The Phoenix and the Carpet: A Retelling for Curious Readers

A look inside

The opening of The Phoenix and the Carpet: A Retelling for Curious Readers, free to read.

1. 

   It all began with fireworks. Before Guy Fawkes Night, England’s big fireworks night, Cyril, Anthea, Robert, and Jane tested theirs on a tea tray in the nursery. When the last one would not light, Anthea poured on lamp oil. Whoosh! Flames leaped to the ceiling. The boys smothered them with the carpet, and that was the end of the carpet.

2. 

   Mother was not pleased. Next day a man delivered her secondhand carpet. “A bargain,” he said, winking. The children rolled it flat, and away wobbled a shiny yellow egg with a glow deep inside. Cyril pounced. Mother sent them to give it back, but the man shouted that nothing was ever found in his carpets. So Father let them keep it.

3. 

   On Guy Fawkes Night, fireworks banged next door. “No more playing with fire,” Father had said, and he took Mother to the theater. The Lamb, their baby brother, slept. “Let’s play at magic,” said Cyril. They scrawled chalk loops and whirled dish towels. Robert whirled too hard. Flick! Off the mantelpiece flew the egg, straight into the fire.