The Silent Owl

The Silent Owl Illustrated by Sam McPhillips Written by Clemency Pearce

The Silent Owl Illustrated by Sam McPhillips

Written by Clemency Pearce

For Rob and Silkie - Sam For Gemma, the noisiest bird I know - CP

In the great, old hollow oak, Lived an owl, who never spoke.

Fox asked, ‘Why do you never speak?’ But Owl refused to move his beak.

Badger huffed, ‘How very rude!’ But Owl would not, could not, be moved!

A swooping bat whooped, ‘Say hello!’

But Owl was silent far below.

A pair of mice squeaked in his ear, ‘Is it that you cannot hear?’ But Owl just rolled his giant eyes, And stared up at the starry skies.

Squirrel scalded, ‘Are you nuts?’ But Owl ignored his toothy tuts.

Rat cried, ‘Owl! This isn’t right!’ But Owl just gazed into the night.

Stag said, ‘Owl! We need a sign, To let us know that you are fine.’

So all the creatures gathered round, To see if Owl would make a sound.

They stared at Owl; he stared right back. Who would be the first to crack?

Stag declared, ‘He must be mute, Or he doesn’t give a hoot!’

At this, the owl produced a trumpet, A big bass drum and stick to thump it.

Although Owl wouldn’t hoot, he played the bongos,

piano,

guitar,

and flute!

The animals cheered, ‘What a clever bird!’ And Owl just winked without a word.

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Published by Top That! Publishing plc Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1AP, UK www.topthatpublishing.com Illustration copyright © Sam McPhillips 2011 Text copyright © Clemency Pearce 2011 All rights reserved Creative Director – Simon Couchman Editorial Director – Daniel Graham Illustrated by Sam McPhillips Written by Clemency Pearce All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Neither this book nor any part or any of the illustrations, photographs or reproductions contained in it shall be sold or disposed of otherwise than as a complete book, and any unauthorised sale of such part illustration, photograph or reproduction shall be deemed to be a breach of the publisher’s copyright. ISBN 978-1-84956-553-0 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library