Which of us does not like fairy tales? Even an adult will be interested in reading Gerald Darrell’s terrific short story, Talking Package, which we’ll review in brief today. The description contains all the characters and the main events.
Travel to Greece
Peter and Simon fly from England to sunny, warm Greece. The boys go on a visit to their cousin Penelope, and the rude, but good-natured uncle Henry meets them at the airport.
Interesting fact! The tale of J. Darrell, "Talking Package", a summary of which is given in this article, was dedicated to the goddaughter of the writer - Deirdre.
The tale begins ...
Having rested at the cousin’s villa, the three of them decide to go to the beach. But suddenly their peaceful vacation is disturbed by an out-of-the-ordinary event - Penelope finds a talking bundle that has washed ashore in waves! The parcel speaks in two voices and, moreover, even sings about the "moon carrot." Later, the writer explains that the invention of the magician Ha is called moon carrot - any dish can be prepared from it.
Opening the package, the guys see a stunningly beautiful cage, and in it - a beautiful parrot. He presents them with his housekeeper, Dulcibella, the spider, the owner of the second voice. Alas, the brief content of the Talking Package does not convey the charm of this spider.
The magical land of Mithland
As it turned out, the Parrot is a big official in the country of Mithland, which was once created by the wizard Ha-Ha. He collected from the earth all the mythical animals in which people ceased to believe and which disappeared due to their unbelief, and settled in Mifland. At the same time, he makes sure that the number of fabulous creatures does not increase. Three Magic Books and, of course, the Parrot help him to rule the country.
But the basilisks, snakes with cock tails, did not like that Ha does not allow an increase in their numbers. Golden Cockerels laid one egg every century. Then the basilisks decided to seize power in the country while the Parrot was away - as the Keeper of Words, he had to give a report every 100 years on the state of affairs above.
To do this, they stole the Great Books and a couple of Cockerels, and the Parrot, the only one who could help the already elderly Ha, was thrown into the sea along with the spider. Now, every day, basilisks get one egg each, and soon it will be impossible to suppress the rebellion!
The summary of the Talking Package, alas, does not allow us to describe all the mythical creatures of Mithland.
Now the Parrot wants to return and regain its castle, as well as the whole country from the evil basilisks. And the guys are sure that they can help him. They decide to wait for the evening and go to the Cave, which serves as the entrance to Mifland. And the engine should be shown to them by the hydrangea Hortensia.
Adventures and Dangers
Once in a magical land, children and their new friends were poisoned on the river in their inflatable boat. Soon they reached the valley of the phoenixes. Phoenixes are amazing creatures that, dying, burn up in flames, turning into ashes. And one of the sparks hit the guys’s boat directly. As a result, Penelope was nearly blown away by the current, but the cousins ​​managed to save the girl.
But where to get a new boat? The parrot and the boys go to the moon bodies, which give the moon milk. From this magical jelly you can "invent" anything - the main thing is to concentrate. And the Parrot "invents" a new boat.
Friends almost get to their destination when they decide to take a halt. Penelope goes for a walk ... and accidentally encounters a basilisk who is chasing a small unicorn. The girl saves the baby, and he admits that he is the crown prince. In gratitude for saving Septimus, the unicorns agree to help in the battle with the basilisks. And friends, taking four unicorns as companions, go further - their path lies to Ha-Ha through the Crystal Caves.
The wizard, forced to be in the castle in the company of the hysterical dragon Tabitha, is incredibly pleased with friends. D. Darrell and The Talking Package, a brief summary of which we are discussing today, are distinguished by mild, sparkling humor.
Toad counter espionage
When Penelope discovers a spy in the wizard’s castle, the guys decide to lure Mr. Ethelred to his side, playing on his stupidity and vanity, and together with him develop a plan. Here, the knowledge of the newly-found spy that the basilisk can be entered into the castle through the sewer is just useful. They will make a scarecrow of Ha-Ha and distract the basilisk to them, and at this time they will look into the Great Books, where it is probably written how to deal with the basilisk.
The plan succeeds. But it turns out that only an ermine bite can kill a basilisk, which before this should taste a decoction of the rue. And the root grows only at the edge of the Mandrake Forest, on the Werewolf Island, in the Singing Sea. It should be noted that Darrell’s short story “Talking Package”, the summary of which we are considering, is an example of rich imagination.
Duchy of Ermines
Children and the Parrot go to the ermines. Their duke, Roquefort, complains of sciatica and claims that only he prevents him from destroying the basilisk. But still, with Roquefort, they manage to agree, only the guys should get the root. And on the way, they visit the colony of griffins and successfully enlist their support.
On the way to the Crystal Caves, the guys encounter basilisks, but Ethelred deceives them, and the company successfully returns to Ha Ha. And Penelope at this moment understands - basilisks do not tolerate the smell of her lavender water.
Singing Sea and Werewolf Island
So, the guys with the Parrot go to the island through the Singing Sea. Along the way, their ship is stuck in algae, but Desdemona's mermaid comes to the rescue. Then - another delay on the way, the sea serpent Oswald set out to eat the boat, taking it for a tortilla. And now, when the guys swim to the island, it is already getting dark ... but landing on the werewolf island in the dark is mortally dangerous!
Captive by werewolves
But the boys with the Parrot decide to take a chance. Penelope is left on the shore by the boat with the toad Ethelred. And while Ethelred goes on a reconnaissance, Penelope manages to get acquainted with the chick of a moth. Fenella says that the girls' brothers are in danger - the lights warned the wolves about the appearance of guys and now they want to bite them in order to turn them into werewolves.
Penelope boldly goes to the rescue of the brothers, but does not have time to do anything - the "gillworm" Ethelred appears on the scene, who, having lulled the wolves' vigilance, frees the children.
Friends return to shore, grabbing the rue and lavender growing on the island, but the wolves chase after them. Only with the help of Oswald, who comes to their defense, is it possible to leave the land.
last fight
Arriving at the ermines, the guys are developing an excellent plan - to land right in the castle courtyard on ... balloons that can be "invented" from moon jelly and filled with hot air with the help of a fire.
After drinking the decoction of the rue of the gardener Roquefort, friends understand - he acts, since he becomes not only brave, but also arrogant. Now the battle with the basilisk will take place!
So, the vile basilisks are attacked by all the mythical creatures that inhabit Mythland - ermines, unicorns, mermaids, and phoenixes. All of them promised to help and kept their word.
And the brave Ethelred even saves Penelope from one of the fire-breathing monsters with a well-aimed kick. In gratitude Penelope kisses him, saying that no beautiful prince, in whom the toad after the kiss, of course, has not turned, is not worthy of her beloved friend.
Most importantly, loyal and faithful friends, as Darrell shows in this scene. You will understand the Talking Package by reading the summary. What the author wanted to convey to the reader is contained in the details.
The battle is won. In honor of the children, they organize a feast and give everyone gifts: Penelope - a necklace, and for boys - tie clips. They promise to return to Mifland and go home.
Conclusion
So, today we examined the story of J. Darrell's "Talking Package" - a short summary for the reader's diary. This is an amazing, fabulous tale of eternal values ​​- friendship, devotion, kindness. It is read with pleasure by both children and adults.