Faithful Friends

One of the tallest towers in Homeward is the Clock Tower. On every side of it there is a different clock face. The one facing my bedroom has an image of myself gilded with gold. Its trunk measures the minutes and an upraised arm measures the hours. A team of dwarves keep the clock in working order - but on Christmas Eve they had all been out celebrating and were fast asleep amidst a warm glow of light.

As the clock struck twelve, and Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Morning, Beaver Hateman and I stared up at the Big Tree and the twinkling stars beyond.

"I got to admit Unc - your adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' went down a storm!" laughed Hateman.

"We muddled through," I replied "I must admit, although it pains me to say so, your various ad-libs did have the audience in fits of laughter - even if it did turn my drama into more of a pantomime!"

Although sworn enemies, Beaver and I always have a truce at Christmas. This year in particular we even have kindred emotions. For, Beaver's brother Sigismund is off on a trip faraway in search of new Scob Fish grounds and my brother Rudolph has gone - on another mystical expedition I know not where.

In the distance we could hear the inhabitants of Homeward and Badfort singing carols.

"Long may they sing on under the stars!" I remarked.

"On that we can agree, Unc" countered Beaver as the strains of his ain folk singing "The Red Flag', to the tune of the carol "O Tannenbaum", could be heard on the wind.

As we stared up into the night sky, we could see thousands of stars shimmering in the firmament.

"It never ends, the universe just keeps going, and so must we, light and darkness poised in eternal balance." I mused.

"No, not forever, one day the light of socialism will surely vanquish the darkness of capitalism!" laughed Beaver - deliberately misconstruing my meaning.

I raised my glass for a toast "To absent friends” I declared.

"Yes, Unc - to absent friends!"

"Merry Christmas, Rudolph, Merry Christmas, wherever you are." I murmured.

I thought of the Happy Christmases we had had together. An elephant and his memories on, Christmas day.

Uncle's Christmas Carol - Final Rehearsal

Having rescued the Badfort Crowd from their snow bound dwelling, it was now possible for us to perform the final rehearsal of my play for Christmas – my adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Not unreasonably, I think you will agree, I expected at least some gratitude for my act of charity. As you can see, however, Beaver Hateman was his usual disagreeable self.


Act Five The End of It

Uncle: I am home! I have learnt the lessons of the spirits to carry on teaching the virtues of good citizenship and caring capitalism! I don’t know how long I’ve been among the Spirits but, as is tradition, I shall have the grandest Christmas Party for my tenants!

Narrator: At this point, The Old Monkey entered Uncle’s bedchamber carrying a large bucket of cocoa and a small stocking.

The Old Monkey: Happy Christmas, Sir – I trust you slept well?

Uncle: What's today?

The Old Monkey: Pardon?

Uncle: What's today. My fine monkeyservant?

The Old Monkey: Today? Well. Today is Christmas Day, of course!

Uncle: It's Christmas Day? I haven't missed it. The spirits did it all in one night. They can do anything they like. I had a most interesting dream, Old Monkey. The after effects of an over consumption of bananas, I fear. However, it had has confirmed, much to my embarrassment, that I must indeed be the greatest benefactor the world has ever known.

The Old Monkey: Well of course, Sir, we all know that to be true.

Uncle: How are the preparations for my party going? – it must be the most lavish I have ever held!

The Old Monkey: I am sure it will be, Sir, every year you surpass yourself! Everything is running to clockwork as usual!

Uncle: The turkey – is it twice as big as me?

The Old Monkey: Most certainly, Sir!

Narrator: Uncle dressed and made his way through the streets of Homeward - on his way to visit Bob Scratchit, followed by the Old Monkey carrying a large turkey. As he passed by, the citizens of Homeward shouted greetings and thanks for the wonderful party to come. Suddenly The King of the Badgers appeared before him.

The King of the Badgers: My dear friend! I am so glad to see you! I wondered…I know it is difficult at this time of year, with all your charitable donations…but I find myself somewhat embarrassed financially…would there be any chance of a temporary input of funds?

Uncle: Of course, no badger shall suffer this Christmas! I will happily give you…

Narrator: Uncle whispered in the Kings ear, so as not to embarrass him amongst the crowd.

The King of the Badgers: That much? A gift for me?

Uncle: Not a penny less.

The King of the Badgers: My dear Uncle – you are as bounteous as ever!

Narrator: Uncle arrives at Bob Scratchit’s house and Little Liz opens the door. Pointing to the huge turkey, that the Old Monkey can barely carry, he declares…

Uncle: Happy Christmas Little Liz! Tell your poor father that I have brought him a turkey!

Little Liz: Don’t need it! Beaver Hateman has already brought us one! Even bigger! …and a cask of Scob Fish!...and a dozen barrels of Black Tom!.....Sling your hook! We don’t need your capitalist blackmail!

Hateman: Yeah! Unc they don’t need your handouts! Their gifts are being provided for by the generosity of the workers of the glorious Peoples Republic of Badfort…they will not be bribed into subservience by your corrupt blandishments!

Uncle: Stop right there! That is not in the script! You are just making it up as you go along!....is this the thanks I get for rescuing you from the frozen shambles of your abode? I should have just left you there - having a miserable Christmas huddled around the fire!...

Hateman: Put a sock in it Unc! You know full well that you would have a right boring Xmas without us here to liven things up a bit…crikey, do you really think people enjoy your tedious old plays?

Uncle: How dare you!

Well, I think you have heard enough – I know what you are thinking. So great is my magnanimity, at this special time of year, that I will even put up with the horrendous behaviour of The Badfort Crowd. It makes me rather embarrassed to admit it, but yes – you are right. I am far too generous. It is always said of me, that I know how to keep Christmas well, if any elephant alive possesses the knowledge.


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Uncle's Christmas Carol - Fourth Rehearsal

The performance of my adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' was to be the centrepiece of my Christmas party but the rehearsals are a shambles!

Act Four The Last of the Spirits

Narrator: The bell struck twelve. Uncle, lifting up his eyes, beheld a solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him.

Uncle: Oh it’s you Hootman! You’re supposed to be the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come?

Narrator: The Spirit inclined its head. That is the only answer he receives.

Uncle: Lead on! The night is waning fast. Lead on, Spirit!

