behind to prepare for what was to be a noisy shindig to celebrate Julie’s achievement when we came off the hill.
A short drive and we arrived at the start of our walk and there he was “Old Ben More,” originating 60 million years ago. This Hebridean giant stood tall and proud in front of us, ready to take us on. Some narrow ridges and rocky paths and a wee bit of scrambling up these rocky paths threw up some challenges, which I managed but let’s just say I couldn’t be described as a mountain goat. Motivated by the good humour and encouraging words and the occasional puddy up by the more experienced walkers we made it to the peak and, oh, what a reward lay before us, stunning views across the islands, white sandy beaches and shimmering sea lochs.
As we sat taking in the views, the reason for the huge rucksacks of the veteran climbers became clear as they rummaged inside and produced, much to everyone’s delight, plastic cups and sparkling wine. With a fanfare of popping corks a ceremonial arch was formed with our walking sticks and as Julie walked triumphantly under we raised our glasses. Ceremony over we settled quietly to soak up the scenery that stretched below. Suddenly the peace was broken with excited cries from some of the party we stood peering over the ridge. They shouted for us all to come over. I edged nervously to the edge of the hill and just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better there it was! My Brocken spectre, my shadow, magnified and cast mid-air on the clouds below and surrounded by a halo of rings of rainbow coloured light. A glory! Only seen by the observer, this elusive and enchanting phenomenon left me feeling like I was looking at my own ghost. As the light began to fade and it was time to get off the hill each of us found it difficult to drag ourselves away from this elusive spectre.
It was simply a perfect end to a perfect day. Exhausted but elated we returned to the lodge to join the others for a riotous shindig but that my friend is another story for another day.
Honesty
by Rafika
Hi, my name is Rafika. I made a mask…
Honesty
by Rafika
Hi, my name is Rafika. I made a mask for the group and I did the scenery for nature, flower, moon, sky and a butterfly. I like nature things. I like mountains, sea, sand. I like this country. I like this kind of stuff. People make the self like a God. Nature things are more important to me. I love these things. When I see the nature things, then I see God everywhere. Some things I can’t do, that’s only God doing it. That’s very, very good for peace of mind. You see the nature things, then you can believe in God more and you can feel like you’re talking to God now. It’s very, very, very calm.
I go to a holy place in Saudi Arabia and I see so many mountains and deserts, so nice and peaceful there. Millions of people there but it’s very safe. I lost my bag in the mosque at night time, then I go to pray and then I go to the hotel. At morning time I wake up and my bag’s not there. Then I go to the mosque again and it’s still lying there, same place. 30 million people there and nobody touched it. Always not lost and nobody hurt you, nobody pushed you. Everybody is nice and quiet and walking the same place, very calm and very cool. I loved that place. I’ve been 5 times, 6 times, and I’m going again this year.
Wheatley Care groups
In 2023 we ran Story Cafes and two longer 10-week Storytelling Workshops for various groups at Wheatley Care, a leading provider of care and support services in Scotland.
Working with the group at a personalised and self-directed support service at Maryhill for adults with learning disabilities, we delivered 10 playful and imaginative storytelling sessions. Using multi-sensory storytelling techniques, physical movement and dance, story prompts and games the participants created stories based on the magic characters that came up while exploring the theme of identity, taking moments of personal life stories and adding a touch of magic. Participants chose costumes for their magical characters. Stories show who the participants are, what they are interested in and care for and what are their dreams for their own lives, their communities and the world in the future. The participants’ stories speak about environment, animal rights, world peace, fighting poverty, limitless access to health, food, travel, work and self expression. Every story is accompanied with the photographic portraits of characters and audiovisual vignettes.
The second group we worked with was at Marfield Livingwell service for older people. This group worked together for 10 sessions listening and sharing stories, playing together creating stories, doing improvisation and exploring sensorial objects. In every session we explored stories and memories about their lives, like neighbourhood from childhood, jobs, family memories, favourite trips, among others. At the end of the workshop, they chose stories that were a key part of their identities and created objects from clay, objects that were part of those stories.
