Story Time

Read this tale of two children’s adventures in the woods and look out for words replaced with red crossword clue numbers. These missing words can all be used to complete the grid.

It was a sunny Sunday morning in late and, after morning service, the village gathered at the vicarage for the annual Easter Egg

The vicar, Ponsonby, was as pompous as ever. ‘Welcome to you all. This is our biggest event since began. I hope you have a wonderful time; your entry fees will certainly (5, 3) coffers and give a big boost to the organ fund. Now, off you go!’

While everyone else searched around the churchyard, Ellie and Tim headed for the woodland. They followed a path through the until they came to a brick

They stopped and heard the sound of groaning coming from the other side. When they climbed up and looked over they were amazed. Lots of of eggshell were strewn around. On one bit, two (4, 4) writhing about; on another there was an extremely unhappy-looking face. ’I say, chaps,’ said the face. ’Could you do me a

It was Humpty Dumpty! Ellie and Tim’s faces lit up with excitement.

‘Oh, yes! Anything!’ they replied.

‘I’m a man — literally!’ wailed Humpty.

you to put me together

Ellie nodded. ‘Yes, of course we will,’ they said eagerly. Luckily, Tim had a roll of sticky tape with him and they were both very good at jigsaws. They set to work.

As the children were mending a particularly delicate area, Humpty yelled, ‘Ouch! Go gently! I’m a bit there. I did land on my (4, 3), y’know.’

When they had finished, Humpty was thrilled. ‘Magnificent!’ he said. ‘All the king’s and all the king’s men couldn’t do that. Thank you.’

Tim looked at his watch and jumped. ‘Gosh, we’ve taken ages. We’ll have to get back and rejoin the Come with us, Humpty. We’re bound to win with a celebrity egg like you.’

So they set off, while Humpty a big bruise on his forehead. When they got back to the vicarage, Ellie and Tim called out, ‘Hey, look who we’ve Everyone gathered round Humpty. He was so embarrassed to be the centre of attention that he deep red.

They bombarded him with questions, such as,

’Why do you keep falling off things?’ and, ‘What is

(2, 4) to be so famous?’

Humpty frowned. and alack, dear things,’ he said. ’I have to tell you that fame isn’t all it’s up to be.’