Narrator: Uncle held onto the wispy shadow of its sackcloth dress, and they passed forward through time. They found themselves in the Homeward Art Gallery, far in the future. The Old Monkey stands looking at the great painting of Uncle opening the Dwarfs Drinking Fountains, silently weeping.

The Old Monkey: Oh, Uncle, woe is me, for you are gone...how will we continue without your great wisdom to lead us?....gone….

Uncle: Spectre, am I ...dead?

The Old Monkey:….gone…. packed your trunk and trundled off to the jungle, off you rode with a trumpety trump trump trump trump

Uncle: I went back to the jungle?

Narrator: The Old Monkey is oblivious to Uncle and the spectre and continues talking to himself.

The Old Monkey: Who could blame you, Sir,…the dwarfs are such an ungrateful bunch…Look at everything that you have done for the citizens of Homeward and yet they always find something to moan about. Your responsibilities were as vast as your domain and who could begrudge you early retirement with a massive pension package. I just wish that you had taken me with you. I am sure you would have, if you had foreseen what was to befall your beloved Homeward….

Uncle: What’s he on about, spirit?

Narrator: The spectre draws him towards the window and Uncle beholds a truly chilling scene...The Badfort Crowd, armed with clubs and duck bombs, weave their way through the snow covered streets banging on the shop doors and demanding money. They hold a placard inscribed with the legend "Free at Last!" and decorated with an extremely unflattering portrait of Uncle! Hitmouse is intoxicated, sitting on many barrels of Black Tom.



Uncle: What are the Badfort Crowd doing?, carousing the streets of Homeward!

Hateman: Ding Dong Uncles gone! Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out. Barrels of Black Tom for everyone!

The Old Monkey: Oh, thank goodness dear Uncle is not here to see this! The Badfort Crowd have taken over his home! I knew those elections were a mistake – the dwarfs were taken in by the sham promises of Mister Hateman!

Hateman: Oi , Come on you capitalist pigs – time to pay your Christmas tax. We kno you is racking it in as usual! Time for a bit of redistribution! We need money for the new People’s Palace! 24 hour gambling and drinking! This is wot the people want! A singing competition every night!

Shopkeeper: Anti-market anarchist! No taxation without representation! Ouch!

Hateman: Sorry, I had to hit you – you are an exploiter of the proletariat!

Uncle: (very emotional): Spectre, are these the shadows of things that will be...or are they the shadows of things that may be only?

Narrator: The spirit appeared really annoyed – clearly not wishing to admit the truth….

Uncle: Ha! So I can change these events! In reality they are just your own wishful thinking. Well let me tell you, the Badfort Crowd will never take control of Homeward. I would never betray the trust of the citizens of Homeward!

I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.

I shall never retire, for I know my duty - to serve my people and protect Homeward from the forces of anarchy. To teach the virtues of good citizenship and caring capitalism!

Hateman: Bah, you Humbug! Profiting from the labour of others, more like!

Uncle: That is not in the script! I’m tired - we will resume rehearsals on another day!

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Uncle's Christmas Carol - Third Rehearsal

This play is just not coming together, our rehearsal of Act Three has just been a disaster!

Act Three: The Second of the Three Spirits

Narrator: Awaking in the middle of a prodigiously tough snore, Uncle awaited the appearance of the second spirit. Yet now, as the clock finished striking...Nothing.

Uncle: Where’s he got to then? I do so hate to be kept waiting…

Narrator: As Uncle lay upon his bed, the very core and centre of a blaze of ruddy light seemed to come from the adjoining room. He got up softly and shuffled in his purple slippers to the door. The moment Uncle’s hand was on the lock, a strange voice called him by his name, and bade him enter. He obeyed.

It was his own room. There was no doubt about that. But it had undergone a surprising transformation. The walls and ceiling were hung with living green, the crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy. A mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney. Heaped up on the floor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages, mince-pies, plum-puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch, that made the chamber dim with their delicious steam. Upon this couch, there sat a giant mass of quivering blue jelly with small glittering eyes and a large slippery mouth. It held a glowing torch, high up, to shed its light on Uncle, as he came peeping round the door.

Jellytussle: Come in!, Come in! and know me better, elephant!

Uncle: Jellytussle? Has Beaver sent you over to spoil my Christmas Eve?

Jellytussle: No, I am the Ghost of Christmas Present!

Uncle: Oh right, yes, of course – I thought Gubbins was going to play that part.

Jellytussle: Well, you’ve got me instead.

Uncle: Well, this is a splendid feast, you have laid on for me!

Jellytussle: Yeah! But you paid for it all! We nicked the money from the piggy bank by your bed! Yum – this ham is delicious!

Uncle: Well, I suppose one should lay on light refreshments – but you could at least wait for the interval.

Jellytussle: Is it O.K. if I take some of this home with me ? – All my fellow brothers and comrades in the Badfort Revolutionary Front could do with a good Xmas nosh up.

Uncle: I suppose, as it is Christmas, yes. But, can we get on with the play please? Spirit, conduct me where you will. I went forth last night and we learnt many lessons on the importance of entrepreneurship and good citizenship. I am sure that that we will learn many useful life lessons tonight!

Jellytussle: Touch my robe!

Narrator: The room, the fire, the ruddy glow, the hour of night, all disappeared and they stood in the streets of Badgertown on Christmas morning, where the badgers made a rough, but brisk and not unpleasant kind of music, in scraping the snow from the pavement in front of their dwellings, and from the tops of their burrows.

Uncle: Why, there is Beaver Hateman, carrying a placard with ‘Anarchy Now!” writ large upon it. What manner of mischief is he up to?

Postbadger: Hi Mister Hateman, a Merry Xmas to you!

Hateman: Yeah, but merrier for the fat tyrant in his castle! – look mate, all those Christmas cards you have to deliver – is the King of the Badgers paying you any more for his “Royal” mail? No, of course not! Protest! Revolt! Sabotage! They couldn’t have Christmas without you!

Postbadger: (doubtfully) I couldn’t do that - the King has promised us an extra half crown!

Uncle: What a good example of citizenship!

Jellytussle: Exploitation, more like!

Uncle: No! that’s not in the script – your supposed to say what a wonderful example of the Christmas spirit!

Narrator: The Ghost of Christmas Present and Uncle follow Hateman into a General store.