Animal Whisperer
by Ruksana
In the depths of the forest stood a hut…
In the depths of the forest stood a hut and a woman lived in it. She had a crown decorated with antlers, feathers, and leaves on her head. Her clothes were colourful with animal print. Animal whisperer had some health issues. She was not able to hear very well and also, she was prone to falling as she could lose her balance easily.
“This is very disabling, I can not hear properly”, the woman thought to herself.
One morning she had her breakfast. Her favourite, French toast. After breakfast she went to look for fresh water. On her way to the stream, she met a hamster, a cat, a fox, and a squirrel. None of the animals ran away from her. It looked like they all knew the animal whisperer very well, felt safe with her and it looked like they could talk.
“How are you today?” asked the animal whisperer. “Would you like to visit my wee hut?”
A man came into the forest and started to hunt, shooting his rifle into the poor animals and birds. This terrified all the animals and the animal whisperer looked very worried. She wanted to save all the animals from the bullets. The woman took all the animals and birds into her hut.
“Follow me animals, I will keep you safe”, the animal whisperer said.
But the gunshots were getting closer and closer to the hut. The animal whisperer had to do something about it so she went out of her hut and appeared in front of the hunter. The man, out of surprise, dropped his rifle. This wild, extraordinary and powerful woman stood looking straight into his soul. The goosebumps rose on his skin. The animal whisperer came closer to the hunter and she lifted the rifle from the ground and aimed it at the man. She then said:
“If you come back to the forest you’ll die. Now, leave!”
But the man grabbed the rifle and the woman did not let go of it. They both pulled the gun forwards and backwards and the gun shot. The hunter fell. The animal whisperer was in shock to see the man lying beside her feet and a growing puddle of blood. The animal whisperer went out from the forest and came back with a doctor who was just in time to save the suffering man’s life. Then the doctor asked the woman is she needed his help with anything and the woman admitted that she had problems with her hearing and her sense of balance. The doctor washed her ears with the syringe and gave special medication for her balance. The animal whisperer felt much better. Now she was more confident in moving through the forest and she was so happy to hear so clearly all the sounds of nature. When the hunter regained his strength, he left the forest and never returned.
He promised, “I need to change my ways and I won’t be returning.”
The animal whisperer reflected on her experiences and said out loud:
“This is amazing, what a transformation. I feel like a new woman.”
The Fridge Filler
by Margaret H.
Margaret had come from a humble…
Margaret had come from a humble background. She didn’t have much but the family always had enough food and drink to get by.
Margaret said: “I was always fed well.”
Margaret was leaving her family home for the last time when her dear mother said that she had something amazing to tell her. She pulled out what looked to be a shiny, golden wand. Mother asked Margaret to open the fridge. Margaret noticed that the fridge was very empty with only a small carton of milk and a little jar of jam in it. Mother closed the fridge over and then tapped the bright wand on it. The fridge instantly lit up a bright, pearly light. Mother opened the fridge. There were loads of fruit, veg, meats, cheeses, desserts and drinks in it. Margaret had witnessed nothing like this before.
Margaret gasped: “I am flabbergasted mum. What have you done?”
This wand had been passed down from her grandmother to her mother and then to her. It was Margaret’s turn to be the custodian of it. Every time she used the wand on an empty fridge it would fill.
Margaret said to her mother: “This will truly come in handy. I’d like to use it to help people.”
Mother was really pleased that Margaret wanted to use this to do good. She told Margaret that she could help others but only if there was a need and the poor individuals were very hungry and broke.
Margaret quickly settled into her new life with her husband Alan. It wasn’t long before the pitter patter of tiny feet could be heard in their residence with Margaret giving birth to two healthy baby boys. Margaret realised that money was going to be tight from this day forward. The prospect of only one wage coming in frightened them. They both remarked that it was going to be tough and they would inevitably have to tighten their purse strings.
“What are we going to do? I want to provide for my family!”, Margaret thought.
