Swallows and Amazons

This is a wonderful book, written be Arthur Ransome. It is about Swallow (a boat), and four children, Captain John, Mate Susan, Able-seaman Titty and the boy Roger. While camping on a dessert island, they meet the Amazon Pirates, Captian Nancy and Mate Peggy Blackett, and find themselves in the middle of a war between the Swallows and Amazons. When that is over, they find themselves in another war against Captain Flint, a retired pirate who has become quite 'native'.

Note: There are lots of nautical terms in this book, so you must know that you may not be able to understand what they are saying unless you know a lot about sailing and boats.

Forgive

By: Emily Meuer


Once there was a princess
Who with her friends was playing outside.
But should they play tag
Or capture the flag?
They just could not decide.

So they began to quarrel.
What were they going to play anyway?
Monster tag?
Freeze tag?
"Fine," cried the princess. "You can all go away!"

Suddenly, they all hushed up
And slowly they began to go.
All hid their anxiety
For what a variety
Of different moods this princess could show.

Now she pondered what she had done;
"I don't have any friends, I fear!"
She cried, and ran unto her dad,
Who often helped her when she was sad.
He saw, and brushed away her tear.

She peered at him out of blue eyes
Which salty tears did fill,
"I was mean, what shall I do?"
"Just forgive, as I do to you."
"Oh yes, Papa, right now I will!"

We all have a mighty dad
Who helps us as we live.
And when we err
He'll help us there;
His message always is, "forgive".