Shopkeeper: Merry Christmas, Beaver!

Hateman: The good thing about Christmas is all the trade you are going to lose over the two days you capitalist pig!



Shopkeeper: I sell so much before Christmas that it takes me two days to count all the extra money! Can I interest you in this electronic ‘Uncle’ doll? They are the merchandising hit of the year!

Hateman: Bah Humbug!

Narrator: As Hateman shuffles out, he hides a large casket of ham under his sackcloth!

Uncle: He has just stolen from that shop!

Jellytussle: I didn’t see nuffink!

Hateman: Yah Boo Unc – the shopkeeper can’t hear you – your not really here remember!

Uncle: Disgraceful, you have just ad-libbed al that! Where next spirit?

Narrator: They went on, invisible, as they had been before, into the suburbs of the town.

Uncle: That's Bob Scratchit's house.

Jellytussle: Yeah, Sigismund didn’t need a costume he just dyed his sackcloth blue!

Uncle: But I gave you lot £150 for costumes! – I suppose you have spent it all on Black Tom?

Mrs Scratchit: (to her children) What has ever got your precious father then? And your sister, Little Liz!

Narrator: In comes Bob, the father, his threadbare sackcloth darned up and brushed, to look seasonable; and Little Liz upon his shoulder. Alas for Little Liz, she bears a little crutch and her limbs are supported by a skewer!



Mrs Scratchit: How was she at church?

Bob Scratchit: She stuck a skewer in the vicar! She told me that she hoped the people saw her in church because then we could stand outside with a begging bowl !

Mrs Scratchit: Oh bless her!

Bob Scratchit: It worked too! I reckon we got about £50 outta them suckers!
It’s O.K. Little Liz you can take the irons off now!

Little Liz: Thank Gawd for that – they really make my bloomin’ legs itch!

Bob Scratchit: Unc was there – he’s always a big softy at Christmas – Little Liz hobbled around a bit and he was soon blubbin’ and handed over a gold sovereign! Mind you he made sure everyone saw and did his usual boastin’ speech about the importance of filanthropy!

Uncle: This all wrong – I did not write that and that’s not a little girl – that’s Hitmouse!

Jellytussle: We couldn’t bribe any kids to do it so he said he would dress up as a lickle girl.

Uncle: Well he makes a very ugly little girl!

Hitmouse: Shut yer face, Unc!

Uncle: Can we please get back to the story as written?

Bob Scratchit: A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. Unc! I’ll give you Unc, the Founder of the Feast!

Little Liz: Yeah! The old sucker!

Mrs. Cratchit: The Founder of the Feast indeed! I wish I had him here. I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, lording it over the proletariat all the time!

Little Liz: Yeah! Lets sing a song

Under a spreading Chestnut tree,
the village tyrant stands;
Uncle, the bicycle thief,
With large and sinewy hands,
And the muscles of his waving trunk,
As strong as iron bands!

Uncle: Enough! No more rehearsal today! You are turning this play into a travesty!

Jellytussle: Don’t you want to know if Little Liz lives?

Uncle: Lives? I tell you what is going to happen to Little Liz….I am going to give her a good kicking up!

And that, a dear reader is what I did. Hitmouse went flying over the ramparts of Homeward…..a well deserved Christmas gift from me!


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Uncle's Christmas Carol - Second Rehearsal

The first rehearsal of my dramatic adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' did not go particularly well. The Badfort Crowd persistently deviated from my script.

I cannot say that the second day has gone any better.

Act Two: The First of the Three Spirits

Exterior: The Entrance to the Great Hall of Homeward

Narrator: Uncle, returned home tired, as always, from a hard days labour. For his domain is vast and the responsibilities great. He makes his way up the steps but is suddenly transfixed by the giant knocker on the door. The knocker is fashioned in the likeness of Uncle himself but for an instance is transformed into the ugly visage of Hootman!

Hootman: Oi ! you can’t say that about me!

Uncle: Oh please hush, Hootman, and let the narrator continue the tale!

Narrator: It had a dismal light about it - like a Scob Fish in a dark pond. Its livid colour made it horrible. As Uncle looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was his knocker again.



Uncle: “Pooh, pooh! To many bananas for lunch!”

Narrator: Uncle sat by the fire drinking his usual bed-time drink, a bucket of cocoa, prepared, as always, with great care by the Old Monkey.

As Uncle warmed himself by the fire, all the bells of Homeward started to ring and he heard the clanking of chains.

Uncle then remembered to have heard that ghosts in haunted houses were described as dragging chains.

Uncle: Oh drat – don’t tell me the ghosts have escaped from the Haunted Tower!

Narrator: Suddenly, a spectral figure came through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes. The golden chain he drew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like a tail.

Uncle: I know him; Hootman! -You are fettered, Tell me why?



Hootman: They are the chains I was bound in by capitalist exploitation. They portray the worker's connection to the capitalist. Conditions can improve for the worker through higher wages or a better working environment and can extend the chain. The worker may be happier and less stressed, but none the less he is still a slave to the capitalist. Your workers know that if they stick by you, the capitalist pachyderm, and follow your rules they will have the means to provide for themselves!

Uncle: This is Badfort propaganda and nonsense – it is not what I wrote! Please stick to the script about being a naughty rather than nice capitalist!

Hootman: O.K. Unc, whatever! - I forged these chains in life by my acts of greed. Three spirits will haunt you. Expect the first to-morrow, when the bell tolls One.

Uncle: Righto! I look forward to meeting them all!

Narrator: With that, the spirit of Hootman vanished into the darkness... leaving Uncle once again...alone in his room. Uncle soon nodded off but was awakened as the clock suddenly struck one o’clock.

The curtains of his bed were drawn aside and Uncle found himself face to face with the unearthly visitor who drew them.

It was a strange figure—like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium.

Uncle: Is that you Noddy Ninety? Wearing a white sheet?

Noddy Ninety: Yep, its me, Sir, only I am a ghost you see?

Uncle: Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to me?

Noddy Ninety: Yep, I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.



Uncle: Long Past?

Noddy Ninety: Nope. Your past.

Uncle: Fascinating, I am sure that this will be most enjoyable!

Noddy Ninety: Rise! and walk with me!

Narrator: Uncle rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.