The young mother remembered the gift she had bestowed on her before she left the family nest. This was indeed a moment when she needed help. Walking over to the new fridge freezer she opened it. The shiny new white goods was impressive but totally empty. She closed it over quickly. Things were going to change. Margaret removed the shiny gold wand from the bottom kitchen drawer and pointed it directly at the fridge freezer. The appliance lit up a bright golden colour. The inquisitive young mother opened the doors very slowly. Her eyes feasted on a smorgasbord of treats and delights with every food type imaginable being displayed in the packed fridge.
From this moment onwards Margaret knew things were going to be ok. Margaret didn’t want any secrets with her husband and relayed the full story to him. Alan was amazed with what he witnessed in the fridge. It almost brought a tear to his eye. A very grateful Margaret remembered her pledge and truly wanted to help others less fortunate than herself.
Margaret told her husband: “I want to make a difference in people’s lives.”
For the next couple of weeks Alan searched for the local soup kitchens in the evening and food banks at the weekend. Armed with his notepad and pen he took down the names of all these poor people and promised his wife could help them. Margaret worked undeterred over the next year with a vision to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty visiting every address on Alan’s notepad was both daunting and rewarding. The look on peoples faces as they witnessed the transformation in their fridges was priceless.
Margaret and Alans helping hand was just what the town needed. Margaret wanted this for everyone in the UK. It was an ambitious plan but with her husband by her side Margaret said: “The journey has just begun.”
Lady Luck
by Doreen
In Las Vegas, in a fancy hotel and casino…
In Las Vegas, in a fancy hotel and casino there is a restaurant there works a woman, Marion. Every night she serves the people taking their orders and bringing their food and drinks to the tables, but while she is busy working with a corner of her eye she sees the stage with wonderful dancers and singers on it. Marion dreams that one day she could dance and sing on a stage just like those beautiful performers: “I’d love to do that!”
But now she is just a simple waitress in the restaurant carrying another cup of tea. Well, she was not so simple, there was a very special secret about her. If Marion touched someone’s hands, those hands would become very lucky. “This gift tells me to help others,” Marion thought.
One day Marion stepped outside through the back door of the restaurant carrying big bags of rubbish. She threw the heavy bags over the edge of the container and then she saw a tramp sitting on the pavement, looking low, sad, and staring to the opposite wall with the eyes of despair and hopelessness. Marion came to see how he was. She gently touched the shoulder of the man, saying: “Are you alright?”
The man looked up and saw the warmth coming from Marion’s eyes and instantly a group of people stopped and threw some notes into his hat. With this money, the man stepped into the casino and put it all on a game and oh my, he had the best luck in his life! The man won a fortune so one evening he came to the restaurant and ordered a splendid dinner and he asked Marion to join him. They had a dinner together, word after word, look after look and it was clear they both were now in love. Soon the man asked Marion if she would like to marry him and she said yes: “Yes, I would be delighted to.”
What a beautiful wedding that was and they decided to have a new family surname, Luck, Mrs and Mr Luck. And after the wedding Mr and Mrs Luck went on a holiday to Barbados. The Lucks went to see a dance show by a famous touring dance company. During the dance show they opened the floor for someone from the audience to join the dancers and singers on the stage and Marion stood up and stepped on the stage into the spotlight for all to see. The lights were so bright, almost blinding but Marion felt like those lights filled her up with confidence and a sense of belonging. She surprised everyone with amazing dance techniques and energy. After the show the manager of the dance company came up to Marion and invited her to join the team.
Marion was amazed: “Oh wow, I can not believe my luck now!”
From that day Marion Luck and her husband travelled around the world dancing in different restaurants, casinos, theatres, halls and outdoor stages and this is the story of how Marion’s dream came true.
Magic Dust
by Lorraine
Lorraine was watching Neighbours…
Lorraine was watching Neighbours with her sister. Lorraine had always wanted to visit Melbourne and the set of Neighbours.
“I love Neighbours!”, she said.
