Stories · Curiosities · Questionable Ideas · Rather a Lot of Imagination · Farah Sam · Author & Creator ·
From Pickleberry to the Pyramids
It all begins in Pickleberry Falls, where Tilly and I arrive at Granny Maple’s cottage expecting apple pie, summer days, and perhaps one or two ordinary adventures. But Granny has an old album tucked away, and inside it are the first clues to her seven Sparkly Sisters. Before long, our quiet Pickleberry visit turns into a proper Egyptian expedition, with pyramids, bazaars, riverbanks, ancient temples, and rather more sand than I think is strictly necessary. On this page, you can peek at some of our Egypt stories and meet a few of the important characters — including Sir Bark-A-Lot, who is quite certain he is essential to the whole operation.
A Proper Pie Welcome
When we arrive at Granny Maple’s cottage, the rolling hills are glowing softly behind us, and the smell of apple pie is already floating through the air, which is a very good sign indeed. Granny has made her scrumptious pies for us, because she knows Tilly and I consider them an important part of summer. I stand by the front door with my suitcase, trying not to look too eager, although this is rather difficult when pie is involved. Tilly is already peering inside as though the pies might escape if she does not keep watch. Sir Bark-A-Lot trots about our feet, sniffing the air with great seriousness, as if he has been appointed Official Pie Inspector. Granny Maple smiles in her quiet, knowing way, and the cottage feels warm and ready for us — which is exactly how Granny’s cottage always feels.
The Official Adventure Plane
Up, Up, and Rather Seriously Away
This is the little red plane we take when a Sparkly Sister adventure begins. It waits near Pickleberry Falls looking very shiny and important, which makes me feel rather shiny and important too. The villagers always come to wave us off, because in Pickleberry everyone likes to know when something unusual is happening. Granny Maple says, “Bon voyage,” in her calm voice, as though flying off to follow clues is a perfectly ordinary thing to do after breakfast. Tilly waves wildly from the steps, which looks cheerful but also slightly dangerous. Sir Bark-A-Lot sniffs the plane very carefully before we get in, because he believes all transport should pass inspection first. Once we are inside, that is where the adventure properly begins — maps are opened, clues are discussed, and someone usually asks if there are snacks.
The Plane with the Important Nose Inspection
A Market Selfie of Great Importance
This is our market selfie from Egypt, taken in a place full of colours, baskets, spices, lamps, shouting, laughing, and smells that all seem to arrive at once. Granny Maple says markets are excellent places for clues, because everyone is busy and nobody notices quite as much as they think. Tilly is grinning in the picture as though she has just spotted something important, which she probably has. I am trying to look like a proper explorer, though it is difficult when Sir Bark-A-Lot has pushed his nose into the corner of the picture. Behind us, the market carries on being wonderfully muddled and noisy, with stalls piled high and people moving everywhere. I wrote this down at once, because a clue can hide in a market very easily — especially if it is small, shiny, or standing behind a basket.
Clue Scroll Two: The Lanterns on the Nile
The second clue is beside the Nile.
The water is dark and shiny, and little lanterns float on it like tiny lights going for a swim. I think the river looks as if it is keeping a secret.
Tilly holds the scroll very carefully. She says she is the best poem reader, which is probably true, although she does use a rather loud voice.
Sir Bark-A-Lot sniffs the edge of the paper.
Granny Maple says, “Listen closely, children.”
So we do.
And Tilly reads:
Follow the lanterns, soft and bright,
Down the Nile in golden light.
Where moonbeams dance and waters gleam,
A Sparkly Sister waits downstream.
I look at the lanterns again.
They are bobbing gently on the river, as though they know exactly where to go.
I think this is definitely a proper clue.
Sir Bark-A-Lot barks once, which means he agrees.
Or he has seen a biscuit.
Clue Scroll Four: Sir Bark-A-Lot Takes Charge
Sir Bark-A-Lot finds the fourth clue before anyone else.
He does not exactly read it, because he is a dog, but he stares at the scroll very hard as if he knows important things. I think he is hoping the clue says biscuit.
The scroll has a picture of tall stone pillars and sunshine falling between them. Granny Maple smiles when she sees it.
“Ah,” she says. “This one will take us somewhere very old and very grand.”
Tilly holds the scroll up and clears her throat. She always clears her throat before reading a poem, even if nobody has asked her to.
Then she reads:
Where giant columns touch the sky,
And golden sunbeams wander by,
Look where temple shadows lean,
There waits Aunt Genevieve unseen.
I look at the scroll again.
The pillars look enormous. The shadows look secret. Sir Bark-A-Lot sniffs the corner and gives one small bark.
Granny Maple nods. “Karnak,” she says with a wink. “That is where we must go next.”
I write this down at once, because when Granny says something softly, it usually means the adventure has become serious.
Members of the Sparkly Adventure Team
Before we go anywhere important, Granny Maple says every adventure needs careful eyes, listening ears, and a little bit of patience. I think it also needs snacks, a notebook, and someone to make sure Sir Bark-A-Lot does not wander off after interesting smells. This is our Sparkly Adventure Team — not always tidy, not always quiet, but very good at following clues once we know where to begin.
Max Sparkly
Chief Expedition Scribbler
That is me. I am Max Sparkly.
I write things down because somebody has to. Clues can be very sneaky, and Tilly sometimes spots them before I am ready.
I like maps, notebooks, and knowing where we are going. I try to be sensible, but this is not always easy when Granny Maple opens a secret album.
Also, Sir Bark-A-Lot keeps getting in the way.
I think being Chief Expedition Scribbler is a very important job.
Tilly Sparkly
Chief Expedition Giggler and Poem Reader
Tilly is my sister. She is seven.
She reads the clue poems out loud, usually with a lot of feeling and sometimes with too much giggling. She runs ahead, points at things, and notices shiny clues before I have finished opening my notebook.
Tilly says poems are better when they sound exciting.
I say clues are better when they are read properly.
Granny Maple says we are both right, which is exactly the sort of thing Granny says.
Granny Maple Sparkly
Grand Keeper of The Family Album
Keeper of the Secret Album
Granny Maple is our grandmother.
She makes very good apple pies and knows all sorts of things she does not say straight away. This is quite mysterious.
She has an old album with pictures of her seven Sparkly Sisters inside. They live in different places around the world.
When Granny opens the album, something usually happens.
I have learned to watch carefully when she smiles or wink like that.
Sir Bark-A-Lot
Chief Expedition Officer
Sir Bark-A-Lot is Granny Maple’s dog.
He is small, fluffy, and very busy. He sniffs bags, checks paths, and looks at everyone as if he is in charge.
He is not always helpful, but he thinks he is.
In Egypt, he is especially interested in sand, smells, and anything that might be food.
I have made him Official Expedition Inspector because it sounds important.
Also, it keeps him pleased.