Uncle: I am a rather well-built elephant – and I am no Dumbo so I cannot fly.

Noddy Ninety: Don’t worry I have borrowed your helicopter from Cowgill.

Narrator: Uncle and the Spirit fly off in the helicopter across land and back through time. They soon land on an open jungle road, with banana trees on either hand. Homeward had entirely vanished. Not a vestige of it was to be seen. The darkness and the mist had vanished with it, for it was a clear, hot, summer day.

Uncle: I was bred in this place. I was a calve here!

Noddy Ninety: You recollect the way?

Uncle: Remember it! I could walk it blindfold. This is the way to my old school.

Narrator: Uncle and the spirit soon arrive at a treetop schoolroom.

Noddy Ninety: The school is not quite deserted, A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still. He never goes home for Christmas.

Uncle: No, I always used to go to help out at the homeless shelter at Christmas – at a tender age I realised the importance of charity and good citizenship! Also, the Christmas holiday was a chance to get some extra work done, more time for reading and study. The only way to rise above my humble beginnings was by applying myself. Life is a golden opportunity and one must keep one’s nose to the grindstone.

Noddy Ninety: Yes, you are an example to us all, Sir.

Hateman: Pass the sick bag – this is just blatant propaganda!

Uncle: Be quiet Hateman! You are not in this scene!

Noddy Ninety: Let us see another Christmas!

Narrator: Uncle and the Spirit fly off in the helicopter again, but now travel forward again through time. They arrive in a snow covered quadrangle surrounded by ivy clad buildings

Uncle: My goodness! It is my old University!

Noddy Ninety: Indeed! And there you are – running as fast as the wind, your trunk filled with books!

Uncle: Oh, I must be very late!... for an exam I expect ? Oh dear, I know what you are going to show me!

Noddy Ninety: Yes, I am afraid so. An incident you would rather have been forgotten. You have spotted the bicycle leaning against the wall, if you just borrowed it you could get to your exam on time. You look around you, no one would see, after all, it would do no harm? You will return it to the exact same spot. You get on it and peddle away, but what is happening? It is buckling under your weight!

Hateman: Stop thief! Stop thief!

Uncle: Enough Hateman! That is not in the script! No one shouted “Stop Thief!” at all.

Hateman: I bloomin’ well would have if I’d been there!

Uncle: Oh Spirit, why have you shown me this ignominious act of mine?

Noddy Ninety: I have shown you this as a moral lesson to us all – even the great and the good may have at one time performed some act of which they are ashamed. However, it is always possible to make amends as you did….

Uncle: Oh yes, when I became rich and famous I sent a cheque for £2,000 to the owner of the bicycle. I also sent him six hundred casks of herrings, a thousand kegs of Turkish Delight and fifty-thousand first-grade cheeses!

Hateman: Yeah! And you made sure everyone knew about it!

Uncle: Be quiet Hateman! You are spoiling a poignant moment!

Narrator: Uncle and the Spirit fly off in the helicopter again, forward through time again. They are now in the busy thoroughfares of a city, where shadowy dwarfs pass and repass; where shadowy trains and trams battle for the way, and all the strife and tumult of a real city are. Tall skyscrapers loom above. It is plain enough, by the dressing of the shops, that here too, it is Christmas time again; but it is evening, and the streets are lighted up. A party is in full swing in a small apartment at the very top of one of the towers.

Noddy Ninety: Today is the day that you became a man of business.

Uncle: Why, it’s the Old Monkey! Bless his heart!

Noddy Ninety: That’s right! Your first Christmas at Homeward!

Young Old Monkey: What a splendid feast you have laid on, Sir!

Young Uncle: One must do one’s best!

A Young Dwarf: Bah humbug! – I have nothing to look forward to this Christmas! I have no home to go to. Got home this evening and found some great big hulking bloke in a sackcloth squatting in my flat! He told me to sling me hook – he said that somefink called the Badfort Revolutionary Front had commandeered it for the proletariat!

Young Uncle: That is terrible! You must inform the owner of Homeward, Wizard Blenkinsop, he is a very decent chap you know!

Young Old Monkey: Yes, but he is getting old, Sir, not so good at keeping track of the goings on in his vast domain.

Young Uncle: Don’t worry, Mister Dwarf, you can stay here for as long as you like – shall we say 6d a week rent?

A Young Dwarf: Oh splendid, how very kind of you Mister…?

Young Uncle: Just call me Uncle – one must do one’s best to help those in need and show good citizenship!

Noddy Ninety: Your first rental income!

Uncle: Yes, I have to admit it brings a small tear to my eye.

Narrator: The party continues, more dances, and there is a game of spigots, and songs, and then cake, and then a great piece of Roast, and a great piece of Boiled Ham, and mince-pies, and plenty of Koolvat.

Hateman: I must admit you know how to lay on a Christmas feast, Unc!

Uncle: Shush, you are not in this bit Beaver!

Narrator: Young Uncle and young Old Monkey talk in the corner…

Young Uncle: One day, Old Monkey, I shall own this castle and there will be no more trouble from the Badfort Crowd!

Young Old Monkey: If anyone can set the world to rights it will be you, Sir!

Hateman: hah, hah, hah

Noddy Ninety: Better get home then – you have another ghost to meet!

Uncle: I am really looking forward to it!

Narrator: They travel forward through time, back to the present and Uncle is left alone and exhausted in his bedchamber.

Well, that is where I decided to end our rehearsal for the day. I had had enough of the Badfort Crowd's interjections.



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Uncle's Christmas Carol - First Rehearsal

As you know, every year I write a play to be performed at my Christmas party.

This year I have written an adaptation of the story, by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol.

Now, Dickens is a renowned writer - although not in the same league as the great playwright Sir Ernest Wiseman, of course.

However, there are a number of aspects to the story that have always troubled me. To me, it seems somewhat over-critical of the role of an entrepreneur in society. It fails to highlight the gainful employment that Mister Scooge offers to his clerks, for instance.

In rewriting it for the stage, therefore, I have taken the opportunity to make a number of improvements to the text. The character of Scrooge has been replaced with myself and I humbly hope that I might set a better example to the populace of Homeward.

