Young Storykeeper Volume III

116 | STORYKEEPERS VOLUME III AGE NINE | 117
THE LEGEND OF THE OLD LIGHTHOUSE IN IRELAND
On the coast of Ireland there is an old lighthouse that was once a guide
for ships when it was dark. Nowadays, it is a ruined old building that has
crumbled over the years.
“Mum, why did you go and buy a lighthouse that is technically a rock
with a roof and just about standing?” asked Timothy.
He was eleven years old and disliked the sea, so a home at that
very place was a nightmare. Timmy also hadn’t seen his dad since he
was two.
After three months of tiring work and determination, the lighthouse
was back to its original look, bright white with a red stripe just below the
lantern and of course a shiny red front door.
Timmy had started his new school, St. Andrews Primary School,
which had been built in 1926 so it was a ninety-four-year-old building,
full of charm. He had three new friends: Nick, Daniel and Craig and an
enemy CJ, who was the school trickster.
One Saturday Timmy’s mum went to the corner shop, leaving him at
home. A strange sound came from the kitchen. Timmy lifted up a hurling
slitór and ran in.
“Aarrhhh!!!” cried Timmy. A phantom ghost was eating an apple.
“Oh, hi. I’m Charlie, the old lighthouse man. I’m 440 years old..
Meet my family. Come on, do show yourselves.”
Suddenly a woman and two chipper kids appeared.
“Who...who are you and what do you think you’re...doing in my
house?” spluttered Timmy.
“I told you already, so use your ears,” Charlie replied. “All we want
is a new safe home.”
“Sure, I’ll help,” said Timmy.
So it was agreed.They went to the caves, cliffs and abandoned
houses dotted along the headland, but none were of any interest to
Charlie.
“Oh, I give up! “ said Timmy, but then a hidden passage came to
view after a wave crawled back into the sea. It was just under the
lighthouse!
“Hey, this might do!” he shouted and so they all clambered in.
Charlie gave an unpleased look to begin with, which then turned into a
smile.
“This will do fine. Thank you ever so much and please do come
visit!”
“Oh, I certainly shall,” replied Timmy.
After goodbyes were said, Timmy strolled home.
The following Monday Timmy got another surprise! His dad had
come home to work at the lighthouse and would be staying on. Timmy
was sooooo excited about having his dad home. There was lots of fun to
be had but he had so many questions he wanted to ask his dad that his
brain was about to short circuit!
“Pause!!!!!! Let’s do this one at a time,” he heard his head voice
say.
Timmy’s mum was calling for him, “Timmy, Dad needs some help
with a trunk.”
“A trunk?’ repeated Timmy.
“Yes,” replied Mum. Timmy was curious.
Next time you see an old building, think of what adventure could
await!
Genevieve Dowling
Co Meath