Lorraine told her sister Jacqueline of her wish. Jacqueline said that going to Australia was very, very expensive. That evening when Lorraine went to bed she was sad. She had never been abroad and was never an extravagant person.
“I wish I can go”, Lorraine thought.
There was a bad storm that night and Lorraine heard thunder and saw bolts of lightning. A loud crash and bang could be heard from the living room. Light filled the house completely then it all went quiet.
“What was that sound?”, Lorraine wondered.
There appeared to be no damage to her flat but from behind the sofa she witnessed bright dust rising up and as quick as it had risen it dropped down again leaving a light trace behind it. Lorraine checked behind her sofa. The dust was swirling and glowing. It looked beautiful. Lorraine picked up a small handful of the magical dust and placed it on her coffee table. Lorraine accidentally spilled a little of the pile over her mobile phone. The phone lit up and started rising up.
Lorraine gasped: “Wow, that’s amazing!”
Lorraine felt a connection and could control the movements with her mind. The phone moved up when she thought it and then moved to another room from the power of her mind. She was so excited to tell her sister about this:
“I can not wait.”
Jacqueline was amazed with this. She couldn’t believe what she was witnessing. Household objects floating around the rooms. She asked Lorraine what if this could be used on bigger objects such as a car. What if it could fly to Melbourne? The sisters were very excited. Jacqueline told Lorraine: “Pack your bags we are going to Australia.”
Lorraine was excited: “Ya beauty!”
Lorraine threw some dust on the car. It lit up and sparkled. The car went up in the air and travelled very fast but smoothly. Bright lights and rainbows could be seen through the car windows as they moved at speed. They were amazed to have arrived at the Melbourne Hilton hotel only ten minutes later.
“Wow!”, Lorraine was in awe.
After a very relaxing night they purchased tickets for the Neighbours set. Attending that morning Lorraine was in awe as she watched the actors. She harboured a secret desire to get a part in Neighbours. That was her dream. During the tour the sisters saw the director. He looked very sad and upset. Lorraine overheard him saying that he missed his elderly mother back in the United States. She was very ill and he didn’t know how long she had left. Lorraine introduced herself and explained to Bruce the director that she’d heard the story and was very keen to do something. Lorraine told Bruce the story of the magic dust. Bruce couldn’t believe that Jacqueline’s small Vauxhall Corsa was going to travel thousands of miles across the ocean to San Francisco, California but was willing to try anything to see his sick mum. Bruce and Lorraine sat in the front and Jacqueline was in the back. The magic dust covered and lit up the car. Lorraine asked for a specific address and as before the car moved smoothly at speed and was there in ten minutes. Bruce was astonished that the car had arrived at his family home. Bruce got out of the car and proceeded directly to the house. The sisters waited and waited for a good couple of hours. Finally. Bruce emerged from the house: “My mother is no longer in pain. She has passed with me by her side.” The sisters expressed how sorry they were and left him to grieve. Bruce wanted to show his gratitude later in the year by inviting them back to the set as special guests but he also wanted Lorraine to have a walk-on part in Neighbours. This filled Lorraine with so much joy, excitement and anticipation:
“That’s fantastic!”
Lorraine was also keen to help others like Bruce promote peace, harmony and contentment throughout the world. Her adventures were just beginning.
“Peace and love to all!”
Maryhill Fairy
by Margaret M.
In Glasgow, Maryhill, in a flat…
In Glasgow, Maryhill, in a flat lived a woman and her name was Margaret Mary. There was something unusual about her even though she looked like an ordinary woman. No-one knew she was a fairy. Margaret Mary had her butterfly wings hidden under her cardigan and she had a big bag which was magic. Also, she had a magic wand to tap the bag and with that an object appeared inside it. This object then Margaret Mary would give away to a person in need of it. May it be a small and simple thing like a lovely chocolate bar, a pair of new glasses or new shiny shoes but some gifts from the bag were a bit more important. A key to the new safe and warm home, a magical medicine that would heal any illness or a mobile phone full of contact numbers of new fun and kind friends.
“My wand makes such a difference to people’s lives!”, thought Maryhill Fairy.