There is a long standing custom that Hateman and his tribe are invited to Homeward for the Christmas festivities. I even decided that they could take some of the roles in this little theatrical. Sigismund Hateman is playing a major role - that of Bob Scratchit. I am beginning to regret this. We had our first rehearsal today and as you can see they have a tendency to deviate from the script as written:

ACT ONE: SOME ANNOYING VISITORS

EXTERIOR: A street in Homeward.

Narrator: It is Christmas Eve and one of the worst winter mornings that Homeward has ever known. A thick later of snow carpets the drawbridge, the frozen moat and the streets of Homeward. Uncle is on his way to his office.

Beaver Hateman: There goes Mr Humbug of Homeward!

Hitmouse: Old Unc, he loves his money cos he finks it makes him all-powerful!

Beaver Hateman: Yeah he is notorious for his under-handed deeds. Charging extortionate rents for his dark and draughty apartments!

A Small Dwarf: I beg to differ! Why my apartment is lovely – fully centrally heated and only 6d a week!

Hitmouse sticks a skewer in the dwarfs leg and he squeals in pain and runs away.

Hitmouse: Huh! typical example of the proletariat - tugging his forelock to Unc! He is exploited and clings tightly to his right to remain in that state!

Uncle: You are ad-libbing – please stick to my script!


INTERIOR: Uncle’s Office

Uncle: Good morning, Old Monkey.

Old Monkey: Good morning, Sir. May I introduce a new worker we have taken on? His name is Bob Scratchit.

A rather lumpen figure in a blue sackcloth suit shuffles forward, scratching under his armpit.

Bob Scratchit: Mornin’ Unc!

Old Monkey: You really must learn some better manners if you are to continue working here – Mister Uncle if you please!

Bob Scratchit: (in a snide voice) Sorry, Mister Uncle.

He shuffles back to his desk scratching his bottom.

Uncle: (sotto voice) Does he have to scratch like that all the time?

Old Monkey: I fear so, Sir.

Uncle: Make a note to give him some of Gleamhound’s itching powder as a Xmas present. All his preparations work backwards so that should cure the problem.

Old Monkey: Alonzo S Whitebeard is waiting to see you, Sir.

Narrator: Alonzo is a great miser. He has a silver sixpence as big as a millstone. It’s two feet thick, and almost six feet high. At night he sits and looks at it.

Uncle: Oh dear, what does that old skinflint want.

The Old Monkey ushers in Whitebeard, who is in tears.



Old Monkey: I believe Mister Whitebeard wishes to complain about Christmas, Sir!

Alonzo: Sir, I want you to cancel this ridiculous annual event – it is costing me a fortune and it’s a load of humbug!

Uncle: What right have you to be dismal? You're rich enough.

Alonzo: Not for very long at this rate – all these bloomin’ people expecting to be given presents and eating me out of house and home!

Uncle: Christmas is a time for goodwill and charity. In that spirit, here is a giant hamper of food – as for presents, there is no need for extravagance. It is the thought that counts.

Alonzo: Oh thank you, Sir for your wise words. You are not only a shrewd businessman but a kind one to boot! I have had a brilliant thought! I have a box full of unsold diaries from last year that I got cheap. They only need all the dates altering and then they would make perfect gifts.

Narrator: As Alonzo staggered away under the weight of the huge hamper, the King of the Badgers paid a call on Uncle.

Old Monkey: The King of the Badgers is here to see you, Sir.

Uncle: Oh dear, I imagine that he will be needing to borrow some money, again!

Old Monkey: I fear so, Sir.

Enter the King of the Badgers:




King of the Badgers: Uncle, good fellow, a Merry Christmas to you!

Uncle: Uh, Yes, indeed.

King of the Badgers: A wonderful time of year, but as you know a somewhat expensive time. One’s subjects do expect one to make a bit of an effort – parties, gifts and such like!
I find myself somewhat embarrassed for funds and I wondered it might be at all possible for you to arrange a small loan? Of a temporary nature, of course!

Uncle: Like the last one you mean?

King of Badgers: Well, I thought you might put it on the slate so to speak?

Uncle: I shall be more than happy to make a gift to the Badgertown Home for Fallen Badgers – say, a thousand hampers?

King of the Badgers: (plaintively) Well, er, that is very kind, Sir, but a bit of ready cash would be rather useful, too?

Uncle: I have a suggestion. As you know, I gave rather a lot of money to you to help prop up the Badgertown Rock Bank. I am somewhat perturbed that they, apparently, intend to pay themselves a rather large bonus this year – despite the fact that I have not been repaid. I suggest that you charge them a large windfall tax on these bonuses, thereby enlarging your coffers considerably!

King of the Badgers: Oh what a splendid idea, Sir! Thank you, so much, for sharing your inestimable wisdom!

Narrator: The King of the Badgers went on his way basking in the generosity of the great elephant. Now, it is customary on Christmas Eve for well-meaning gentleman to call upon businesses to collect donations for the poor and homeless. Here are Hateman and Hitmouse - attempting to raise money for a so-called good cause!



Hateman and Hitmouse burst through the door with a begging bowl:

Hateman: Oi Unc, enough of your propaganda! some of us is endeavouring to raise a fund for the poor and homeless of Badfort – what can we put you down for?

Uncle: Nothing – and that stuff about propaganda is not in my script!

Hateman: Nothing! You old skinflint – you would have us all in the poorhouse you miserable capitalist!

Uncle: I know exactly how the money will be spent – barrels of Black Tom for your so-called People’s Palace! I have no intention of making a bunch of anarchists merry this Christmas!

Hateman: Have a heart – it is Christmas!

Uncle: As usual you are invited to my annual party – but Christmas is no excuse to pick an elephant’s pocket!

Hateman: I can’t fink of a better time – Christmas, nowt but a celebration of consumerism! What more fitting illustration of the Marxist theory of surplus value, which in the capitalist system is generated by labour!

Uncle: That is not in the script!!!

Hateman: Wot, not in your piece of blatant self-aggrandisement you mean!

Uncle: Enough! We will resume rehearsals next week! And I expect you to stick to the script and stop all this ad-libbing!



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National Treasure

For some people, achieving national treasure status might seem the pinnacle of their career.

However, I consider myself to still be in my prime - I have a great many things yet to achieve.

That is why I turned down a lucrative advertising contract for the series of British Marks & Spencer Christmas adverts - full of 'National Treasures'.

