Cinq enfants et la Chose

The children came to the White House in the summer. It stood on a hill in the country, with a green garden and an old gravel pit nearby. They had lived in London for two years, so the house seemed like a palace to them. There were trees to climb and grass to run on. And nobody said, "You mustn't touch that!"

There were four children, Cyril, Robert, Anthea and Jane. There was also the baby. They called him the Lamb, because "Baa" was the first thing he ever said.

A few days later, Father had to go away on business. Mother went to stay with Granny, who was ill. The house felt very quiet and empty.

"Let's take our spades and dig in the gravel pit," said Cyril. "We can pretend it's the seaside."

So they went, and they took turns to carry the Lamb. The gravel pit was a big hole in the ground where people once dug sand and stones. It was very wide, like a giant's bowl.