The animals of Greenacres are feeling the pinch, money is in short supply, and it is affecting everyone. Raymond Rabbit, who runs the local shop is feeling it as much as anyone, and so is his friend Rosie. She runs the Orphanage, and the terrible weather has ruined her garden produce. She had hoped that the money from her produce would pay for the Orphan's Xmas presents. Raymond wants to help, and offers her a little more money for her vegetables. She cries herself to sleep night after night, knowing what a horrible Xmas it is going to be. The Orphanage is in a bad state of repair. Rosie Rabbit asks Mr. Brock, the Badger, to repair the building. Mr. Brock is the wealthiest animal in the forest, and offers to repair the building, as long as the bill is paid for, as soon as the job is done. Rosie says that it is not possible, due to lack of funds. Brock has plans for the Orphanage, but it is not what Rosie and the villagers want. Brock the badger owns a building firm, and has built, and owns, most of the houses in the village. He is not a popular animal, and has no friends, due to his arrogance and meanness. Then, Brock offers to buy the Orphanage, but Rosie's joy is short-lived, as Brock only wants the land to build houses, and plans to demolish the Orphanage. He informs the Trustees of the Orphanage, that the price he is willing to pay for the land, will be enough to build a brand-new orphanage, with a little left over. The trouble is, that the Orphanage, due to lack of space in Greenacres, would have to be built in the next village. This would be a big upheaval for the children. Rosie is dead set against the move. Life in the village has to go on, and everyone turns out for the Woodvale Regatta. The Yachting Race, which is the premier event, turns out to be a disaster for the Squirrel brothers, whose sailing boat, the Titanic, sinks, with all hands on deck. It's also disappointing for Raymond and Rosie, as they miss out on the cash prize, by coming second. No-one has come up with a viable solution to the Orphanage problem, and there seems no alternative but to agree to Brock's plan, most of the villagers are horrified, and Brock is more unpopular than ever. It seems that Brock has won, but has he? Then, there is more trouble for Rosie, as two of the orphans are accused of theft from Raymond's shop. The two policemen, Oswald Owl and Charlie Crow, don't help the situation with their incessant bickering. They are always arguing, and Oswald is sick of Charlie tweeting on about social networking on Twitter and Facebeak, and boasting about being in Special Branch. The Squirrel Brothers, whose logo is 'no job too small', also provide lots of laughter with their antics, as Cyril is a walking disaster. They cause mayhem all over the village whilst carrying out all of their jobs, but Cyril comes up trumps in the end, when he receives a bravery medal for rescuing two young foxes trapped in an old mine. He makes sure that everyone knows about it. Christmas Day at the Orphanage is a disaster, Rosie is devastated, but the children still give her a big hug, even though there presents were only a bag of fruit and nuts, and a cheap gift. Then, on the day after Boxing Day, when the demolition is due to start, a miracle occurs which surprises Rosie, and most of the villagers, who had turned up en masse, to demonstrate their support for the Orphanage. The Orphanage is repaired and modernized, with two swimming pools, rides and roundabouts in the garden, and even a miniature railway that runs around the whole perimeter of the grounds. But, who is the mystery benefactor?
About the Author: I am a grandfather who lives in the village of Norton in the North-East of England, and I enjoy writing children's stories.