It seems that they were not happy with Mister Stephen Fry's pronunciation of the word 'mince' and were hoping to substitute myself.

"He is a good friend of mine and there is no way that I would involve myself in such shenanigans!" I told them "besides, I am not even British!".

"But everyone in Britain adores you!" came the reply. "It seems to me that hero's are two a penny in your country - unlike here at Homeward where I have truly earned the respect of my fellows!" was my somewhat waspish response.

I have, of course, agreed to appear in the Cheapman's Store Christmas campaign. After all he is my very good friend and fellow entrepreneur.

The campaign is based on the theme of the objects that make Christmas what it is...all I had to say is "a dozen large hams and a bucket of cocoa"

The next day a lorry load of hams and a large vat of cocoa were delivered to my very door!...how very kind of Cheapman.

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The Importance of being a Celebrity

It has become an annual tradition for me, at the request of the King of the Badgers, to switch on the Christmas lights of Badgertown.

This has not been the case this year.

No, this year the citizens of Badgertown have turned their backs on celibritydom.

They mounted a campaign for an ordinary member of the public to perform this honoured task.

They chose Nigel Badger, who works at the DIY shop Burrowbase, to do the job. Apparently, because of his "friendly manner and excellent customer service" at the store.

"He's such a pleasant chap that people queue up to be served by him," said Barry Badger, treasurer of the town's Christmas Lights Committee.

Now, and I hope this does not sound like sour grapes on my part, but did he really inspire the crowds as I would have?

Far be it for me to disparage the efforts of a humble plebeian, for were my own origins not of the humblest kind?, however, surely "Oh, don't they look pretty" is hardly the standard of speech designed to inspire the crowd?

Of course, I am somewhat upset - I do always rather look forward to turning on the lights, to mark the start of yuletide festivities, and I was rather taken aback at the ingratitude of the folk of Badgertown. Particularly as, it is me who always pays for the lights.

The fact that I had spent many hours writing my speech is neither here nor there - I am most saddened because it is the content of the speech that is so important.

Here is an opportunity, particularly in a time of recession, to extoll the populace to got out and spend, and thus save the economy.

Not to say, considerably increase the coffers of the King of the Badgers with the additional tax revenue in his time of sorest means. I was hoping not to be asked for another loan so close to Christmas.

Instead of my thoughtful and erudite speech, designed to engender civic pride and the need to dig deep, we get a lot of vacuous populisms and chants of "Nigel, Nigel"!

When will people realise that celebrities are celebrities for good reason and elevating ordinary folk to this exalted position will end in tears?


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Downfall of a copycat

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has been on the phone, again.

I am ignoring his calls.

The cheek of the man!

He has blatantly attempted to base his construction in Dubai on the great towers of Homeward, without the cash or good taste to even begin to emulate my domain.

Not surprisingly, he has run out of cash, cannot finish it, and wants to pump me for a loan.

A tennis court on top of a tower! Talk about conspicuous wealth and ostentatious waste! Why, a whole village of the Crookball people live on the top of Lonely Tower!



His impossible dream to outdo Homeward is over - an insane act of hubris!

Mind you, he was awful at University - he used to ridicule my lowly roots at the same time as trying to ape my mannerisms - trying to cut an ascetic, brooding figure and associate himself with philanthropic causes!

Why, he even tried to adopt my literary and camel racing interests!

He has, of course, never written a play to rival those of Sir Ernest Wiseman like what I have done.

The one thing that both Beaver Hateman and I agree upon, for a change, is that the treatment of the workers, building this facsimile of Homeward, by the Shiekh was disgraceful!

We made sure they all got to enjoy the party last year, however.

As any good employer knows, one has too properly incentivise ones workers and treat them with respect - but one can only know this, I suppose, if one has humble origins like myself.




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Gatecrashers

The most appalling breach of security has taken place!

Last week, I held a banquet in honour of a visit by President Obama of the United States.

I was standing in line, shaking the hands of the distinguished guests. A rather odd man wearing a tatty blue sackcloth suit and accompanied by, to put it bluntly, his rather ugly wife, introduced himself in a most impolite manner.

“Hi Unc, sucking up to the Prez again?” he declared.

I was so taken aback that, without thinking, I put my hand out when he proffered his.

I felt a stinging shock run through my whole body!

“Yah Boo Unc!, that’ll teach you for livin’ it up at the expense of the proletariat!” laughed the ugly woman!

As the man withdrew his hand I saw that it contained an electric shock device.

I looked at his face – he was cleverly disguised but I realised that without his beard and glasses he looked uncannily similar to Beaver Hateman!

As they made a run for it I grabbed the woman’s hair – it came off in my hands revealing Sigismund Hateman!

“Suckered you, Un!” he declared, as he made for the window.

I managed to catch up with Beaver and give him an almighty kicking up!....but not before Sigismund had made off with the commemorative gift that Barack had given to me. A gold medal inscribed “Thank you Uncle, Saviour of Global Capitalism!”.

It was all most embarrassing, and A.B.Fox, who was supposed to be in charge of security, is mortified.

Barack was most understanding – “It has happened to the best of us!” he declared.

It transpires that it was all a publicity stunt – Beaver and Sigismund are to be participants in a Badfort TV reality show programme called ‘The Real Revolutionaries of Homeward’.

This is not an end to the matter. I was planning to wear my new medal at my Christmas party and I am determined to retrieve it.



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Uncle at the V&A: Gallery 4

The fourth gallery in my exhibition at the V&A "Uncle and the Splendour of Homeward" is entitled "The Towers of Homeward" and has a most splendid scale model of my home filling the entire space.

As you know, Homeward consists of hundreds of skyscrapers all joined together and surrounded by a most with a drawbridge over it. The towers are of many colours, and there are bathing pools and gardens among them, also switchback railways running from tower to tower, and water chutes from top to bottom.

There will be graphic panels describing the history of each tower - and by pressing a button on the panel you can light up the tower in question.

Here are some details of the information on the panels.

Homeward Tower – where Gleamhound and Eva live. There are two hundred storeys and they live at the top. There is a big field on the roof and they have a small house in the middle of it. He is a chemist and purveyor of medicinal remedies. They are all very good, but act the opposite way. For instance, his Headache Mixture gives you a frightful headache.