One morning Margaret Mary the fairy woke up and noticed that her magic wand was gone. She knew that someone was in her flat and stole it. She could sense it. Without the magic wand the fairy could not make magic in the bag. The bag was empty. There were no gifts for the people. Margaret Mary was in shock. She realised she couldn’t be a proper fairy any more.
“What do I do? I need to think”, she thought.
The answer was clear. The magic wand was now in Summerston where lived Margaret Mary’s enemy, a Bad Fairy who of course had stolen the wand. So fairy Margaret Mary put on her cardigan, brushed her hair and took her magic bag which was now empty. She took a bus and arrived at the Bad Fairy’s place.
“I am determined to get this sorted!”, Fairy said to herself!
The bad fairy opened the door and Margaret Mary confronted her:
“Where’s my wand?”
“I don’t have it leave me alone”, replied the bad fairy.
“No!”
And they both dragged each other by cardigans, pulled each other by the hair. Oh, what a fierce and wild fight that was just like two cats: “Waah, waah!”
Suddenly Margaret Mary in the Bad Fairy’s pocket found her magic wand.
“Uh huh, I knew it!”, exclaimed Margaret Mary.
And with the wand Margaret Mary put a spell on her rival. The magic spell sounded like this: “wee, way, wee, wee, way, wee, way …” and the bad fairy became kind. Margaret Mary tapped the bag with the wand and out of it she took something special, a second magic wand! It was especially made for this fairy who now was kind. Of course, this wand could only do good magic. The Summerston fairy was no longer known as the Bad Fairy as she now had a new name, Tinkerbell.
Musical Cat
by Michelle
Michelle opened the closet…
Michelle opened the closet very carefully and found her cat Bella giving birth to four little kittens.
“Oh, they are lovely”, smiled Michelle.
The youngest and the smallest was ginger colour. She got the name Rosie. Michelle loved all the kittens but Rosie was her favourite. Michelle and Rosie became inseparable buddies. They played together, danced together, listened to music together and life could not be happier.
Michelle was saying to everyone: “Rosie is my best friend.”
But one day Michelle had to leave. She moved into her current place but Rosie stayed in Michelle’s dad’s house. Michelle could not take her beloved friend to live with her. Both were very sad. The cat Rosie felt very lonely. She could not go outside so all day long she sat at the window looking out but Michelle was not coming back the next day and the day after. Rosie wanted to ask every person outside if they had seen Michelle but she could not speak in human tongue. She just meowied, “miaow, miaow, miaow”.
Then one day Rosie saw a speaker at the windowsill and remembered the music she and Michelle were listening and dancing to. Rosie playing with her paws managed to put on the music and when the music started playing the people in the street stopped. They looked towards the sound and saw the cat in the window. Rosie waved her paw at the people and they waved back smiling. Rosie liked that.
She thought “that’s really nice.”
From that day every time Rosie would see the people passing by her window she would put the music on for them to enjoy. Then little Rosie noticed that some people enjoy one song and others different songs and the next step was to sense what kind of music, what song a person needed at that moment to feel better.
She thought “I have songs that make everyone happy.”
At the end Rosie became very good at music selection and she now was the musical cat. She helped people by changing their mood, soothing their worries and uplifting just with the music. Oh what a great DJ the cat Rosie was. Finally, Michelle came back to visit her dad and Rosie and they were overwhelmed with joy, hugging each other. The cat sensed the heavy feelings of Michelle and put on her favourite song “Cracklin’ Rosie” by Neil Diamond and Michelle danced and Rosie danced.
Michelle said: “I love this song.”
And when the two friends had to part again they knew that even though they lived miles away from each other they both could listen to “Cracklin Rosie” song and think about each other.
The Wizard & The Dragon
by David & Robert
Two of the giants of magic and wizardry…
Two of the giants of magic and wizardry met by chance at the magic convention in Sydney Opera House. Coatl, the feather Dragon is a shapeshifter and was appearing at the convention in human form. The other is the Wizard of the World. This wise individual has a long beard, a magic hat and a wand. They bonded very quickly and they shared similar values and want peace in the World and bring suffering to an end.
