An Evening At The Seaside

08:00

08:00

An Evening At The Seaside

by Jacqueline Watson

Rated

4.9

Type

talks

Activity

Meditation

Suitable for

Everyone

Plays

60

As many of you know, I write children's stories, but I'm often inspired to write stories for adults too. Here is a story I wrote after a stroll on the beach doing what I enjoy ... eating fish and chips whilst people watching. Thank you for your kind messages and continued support.

Storytelling Seaside Friendship Food Humor Food Cravings Environmental Awareness Evening Routine

Meet your Teacher

Jacqueline Watson

London, UK

Meet your Teacher

Jacqueline Watson

London, UK

Transcript

Hello, My name is Jacqueline and I write children's stories, But sometimes I am inspired to write stories for adults and this is one of my adult stories from my adult storybook. It's called An Evening at the Seaside, So make yourself comfortable because my story is about to begin. Fish and chips, Said Ernie as he sniffed the air, They always smell so good. They sure do, Agreed Bert. I haven't eaten since this morning and that smell is making me feel really hungry already. Bert looked around trying to take his mind off the hunger pains he felt. This place is so pretty, He said. Bert and Ernie first met here by the seaside only a few weeks ago and they instantly became firm friends. They had a few things in common, One of them being the love of fish and chips. Since that first meeting, They have met here at the same spot every evening and this evening was especially lovely. The sun was still warm and a soft breeze made the temperature perfect to spend time taking in the surroundings with a good friend. I really love it here, Said golden sand, Which seemed to stretch for miles before it met with the blue sparkling sea. You really love the fish and chips you mean, Said Ernie teasingly. Well that's true, Agreed Bert, But I do love the scenery too. Everything really is lovely here, Agreed Ernie, Feeling happy inside. I wonder if any of the gang would join us later. I know Shirley and Donna will be here soon, Said Bert. They don't like to miss out on anything. To their right were picnic tables set up a little way from the small kiosks which sold fish and chips and ice creams. Look at that family over there, Said Ernie. The boy just threw his sweet wrapper on the ground and his parents said nothing. Don't they know that animals can choke on things like that? I wish they would take their rubbish home with them. So do I, Agreed Bert. Oh look, There's Tom with his bin bag and grubber. He's always around to keep the place tidy. Yes, Agreed Ernie. What would we do without him? And they watched Tom intently as he picked up even the tiniest pieces of rubbish with his special grubber and placed them expertly into his black plastic bin bag. It was quite mesmerising the way Tom used his grubber and swiftly tossed the rubbish into the bag, Not missing anything. Suddenly their hypnotic state was disturbed as they heard the girls coming up behind them with their non-stop chatter. Hi boys, Said Shirley merrily. We thought you would be here. Hi Shirley, Hi Donna, Said Bert and Ernie together as the girls sat down beside them. You will always find us here at this time of day, Bert said looking at Ernie. Have you had anything to eat yet? Asked Donna. No, Not yet, Replied Ernie. I don't know how much longer we can wait though. Bert here is starving and the noise coming from his stomach is beginning to make me feel a little hungry now. What have you been doing today girls? Asked Bert, Trying to take his mind off his hunger pains. Not much, Replied Shirley. We've had a lazy day enjoying the sunshine, Said Donna. Well that's nice, Said Bert, Realising that this riveting conversation wasn't really taking his mind off his hunger at all. Is that a drop of rain I felt? Asked Shirley looking up at the sky. Oh I hope not, Said Donna. I got caught in a huge downpour yesterday and I don't fancy a repeat of that today. No, It can't be rain, Said Ernie looking around for signs of water on the pavement. The sun is still shining and I normally get a funny feeling in my bones if there's a hint of rain in the air. Your bones are so old, Joked Bert, It's a wonder you feel anything in them. Bert, Don't be mean to our friends, Said Donna, Sounding quite protective. We are all getting old, A fact of life, But there's no need to be mean. Oh sorry Ernie, Apologised Bert. I think my hunger is getting to me and making me feel mean. You know I'm only joking really. Oh that's alright Bert, Replied Ernie. I know you don't really mean it. We'll eat soon and then you'll feel much better. I hope we get to eat before any more of the gang arrives, Said Donna. You know how greedy some of them are and they don't like sharing at all. Fingers crossed they've all decided to go to the next town, Said Ernie. I know some of the guys prefer it there as it attracts more of a crowd than this place. Well there certainly doesn't seem to be many people here today, Said Donna, Looking around. There's a family coming, Said Ernie, And they all turned to look. They watched the family of four sit down at a table not far from them. The dad was carrying the delicious smelling fish and chips and the two children were shouting, They smell so yummy. Their mum told them to sit down while she opened up the little individual bundles, Revealing the golden colour of the thickly battered fish and chunky chips. The delicious smell wafted around as she placed a bundle in front of her family. Oh, Cried Bert, I don't think I can wait much longer. That smell is making my stomach do somersaults now. They do smell so good, Agreed Ernie, Also beginning to feel really hungry now. They watched as the family tucked into their food, Appearing to enjoy every mouthful. I don't know why they try and use those little wooden things to eat with, Said Shirley, Fascinated by the little boy as he stabbed at a chip many times before it attached to his wooden fork. His sister has the right idea, She's using her fingers to eat with. Before long the two children had eaten enough and began throwing their leftover chips at each other, Scattering them all over the floor. Mum and dad were not impressed by their behaviour and immediately told them to stop. Mum quickly gathered as much of the leftover food as she could and threw it in the nearby bin. She couldn't put her waste right into the bin as it was nearly full with other people's fish and chip wrappers and leftover food scraps. Come on kids, Said dad, Let's go and get some ice cream before we go home. And with squeals of delight they went and joined the queue at the ice cream kiosk. Come on, Shouted Bert excitedly, Let's eat! And the four friends flew over to where the family had been sitting to eat the leftover scraps. The seagulls ate the chips from under the table and then Ernie pulled the wrappers out of the bin and scattered them over the floor so they could all eat their fill. A few minutes later the seagulls had eaten every morsel in sight. With full bellies they flew back to the fence they had been sitting on. Oh that was so good, Said Donna. Yes, Agreed Shirley, Well worth waiting for. How do you feel now Bert? Asked Ernie. I'm fit to burst, Said Bert and very happy. The seagulls cooed and agreed with Bert. By now it was starting to get dark and a beautiful sunset was glowing over the sea. Got to go now guys, Said Shirley. Come on Donna. And with a big flap of their wings the two seagulls flew off. Ernie looked over at his friend and asked, Same time tomorrow Bert? Oh yes, Replied Ernie, That's my favourite time of day. And the two birds flew off into the sunset. Thanks for listening to my story. I hope you enjoyed it. Before I go I'd like to ask you a question. Do you enjoy fish and chips or an ice cream at the seaside? Which one is your favourite? Have a great rest of your day. Thanks again for listening. Bye for now.