Lion Tower – it is so high that the whole tower bends in the wind. It has never been fully explored. Doctor Lyre has written a book about the history of the tower which he claims was built in 1066. Uncle, however, claims that it was built by Wizard Blenkinsop only 60 years ago. Being a great philanthropist Uncle had 144 drinking fountains erected there for the dwarfs, which you have already seen in this exhibition. At its top is Summit Station. Here it is possible to catch a train on one of the many switchback railways that link the towers of Homeward.

Standing, like a pencil, at the edge of Lion Tower is Walrus Tower. Living in the top storey of a very slender lighthouse upon this tower is Captain Walrus, and, rough old sea dog that he is, he seems really to enjoy the sensation of constant swaying.

Afghan Flats - is the highest tower and Uncle’s Aunt, Evelyn Maidy, lives there. It is not a very nice neighbourhood. It’s full of thousands of dwarfs of the most cross and irritable disposition. She only lives there because she loves domineering over the dwarfs. The tower has a spiral lift – rather like an ordinary lift but keeps going round and round.

Montague Tower – a most mysterious and baffling place houses the Closed Gallery. Each floor contains examples of only one item, The first floor has nothing but treacle bowls through the ages, the second a collection of Flemish cooking stoves, the third nothing but flamingo bird-baths. Uncle has turned it into a Pleasure Palace.



Watercress Tower – right up the side of this tower is a gigantic salmon ladder. They are like steps with water running over them. Bathing Costumes are requisite for climbing this tower. At the top is a gigantic lake mostly overgrown with watercress. This is where the Maestro and Little Lion live.



Biscuit Tower – made of biscuits.

The Haunted Tower – everyone avoids the place; the last man who tried to sleep there came out in half an hour, unable to speak and with his hair perfectly white. Each room has its own ghost – The White Terror, The Remorseful Duellist, The Wailing Murderer and Chain Dragger etc;



The Sweet Tower - Sweet Store and Chocolate Warehouse. This has hundreds of rooms all filled with coconut ice, toffee, mint rock and every kind of chocolate. The great hall is walled with toffee and floored with slab chocolate. The interior courtyard is paved with glacier mints. The boiled-sweet room has a cascade of hard sweets of all colours which pour out of a spout making a beautiful rainbow-coloured pool on the floor.

Lonely Tower – The only way to climb this tower is via a great stone staircase built in a zigzag right to the top. Here, there is a grassy plain laid out in plots with little wooden huts round the edge. The home of the Crookball people.




Ironside Tower – houses the Antique Shop of Steiner Brashbag. He used to have very little business due to the lack of entrances until a tunnel was dug through the tower.

Treacle Tower – is of course infamous for the Treacle Trouble it caused.




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Uncle at the V&A: Gallery 3

The third gallery in my exhibition at the V&A "Uncle and the Splendour of Homeward" is entitled "Transports of Delight" and showcases the various methods of transportation about my domain.

As you know, Homeward consists of hundreds of skyscrapers all joined together and surrounded by a moat with a drawbridge over it.

Switchback railways run from tower to tower, and an underground railway circles the perimeter.

On display will be many artifacts, such as tickets, timetables and posters.

They have all been selected by our resident railway expert and steam enthusiast, Noddy Ninety.

After school, during the school holidays, or when truanting from Doctor Lyre's Academy, he likes to drive the trains. He has chosen this picture of him and myself on a tour of my home.



The Gallery will also feature a model of my helicopter:



Pride of place, however, goes to my traction engine. I have lent it to the V&A to form the centrepiece of this gallery.



This is the description that accompanies it:

Cowgill, his engineer, always keeps Uncle’s traction engine, in first-class condition. It is garaged at his works, which are part of Uncle’s vast domain of Homeward. It is painted red; but the big fly-wheel is polished brass. In front of the engine is a small brass elephant as a mascot. This is kept very bright, but someone from Badfort often succeeds in throwing mud over it. This makes Uncle furious, for he can’t bear to see a spot on it. Uncle has a gilded armchair set among the coal, and there is a steam trumpet, which makes a noise like an elephant. It’s most thrilling to hear it.



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The Purple Gowned Philanthropist

The King of the Badgers insisted on making a speech last night, about me, at a banquet he held in my honour following the donations I have made for civic works.

It was most embarrassing:

"It is a privilege to make this speech thanking Uncle who is known throughout Homeward and Badgertown for his charitable work. He has a fine reputation as a philanthropist business elephant and benevolent employer. Why, he has even sent over some of the dwarfs, from his mines, to work on his own designs for the 'Home for Fallen Badgers'.

It is gratifying to see the good feeling between Uncle and his workdwarfs. Uncle doing the brainwork and his dwarfs doing the handwork. Both, doing their best and realising that their interests are identical. The true solution to the present depression and consequent social problems is work...and plenty of it!

None of this silly nonsense from the red flag wavers of Badfort!...who want everything shared out for nothing...most of those fellas are too lazy to work for a living....they just sit around drinking Black Tom all day!

If ever that Badfort Crowd were to get the upper hand there would just be a few of the artful dodgers, like Beaver Hateman, who would get all the Scob fish and there would be nothing left for the rest. There have to be elephants and workers and as long as the elephants are as clever and bountiful as Uncle, and the dwarfs as grateful and well-behaved as these chaps then everything will carry on in a grand manner!"

I do so hate having all this praise heaped on me - for I am merely doing my civic duty as all good leaders of men must.

I only hope that sneaky reporter from The Badfort News, Hitmouse, does not get wind of this speech - heaven knows what kind of nasty spin they might put on it.

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Jed & Ward Controversy

I had not intended to write about my voting decisions on the Homeward Singing Competition, that is being broadcast by the Badgertown Broadcasting Corporation.

However, on Saturday I decided not to vote against the dwarf twins Jed & Ward - preferring to allow their fate to be decided by the public vote.

There has been such a storm of protest about this issue.

It is true that I have consistently said that their singing is appalling.

I have been accused, by the Badfort Crowd, of only pretending to be a fair judge whilst all along, really, being an extremely calculating millionaire tycoon and showbusiness mogul, who owns the production company that makes the singing competition.

They say I have cynically kept them in because of their popularity with the millions of dwarfs of Homeward and that I was scared of the ratings going down.