“Coatl you’re cunning, fierce and strong, combined with my wisdom and ability to make lots of potions we can make change for the good.” said the Wizard.
Coatl responded: “We will need to use our collective powers and strengths to defeat the Black Fairy for many have tried but all have failed.”
Castle Despair in the Scottish Highlands was indeed a daunting location. The black fairy cast the war and destruction spell hundreds of years ago which has put countries against each other in mindless violence resulting in billions of needless deaths. The Wizard of the World has been working on a spell which permanently ends this also to put the Black Fairy into a deep sleep where she can be tried and sentenced in Fairyland.
“I have been working day and night to create this combination spell”, said the Wizard.
Coatl, the feathered Dragon was required to inhale this plentiful potion and jettison this from his mouth at the exact time. The potion would only fully work for 25 minutes after its creation and as the wizard had to produce this in Australian soil there were severe timing issues going from there to Scotland. A full moon was also a prerequisite for the spell working. Coatl said “meet on the outside terrace at the opera house at 10pm on Friday. We’re going to change the world?”
Coatl and the Wizard arrived at the opera house just before 10pm. The Wizard of the World then activated the magical spell and tapped the dragon on his mouth.
Coatl then soared and sped through the night sky. His quest had begun. Coatl arrived at Castle Despair only 10 minutes later. He was now in the middle of a heavy storm at the entrance to the castle. The Black Fairy was ready for Coatl and to dispense her winged monsters to attack. The monster stabbed into Coatl’s body and quickly tied his body up with strong rope to stop him moving. They didn’t, however, secure his large mouth. Coatl noticed the tight knot on the ground securing him. He turned his head and blew fire at it. The knot instantly frayed and Coatl was free.
He only had a couple of minutes before the spell would wear off. The Black Fairy then instantly put a force field that would protect her all over, however, Coatl was adamant that he wasn’t going to fail like all the others. Coatl aimed and directed fire at the shield. The winged monsters couldn’t attack Coatl as he was too hot. Coatl was doing all he could to break the dark, Black Fairy defences. The extreme fire blowing was taking its toll on the dragon using all his strength reserves he blew his final gasp of fire. This broke the force field and now the fairy was exposed.
Coatl could see the fear of the Black Fairy’s eyes and with only seconds to spare blew the magic spell gas over her. The fairy instantly fell to the cold castle floor and entered a deep sleep. The winged monsters appeared to disappear too and the castle brightened up. Coatl sensed the end of suffering in the world and peace for everyone. He was right. It was a very emotional scene back at the opera house. The Wizard of the World used his wisdom and negotiation to bring world leaders together and Coatl with his strength and adaptability would always be an asset. Their adventures were truly just beginning.
When I Became Big Sister
by Jean
This is Jean. I’m 86 years old…
When I Became Big Sister
by Jean
This is Jean. I’m 86 years old and this is a memory from when I was a wee girl of 7.
My wee brother was born then and he was born in the house and we had a room and kitchen and my father and I had to go into the room and stay in the room while the midwife delivered the baby. She called us through once everything had been done and my father saw the baby, a wee boy, and the nurse sat me on the chair, an old fashioned smoker, what they called a smoker’s chair and said “right, sit back and you can hold your wee brother.” He was only hours old at the time, maybe a couple of hours, and it was the best memory I think I’ve ever had and we’ve always been pretty close since.
I was quite astonished because in those days it was what we called the green lady that came. She was a nurse or a midwife but she was always dressed in a dark green coat, dark green skirt and jumper and a dark green hat and she always carried like a Gladstone bag which is a bag in-between a handbag and a suitcase which held a lot of stuff. And in those days the children all thought that she brought the baby in that bag. Whenever we saw her with the bag, we always thought there must be a baby in it. She was going to take a baby to somebody’s house. It was a great feeling.
I thought my brother was brought in the wee bag, yes.
