Explore Learning in Farnham have been working very closely with schools across Surrey and Hampshire, hosting free literacy workshops, maths rallies, story-telling workshops and interactive games at PTA fairs. Our workshops are National Curriculum aligned and are designed to get children really enthusiastic about their work. Among many others, our tutors have recently visited The Chandler, Church Crookham Juniors, St Polycarps, Folly Hill, Walsh, Bentley, Binsted, Hale, Pilgrim’s Way, Park Primary, Rowledge, Woodlea, Chawton and Anstey Juniors. 

 

I couldn’t put it off any longer, Mum desperately wanted the vase for her birthday that she had seen in the shop window.  I had no choice, but to go to the shop at the end of the gloomy lane.  The weather even matched my mood, it was wet and miserable, but I knew I had to get the vase for Mum’s birthday.

 

I took a deep breath, shook my umbrella and opened the door anxiously.  The shop bell tinkled and I stepped in.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  The shop had no ceiling, only a bright blue sky, there was not a cloud in sight, only a dazzling sun.  There was soft, white sand under my feet, palm trees were swaying gently in the breeze, and crystal clear sea, lapping in gentle waves.  Had I fallen asleep? Was this a dream?  I turned around to leave, but the door had disappeared, in its place was the shopkeeper in his bright orange hawaiin shirt and shorts, sunglasses perched on his nose.

 

“Where am I?” I asked hesitantly, “I thought this was a gift shop.”

 

“Aah,” said the shopkeeper, “welcome to my Magical Shop, it is whatever your dreams wish for when you step through the door, you must like sunshine.  Just yesterday a boy came in and his dream was snowy mountains, I much prefer the warm!”

 

“How can I help you?” he asked kindly.

 

“I came to but the vase on display in your window, but now your window has gone,” I managed to whisper.

 

The shopkeeper told me to be patient and disappeared between two palm trees.  I didn’t know what to do, my heart was racing.  Despite the beautiful beach and warm sun, I suddenly had a longing to be back outside in the gloomy lane, with the rain falling onto my umbrella. I looked around, should I follow him or stay put?  I didn’t have long to worry, the shopkeeper returned from between the palm trees, carrying the vase I had seen in the window.

 

“Is this the right one?” he asked.

 

“Yes” I replied, “it is, is it for sale?”

 

“Yes of course” said the shopkeeper, “but first I need to explain how special this vase is.  When you fill it with water, it will instantly fill with beautiful flowers.  You can even choose the colour, simply place your hands around the vase like this, close your eyes and think of the colour.”

 

I couldn’t believe my eyes, the vase suddenly was full of shimmering pink petals, it was magical.

 

“Can I try please?” I asked.  He nodded, so I placed my hands around the vase, closed my eyes tightly and thought of a rainbow.

 

“Open your eyes,” the shopkeeper told me.  I peeped one eye open and gasped at the sight, the flowers were all the colours of the rainbow, I had done it!

 

“Can I buy it please?”

 

“Only if you promise never to tell a soul about what you have discovered in this shop today, it must remain a secret, or it will not work if you try and return.  If you promise this, the vase is yours to keep, you can have it for free.”

 

I thanked his graciously and took the vase with a huge grin on my face.  Mum was going to be so pleased with her present.

 

All of a sudden, I heard the tinkle of the shop door bell behind me and as I turn to look, I realised that the beautiful beach had disappeared and I was in an ordinary shop, holding an ordinary vase.  I pinched myself to see if it had been a dream, but the vase was still full of rainbow coloured flowers, had it all been a dream or was the vase still magical?

 

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