Let me make it clear - all the funds generated from this competition go to the many good causes that I support.

If you allow - which I think is right - the public to determine who wins, you've got to go with it. You don't have to agree with it but you have to go with it.

Besides, did the Badfort Crowd really think that I would let Sigismund Hateman go any further in the competition after he sang this?

Under a spreading chestnut tree,
The village tyrant stands;
Uncle, a mighty elephant is he,
With large and sinewy hands,
And the muscles of his waving trunk,
Are as strong as iron bands.

Week in, week out, from morn till night,
You can hear is boastings blow,
You can see him swing his loaded trunk
With measured beat and slow,
And he often kicks his neighbours up
When the evening sun is low.

Lying, swindling and boasting,
Onward through life he goes;
Each morning sees some crime begun,
Each evening sees it close;
Somebody bullied, somebody done,
Has earned a night's repose.

Thank goodness one can rely on the good citizens of Homeward and Badgertown to see this for the blatant Badfort propaganda that it is!

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Uncle at the V&A: Gallery 2 - Part 3

This big carved table is also on display in the " Haute couture & Objets d'Art" gallery of my exhibition at the V&A "Uncle and the Splendour of Homeward".

It formed the centrepiece of the Dining Room of Crack House and is ornamented with a very complicated pattern of leaves and acorns.

A very special and unusual object. The whole table tilts sideways revealing a square opening – proceeding down this visitors can see a recreation of the secret room below Crack House.

As you know, at first we thought this a mere dusty room full of rough furniture. Of course, we discovered on clearing the dust that the floor had a lovely yellow glow. Crack House was built upon a solid block of gold!

My first intention was to coin gold pieces from the great mass and to give one to all the inhabitants of Homeward. On one side is a picture of Homeward and on the other, on my followers insistence, because they argued that my good works are known to all, a picture of myself .

However, Cheapman felt that flooding the economy with such a vast sum would distort the economy, prices would rise and nobody would be better off. So it was decided that instead I would give each tenant a shilling when they came to pay their rent each week for a year!

This is the only coin actually minted from the huge lump of gold – on display for the first time.



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Uncle at the V&A: Gallery 2 - Part 2

This is another beautiful exhibit from the second gallery in my exhibition at the V&A "Uncle and the Splendour of Homeward" entitled " Haute couture & Objets d'Art"

A gift from my good friend Cheapman, the well known store owner and entrepreneur, a beautiful pair of elephant’s boots encrusted with rubies and emeralds.

There is an interesting story that explains why Cheapman gave me such a noble present.

The Badfort News had printed a leaflet which read thus:

CHEAPMAN’S STORE. WEDNESDAY.
VAST QUANTITIES OF STOLEN GOODS
AT HALF-PRICE. COME EARLY.

A blatant lie. It caused a huge crowd to swarm into the store. The people were packed so tight that Cheapman was afraid that there would be an accident and that his good name would be gone forever. Beaver Hateman’s plan was to loot the store during the confusion. I immediately organised a free distribution of food outside the store to relieve the pressure inside.

Unbelievably, and with colossal cheek, Beaver Hateman walked right to the front of the free food queue and threatened the people behind him with a boar spear!

“Ha, ha!” he yelled “Bully bounty is here, is he? Thank you for the load of free grub, you boaster and blackguard!”

He did not go unpunished.

The shoes had been given to Cheapman’s father for saving the life of some rajah. Not being an elephant, he was not able to wear them, so he put them away. So grateful for my swift actions, Cheapman made a noble present of them to me.

“They are now yours." he declared "You have saved, if not my life, my reputation, and this is dearer to me than life. Accept them, I beseech you, and when you put them on remember my gratitude.”

I was too moved to speak and I always feel most proud whenever I wear them.

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Uncle at the V&A: Gallery 2 - Part 1

The second gallery in my exhibition at the V&A "Uncle and the Splendour of Homeward" is entitled " Haute couture & Objets d'Art" and will include some of my my favorite clothes and works of art.

Foremost amongst these, of course, is one of my most treasured possessions - my throne. Made of solid gold and decorated with the most exquisite jewels it is truly a sight to behold.

It has been said that I have been the greatest fashion trend setter of our age.

I always aim for comfort. My 'look' is based around the Gentleman's Dressing Gown - in my favourite colour, purple. A mysterious colour, purple is associated with both nobility and spirituality.

On display will be my day gown, a detail of which can be seen below.



Also on display will be this Japanese silk dressing gown - used for formal occasions:



and my 'club' gown for evenings beside the fireplace with a bucket of cocoa:



One of the most splendid items on display will be this gift from the successful scrap-iron and general merchant T. Benefit Barworthy.

A magnificent elephant’s robe of white silk with gold facings and a jewelled collar and cuffs. I wear the splendid gold chain with ruby insets, for more ceremonial events.



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Uncle at the V&A: Gallery 1

The first gallery in my exhibition at the V&A "Uncle and the Splendour of Homeward" is entitled "Bountiful Uncle" and will show some of my many charitable works.

Most famous of these is, undoubtably, the Dwarfs Drinking Fountains.

The centrepiece of this gallery, filling an entire wall, will be the painting of the opening of the fountains as realised by, the great artist, Waldovenison Smeare.



I have also arranged for parts of the fountain to be displayed, allowing visitors to view the splendid sculptures that make this otherwise utilitarian object into a great work of art.

Sections of the fountains containing some of the finest examples of the art deco style:



Here is photo showing how the individual drinking fountains work - water gushes from my trunk enabling passing dwarfs to partake of refreshment.



The centre piece of the fountain is, of course, four magnificent sculptures, of myself - filling the pool at the base of the fountains.



This is the text accompanying this exhibit:

Uncle is, rightly, very proud of the 144 drinking fountains he generously erected for trhe dwarfs in Lion Tower when he first became rich. Since then he has been a great benefactor to the people of Homeward - but this gift, being his first, will always have a special place in his heart.

They are very fine. Made in marble, each one is carved with an elephant's head from which water gushes.

At one time the fountains, sadly, fell into disuse. The dwarfs stopped using them.

It was discovered that a Mister Goatsby, friend of the Badfort Crowd, had been poisoning the water with Wizard Snipehazer's vinegar.